Fat Camel Hostel

Fantastic experience: Nice place and friendly stuff. Unfortunately it’s closed for good but I have good memories

Fantastic experience: Lovely

Positive experience: I liked the location, but it wasn’t that clean.

Negative experience: Don’t stay in here! Why: We reserved a triple room (number 602- 5). We got a nice room, big, with a great view to the cbd. Then we noticed that the linens are dirty. We went to sleep and woke up in the morning with lots of itching bites of bedbugs!! All of our body and face were full of stings and it was horrible. When we told the staff about it, they gave us spray against bugs and fresh linens. Though the staff was nice and helpful, I wouldn’t recommend staying in this hostel!!!

Fantastic experience: Good karaoke at the bottom of the hostel.

Negative experience: Disaster! We woke up after one night and had bites all over our bodies. We searched for the reason and discovered bunch of bedbugs on the sheets, mattresses and even on the wall... disgusting. The hostel smells like hell and it’s very dirty. The staff was very nice and helpful though and refunded us our money. Don’t stay there even if it’s free, just don’t.

Negative experience: BED BUGS IN ALL ROOMS. I HAD BED BUGS IN EVERY ROOM I STAYED IN, WAS MOVED FROM 2ND TO 3RD TO 4TH FLOORS AND ALL BEDS HAD BED BUGS IN. DO NOT STAY HERE

Positive experience: Cheap

Positive experience: More private, access to kitchen 24/7

Negative experience: worst place ever...too costly then other hostels...and too much price difference in online booking and check in booking.

Positive experience: For a hostel it was pretty good. Reception was very helpfully

Negative experience: Really did not enjoy this hostel. It was cheap but not worth it

Negative experience: Accidently booked a day too early, so I directly send a message for it to be moved one day. No response at all and once I arrive they don't have space for me anymore and I have to find another place. They couldn't work something out or get me a refund either. Pretty bad service overal.

Negative experience: I found it a terrible hostel. I am used to 4 euro hostels in Latin America, but this hostel had a strange atmosphere. Most people live there to save money. Rooms are a mess, beds not refreshed. They are apartments in themselves. The people living there are also very odd. I was immediately grabbed by someone at second 1 who wanted my name and number to go out together. The state he was in was very strange – trembling hands and wide-open eyes. And this person wouldn't let go. Later, there seemed to be more of such people around. The staff was very stiff and uninterested. No explanations, room key in hand and figure it out yourself. I can't check in before 2 PM. Upon arrival, I was told that I couldn't check in. When I asked to store my things somewhere, I was handed a key with the message 'put it in the storage room.' With the key in hand, I was allowed to search for this room on the first floor of the hostel.

Positive experience: Enjoyed the stay there but the outer floors of wash rooms were utterly wet by the time we occupied . Rooms would be good if there is proper ventilation . Good rates. The hosts were very friendly

Negative experience: Avoid at all costs. Just about the dirtiest place I have ever stayed. Mould, dirt and disrepair everywhere. 'Fresh linen' had blood on it as per pics. Even the bins need to be thrown out. If this place were a dog, the vet would put it down.

Positive experience: Staff are really nice, the place is tidy but really not any social vibe. Good if you wanna save money or have a few quiet nights.

Positive experience: It is cheaper but the kitchen doesn't have good cutlery

Positive experience: Interior is tidy & arrangement of furniture is on point. When weighing your options, choose the room with no windows - less noise. There is a bar below so it couls get abit rowdy at night.

Negative experience: There are many long-term guests. Generally, they watch videos without headphones and talk loudly. There are rooms with windows and rooms without windows, connected by a kitchen and a bathroom. If you get a room without a window, it will be damp and hot.

Positive experience: Nice budget hostel, good location. Everything you need just outside

Negative experience: The kitchen is dirty, barely has plates and cups. There are fleas in the bedrooms. The only reason why I don't rate it with one star is because I made a claim with the manager Mohammed because the cleaning lady is crazy living in one of the bedrooms and didn't let me sleep during the whole night, and the manager accepted to change me to another room.

Negative experience: I have stayed at multiple backpackers in the past. All receptionists at my previous stays have been usually friendly and receptive. However, the receptionist who works on weeknights here is rude and uncouth, and totally uncooperative. Behaves like he owns the place, and misbehaves and harasses the guests at the reception.. Putting out this comment so that future boarders know what to expect if they check-in the middle of the night and unfortunately come across this guy.I still wonder how did he even get hired as a receptionist ? Looking at other reviews about staff, I am not surprised that I am not the only victim.

Positive experience: Fair hostel

Negative experience: Very dirty, probably havent been renovated since they built the building. The only thing good about this place is its location.

Negative experience: Disgusting! Smells really bad, the service is horrible and as the website said free parking we went there thinking we would be able to just park and settle in. The guy in the reception told us there was no parking there and when we asked where we could park he just told us “I don’t know” in a condescending way. They also told us the “computer system” was to blame for the five of us not ending up in the same room (when this is what we ordered online and payed for).

Negative experience: We booked a 6-room for five people, for quite a cheap price. When we showed up the staff was terrible, and we got 3 people in a 6-room and two others in a 8-room. It was not clean, and very noisy. The people who live there are not friendly.

Negative experience: Very dirty and smelly... Also the service was not great! Would not recommend, only good thing is that it was close to everything

Negative experience: Room had a piece of ceiling missing, workers just walked in unannounced, obviously don't communicate with each other.. Bathroom shared facility.. Not safe if you have shower, no proper locks on doors.. Was cheap, but still privacy should be always a priority..especially in these times..

Negative experience: BEDBUGS!!! I'm highly allergic to bedbugs and thy were everywhere in this hostel. In the couches in the beds in the carpets and curtains. DO NOT STAY unless you definitely want to bring them with you in your suitcase.

Fantastic experience: Great place to share with friends

Positive experience: could do with a paint job and some new carpets and the bar needs a upgrade but does the job

Positive experience: Bit noisy but beds were very very comfortable

Negative experience: Okay for one or two nights. Not enough showers, old furnishings, there are cheaper hostels within 30 minutes with better furnishings. However, it is centrally located and has very friendly staff. During the two days I was there, I noticed that cleaning is done every day. (You can't really see the cleanliness - the mirrors are missing glass, the showers have cracks) Windows can only be opened a tiny crack which definitely isn't enough for good ventilation with 8 people sleeping there + the wet towels from showering. Additionally, the bathrooms also have no windows. It feels a bit musty.

Negative experience: The key breaks frequently, and it's a hassle to go to the front desk every time. There was only one fan in the room, and it was hot. The shower had hot water, and the kitchen was usable, so that was good. It may have been a coincidence, but there were people talking in the common room until around 3 AM during my stay, and it was loud.

Positive experience: Spacious and comfortable bed. Centrally located. Common areas dirty and old. The bathroom faucets didn't work. And the shower had mold. With a bit more interest from the owners, it would be a good place.

Negative experience: The staff were friendly and it had a great location The bed bugs however made our stay super gross and itchy, we got moved two times but they were literally everywhere The place just needs a lot of tlc and it would be so nice

Negative experience: Was disgusting smelled moldy and couldn't even stay 1 night even though we're booked for 2 nights. Was appreciated they had us moved to another place to stay . Would not recommend to stay here unless you are a young person that likes to party and don't care where you sleep.

Negative experience: Very noisy, small rooms

Negative experience: I have never been in such a filthy hostel. We are not in Asia where you pay 5 dollars for a room. You pay 80 dollars for a double room. I was really shocked when I saw the common area. The luggage storage room is a complete mess. You could hardly enter the room... a miracle that we found our bags again. The house is completely run down. A wreck. It smells musty and of mold. I would never come back.

Negative experience: A room so hot you could cook an egg in it. Smells like an old damp sock. Bed bugs, homeless people, broken everything and mold. Yëy.

Positive experience: The location is strategic but the hostel itself isn't so comfortable to stay in.

Positive experience: I stayed two months on this hostel. It's a little bit dirty and smell bad in the kitchen but... people working there are so nice and the free meal every night is very good for Backpacker and meet people in the hostel !

Negative experience: Room without window or ventilation. Very poor quality bunk bed. (You can't move without waking everyone up...) Charged twice despite having repeated 3 times that the room had already been paid at the time of booking. Wi-Fi does not work in the room. Fortunately, it is cheap and well located.

Negative experience: Rooms are fine, WiFi isn‘t working, „no alcohol in the hostel“ rule is annoying since alcohol is banned in the city as well

Negative experience: Comfortable beds but dirty shared bathrooms and messy dorm rooms from long term residents. Not a pleasant atmosphere here, but it is cheap. Also $5 for meal and a beer from the bar in the evening is handy.

Positive experience: Staff friendly. Room ok, but no windows!! Zero ventilation! Stifling, would have been unbearable without fan on throughout night.

Positive experience: We stayed in room 601, which had no windows. The room had a bed, a fan, a storage table, and a trash can. Outside, there were shared bathrooms and a kitchen for four rooms. They did not provide a hairdryer or toiletries. The room had a bit of a stuffy smell, and without windows, we couldn't tell the weather outside. However, it had all the other basic necessities. We booked the room together with our flight tickets, and the price was very cheap. The location is convenient; there is a supermarket nearby, and there is a night market on Saturday nights. Overall, it was a very nice place to stay! Remember to show the staff the proof of payment.

Negative experience: One of the worst place in this whole world it feels like hell room smell so bad

Positive experience: Very affordable and great, friendly vibe. The bar downstairs is fun and the Wi-Fi is good if you're in the hallways.

Positive experience: I liked! Have karaoke...

Negative experience: Poor rooms. AC started working at midnight making a hell of a noise. Feels like being in an asylum.

Negative experience: Owned sio my io

Negative experience: Room was tiny and stifling, almost too hot to sleep. Bathroom was always wet from showers, trash overflowing in bathroom for my entire stay. Free mini-meal was nice and common area on first floor comfortable. Staff was helpful and pleasant. Strong WiFi, great location and close to ferry terminal.

Fantastic experience: My partner and I stayed here for a week, can’t complain. We were very pleased with our room, very clean, tidy and we had a window and a fan but by what other people who were staying there said, it sounds like we got one of the better rooms. A lot of rooms had no window OR fan (in the middle of summer!!) and one room apparently had water leaking in from the bathroom next door. Other than that, our shared bathroom and kitchen were clean and pleasant. We also loved the bar downstairs and the free snacks and staff were friendly. Sounds like a hit or miss with the rooms though so I would suggest making sure you get one with a window and fan, especially in the middle of summer. We had our fan going on full and window open the entire time and our room was still really warm so can’t inagine what it would be like without it!

Positive experience: Very positive experience in this hostel only. There is one kitchen for every couple dorms. The free meal in the evening is great. Delicious and in case you are very hungry you can top it up to a big meal fot only 3£. Also for a big meal + drink for 5£ which is an exceptional price. Only downside is no lockers in the room. Would stay here again.

Positive experience: A youth hostel right in the city center. It offers themed nights and discounts for its bar (direct access from the hostel). The reception is decent, and there is a luggage storage service. There is an elevator, and access to the rooms is through a key card, as well as a shared kitchen and bathroom. The room was relatively quiet and clean. We stayed there for one night and were satisfied.

Positive experience: The facilities were maintained however the only room available was windowless so it had a strong musty smell. The dorm I was in had a shared kitchen and bathroom which was all reasonably clean and tidy. Shower was good and the place included a free dinner serving between 7-8pm in the pub downstairs

Positive experience: We unfortunately got an extremely damp room that made all of our belongings wet and played hell on my asthma. But we were moved to there neighbour hostel which was lovely of them. Other than that the facilities and bar were smashing.

Negative experience: While we were obviously not expecting much for the price and the advertised no window of our private/w shared bathroom, the place reeked of mildew and was so poorly constructed that we could hear everything, and light leaked in from the semi connected bathroom walls. There was also no windows/good ventilation in either common rooms. However, the location is great and the shared kitchen is a good addition.

Negative experience: Worst hostel I've been to. Cold shower, no locker in the room, no plug nowhere near the bed, weakest wifi in town, paper thin walls, too expensive for what they offer. One of the staff members was nice and the food was good.

Fantastic experience: Amazing place!!! I loved!!!!

Negative experience: Absolutely atrocious. Arrived to check in to find a sign at the desk saying "back in 5 mins" we were on a strict time limit to get to a gig, waited at least half an hour for reception to return. I ended up running around the entire hostel trying to find a staff member. Asked bar staff for help and everyone was absolutely hopeless, no help what so ever, nobody knew a thing or where reception staff were and when they would return. Ended up being late to our gig, huge disappointment, paid good money for it and the hostel. Will not be returning and do not recommend.

Negative experience: Too many people in one room and no lockers

Negative experience: I stayed in Auckland for 2 nights, then 1 night in Rotorua, and back to Auckland for another night, totaling 3 nights here. The price is cheap and the location is good. I had already paid online in advance, but I was charged again at check-in, so one must be careful. It feels unpleasant to be asked for payment every time when I have already paid during check-in and check-out. I think they should review their system a bit more. The male staff's response was mediocre. I was refused luggage storage while going to Rotorua for one night, and the luggage drop-off place the staff introduced to me was not open at that time. If they can't store luggage, they should properly introduce other places where you can leave your bags. With the bus time approaching, I had to take my 30kg luggage to Rotorua. It was a bit of a disappointing memory. I wouldn't recommend this hotel, but I think it's fine for those who just want a low price and a good location. The female room had a toilet and shower inside, making it convenient to use. I felt bad, so I think I will never use it again.

Positive experience: The room got only one outlet. The kitchen does not have a dishcloth.

Negative experience: Bad experience... The room was very small, it had 6 beds and only 1 person could stand at most with no space to leave luggage. The room stank and of the 3 available showers, only 1 worked, so I had to shower on other floors. The portion of free food was very small and the laundry didn't work very well. I do not recommend it.

Positive experience: There was nothing wrong with the hostel it was a good price for a nice and clean room

Fantastic experience: Fun place to have a drink and play pool. A big plus is a cool staff!

Fantastic experience: 5-star for the Triple Bedroom. Good location, friendly staff, super fast internet + unlimited too. Free meals was awesome.

Fantastic experience: Best crack(banter) in the city.

Negative experience: Spent a week there just after landing in NZ. The insulation of my room was really poor, the wall really thin. The bathroom smelled moisture and was really disgusting. Moreover, the one in my floor was closed for the week. There's a bar/club on the ground floor of the hostel and it's so noisy during the night, crappy music with maximum volume and drunk boy screaming next to the windows of the bedrooms. Awful experience... If you are looking for a nice place to stay in Auckland, don't go there.

Fantastic experience: I think this is a pretty cool hostel Very good prices Each section has its own Kitchen and bathroom and table and chairs, which means you hang out with and get to know people in your section Right next door is a bar with pool Free meals Incredibly lovely staff Main issue is it needs some renovations - cleaning is daily but guests are a bit piggy and you have to walk past a filthy kitchen in and out of your room, and just need to replace doors / repaint etc. Beds and bunks were fine

Positive experience: Cheap place to stay but it's pretty dirty and the beds are awful. Probably only good for a short stay

Negative experience: It needs cleaning, seriously. Also maintenance as there was mould in the corridors and the room.

Positive experience: Very large room! Kitchen and common space shared with 5 other rooms, so very friendly! Possibility to eat for free for a 'snack' portion at the bar of the backpack and cheap drinks if you sleep at the hotel! Honestly, it's a very good place to stay!

Positive experience: Very chill place.

Fantastic experience: Really good and cheap, clean place.

Fantastic experience: Good atmosphere and friendly staff. Rooms can be quite small! You can get a small free meal. Upgrade it for 5$ and you get a proper portion with a beer!

Fantastic experience: Always love a night at the camel great bar staff.

Positive experience: Hostel in the heart of the city, just a stone's throw from Britomart. So perfect for any day trip. For dinner, there is the possibility of having a snack for free or by paying 3 to 5 dollars you can have the full dish or the dish plus a beer. The rooms are not bad, just a bit dim, and the cleanliness could be improved... every three rooms there is a kitchen and on the first floor, there's a common area. It could improve but for location and price, it is absolutely perfect!

Negative experience: Room is stinky and old looking, humid. Shower was full of mould and the water was cold. I recommend to avoid.

Positive experience: Rooms are okay, our window was a bit broken which let in a lot of cold air, rooms do not have heaters, common area is also quiet, excellent location, the bathroom on our floor (6th floor), the shower flooded because the drain was somewhat clogged. Friendly staff, kitchen is okay.

Positive experience: good place to stay

Positive experience: Amazing place with great people and prices

Negative experience: Convenient place but not up to standards

Positive experience: Had a room of 4 people with no window or air con very hot. Lovely people at reception always ready to help me with what I needed :)

Negative experience: Cold water and no pressure in showers !!! They changed my room before my check out and without telling me. They took all my stuff and I lost some important things. Free dinner every night which is good. the guy is so lazy at the bar and slow even without rush. Some rooms are good, some rooms are too tiny for 6 or even 8 peoples... And there is some bed bugs even if the rooms are quite clean... This backpacker is one of the best for this price in Auckland... I will come back for sure !

Positive experience: Good for travelers.

Negative experience: Old, ugly and dirty hostel. Good location and okay facilities in the kitchen.

Positive experience: Not bad for the money, still a bit dirty and weird staff.

Positive experience: Good for the price. Very well located. I stayed 2 nights in female room shared (8beds). A great common room. All the staff is nice.

Positive experience: I didn't stay here so can only comment on the bar. It's small but somehow manages to cram in a pool table and a gambling room. Very casual place, cheap drinks and cheap food draws in a young crowd.

Fantastic experience: Cheap beer. Hot chicks from all over the place

Negative experience: We booked a double room with no window so I should have known what I was getting but Auckland in February with no airconditioning and no window meant NO SLEEP. Great location especially if going to Spark Arena.

Negative experience: Aircon out of service, hot and stinky rooms. Everything is old and dirty / damage. By far the worst backpacker I've never been.

Positive experience: Good hostel for the price, gets really hot on summer and untidy in the rooms specially because some people stay there for ages and they make a big mess on the room. The toilets are clean but the kitchen gets messy, hard to find dishes and most of the stoves doesn't work.

Negative experience: Not a great experience if I'm honest. It's dirty, especially in the bathrooms, my room had only one socket for seven people, the beds were half broken, and the air was just really, really hot even though the outside temperature was pretty cool. There are a few benefits, the $3 meals in the evenings, the free wifi (didn't work most of the time but anyway), and a great central location if you need to catch an early bus or train. But if you want to stay more than one night and like to spend time in your room sometimes, or if dirtiness can be an issue for you, then avoid the Fat Camel.

Positive experience: Small bar, drinks are ok, house beer is not my taste. The pubcrawl starts here so yeah you kind have to go there if you wanna be part of the pubcrawl.

Positive experience: Fat Camel is incredibly conveniently located. For its affordability, not much more can be reasonably expected. Our private double room with no windows had a bed, bench and fan with just two power outlets, which meant after the fan was taken just one power outlet remained, which is problematic when two people need to charge their own phones. A multi-adapter would have been good. Every night, people were sleeping in the commonroom, potentially because their own rooms were so hot equip with fans that inadequately circulate the warm air? The photos of the room had towels on the bed, but be warned, there is not a single towel on the premises, which i have never come accross in my extensive hostel experiences. The place overall is a bit of a dive and a bit drab. I felt very bad for the service staff who with difficulty had to navigate with big immobile equipment. On a positive note, the shower had good water pressure and i really liked their bin system.