The easiest way to book your stay with us is to visit our secure online booking page, here you can enter all your details and send them straight to us. We will confirm via email (and SMS if you enter your mobile number). Alternatively you can ring us on +64 (0)3 366 8268.
The demand for accommodation varies with the season, at peak times (December-May) it is a good idea to book a good week ahead to ensure you get your preferred choice of room.
At Dorset House we have five different types of rooms Share, Single, Small Double, Double and Twin. For a description of these rooms and a virtual tour refer to Room/Rates - Your Room.
No, all the beds at Dorset House are fully made up with sheets, duvets (this is Kiwi for a comforter or doona). Blankets are added in the cold season. Because of this we do not permit the use of guests' own sleeping bags.
Yes, we have a fully equipped laundry for your use refer to Rooms/Rates - Facilities for more detail.
There is a pay phone available for all guests we also have a fax machine that you would be welcome to use.
There are two guest computers in the lounge with internet access and a range of other capabilities. We also have a wireless internet system for those with laptops. Full details can be found under rooms/Rates - facilities.
At Dorset House we have a spacious Lounge with many things to do. There are books, board games and puzzles, a pool table, cable TV, comfy coaches and a DVD player for which we have a great selection of DVDs to choose from.
We have a storage area where we will hold your luggage if you are returning to stay with us or for the day of your departure.
Yes will act as a temporary address for you, for details on this and receiving freight see rooms/rates - services.
Yes we hire out towels, along with a number of other items that are for hire or sale at Dorset House for a full list see rooms/rates - services.
We do have limited off street car parks but you are able to park on the street also, see rooms/rates - free.
Dorset house has a locked bike shed where it can be stored for your stay so you can be assured of its safety.
There are plenty of bathrooms within the hostel; however none of our rooms have private bathrooms.
The office closes at 6pm, if you are arriving after that we will leave you a pack at reception with your room key and directions. When booking make sure you receive a copy of the correct door code so you can get into the building.
Dorset House is at 1 Dorset Street, which connects to Victoria Street and Park Tce. The quickest way is to follow Colombo Street right down to the Town Hall Kilmore Street, then follow that till you reach Victoria Street. Refer to Our Location for a map.
When travelling from Dorset House to the airport, you can easily have a shuttle pick you up at a certain time to ensure you meet your flight. This works out much cheaper than a taxi, and Dorset House can organise one for you - just ask at reception. If your flight is during the day, your budget option is the airport bus or number 10 bus. Timetables and maps can be found at www.metroinfo.org.nz or from the Dorset House reception. We are happy to show you where the closest bus stop is to us (just a couple of minutes walk).
When travelling from the airport to Dorset House, there are shuttles waiting outside the airport 24-hours a day. You don't need to book these - just walk up and catch a ride. Alternatively, you may choose to catch a taxi from the airport taxi stand if your flight arrives late.
Each of our share rooms contains three or four beds, for a virtual tour of this see the room/rates - your room.
There are three broad reasons for why we don't allow children; these are for safety, practical and social reasons.
Safety is our main concern. We operate a number of communal area including the kitchen, showers and lounge. None of these areas are child safe and there are self closing doors that have been installed for fire safety reasons that could catch small fingers or hands. Also our kitchen cupboards are not child safe, we have cleaning products that could be accessed by children. Additionally our stairs are open passageways; they are not 'fenced' at the top and may be a falling hazard to younger children. All in all Dorset House is a historic character home, and not a safe environment for children.
The second reason is practicality. We do not have high chairs for feeding, cots for sleeping, or baths for bathing. Overall, Dorset House does not have the practical facilities to care for children. The reason why we don't have these facilities is because generally their demand is extremely low and in periods of non-use they have to be stored - we do not have the available space to do this.
Finally there is the social aspect. We allow alcohol in Dorset House that will no doubt be used in a socially responsible manner but we can't guarantee this. Also Dorset House often has guests arriving late at night and children can be woken, and can wake other guests. We also don't have activities or outside areas that specifically cater for children - Dorset House is not socially compatible for children.
We hope you appreciate the reasons for why we do not accept children. We prefer to identify these issues before you book so as to avoid any disappointment at check in.