Canterbury Worcester Street And South

Frauenreisehaus: The Homestead (BBH), 272 Barbadoes St. (☎366 2585). From the cathedral, head east on Worcester Blvd. and right on Barbadoes St. Women are fortunate to have this female-only hostel to themselves. Free use of bikes, CD burner, fresh herbs and fruit trees, a hammock, free laundry, and a resident rabbit. Reception 8am-9:30pm. Dorms $23; twins $28; singles $35. Neighboring French House has longer stay options doubles $120 per week, singles $180. $3 BBH discount. MC/V.
Vagabond Backpackers (BBH), 232 Worcester St. (☎379 9677; vagabondbackpackers@hotmail.com), 5 blocks east of the cathedral. A Victorian house with a clean, well-maintained interior, lovely garden, friendly hosts, fresh bread for breakfast, and great mattresses. Check the job board for work opportunities. Reception 8am-10pm. Dorms $21-23; singles $35; twins and doubles $48-52. $3 BBH discount. MC/V.
Rolleston House YHA, 5 Worcester Blvd. (☎366 6564; yha.rollestonhouse@yha.co.nz), at Rolleston Ave. The Arts Centre, cafes, and museums are all right outside the door. Small rooms are airy and bright, and the large TV lounge and kitchen promote socialization. Lockers $2. Reception 8am-10pm. Dorms $26-28; twins $68; doubles $70, with bath $92. $3 YHA discount. MC/V.
New Excelsior Backpackers (BBH), 120 Manchester St. (☎366 7570 and 0800 666 237; www.newexcelsior.co.nz), at High St. Fun neighborhood with lots of cafes and shops, with a rooftop deck and pub. Towels $2. Key deposit $20. Reception 7am-8pm. Dorms $23-28; singles $35-45; doubles $60. $3 BBH Discount. AmEx/MC/V.
base backpackers, on the north side of Cathedral Sq. (☎982 2225 or 0800 227 369; www.basebackpackers.com). With one of Christchurch’s hottest bars downstairs, base is where backpackers who live on booze and adrenaline occasionally sleep. The 3-story building feels like a dorm room with a big screen TV. Towels $3. Safe $2. Reception 24hr. Dorm $27, ensuite $29. Private room $65, ensuite $85. Book well in advance, especially for private rooms. VIP/YHA $1 discount. AmEx/MC/V.
Thomas’s Hotel, 36 Hereford St. (☎379 9536; www.thomashotel.co.nz), across from the Arts Centre. This central hotel has simple, functional rooms to suit any price range. Barbeque, lounge, and kitchen. Reception 6:30am-9pm. Budget dorms $24, with linen $30; singles $65, with shower $95, with bath $109; doubles $69/95/109; triples $80. Rates are negotiable, especially off-season. MC/V.
Christchurch City Central YHA, 273 Manchester St. (☎379 9535; yha.christchurchcity@yha.co.nz), near Armagh St. A typical YHA: central, modern, and ultra-clean. Free shuttle service to the train station, but not the airport. Massage chairs and pool table in the welcoming lounge. Lockers $1 per 6hr. Reception 7am-10pm. Dorms $28-30; singles $63-68; twins and doubles $71, ensuite $91. $3 YHA discount. MC/V.
Foley Towers (BBH), 208 Kilmore St. (☎366 9720; foley.towers@backpack.co.nz). Take Worcester St. east to Madras St., turn left, and then right on Kilmore St. Newly renovated rooms in the a sprawling Victorian house close to a poplar grove lining the Avon River. The mess-hall style kitchen and adopt-a-sock wall in the laundry room give the place a summer camp feel. TV lounge in winter and BBQ. Linen $2. Key deposit $10. Reception 9am-9:30pm. Dorms $21-23; twins and doubles $54, with bath $60. $4 BBH discount. MC/V.