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Reviews of Ducks & Drakes Boutique Motel & Backpackers

48 Lemon Street, 4310 New Plymouth, New Zealand

#22 of 30 hotels in New Plymouth

Guests' Choice

Review Score

Based on 487 hotel reviews

8.3

Score breakdown

  • Cleanliness

    8.5

  • Comfort

    8.7

  • Location

    9.2

  • Facilities

    8.3

  • Staff

    9.2

  • Value for money

    8.9

  • Free Wifi

    8.9

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Showing 1 - 25

  • Reviewed: July 17, 2025

    7.0
    Comfortable and nice for the price
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bunk Bed in Female Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night

    Not sure

    It was all comfortable, I had to book an urgent place for my niece to stay at, she tells me this was comfortable clean and what she needed for the night

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: June 28, 2025

    9.0
    Wonderful
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Economy Double Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Everything was nice and clean. Super polite staff.

    Stayed in June 2025

  • Reviewed: June 10, 2025

    9.0
    Can recommend, would stay again!
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 2 nights

    I asked if I could sleep in the lower section of the bunk bed. Usually places that don't track assigned beds just say "not possible". However, this place actually put a sheet a paper on the bed saying "this bed is reserved for XY". That was super nice and definitely unusual.

    Stayed in April 2025

  • Reviewed: June 10, 2025

    8.0
    A lovely stay but maybe book a private room instead of a dorm.
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Room was smelly. Mostly down to the woofers the live in the hostel.

    Super friendly and attentive owners. Very cozy spot and a good location if you’re wanting to do the Pouaki Tarns hike.

    Stayed in May 2025

  • Reviewed: June 8, 2025

    8.0
    Clean and comfortable in the perfect location for us visiting family.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Studio Cottage
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Perfect location for us as we were visiting family nearby. We appreciated the upgrade from a studio “cottage” to a one bedroom “cottage”.

    Stayed in June 2025

  • Reviewed: June 7, 2025

    7.0
    Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    There was only one tab to wash your hands in a room with a shower. So after going to one of the two toilets you needed to wait until nobody was in the shower anymore to wash your hands

    I loved the lounge areas!

    Stayed in June 2025

  • Reviewed: May 26, 2025

    8.0
    Good price!
    • Business trip
    • Group
    • Budget Twin Room
    • Stayed 2 nights

    I used the toilets on the left of the 2nd floor and it was quite a dark corridor! Some signs might have helped :)

    Located on a quieter side of town, but easily walkable (less than 5 min) to busier streets in CBD. Private twin room was comfortable and shared toilets were spacious! Room can get quite cold at night during late autumn. There was a heater but we didn't use it and survived with the thick duvets. Very cozy common area with a fireplace (!). Staff was friendly and helpful even though we checked in late at night.

    Stayed in May 2025

  • Reviewed: May 13, 2025

    8.0
    Brett was super friendly at check in
    • Couple
    • Budget Twin Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Location

    Stayed in May 2025

  • Reviewed: May 4, 2025

    8.0
    Very Good
    • Business trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Economy Double Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The curtains didn't really do much so light came through in the morning which was annoying.

    When I arrived Brett was really kind after I rung the bell and made me feel welcomed. Nice lounge and kitchen area. Parking on the street but plenty of space to do it. Room was really nice and came with a couple towels close to bathrooms

    Stayed in May 2025

  • Reviewed: March 23, 2025

    8.0
    Beautiful little backpackers with clean and comfortable common areas
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Economy Double Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 2 nights

    Walls were thin. Can hear the neighboring rooms quite clearly.

    Friendly helpful staff. Excellent location, just on the outskirts of town, easy walking distance to city center, and grocery store, eateries etc a block away. Beautiful common areas with a comfortable lounge, awesome sun room, nice dining room, good kitchen, and outdoor area. Nice decor, vibe and very clean.

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: March 19, 2025

    9.0
    Wonderful
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Nothing

    Lounge, sunroom kitchen all above average, comfy beds very central. Would stay again in heattbeat!!

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: March 19, 2025

    9.0
    Great hostel and fantastic price
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 3 nights

    There were no lockers in the room I was in (but Brett was about to install them so this shouldn't be an issue for people in future!). As it was though everything was secure anyway and Brett kindly offered to store valuables for me if necessary :-)

    Hostel is very well equipped with a spacious kitchen and lots of cooking space and utensils. There is a large dining area and lounge. Hostel is only 15 mins walk from the Intercity bus stop and only a few minutes walk to big supermarkets

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: March 15, 2025

    7.0
    Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Budget Twin Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Meeting young people from around the world

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: March 14, 2025

    9.0
    Wonderful
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 4-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    I had to book an extra night and because it was in different dorms the staff actually upgraded me to a 2 bed dorm for my whole stay :) Near a supermarket and plenty of takeaways. Although it's not in the CBD, it is an easy 10min walk to the centre and seafront It had a great homely vibe to the place, definitely my favourite hostel in New Plymouth

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: February 23, 2025

    9.0
    Excellent value for money
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Studio Cottage
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Nothing we didn't like but a hook or ring on the wall by the handbasin would be great to hang the hand towel on. Maybe a little shelf to place toilet bags etc on? And a tidy up on the paint in some areas?

    Loved the location. 5 minute walk to CBD shops, restaurants, supermarkets etc. Cottage had character and everything you need. Lots of windows and doors to let a breeze through on a hot day. Comfortable bed and chairs. Shower was great. Outside table and chairs a nice area to sit at. Amazed at high quiet and peaceful it was. It was perfect for our weekend stay and we would definitely stay again.

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: February 23, 2025

    8.0
    Value Stay in New Plymouth
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Budget Twin Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Host was unavailable to help when I reported a problem in the night. Fortunately, it resolved itself. Nonetheless, the host seemed nice.

    Good value for money. Nice house on the fringe of the town with street parking available. Friendly host.

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: February 14, 2025

    9.0
    Nice backpackers in a great central location
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Budget Twin Room
    • Stayed 1 night

    Depending on the time of day, the showers were a bit busy. Ok in general, but not always available straight away. Everything else was fine, was a good stay.

    Cozy backpackers in a central area but without most of the noise. Away from the main road, but in perfect walking distance to shops and all the things you might need. Nice manager and helpful (forgot my phone charger). Thanks.

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: February 12, 2025

    7.0
    A Beautiful Building
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Budget Twin Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Some stylish decorations look nice alone but feel a bit strange together.

    Colorful indoor decoration. Convenient shuttle to hiking places nearby.

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: February 12, 2025

    9.0
    Sweet little hostel, good location
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Economy Double Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The soundproofing is quite poor. You can clearly hear the other guests and the street outside. However, it was quiet at night when I stayed there.

    I really liked it. It's a sweet hostel, not too big, nice rooms and good beds, well equipped kitchen, good location, nice staff, everthing clean. Thanks :-)

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: February 2, 2025

    8.0
    Very Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • One-Bedroom Cottage
    • Stayed 2 nights

    Comfy and cosy and clean

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: January 30, 2025

    8.0
    Very Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Great location, lovely hosts

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: January 26, 2025

    9.0
    Quiet cozy clean hostel close to town.
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    I really enjoyed my stay here. Wanted to stay longer but it was full. It’s quiet, clean and cozy. Lots of street parking.

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: January 20, 2025

    9.0
    Overnight visitors
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Economy Double Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The lock on the comunal shower door on the ground floor does not lock very well otherwise a great shower.

    Host very welcoming & accommodating. Comfy bed, great facilities had everything you needed in the kitchen, plenty of room in the communal areas and very clean. Perfect location for our trip.

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: January 16, 2025

    8.0
    Recommend
    • Leisure trip
    • Travelers with friends
    • Budget Twin Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Good old fashioned hostel. Relaxed and friendly.

    Stayed in January 2025

Showing 1 - 25

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