Jailhouse Accommodation - Hostel

8.8

Excellent

307 Guest reviews

8.8

Excellent

307 Verified Reviews

Read all reviews

Cleanliness8.8/10

Service8.8/10

Comfort8.0/10

Condition8.6/10

location7.6/10

Neighborhood7.8/10

Value7.4/10

Amenities8.8/10

Jailhouse rocks

2nd stay. Great place. Walkable to train station and into christchurch.

Had difficulty with my prepaid booking... took many back-and-forthsd to get their mistake sorted... not easy or fun when travelling with limited access to cell coverage or time. And I could only find 1 toilet for males, yes 1... 4 showers, but only 1 toilet. There must be more, but noone working there, no layout maps of the building... just not much of anything. Definitely would not recommend nor ever stay there again.

Jailhouse

Very original, staying in an old jail is an experience. Everything is clean and staff were very nice and helpful. Kitchens were very well furnished to make your own meals. I recommend.

A difference experience when travelling, but could have had a small fridge in the room as the main one was full and we had to leave milk and our food out overnite. Great for back packers.

JAILHOUSE rocks!

Great re-use of a historic building. Light and airy.. no drink rule, nice and quiet with communcal jigsaws. Easy 20 min walk into town and park nearby. Lots of places to eat too.

The jailhouse accomodation is a good budget hotel. It had what i needed for a goodnights rest and to charge my devices.

Quaint accommodation but could do with more upstairs toilets

Loved our quick stay and plan to return when we come back through Christchurch. Walls of the rooms were super thick being a former jail so we slept well, bathrooms were clean and staff were very helpful - especially when we called asking after a lost item which they found and have saved for us. Many thanks!

A very novel experience, something you must try!

Loved staying here, not only was it great value for money - but it was also a fantastic experience. Staying in a jail, with your own cell was really fun. This is a hostel / accommodation so don’t expect anything fancy, it’s basic but it’s very clean and tidy. The other inmates were all friendly that I bumped in too, and there was a great atmosphere about the place. I would definitely stay here again, it’s just a great experience!

A quirky place to stay

What a quirky place to stay. Great facilities and all the amenities you need. A lovely find. Highly recommended

It is a beautifully presented place to stay - I especially enjoyed the quiet area, which guaranteed a good nights sleep, the VERY clean bathrooms, comfy beds, cats to pat, and the only vending machine I have ever used that has all the products at reasonable prices. My grandson, 13, loved the whole place and wanted to stay for longer. Absolutely marvellous.

This was the first time I’ve ever stayed in a hostel, and I had such a wonderful experience, I’m definitely going to do it again. First, I LOVE the jailhouse theme! It was so cute and made me feel right at home. Second, it was absolutely spotless. I’ve stayed in five star hotels that were not that clean! The cells were small and spartan (as they should be since it’s a jail!), but the beds were clean and comfortable. The kitchen was fully stocked with kitchen stuff, and I had my own bin in which to store my food items. The shared living areas were well furnished with comfy sofas, recliners, and dining tables and chairs. The place could get a bit noisy, but it quieted down by 10 pm. I would absolutely stay here again! Highly recommend!

Cool property

Amazing facility. Bed frame extremely squeaky/noisy

We picked this hostel because of the quirkiness of it heing based in an old jail and we were not disappointed. They really make the most of it by having a couple of old rooms set up as old cells and information boards. There are a few different social spaces which was nice and better than most of the other hostels we have stayed in in Aotearoa. It would be easy to find privacy for a phone call for instance. The thick walls mean nothing can be heard from other rooms and everyone was respectful of the quiet time in the main hall after (I think) 10pm. Facilities were generally clean. We were also pleasantly surprised that the room TV came with a Netflix subscription which was great for a cosy evening in! Would definitely recommend.

Cool concept - could do with a fan in the rooms

Would recommend!!!

Loved staying in this jail.

Clean, friendly staff, lovely atmosphere. Hot shower, comfortable clean bed.

No Frills / Great price / location for AM Flights

Interesting short stay in Pod style accommodation. Fantastic location for early morning flights out of Christchurch INT Airport. Take your own food as limited availability in vending machine only. Airport grub or fast-food an option 10mins away.

Pretty cool to stay at a place that was a jail. I liked the cats there and the bed was fine. Not much privacy though and the upstairs men's bathroom only had one toilet . Good deal though. Where else can you stay at a place that used to be a jail ?

I always wanted to get a feeling of what the inside of a prison looks like - well only kind of since this one has a pool table and TV room and you come and go as you like, very friendly staff, right next to Hagley Park.

Highly recommend, so interesting. Will definitely stay again.

良かった点: セルフチェックイン、チェックアウトなので気軽に利用できました。あと元監獄なのを活かして博物館みたいになってる内装が楽しかったです。 気になった点: 監獄なので冬は寒いです！ 湯たんぽはありましたが、暖かくして寝るのには足りずコートを着込んで寝ました。

Easy check in. Straight-forward hostel. Quiet.

It was very nice with a lot of security features the only problem I had was the heater didn’t really heat up my room!

it's a Jail, enjoy the experience

Jailhouse accommodations is a super quirky unique place. I rented a single cell for 2 nights. Positives - the security code was sent promptly and worked perfectly, this is an old jail exactly as advertised, the wall are thick, the bed was just right, and Staff were helpful. Cons - if you get a drunk idiot who comes in after midnight and forgets his code between the front door and cell…it takes the staff a bit of time to manage this. The rooms are actual prison cells, so they are small and sparce…. It’s part of the experience so know in advance, enjoy it.

Clean, Comfortable & Affordable

One of the cleanest, most comfortable-yet-affordable places I've ever stayed. Extremely friendly staff, and the room was small but very tidy and comfortable. Highly recommend.

The kitchen was nice in this property and the spaces to hang out within the building were very comfortable. I really liked the signs explaining the history of the building and the commitment to the prison bit! (cute cat lives outside as a bonus)

Glss tables ae noising a a surface. Otherwise good spot to stay

Absolutely fantastic service went out of their way to assist us We would be staying here again

I only stayed here one night. Solo traveller, female in a mixed dorm. Everything was clean, the check-in was done via email so that was easy, there are a few parking spaces so that was handy and everyone in my room was really nice and considerate. I had a very comfortable stay. It's definitely quirky and cool staying in a converted jail house and the lack of visible staff around definitely added to the ominous, abandoned vibe! There's not a great deal to do in the immediate area but it's just south of Hagley Park and in proximity to buses into the center. My only recommendation, which I give to almost all hostels and backpackers, is that the simplest of details really go a long way. Shower cubicles aren't designed to keep guests' fresh clothes and feet dry after they've showered. A shelf for belongings, a mat raised off the floor and a small stool are the kind of details people rarely say thank you for but REALLY appreciate.

The historical information

Quirky staying in jail cell. But really giod feel.

an absolutely stunning building, amazing atmosphere

Unique helpful clean

Really cool place with lots of history and friendly staff. This has been an experience for life, and I will recommend this place to everyone that are going to New Zealand!

See above

Unique historic building. Enjoyed our quick overnight stay.

I was happy with my room but toilet facilities were challenging. Having to share just one toilet in the shower room with the men. Would be good to have another just for women downstairs.

For a person on a budget that likes to meet people it was nice. Would recommend it for a convenient stay as it’s $4 on the #7 bus from town and if you are smart with the interchange that will get you to/from the airport

A particularly cute place, great beds, shared and very clean toilets and showers. I enjoyed very much! One problem that is important to know is that there is no elevator! It was a little (a lot..) problematic to lift the suitcase... other than that, a great place!

Great place to stay overnight - I came in late and left early the next day. Checking in was electronic via email with codes etc, so easy

Was a fun place to stay. Definitely will stay again

This property provided a unique experience with the opportunity to step into another world, that of the jail history, combined with contemporary well equipped kitchen, and comfortable bed rooms eating areas and bathroom.

Unique and fun because of its history. Great location. Friendly staff in the evening. Could check toilet rolls in ladies more frequently and put in correctly 😉 Well planned kitchen, dining and lounge areas and bike parking👍Welcoming foyer/reception.

Not the sort of accommodation I would normally select, given I was working through the week and only wanted a safe, convenient place to sleep, the Jailhouse was perfect in every sense. Will certainly make use of the Jailhouse next time I am visiting Christchurch.

Self-check-in makes this place. We needed emergency accommodation and really appreciated the no hassle getting in at 3 in the morning

A very nice stay,at this property. Perfect for a short stay,and good value. Great location . .

Awesome

Always nice coming back and feeling like I'm home away from home. See you next year

I recommend jail house very good kindly member I normally stay jail house comfortable and good accomodation

Jail view is just unique

The main receptionist treated me like a homeless person cause of my bags, looked down on me from the beginning, she was horrible and at the first chance she kicked me out singling me out. The owner seemed to try to show some humanity by offering me a ride.

The environment, the place itself is extremely clean, quiet and great staff that are so helpful and willing to assist on anything you may require. It's not somewhere I would normally wish to stay, but that has changed significantly. I'm staying on longer also. It's a great place to stay. I'd certainly highly recommend it to others without reservations. It's a fine place to stay if you need too.

I enjoyed the stay, only couple of things to improve.. heating in the room was very limited and didnt do alot, the luver windows created a lot of draft and cold. Otherwise good stay

Neat hostel.

The hostel was super neat! We stayed in a double bunk room, the beds are very short, so if you’re tall and don’t love sleeping in the fetal position, you might want to check out other options. The bathrooms/shower room was kept up and clean. Location is great, and very walkable to good cafes/restaurants /bars. You’ll have to pay extra for shower towels.

it was fun to stay in a jail

Such a novelty would totally recommend

The Jailhouse Accommodation/Hostel was a cool and interesting experience. The concept and prison type architecture is very original as far as hotel accommodations go. There was no one at the reception desk when we arrived after 6:00 pm. But, we were able to check ourselves in via the ipad they had at the reception desk. The rooms are clean and very simple (no frills). The rooms have the original bars on the windows and a heavy metal entrance door. I liked the combination lock to enter. I felt a bit more safe. There was a sign on the door that warned guests not to let nonguests in and the sign also had a picture of a young male to be aware of. You share showers and toilets/restrooms with the other guests (like living in a dorm). I am assuming the toilets and sinks are original. There is a large kitchen to cook and a laundry room. It was very quiet in the common areas. The surrounding area was not close to the city center and definitely not posh. Great prices if you just need a place to get some sleep and get to say you stayed in a former prison. It wasn't very crowded when we stayed-- mostly young single people, who seemed to be staying for longer periods. Jailhouse Accommodations only had a few parking spaces in their lot. We were lucky to get a parking space. Overall, it was an interesting and unique experience.

My first experience in jail

Loved the experience of staying in a prison cell

un and educational experience

My son and I stayed together. We had a great time. Feels safe and is also an historical education.

stay elsewhere.

WiFi does not work outside common areas. This is just laziness as it would not be hard to put repeaters in the rooms. Kitchen is small and cramped. A lot of questionable people hanging around this hostel at all hours of the day with lots of people drunk and high. With stories of a massive fight from a few nights prior. The simple fact that their smoking area is where you have to walk through to get into the hostel is unacceptable when most places are completely smoke free. In times like these go spend your money elsewhere in accommodation that will actually appreciate your stay.

I like that most of the interior is still original, the tables are made with the original cell doors, there's also original and preserved prisoner art work on display.

Biking in nz

I spent there 2 nights before a 1-month bikepacking journey. They let me keep the bike inside. Staff was really friendly. The place was overall very clean.

Was a very cool place to stay—wish we could have stayed longer!

Facilities and rook fine. Stuck with some loud room mates which made for trouble sleeping

Unique. Very accommodating for late arrival. Thanks for good stay.

unique experience

The staff were extremely informative and helpful. They even helped to get us extra accomodation when we turned up a day early. I can’t fault this place! It’s quirky, a little creepy, and lots of fun.

A fun place to stay. Comfortable bed & quiet at night.

This is the second time of staying here (7 years ago was first) and it is still the same quirky hostel as before. You get ‘what it says on the tin’ an old jail house, so there are no mode cons. Just the experience of seeing how the inmates lived. Was clean and staff friendly. It’s quite a walk into Christchurch but it’s flat and through a lovely park. Would definitely stay again.

This place was super clean. The staff was helpful and friendly!!! And I really enjoyed the jail theme!!

Well it was supposed to be like going to jail and did not disappoint.

Very quirky place to stay on a budget in a good location

The coolest hostel you'll ever stay in. Sleep in a real prison cell! Excellent kitchen, bathroom and common rooms. Great wifi. Friendly helpful staff.

It was a really well appointed hostel. Great experience.

Went to Christchurch to donate blood and this is where I went home to for the night! Everything is unique! Staff and their uniforms, the photobooth, the hallways and the rooms — everything! I love the theaters and the pool table, and that they’re for free! The beds are amazing!!!! I wanted to see something I haven’t seen in New Zealand and this didn’t disappoint me.

Jail time.

Loved this place, we had our own cell with a bunk bed. The communal space was good, reception had lots of information to share. There were a couple of negative points as we felt the toilets and showers could have been better. A plug socket close to the bed would be useful as well.

Fantastic location, close to Horncastle Arena. Room was comfortable and quiet.

Loved how they held to the theme, even signs are to inmates from wardens. Be sure to take your own towel. Lots of fun, but probably not what mature travelers will prefer for long visits.

Pretty cool staying in an old Jail house! Lovely friendly staff. Clean room and bathroom facilities.

Great character location

The theme was great. Loved the history and the originality of the place. We were impressed with the cleanliness of the rooms, bedding, bathroom area. Enjoyed the wee prison dress up area

Really fun stay in a quirky hostel. Lots of room in the dorms. Very clean. Good facilities in the kitchen. Easy to get into town on the bus and from the train station.

Cool original items in building. Staff very blase about everything, have coffee machine but make you make it yourself?

Experience a taste of cell life!

OK place to stay for the experience. Handy to good cafe, pub and restaurants.

Loved the feeling of the history of the whole place. The little nods back to history. Striped duvet covers and pillow cases. And shutdown at 9pm

Nice quirky palce

Good stay, and a good nights sleep.

Great quirky accomodation. Loved the preserved cells, good value for money, very clean, and quiet. Will definitely use this as our go to accommodation for staying in town. Great location for events at Horncastle Arena and the court theatre but also easy to get into the town centre.

Super cool spot but needs AC

It’s a really cool accommodation but desperately needs at least a fan or maybe an AC

Loved my stay in jail

The bed was comfy, staff welcoming and helpful. 2 comfortable common rooms (one with tv, the other open on the exterior. The hostel is very quite. I had a lot of fun looking for the details put into place to carry on the jail theme.

Unique being a former prison and using that as a theme. It is a hostel so can’t expect amenities like a hotel.

Good value for money. Very relaxed and friendly. I found it to be very quiet at night.

This hostel is interesting. Though the room is small but it's enough for us to stay one night. Clean , tidy and quiet.

Great place to stay cheaply. I stayed in a dorm and everyone was respectful and quiet when going to bed.

Very fun experience. Close to train station and some eating places.

Hostel with a twist!

We checked into the hostel for a 2 night stay. The room was to be expected but larger than we thought which was a bonus for a cell! Bed very comfy. Shared bathrooms were clean and warm. Kitchen area has everything you need. Place does echo but all quiet by 10pm. We got a great nights sleep!

A unique hostel! Staff are great and there is plenty of parking if you have a hire car.

Have been there on two occasions. Not just a great historic location but also very clean and quiet.

this was a great experience staying in a jailhouse, facilities were better than expected, staff were friendly and helpful, room was adequate and had all you needed, overall we had a thouroughly good stay. will definately go back there next time we go to christchurch