This hostel is committed to following WHO and local government guidelines for Covid-19 sanitation. This includes increased cleaning routines, better hygiene measures and social distancing when required.
We love this hostel! It gets our thumbs up for consistently high customer ratings and excellent quality scores.
Free WiFi

Jailhouse Accommodation Christchurch

Free Cancellation Book more than 2 days in advance for Free Cancellation.

8.5
Fabulous
4771 Total Reviews
Wonderful Location
Superb Staff
Fantastic Cleanliness

Hostelworld says

Jailhouse Accommodation was rated #1 in New Zealand and Oceania at the 2009 and 2013 Hoscars, and it?s not hard to see why. This quirky, clean, comfortable and quiet hostel is set in a historic former jail. It?s located about 20 minutes? walk from the Arts Centre, Christchurch Art Gallery, Canterbury Museum and the Botanic Gardens and is surrounded by a variety of bars and cafes. We like their friendly and very helpful staff, who have a great knowledge of the area.

Property Description

Stay in Jail for an unforgettable experience with Free Unlimited UltraFast WiFi and free parking! Hostelworld, Lonely Planet and Rough Guides top pick for Christchurch, we have won heaps of Awards!

We operate with contactless self check-in, simply check your emails on arrival morning to get your 'Goki' lock access Pin codes to the building and your room. To also recieve your PIN code via SMS please add your phone number when booking including the Country code and + sign e.g. +64 .
We welcome late night arrivals - just use your access Pins 24/7 (prefer private rooms not dorms for late night arrivals)

ALL PAYMENT IS TAKEN IN ADVANCE on your credit/debit card once inside the cancelation policy

You can enjoy our renovated heritage accommodation, which had a colourful history as Addington Prison.

Our clean, warm and friendly accommodation features super-comfortable beds with free parking, free WiFi, fresh linen with fully made-up beds, free off-street parking, free DVD hire, cinema room, free pool table, commercially-styled guest kitchen. towel hire and laundry. We offer private singles, doubles, twin bunks and also dorms, as well as some larger rooms that can be used by families or groups. If traveling with under 16s, please reserve private rooms, not shared dorms.

Christchurch is the gateway to the amazing South Island. Our suburb of Addington is a happening place to be, with awesome new places opening all the time. We are the closest hostel to the Tranzalpine train station , Orangetheory Stadium and Horncastle Arena where many concerts and functions are held. You could walk, or it is a short bus ride to Hagley Park, Canterbury Museum andour exciting new CBD with new bars on 'The Strip', new shops and places to explore like Little High. There are a number of vibrant cafes and bars close by, including Pedal Pushers, Morrell and Co, renowned Simo's Deli, Addington Coffee Co-op and Court Theatre.

We have modern facilities in our budget youth hostel; you will have secure digital Pin access to your room 24 hours a day. And of course, the jail features provide total security.

Stay somewhere different!

Credit or Debit card payments only, payment will be taken prior to arrival. Should your card be declined then you will be given 12 hours to update it, and if still declined we reserve the right to cancel the booking ( 2 hours for same-day bookings). Please ensure your card does not decline.

Your credit card will be charged prior to your arrival with the card used to make this booking. Refunds due to early cancellation will be subject to an administration fee. If arriving after midnight, please ensure you have booked for the correct date (the date prior to midnight). We prefer you book a Private Room for late arrivals so you don't disturb other Dorm Guests. Your credit card will be held securely and may be charged for 'no shows', cancellations within cancellation policy, or for wilful damage, theft, additional cleaning, smoking/vaping inside, inappropriate behavior or breaching terms

Reviews & Ratings

8.5
Fabulous
4771 Total Reviews
  • Security
    9.6
  • Location
    7.7
  • Staff
    8.1
  • Atmosphere
    8.1
  • Cleanliness
    8.9
  • Value for Money
    8.8
  • Facilities
    8.6

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Guests

Location

Latest Reviews

6.3
Good
Jul 19, 2023
So the gimmick is cool, the kitchen was solid, and the hostel is clean and secure. The amenities are very bare-bones - one outlet per bed, hot water and WiFi were both only like 80% there. The atmosphere was dead - the staff was having a great time with each other, but otherwise it was completely silent. Main complaint - the place was COLD!! It’s a prison, I get it, but everyone was bundled up the whole time, PLUS it’s winter so basically constant rain outdoors and a moderate chill indoors. Yay.
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Male, 31-40
7.1
Very Good
Jul 15, 2023
Quiet, and fine for what it is. Staff have very limited hours. The room was clean, but it opened out into the hall and there was no interior safety latch. There also aren't safety lights in the hall at night - I was surprised several times coming back from the bathroom, by men I didn't see until they were 3 feet away from me. The bathroom was somewhat dirty, and it's a combined bath/toilet space so the floor got gross quickly.
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Female, 31-40
9.4
Superb
Jul 14, 2023
pretty good hostel overall with a very ool concept, not enough lounge room for all the people and the dining tables are out of glass which is super stupid...
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Male, 18-24

Facilities

  • Free

    • Linen Included
    • Free Parking
    • Free City Maps
    • Free WiFi
    • Free Internet Access
  • General

    • Wheelchair Friendly
    • Security Lockers
    • Key Card Access
    • Common Room
    • Bicycle Parking
    • Breakfast Not Included
    • Adaptors
    • Book Exchange
    • Hot Showers
    • Self-Catering Facilities
    • Cooker
    • Fridge/Freezer
    • Utensils
    • Dryer
    • Cable TV
    • Reading Light
    • Jobs Board
    • Parking
    • Hair Dryers
    • Iron / Ironing Board
    • Washing Machine
    • Towels Not Included
    • Flexible NRR
    • Covid-19 safe
  • Services

    • Internet access
    • Laundry Facilities
    • Towels for hire
    • Luggage Storage
    • Express check-in / out
    • Reception (limited hours)
  • Food & Drink

    • Tea & Coffee Making Facilities
  • Entertainment

    • DVD's
    • Board Games
    • Games Room
    • Pool Table
    • Wi-Fi

Awards

2013

1st, Continent Winners Oceania

2013

1st, Country Winners New Zealand

2010

1st, Continent Winners Oceania

2010

1st, Country Winners New Zealand

2009

3rd, Continent Winners Oceania

2008

2nd, Continent Winners Oceania

Nominations

2013

Worldwide Medium Hostel

View all Award Winners