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HOTEL STYLE
Budget
Mountain View
Languages Spoken
English, German
Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Hot bath
Breakfast available
Game room
Hiking
Books, DVDs, music for children
BBQ facilities
Parking
Wifi
Board games / puzzles
Baggage storage
Non-smoking hotel
Outdoor furniture
Shared kitchen
Shared lounge / TV area
Laundry service
Self-serve laundry
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Location
27 Cron Street, Franz Josef, Westland Tai Poutini National Park 7886 New Zealand
Glow Worm Accommodation
408 reviews
Getting there
Somewhat walkable
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Couldn't rate this place high enough, friendly staff who live what they do. Great soup in the evening, breakfast ready to make, great price, clean rooms, amazing water pressure! Seperate tv room with playstation for the children. Warm fire, cost atmosphere, well stocked kitchen to use, heaps of books, board games and the location is right in town so really close walking tracks for glow worms or dinner out with the wildlife center right next door.
I went with my four children (9-18) and they were thrilled with the space and the unlimited popcorn! Would go back here in a heartbeat definitely my choice of where to stay in Franz Josef
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Date of stay: July 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed at Glow Worm out of necessity (it was the only place available on the night we arrived in Franz Josef), but ended up enjoying our one night stay immensely. From the moment you arrive at reception, Glow Worm feels like a home away from home. The friendly owner, mood lighting, and (complimentary) popcorn machine all scream 'Welcome'! The rooms themselves are simple. This is is no way a negative. They are small(ish), neat and well cared for. The individual rooms have a range of appliances and features that you would not expect in a 'budget' hostel, and the period photographs and wall-mounted artefacts were a particular highlight. The communal spaces (kitchen, dining and TV lounge) are all unique, spacious and as cozy as you could hope. The owners cook and provide fresh vegetable soup at 6.00pm every night and this is prepared in impressive quantities. The views from the windows and car parks are reason enough to visit Franz Josef, and if I am ever lucky enough to be out that way again, Glow Worm will be the only place that I stay. Looooove this place.
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Date of stay: June 2022
Rooms
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I stayed in a double room ensuite, with kitchenette. Very clean, very quiet, perfect for relaxing away from people.
In the evenings I made use of the “hostel” part of the accommodation, very hygienic kitchen with lots of pots/utensils/crockery, a TV/DVD/PlayStation room, puzzles, and people to chat with.
Included in the price is limitless popcorn, free vegan soup in the evening (to be honest, a little thin but brilliant as a base for risotto or cooking noodles in) and toast/cereal for breakfast.
I enjoy the relaxing and quiet stay, the very accommodation staff, and the fellow travellers.
Highly recommended. The age of travellers were 18 - 70, a comfortable environment for all.
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Date of stay: March 2021
Rooms
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What an amazing hostel! I booked a mixed dorm for myself, my partner, and my cousin who was visiting from the UK. Upon arrival, we had just completed a 5+ hour drive and were extremely tired. The business owner, Benjamin, checked us in, and he did a fantastic job of making us feel welcome. We even arrived in time to enjoy some delicious free vegetable soup, which is served every evening. Additionally, there's a complimentary daily breakfast included, which makes this hostel an incredible value for the money.
The dorm rooms are well-decorated and clean, and the communal areas and kitchen are also clean and well-equipped. I cannot recommend this hostel enough – it is truly fantastic. Thank you!
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Date of stay: September 2023
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Glow Worm is one of the best hostels we’ve stayed in throughout our 3 year trip around the world. This is largely due to Ben who is a fabulously enthusiastic host who offers a very warm welcome.
We stayed in the en-suite room with kitchenette which was clean, cosy and comfy. Nostalgic lodge style (rather than dated) and we loved the old photographs and things in the room.
We used the communal kitchen mostly over our own kitchenette and again, it was clean and well equipped. The addition of free vegetable soup, free breakfast and popcorn is not only exceptionally generous for the price but great too!! We enjoyed our evenings both in the lounge reading by the fire and also the TV room - big screen movie with popcorn!
And the icing on the cake was definitely the FREE hot tub on site. Lovely way to spend the afternoon, looking at the mountains. (Especially since the glacier hot pools are closed for winter).
Ben really does an amazing job and we’d 100% return here if we happen to be in FJ again.
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Date of stay: April 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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The “youth hostel” atmosphere is nice with the shared breakfast and the soup offered at 6 p.m. The welcome is very friendly and without fuss. The room is not very new but the bedding is of good quality. The bathroom is small but adequate. It’s a shame that the wifi isn’t the best because it has become an essential element. The heater is difficult to operate due to false contacts. The parking lot is very convenient even if it is a little too small. The value for money is good for such a touristy place.
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Date of stay: December 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The room was of a reasonable size, featuring a double bed and a single bed. Unfortunately, we looked out into the back yard which was unkept and untidy.
Although we knew we would have to share bathrooms and a kitchen, sharing only two showers and two toilets with three other rooms was quite awkward.
A big drawback for us was the noise level. The rooms are not soundproof, and one can hear all the conversations going on in other parts of the house.
Apart from that, Glow Worm Accommodation is not a bad place to stay.
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Date of stay: October 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Just be prepared for some noise from other guests
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I had an excellent experience at Glow Worm Accommodation in Franz Josef! The room was really cute and provided everything we needed. They even provided free vegetable soup for dinner and breakfast in the morning. My friend and I felt very safe throughout the duration of our stay. I will definitely be coming back the next time I pass through town. Thank you!
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip:Lots of treks within walking distance!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A basic room and a small en-suite but I have to say that we had a great stay, it was friendly, welcoming and exceptionally clean. The staff could not have been more pleasant and helpful, add in the laundry room, the fully equipped communal kitchen, the communal sitting area, the outside hot tub and the evening soup dish for anyone who wanted it, who could ask for more. It was amazing.
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Date of stay: March 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Just book it, don't delay, and embrace the experience.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Benjamin and his family, the hosts, are extremely friendly and welcoming. My partner and I truly felt like part of their family while we stayed with them. The rooms themselves were warm, comfortable, and everything that we needed. The communal kitchen was very nice with extras like olive oil, coffee, tea, coco powder, and sugar. The TV room is very comfortable with a Playstation 3, the Hobbit movies, and the Lord of the Rings movies available. There were plenty of board and card games for use as well. Free popcorn, breakfast, vegan vegetable soup, and spa pool were amazing perks of a lovely stay at Glow Worm Accommodation at Franz Josef. We will stay here anytime we are back in Franz Josef!! Highly recommend and 10 out of 10!!
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Date of stay: September 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We hiked to the glacier from the hostel. It took us 4 hours to go to the glacier, take some photos and look at the view, and get back to the hostel. It was a lovely and beautiful walk:) If you think it's to far there are shuttlebuses for 12.5 that will get you to a car park closer to the glacier.
Good luck :)
There are more places to choose from in the Franz Josef area.
PRICE RANGE
HK$499 - HK$615 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
glow worm cottages hotel franz josef
FORMERLY KNOWN AS
Sir Cedrics Glow Worm Flashpacker Hostel
LOCATION
New ZealandSouth IslandWest Coast RegionWestland Tai Poutini National ParkFranz Josef
NUMBER OF ROOMS
21
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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