Terms & Conditions

Hostel rules & Regulations

In order to ensure that all our guests have a memorable experience in The Bug Backpackers hostel, we require you to have consideration for others at all times.  The Bug Backpackers welcomes all travellers from around the world and requests that you interact positively with guests of all cultures.

We therefore prohibit the following:

  • intimidating behaviour
  • Smoking and vaping not allowed indoors, but permitted in designated outdoor areas .
  • Illegal and non-prescribed drugs
  • All weapons
  • Gambling
  • Unauthorised animals
  • Political or religious meetings
  • Entry into bedrooms or bathrooms and toilets set aside for the opposite gender
  • Smoking within the hostel and its grounds
  • Theft of other guests’ or The Bug’s property
  • Drunken, noisy, disorderly or abusive behaviour or physical violence
  • Damage to hostel property
  • Discriminatory behaviour

Hostel Managers have the authority to ban you from further bookings if they believe you have breached any of these Regulations.

If your behaviour is highly offensive or intimidating, the Hostel Manager has the right to require you to leave the hostel immediately without a refund.

If you damage any hostel property, we will charge your credit card for the cost of the repairs.

Should you resist the Hostel Manager’s request that you leave the hostel, we will call the Police.

Check-in and check-out

  • Check-in is generally after 10 am
  • Early check-in often available if you email or phone with a request. If you do arrive earlier than 10 am, although you won’t have access to your room, we’re happy to put your luggage or backpacks in locked storage. 
  • Positively NO check-ins after 11 pm
  • Check-out is before 10 am.
  • There is NO 24-hour reception. A staff member lives on-site, and is available after hours if urgently required. 

General info

  • We require you to prepay for your bookings and will charge your credit card at the time for the nights you have booked.
  • For request bookings, where the booking cannot be confirmed at the time of booking, your credit card will be charged on receipt of your request for accommodation and following confirmation of availability with the specified beds(s), bunk(s) or room(s).
  • We quote two prices on our website. These prices are High season (summer) and Low season (winter). The actual dates are October 15th  to August 14th for High Season; otherwise Low Season.
  • You will be requested to produce your passport, or YHA/HI membership card or photo ID on arrival.
  • Double private rooms sleep two people, but may be booked for one person only. However, in this situation you will have to pay the full room rate.
  • Prices are quoted in New Zealand dollars, are subject to change without notice, and all guests are required to pay the overnight price current at the time of reservation.
  • The Bug Backpackers, its staff, and contractors accept no responsibility for personal accidents, injury suffered or loss or damage to personal property while on hostel property. We recommend that all guests hold travel insurance.
  • Our minimum recommended age for children in hostels is five years. However, Hostel Managers may accept bookings for younger children provided a family room is available. Please enquire.
  •  Hostel Managers and staff retain the right to refuse accommodation at any time.
  • Should your plans change, please contact the hostel directly as soon as possible.
  • Whilst we will do our best to ensure you are accommodated in the same room throughout your stay, due to limited availability at time of booking, it may be necessary for you to change rooms. If applicable, you will be advised of this at check-in. You will be accommodated in a room of similar or higher standard to that originally booked.
  • Due to limited availability at time of booking, we may provide multi-share accommodation for two or more guests in separate rooms. We will do our best to ensure this does not occur, however should this be necessary we will advise you at check-in.
  • During special events, additional terms and conditions may apply. Our cancellation policy is also subject to change during these times.

Amendment, non-arrival, cancellation and refund charges:

Amendment

  • To amend any booking a NZ$5 amendment fee applies per transaction.
  • Regardless of when you booked, any amendments to your date of arrival cannot be made on the day you are due to arrive. This will instead be treated as a same day cancellation, meaning no refund.

Non-arrival

  • If you do not advise the hostel you are cancelling, there is no refund for the first night booked. There is also no refund for any subsequent nights booked which you do not cancel before 2pm the day before arrival.
  • The Bug Backpackers does not accept liability for your booking should you make an error in the selection of your booking dates and the above non-arrival condition will apply.

Cancellations

  • To cancel any booking a NZ$5 cancellation fee applies per transaction.
  • Bookings made on the day of arrival are non-refundable for the first night if you cancel. Our cancellation rules applies for any subsequent nights.
  • Where you cancel a pre-paid booking we will:
    • Give you a refund (less NZ$5 cancellation fee) if you cancel before 2pm the day before arrival.
    • Not refund you for the first night if you cancel after 2pm the day before arrival. However, we will fully refund you for subsequent nights (less NZ$5 transaction fee).
  • Where you cancel an unpaid booking, we will charge you a $5 cancellation fee.
  • If you do not advise us of your cancellation, the non-arrival clause applies.

Refunds

Refunds for cancelled bookings can be redeemed by:

  • Being credited back to the original card debited.