Drifter Christchurch

Hotels
9.1 (2392 reviews)
96 Lichfield Street , Christchurch , nz

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Facilities

Guest education on local ecosystems and culture
Air conditioning
Restaurant
Terrace
Family rooms
Lift / Elevator
Luggage storage
Express check-in/check-out
Non-smoking throughout
Shared lounge/TV area
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Clean and comfortable rooms
Great location in city center
Friendly and helpful staff
Cons:
Small kitchen area
Lack of personal space in shared rooms

Categories

Cleanliness
8.79
Generally clean as mentioned in multiple reviews, but minor complaints about shared kitchen cleanliness.
Service
9.26
Friendly and helpful staff were highlighted positively in several reviews.
Location
9.8
Ideal location in the city center, very convenient for accessing amenities.
Room Quality
9.25
Rooms are clean and comfortable, though some noted a lack of personal space in shared situations.
Amenities
8.78
Amenities are good with shared spaces, but the kitchen is considered small for the number of guests.
Value for Money
9.24
Many guests mentioned good value given the location and condition of the hostel.
Food and Beverage
8.29
Review comments indicate that food prep areas can be crowded and not fully equipped.
Overall Experience
9.36
Overall a very positive experience with great atmosphere and facilities.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-08 19:07

Property Description

Convenient Location
Located in the heart of Christchurch, Drifter Christchurch offers easy access to popular attractions such as Christchurch Art Gallery and Canterbury Museum.

Comfortable Accommodation
Featuring air-conditioned rooms with modern amenities, guests can relax in a shared lounge or enjoy the terrace. The 24-hour front desk ensures a seamless stay experience.

Delicious Dining Options
Guests can indulge in a delightful à la carte or American breakfast at the on-site restaurant. Free WiFi and entertainment staff add to the overall experience.

Book your stay at Drifter Christchurch now for a memorable experience in Christchurch!

Important information:

Please note that there is a 2% charge when you pay with a (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) credit card.Please inform of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.
Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.
Guests under the age of 18 can only check in with a parent or official guardian.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM

Location

Guest Reviews

9.1
Based on 2392 reviews
Cleanliness: 8.79
Service: 9.26
Location: 9.8
Room Quality: 9.25
Amenities: 8.78
Value for Money: 9.24
Food and Beverage: 8.29
Overall Experience: 9.36
X
Xiaoqian • solo_traveller • hk
10
Gotta be one of the best hostels i stay in
Pros:

The room should be the most spacious amongst the hostels i stayed and it's very clean. Their restaurant is important for my stay during Easter. The restaurant offers discount for people staying with the hostel. From time to time, the hostel organzes activities for the people staying with the hostel. A big supermarket just across the road and the bus interchange just next door. Tours and activities are offered at the good price. Basically can do everything on the APP efficiently to avoid the queue. Wifi works well.

2026-04-04 • via Nuitee
A
ARIANA • solo_traveller • ch
10
Pros:

Angebote, Bett, Küche

2026-04-04 • via Nuitee
A
Apolline • solo_traveller • nl
9
Excellent hostel, will definitely come back
Pros:

Super clean, great for solo travel, modern and new facilities, loads of activities

Cons:

Nothing was perfect

2026-04-04 • via Nuitee
G
Grace • solo_traveller • nz
10
非常好！物超所值。
Pros:

员工友善，干净安静。

2026-04-03 • via Nuitee
S
Sanne • solo_traveller • nl
10
2026-04-03 • via Nuitee
S
Sanne • solo_traveller • nl
10
2026-04-03 • via Nuitee
D
Deborah • couple • nz
5
Not worth it
Pros:

Shower pressure was great. Bed was comfy.

Cons:

The check in process was abysmal. While waiting in line, I tried the online check in. The UI was awful for mobile and I got conned into upgrading my room while thinking I was paying for my room (which I'd already done through booking.com). Gave up when it wanted my card details AGAIN. The person at the counter took forever to check us in.

Upgraded room was not worth the money. Bathroom was tiny. One bedroom was too hot. One had rattling outside. Couldn't leave the windows open because of the bus hub noise.

2026-04-03 • via Nuitee
D
Didier • solo_traveller • fr
9
Pros:

Merci

2026-04-03 • via Nuitee
S
Sonya • couple • nz
7
Pros:

Nice beds, close to city centre, good restaurants close by. Handy for the overland bus and to/from the airport.

Cons:

The checking in process took an unreasonably long time, compared to other times. A sleepy guy behind the desk had at least 4 different couples to check in, but he was not moving fast. When a guest came by to ask a question, he dealt with her first and left us standing there, ignored. We were both put out by this discourtesy. I have always liked staying at the Drifter, and have two bookings there in June and August, but I doubt that I will be coming back thereafter.

2026-04-03 • via Nuitee
Y
YI-SIN • extended_group • tw
8
算是基督城比較平價的住宿，如果房間內可以有幾個桌子放東西會更方便
Pros:

位置佳

Cons:

熱水忽冷忽熱

2026-04-02 • via Nuitee
C
camila • solo_traveller • nz
10
Pros:

The room was clean and nice

Cons:

They don't have a easy enter to the big luggage, and anybody helps to me with that

2026-04-02 • via Nuitee
L
Lesley • solo_traveller • nz
9
Pros:

The people and facilities

Cons:

Shower needed a little more attention

2026-04-02 • via Nuitee
A
Anabelle • solo_traveller • gb
8
2026-04-02 • via Nuitee
B
Brooklyn • solo_traveller • au
10
2026-04-01 • via Nuitee
A
Anita Louise • solo_traveller • nz
10
Staff were so helpful and attentive. The place was clean
Pros:

Clean, simple

Cons:

Nothing

2026-03-31 • via Nuitee
J
Junna • solo_traveller • jp
10
2026-03-31 • via Nuitee
Y
yarin • solo_traveller • nl
10
Pros:

The staff was amazing, super helpful and welcoming.
everything was clean, new and modern.

Cons:

-

2026-03-31 • via Nuitee
K
Kim • solo_traveller • de
10
2026-03-31 • via Nuitee
M
Michel • solo_traveller • be
10
Good place
Pros:

Perfect location. Cosy and Chill

Cons:

Kitchen too small and not cleaned. It’s pity to observe that some backpackers or travellers do not respect the kitchen amenities when cooking

2026-03-30 • via Nuitee
C
Chloe • solo_traveller • fr
7
Overall I liked my time here, the good sides are more important than the bad ones
Pros:

The hostel is in nice shape so everything looks “fresh” and modern, it’s very close to the bus interchange and the city center and they offer a lot of different activities, most of them free of charge

Cons:

The system to open doors is not really good.. they don’t have classic keycards, you have to use your phone but it always takes a long time to work.. I was stuck outside my room several times and had to wait for a cleaning staff or someone in the room to open the door for me (you can use a code to open it as well, but mine never worked so I wouldn’t rely on that)..
The laundry service is expensive too

2026-03-30 • via Nuitee