Jailhouse Accommodation - Hostel offers a unique blend of history and playfulness near Hagley Park. Unwind with a coffee, challenge friends to billiards, or explore the nearby Orangetheory Stadium and The Court Theatre. With in-room WiFi, luggage storage, your stay is sure to be an adventure.
Christchurch International Airport (CHC) - 13 min drive
Rolleston Station - 17 min drive
Christchurch Railway Station - 19 min walk
Rangiora Station - 31 min drive
Restaurants
Oddfellows Cafe - 11 min walk
Bp - 16 min walk
Burger King - 2 min walk
Little Merchants - 3 min walk
Speight's Ale House Tower Junction - 15 min walk
About this property
Jailhouse Accommodation - Hostel
Jailhouse Accommodation - Hostel puts you in a great location, within just a 10-minute walk of Hagley Park and The Court Theatre. Free perks include WiFi and self parking. This historic hostel is also just a 5-minute drive from Apollo Projects Stadium and Addington Raceway.
At a glance
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Hotel size
34 rooms
Arranged over 2 floors
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Arriving/Leaving
Check-in start time: 1:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime
Express check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 16
Check-out time is 10 AM
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Special check-in instructions
The property charges 3 percent for credit card payments
There is no front desk at this property
Guests will receive an email within 24 hours before arrival with check-in instructions and smart lock details; access will be through a private entrance
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 48 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation
For any questions, please contact the property using the information on the booking confirmation
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
DONE
Required at check-in
Credit card, debit card, or cash deposit required for incidental charges
Government-issued photo ID may be required
Minimum check-in age is 16
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Children
One child (2 years old and younger) stays free when occupying the parent or guardian's room, using existing bedding
No cribs (infant beds)
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Pets
Pets not allowed
Service animals welcome
WIFI
Internet
Free WiFi and wired internet access in public areas
Free WiFi in rooms
LOCAL_PARKING
Parking
Free onsite self parking
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Other information
Smoke-free property
No alcohol served onsite
No stag/bachelor or hen/bachelorette parties
Property amenities
Food and drink
Coffee shop
Traveling with children
Children stay free (see details)
What to do
Pool table
Skiing nearby
Scooter/moped rentals nearby
Working away
Computer station
Services
Tour/ticket assistance
Dry cleaning/laundry services
Luggage storage
Facilities
1 building/tower
Built in 1874
Picnic area
Arcade/game room
Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible
Grab bar near toilet
Room amenities
Home comfort
Heating
Sleep well
Blackout drapes/curtains
Bed sheets provided
Freshen up
Shower only
Hair dryer (on request)
Towels
Stay connected
Free WiFi
Free local calls
More
Connecting/adjoining rooms available
Shared accommodations
Fees & policies
Refundable deposits
Deposit: NZD 25.00 per stay
Optional extras
Credit card charges are subject to an extra charge of 3 percent
Policies
The property has connecting/adjoining rooms, which are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property using the number on the booking confirmation.
This property's policy is to refuse certain bookings for the purpose of group events or parties, including pre-wedding stag/bachelor and hen/bachelorette parties.
This property does not have elevators.
Guests can rest easy knowing there's a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, and a security system on site.
This property accepts credit cards and debit cards. Cash is not accepted.
Credit cards accepted: Visa, Mastercard, American Express
This property reserves the right to pre-authorize the guest's credit card prior to arrival.
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property. The policies listed are provided by the property.
This property requires advance payment for late arrivals for bookings where payment for the stay will be made on site instead of at the time of booking.
Does Jailhouse Accommodation - Hostel offer free cancellation for a full refund?
Yes, Jailhouse Accommodation - Hostel does have fully refundable room rates available to book on our site. If you’ve booked a fully refundable room rate, this can be cancelled up to a few days before check-in depending on the property's cancellation policy. Just make sure to check this property's cancellation policy for the exact terms and conditions.
Are pets allowed at Jailhouse Accommodation - Hostel?
Sorry, pets aren't allowed, but service animals are welcome.
Is parking offered on site at Jailhouse Accommodation - Hostel?
Yes, there's free self parking.
What are the check-in and check-out times at Jailhouse Accommodation - Hostel?
Check-in start time: 1:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime. Check-out time is 10 AM. Express check-in is available.
Is there an onsite casino at Jailhouse Accommodation - Hostel?
No, this hostel doesn't have a casino, but Christchurch Casino (6-min drive) is nearby.
What is there to do at Jailhouse Accommodation - Hostel and nearby?
Have fun with nearby winter activities like skiing. Enjoy amenities like an arcade and a picnic area.
What's the area around Jailhouse Accommodation - Hostel like?
Jailhouse Accommodation - Hostel is a short 8-minute walk from Hagley Park and 12 minutes' walk from Apollo Projects Stadium.
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Reviews
Jailhouse Accommodation - Hostel Reviews
8.8
Excellent
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
9.0
Cleanliness
7.8
Location
8.8
Staff & service
8.6
Property conditions & facilities
Popular mentions
Room
Location
Bed
Toilet
Building
Reviews
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Nov 27, 2025
Safe, comfortable place to stay, thank you.
Anthony
Anthony, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Dec 18, 2025
Clean and helpful staff
Mary
Mary, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Nov 3, 2025
Clean and organised.
Thick walls, so no noise 👍
Have stayed here many times.
Not disappointed.
AAA+++
T G A Buma
T G A Buma, 1-night trip
Verified
8/10 Very good
May 22, 2025
Great central location. The history of the building certainly adds fun to the stay, and the humorous touches that play on that history is cool. The security and keyless system works really well making the place feel very safe.
Gerard
Gerard, 2-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Nov 8, 2024
Loved staying in this jail.
Clean, friendly staff, lovely atmosphere. Hot shower, comfortable clean bed.
What a quirky place to stay. Great facilities and all the amenities you need. A lovely find. Highly recommended
Kevin
Kevin, 1-night trip
Verified
6/10 Good
Oct 20, 2025
No Towelss.
Isn’t that hospitality 101???
Otherwise a comfortable stay.
👍
T G A Buma
T G A Buma, 1-night trip
Verified
8/10 Very good
Feb 26, 2025
The jailhouse accomodation is a good budget hotel. It had what i needed for a goodnights rest and to charge my devices.
Ethan
Ethan, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Feb 8, 2024
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!
Elise
Elise, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Dec 19, 2024
Clean and quiet. Very comfortable for the price.
nozomi
nozomi, 2-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Mar 2, 2025
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.
Lynne
Lynne, 2-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Apr 8, 2024
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.
Liya
Liya, 6-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Sep 22, 2024
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.
Uwe
Uwe, 2-night trip
Verified
8/10 Very good
Mar 22, 2025
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.
Eric
Eric, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Feb 16, 2025
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!
Francesca
Francesca, 1-night trip
Verified
8/10 Very good
Nov 15, 2023
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
Fred
Fred, 2-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Jan 26, 2025
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.
Ruth
Ruth, 3-night trip
Verified
8/10 Very good
Apr 1, 2024
Glss tables ae noising a a surface. Otherwise good spot to stay
Virginia
Virginia, 5-night trip
Verified
8/10 Very good
Oct 27, 2024
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.
Steven
Steven, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Apr 7, 2024
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)
Lily
Lily, 1-night trip
Verified
8/10 Very good
Oct 1, 2024
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 ?
Joel
Joel, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Feb 20, 2024
Unique helpful clean
Robyn
Robyn, 1-night trip
Verified
8/10 Very good
Dec 6, 2025
20m walk to the city center. It's a fun experience for once but the large dorm isn't very comfortable overall and there are probably better options at the same price. The poweroutlets next to the bed don't hold plugs very well so they keep falling. Wifi doesn't cross the thick walls very well and there are no repeaters in each room so signal isn't strong. Bunk beds the ones below have curtains, not the ones above and they are assigned. Staff is absolutely friendly and helpful