Natural mountain retreat where adventurers can unwind with scenic views or gather around the BBQ with fellow travelers - perfect for outdoor enthusiasts
Choose dates to view prices
Photo gallery for Surat Bay Lodge, Motel and Backpackers
Surat Bay Lodge & Backpackers Hostel offers a peaceful mountain escape where travelers connect with nature. The eco-certified property features a garden with outdoor furniture, free WiFi, and barbecue facilities. Convenient luggage storage rounds out the practical amenities.
Located in New Haven, Surat Bay Lodge, Motel and Backpackers is in the mountains and on the beach. Teapot World is a local attraction and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Kaka Point Scenic Reserve and Catlins Lake. Discover the area's water adventures with nearby fishing, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking/biking trails and horse riding. Visit our New Haven travel guide
Surat Bay Lodge, Motel and Backpackers provides a garden and more. Guests can connect to free in-room WiFi.
You'll also enjoy the following perks during your stay:
Free self-parking
Barbecues, a TV in reception and smoke-free property
Luggage storage and outdoor furniture
Room features
All guestrooms at Surat Bay Lodge, Motel and Backpackers offer comforts such as free WiFi and sound-insulated walls.
More conveniences in all rooms include:
Communal kitchens with ovens, toasters and stovetops
Heating and daily housekeeping
Awards and affiliations
Eco-certified property
This property participates in Qualmark Sustainable Tourism Business Award – a program that measures the property's impact on one or more of the following: environment, community, cultural-heritage, the local economy.
In-room WiFi speed: 500+ Mbps (good for 6+ people or 10+ devices)
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi
Parking and transport
Free self parking on site
Limited on-site self parking
Things to do
TV in common areas
Family friendly
Soundproofed rooms
Conveniences
Lockers
Luggage storage
Shared microwave
Shared refrigerator
Guest services
Change of bedsheets (on request)
Change of towels on request
Housekeeping (daily)
Outdoors
Barbecue grill
Garden
In the mountains
On the beach
Outdoor furniture
Picnic area
Accessibility
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
No lift (single-level property)
Stair-free path to entrance
Well-lit path to entrance
More
Smoke-free property
Room amenities
Bedroom
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
Towels provided
Food and drink
Hob
Oven
Shared kitchen access
Toaster
More
Free local calls
Heating
Soundproofed rooms
Policies
Check-in
Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; check-in end time: 8:00 PM
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age - 18
Check-out
Check-out before 10 AM
Special check-in instructions
The property charges 5 per cent for credit card payments
There is no front desk at this property
The host will greet guests on arrival
If you are planning to arrive after 6 PM please contact the property in advance 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
Reception hours are 9:30 AM - 6 PM in winter, 9:30 AM to 7 PM in summer.
Towels for the Shared Dormitory are available for a surcharge.
Access methods
Host will greet you
Pets
Pets not allowed
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Children up to the age of 2 years can stay for free if using existing beds when occupying the parent or guardian's room
Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
Cots (infant beds) are not available
Payment types at the property
Important information
Optional extras
Credit card charges are subject to a surcharge of 5 per cent
The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards and cash
Cashless transactions are available
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector and a first aid kit
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property
We should mention
This property does not have any lifts
National rating
Property class, provided by our rating system, is based on property type, amenities and services.
Property is also known as
Surat Bay Lodge & Backpackers Hostel New Haven
Frequently asked questions
Is Surat Bay Lodge, Motel and Backpackers pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Surat Bay Lodge, Motel and Backpackers?
As of 6 Mar 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Surat Bay Lodge, Motel and Backpackers on 24 Mar 2026 start from HK$496, excluding taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at Surat Bay Lodge, Motel and Backpackers?
Self-parking is free at this property.
What time is check-in at Surat Bay Lodge, Motel and Backpackers?
Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; check-in end time: 8:00 PM. Late check-in is available during limited hours.
What time is check-out at Surat Bay Lodge, Motel and Backpackers?
Checkout is at 10 AM.
Where is Surat Bay Lodge, Motel and Backpackers located?
Nestled on the beach, this New Haven motel is within 9 mi (15 km) of Teapot World, Catlins Lake and Jack's Blowhole. Cannibal Bay Beach and Kaka Point Beach are also within 12 miles (20 km).
Can I cancel my reservation for free and receive a full refund?
Yes, this property offers free cancellation on selected room rates because flexibility matters! Please refer to the property cancellation policy on our site for more details about any exclusions or requirements.
Have a question?
AI iconBetaBeta
Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.
Reviews
Surat Bay Lodge, Motel and Backpackers Reviews
8.8
Excellent
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers 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.More informationOpens in a new window
This place is mega cool. Such an awesome spot right on the estuary. We walked for 5 minutes to the ocean and saw leopard seals sleeping onshore. Communal facilities are clean an water pressure in shower is great.
I had the pleasure to visit the Catlins again this year so took the opportunity to stay agsin in Surat as well this accommodation. The owner very friendly & helpful. It’s a great wee spot & property has awesome views of the sea & bay area. Large grounds as well with outdoor seating. Definitely will stay another time.
What a fabulous find. Extremely clean place, walking distace to the beach to find sealions basking in the sun, well equipped kitchen with comfy beds and a sunny lounge to relax in. A geat meeting place of interesting travellers, and the best hosts. Thankyou so much for your hospitality. 💝💖
Glenis
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025
2/10 Terrible
Andrés
7 Mar 2024
Disliked: Staff & service
Nice location bad hotel service
The location is very nice and it deserves to meet Surat Bay! However, maybe this hotel is not the best choice as the treat received was not good at all.
Although we hace contact to the hotel to comunicate our arrival time (8.30 pm) and they confirm us that there was no problem, the girl receive us angry saying that we do not write them and open our room giving us the key without explaining nothing about the hotel.
Andrés
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024
10/10 Excellent
Ross
15 Nov 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Staff were very friendly and helpful. Rooms were clean, comfortable and well equipped. Lovely beach feel. Beautiful part of the country. We were blessed to see seals swimming in the bay from the deck at the front of the property and a stunning sunset.
I had the pleasure of staying here for 1 night and it was wonderful. The location is perfect and quiet, and it was good to enjoy some peace after spending time in other busier towns/cities. Esther was a great host, very kind and welcoming. Will be recommending this place to anyone who travels to this part of New Zealand.
Surat Bay Lodge is an enjoyable place to stay as a backpacker, with a nice kitchen and living area to hang out in. The bay itself is steps away, and extremely quiet. Enjoyed my stay, but a car is a must.
Schöne Lage am Wasser mit der Möglichkeit Seelöwen zu sehen, gutes Zimmer, sehr sauber, umfangreiche Küche Ausstattung.
Sehr nette und hilfsbereite Gastgeberin. Vielen Dank, wir haben unseren Aufenthalt sehr genossen!
Achtung: Es war bei unserer Buchung nicht klar erkennbar, dass das die Zimmer kein eigenes Badezimmer hat. Es gibt nur zwei gemeinsame Badezimmer, die über die Küche erreichbar sind, für alle Gäste.
We had a pleasant three-day stay in November, with only about half the rooms occupied. The place is right on the water, with some wonderful outdoor seating to watch the tide come in and out. Day one a juvenile sea lion snoozed 30 meters from the picnic table!
The place is a little worn, but comfortable and completely fair for the price. Water pressure good, wifi fine, communal kitchen has most things but a little small if the place is busy. (there are two stoves and two sinks though)
Owners were wonderful, and very friendly and knowledgeable about the area. We saw a yellow eyed penguin thanks to their tip!
There is a nice beach walk right off the property. We saw several sea lions every time we walked to the next cliff, about 40 minutes away. (Just past the Triplets)
Town is a short drive, and has a great Four Square.
Friendly and homely hospitality right on the beach
We enjoyed another lovely stay at Surat Bay Lodge with Esther & Jack, who warmly welcomed us and our children back. Our boys loved helping to feed the chickens again, trying their hands at fishing and eating some of what Dad had caught fresh off the on-site BBQ. And I got to see a big sea lion bull waddle all the way up the beach on one of my walks. Feels like a return to our own beach bach.
Zara
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2021
6/10 Okay
Verified traveller
28 Feb 2021
Liked: Staff & service
Nice location on beach front and really friendly host. The property is an older building and shared facilities were OK.
Verified traveller
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2021
8/10 Good
Zara
10 Jan 2021
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Beach-side hospitality
We had a lovely stay at Surat Lodge with our boys. The owners, Esther & Jack, were very welcoming and we loved sampling the delicious eggs from their very happy on-site chooks! The location literally could not have been closer to the beach and the view from our room was great. You could actually see sea lions from the window at times! The kitchen was well resourced and clean with a big dining table to eat at and there were free hot drinks, plus a caravan on-site for real coffee. The boys enjoyed being able to chill out at the end of the day and watch DVDs from reception in the comfortable shared lounge. We had mixed weather during our stay, but found plenty to keep us occupied and loved seeing the changing light and tides from the Lodge.
The location is absolutely gorgeous with sea lions almost literally in your backyard. However, the walls were super thin with being RIGHT outside the kitchen and having neighbors who weren’t exactly sleeping. Pricey For what it was but they were out of dorm beds in the entire catlins for the night I booked
Great location so close to the beach.
In summer it must be fantastic.
Due to my stay in winter it was a little bit cold.
I took a second blanket from one of the beds in my dorm.