Rotorua has no shortage of hotels and budget-friendly accommodation options. This New Zealand destination attracts all kinds of travellers, from adventure-seekers to nature enthusiasts, so finding a place that offers the best bang for your buck is relatively simple. Here are 10 great backpacker hostels that prove it.
Crash Palace enjoys a quiet location, despite being just a few minutes away from the city’s best bars and major local attractions. There’s also a supermarket not too far away, and the hostel is known for helping budget-conscious travellers save money on booked activities. All rooms are equipped with free unlimited Wi-Fi and the interior walls are lined with a collection of interesting artworks. Other noteworthy facilities include two communal kitchens with free tea, coffee and cooking essentials such as herbs, spices and oil; on-site and off-street parking; a laundry service; and a geothermally-heated hot tub.
A friendly hostel, conveniently located in town, that’s known for offering a fantastic selection of freebies. In the summer months, Rotorua Downtown Backpackers provides its thrifty guests with free BBQ dinners; in winter this is replaced with some hot soup. Other complimentary kitchen staples include tea, coffee, pasta and rice – an ideal offering for self-caterers. All rooms have been fitted with new beds and there’s free Wi-Fi access throughout the premises.
With four acres of land to its name and the ability to accommodate up to 250 people, the Backyard Inn is a hostel that offers plenty of variety. It is composed of three distinct areas: the lodge, which offers backpacking guests 64 different rooms with centralised bathroom access and geothermal heating; a selection of 29 private chalet rooms fitted with their own toilets and bathrooms; and a campsite tucked away by the trees that features a powered base for camper vans. On top of that the accommodation has its own bar, restaurant and kitchen facilities to suit all dining needs.
Base Rotorua overlooks the free-to-access geothermal wonder that is Kuirau Park, and is quite handy for the city’s most popular shops and cafes. Room options range from standard shared dorms to private accommodation facilities. Base also stands out for its unique offering of women-only sanctuary rooms, along with other interesting features including a geothermal spa pool and the hostel’s very own bar and nightclub.
Rock Solid Backpackers has something for everyone: the hostel can cater to families with children, will help backpackers get discounted rates on a huge range of adventure and cultural activities, and has everything for the traveller who wants to be entertained – including access to a rock-climbing facility. There are shared dorms for group sizes of four, six and eight people, and various communal areas like a spacious lounge and kitchen for guests to use. Free internet access is available throughout the hostel and most beds are equipped with their own reading lights.
Cozy, colourful and eco-friendly: the Funky Green Voyager provides its guests with a homely atmosphere and comfortable stay. The independently-run hostel is tucked away in a residential area, within a 15-minute walk from the bus station, so you’ll get the benefit of relishing some peace and quiet too. The hostel features free parking, well-equipped shared kitchen as well as a spacious backyard with BBQ area.
YHA Rotorua is conveniently placed right next to Kuriau Park, and is fairly close to the city centre and Lake Rotorua. Backpackers have access to a number of shared amenities including a lounge and TV room, pool table, fully-equipped kitchen, large outdoor deck with BBQ area and coin-operated laundry facilities. Bicycle hire and street parking are also available and guests are given 2GB of free internet access daily.
True to its name, Oasis Hostel / Backpackers is close enough to downtown that you won’t miss out on any of the action, but just far enough to provide you with plenty of peace and tranquility. A grassy backyard with a spacious BBQ area makes this a good spot for a picnic with your travelling companions. The communal kitchen is fitted with two ovens and fridges, allowing more than one person to prep their meals at any given time. Other noteworthy facilities include lockers, a tennis court, a sauna and on-site parking.
Astray Motel and Backpackers is located right at the heart of Rotorua – pretty much everything you could possibly want to see and do is found right within walking distance. There’s a wide range of accommodation options to choose from, including single and budget twin rooms with shared facilities, plus a selection of one- and two-bedroom units and studios with ensuites. Shared amenities include a kitchen and dining area with a big screen TV; there’s also free Wi-Fi and off-street parking available for guests, and the hostel can help you get discounted rates for local activities.
A conveniently placed backpacking hostel that takes pride in not having any bunk beds. Rotorua Central Backpackers is home to an assortment of private rooms and single- and mixed-gender dorms that sleep up to six people. All options come with free unlimited Wi-Fi, single innerspring beds with linen, and shared bathrooms; guests also have access to complimentary parking, a hot tub, plus shared kitchen and communal lounge where you can relax and mingle with other travellers. The hostel is independently-owned and the hosts are known to offer their local insight on local attractions – and yes, discounts are included.
