BUG review
Outside of the city centre (but closer to the beaches), Bell Lodge is a motel/hostel (a mostel?) built around a small courtyard with a barbecue. Like most hostels in this area, it’s much busier during the winter season thanks to the kiwifruit picking work available, and they’ll help you arrange jobs. The place itself is clean and basic and many of the dorm rooms have en suite bathrooms. There’s a TV room, a lounge with a pool table and a fully-equipped kitchen. They provide free pickup from the city centre, about 4km away, and offer weekend trips to the Mount Maunganui beaches, but this location is far more convenient if you have your own transport.
About BUG's hostel reviews
This hostel was visited by one of BUG's team of hostel inspectors who write independent reviews and assess a star rating based on an objective assessment criteria.
We show up unannounced at hostels to write honest and unbiased hostel reviews. Many of BUG's reviews now feature videos and photo slideshows. BUG never receives payment for listing any establishment and BUG's researchers never accept free accommodation in exchange for favourable reviews.
Price Dorm bed $25-27 ($22-24 BBH) Double room $65 ($59 BBH) Twin room $60 ($54 BBH) Prices are in New Zealand dollars and are inclusive of all taxes.
An average hostel, but a bit out of the way 19 January 2006
Pros:
Great kitchen and laundry
Cons:
A bit out of the way and the linen could have been cleaner
Suzannah
saw things this way
Maintenance
(3)
Cleanliness
(3)
Facilities
(2)
Atmosphere
(3)
(Review ID: 82)
This is an ok hostel, a bit like a motel. I stayed in a double room with an ensuite which was a bonus. Towels are not provided but can be hired for a dollar, just give them a shake as the two I had were covered in sand!
The room was fairly clean but it did smell a bit sweaty and the linen felt unclean.
The kitchen area is large and well equipped and leads on to a large communal area with a pool table.
The major draw back of this hostel is that it is a bit out of town so a car is essential unless you like walking!
8 of
14 people found this review helpful
Was this review helpful to you?
Peter
Hungary
very friendly and clean, found us kiwifruit work 26 July 2005
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Peter
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 12254)
a really good hostel, the best I have stayed in for work. They found us work in kiwi orchard, we only wanted two weeks work but it was so good we stayed for 4 months. On the edge of the city out of the noise, great for saving money. We had free b-b-ques, quiz nites and pool games. Cool double rooms for us, and excellent kitchen.
This is an ok hostel, a bit like a motel. I stayed in a double room with an ensuite which was a bonus. Towels are not provided but can be hired for a dollar, just give them a shake as the two I had were covered in sand!
The room was fairly clean but it did smell a bit sweaty and the linen felt unclean.
The kitchen area is large and well equipped and leads on to a large communal area with a pool table.
The major draw back of this hostel is that it is a bit out of town so a car is essential unless you like walking!
