BUG review
Beach Villa Backpackers is a hostel with lots of charm and some magnificent views over the beach out to Mount Paku. One dorm in particular has a jaw-dropping, postcard scene perfectly framed by a massive picture window. There’s a great deck out back for chilling and enjoying the sights, and lots of flowers and fruit trees growing on the property. The interior has a homely, lived-in feeling, with lots of art and knick-knacks around. The beach is just steps away and guests have free use of bikes, body boards, windsurfers and kayaks. The owner runs a windsurfing school from here as well (and mentions that girls learn much more quickly than guys). Mâori legend has it that if you scale Mount Paku, you will return within seven years. After staying at this excellent hostel, you might want to come back sooner.
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Price Dorm bed $26 ($23 BBH) Single room $45 ($40 BBH) Double/twin room $55-59 ($50-55 BBH) Prices are in New Zealand dollars and are inclusive of all taxes.
Great freindly atmosphere with great views 31 August 2004
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Lorraine Lopes
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
(Review ID: 12539)
After spending most of my childhood holidaying in Tairua, I took a friend there last year for a well deserved break for a few days. We booked in to the unknown - having only once stayed in a backpackers before. The views - sitting on the deck drinking wine in the evening - watching the stars and the tide, kayaking in the inner harbour, walking down to the local burger bar - try their fish burger!!! - eating fresh veges out of the garden - watching the owner chase the rabbit around - trying to get him in the cage! - the rabbit that is. The whole stay was great, relaxing, friendly - I would highly recommend it - we stayed in the double room at the front, which I thought was ideal. Thanks for a great time.
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8 people found this review helpful
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this_is_duvet@hotmail.com
Bristol England
One of the best hostels in NZ - if not the world 24 July 2004
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
this_is_duvet@hotmail.com
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 12540)
I worked in this hostel for two months in 2003/2004. I was probably there when Anne (see below) was there. The hostel is run by the owners - they do everything from cleaning the toilets, scrubbing burnt pots and picking up after people who are used to living with their mothers. Every now and again this gets a bit frustrating and they (well one of them at least) can get a bit grumpy. They are both wonderful, warm people though - just don't take advantage of them or their beautiful house.As for the phantom pot burners - it was explained to me by a lovely Japanese girl that in Japan everyone uses automatic rice cookers and most have never had to boil rice in a pot - hence their tendency to overcook and burn the pot. It happened at least twice a week - hence the owners 'prevention tactics'. Spend at least three days at this place - a week would probably be better. I found two months just about right. Take Tina the dog for walks, have sundowners on Mount Paku and give Brad as much grief as possible!
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11 people found this review helpful
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Anne
London
Beautiful grounds, horrible staff 29 December 2003
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anne
saw things this way
Maintenance
(3)
Cleanliness
(3)
Facilities
(3)
Atmosphere
(3)
(Review ID: 12541)
We arrived at the backpackers to be greeted by a woman saying "We hoped you wouldn't turn up. People that book for one night are a pain in the arse". Charming.She showed us round and the hostel looked very nice with beautiful grounds. Later we heard her showing round three Japanese girls and yelling at them to stir their rice and not burn her pans. Poor girls hadn't even done anything. Plus, the mattress in our room appeared to be made of carrier bags, and I had a bad back for the whole of the next day. Grrrrr.
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12 people found this review helpful
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jakob jurriaanse
(jurriaansej@hotmail.com) from Holland (live in sweden now)
the best hostel i've seen in my life! 2 September 2003
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
jakob jurriaanse
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 12542)
i've only stayed there for about 4 nights around new years eve 2002, it was an amazing experience to be there with the most friendliest hosts. these people really live their life for this hostel. everything was clean and nice. i still think back of the time i was there a lot!so if you get the chance to go there DO IT!
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8 people found this review helpful
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Anonymous
New York, NY
Totally agree with Ed! 31 August 2003
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 12543)
This place is awesome. It has the amazing look of a mediteranian villa, and the owners are great! They supply some food for you from their hens and garden. They also have a dog that can drag a cart on wheels across the yard. Kayaks, good rooms, a good common area too, this place is a great find in the Coromandel Peninsula!
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9 people found this review helpful
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Edward May
(edd_may@hotmail.com)
from Devon, England
Devon, England
The friendliest, warmest welcome in New Zealand 11 March 2003
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Edward May
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 12544)
Tairua Backpackers Lodge was by far the most friendliest hostel that I visited in all the 6 months that I spent Backpacking around New Zealand. The owners went out of their way to make me feel welcome and comfortable. They were also extremely keen to show me everything there was to do around the Coromandel region. They even let me borrow their backpackers car to visit places such as Cathedral Cove, Hot Water Beach and many other local attractions. They really made me feel like one of the family. Their son took a group of us to a huge river jump that had no mention in the Lonely Planet Guide. Their daughter took a group of us horseriding, all this off their own back. I must say that the family that run the lodge are typical of all Kiwis, they really want to get you involved with everything that's going on. At the lodge there are windsurfboards and canoes that are available to guests for free. Most places you would have to pay between the teath for these activities. You can paddle up the Tairua River and across the estuary to Pauanui where you can see Aucklands rich kids playing with their boats. Or at mid tide when the estuary is very shallow, you can paddle around with giant stingwreys, it's all in a days work at Tairua Backpackers and the great thing is, is that its free. When I was there, the owners would put on a BBQ every now and again and invite all who were staying at the lodge. There is never a dull moment, the owners would even take us to their fishing club where we would get to know all the locals, and again, everyone was welcome to join in. Tairua Backpackers is a must for anyone who wishes to sample the true New Zealand. It's a place where you can really feel the beauty of nature around you, and nit makes you realise that there is still a paradise on earth.
