BUG review
Juno Hall is a lodge close to Waitomo Caves with a charming, rustic feel and a good range of facilities. It’s a purpose-built log hostel decorated with lots of old farm equipment. An open, airy common room has shabby but comfortable furnishings and there’s a big fully-equipped kitchen. The hostel is set on farmland and has plenty of outdoor activities available, like a swimming pool, trampoline and volleyball court. Tennis courts are up on a hill, and you can play while horses, which are available for treks, graze around you.
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Price Dorm bed $27 ($24 BBH, HI/YHA) double/twin room $66-76 ($60-70 BBH, HI/YHA) Camping $15 per person Prices are in New Zealand dollars and are inclusive of all taxes.
Pros:
Small hostel atmosphere but plenty of room
Cons:
No security, no locks on doors. A bit far from village
bwana
saw things this way
Maintenance
(3)
Cleanliness
(3)
Facilities
(3)
Atmosphere
(4)
(Review ID: 817)
A custom built hostel that has been here for a while, very nice place to lax out. Work often available on surrounding farms. The buses drop and pick up at gate, and all of the local tourist attractions will pick you up from the hostel. Staff always available to advise and to book trips, busses and further accommodation. A minus, about a 2 mile walk into the nearest town, no foot path and you have to be wary of busses and trucks that don't worry about pedestrians. A big minus, no locks on the dorm doors, no secure lockers for your gear. The best they can do is a locked box behind the desk, but they don't take your name when you leave stuff in there so they wouldn't know who was taking it out. Burglars targetted the hostel taking much of the appliences and a bit of backpackers personel gear. Manager said it was the first time ever, but seemed quite unconcerned about the losses. If they put locks on the doors or at least provide lockers for property it would be great.Apart from that easily one of the best I have seen.
2 of
15 people found this review helpful
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Anonymous
UK
Nice, cozy, friendly 29 July 2003
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(3)
Cleanliness
(3)
Facilities
(3)
Atmosphere
(3)
(Review ID: 12586)
Smaller hostel, friendly people serving behind counter. All local trips pick up and deliver. Horse riding available nearby, a fantastic way to see the countryside. The quad bikes too were great. Hostel was warm at night, seems to attract a good type of patron. Laundry and bar-b-que available, even a pool though it was a bit cold for swimming. Negative point, no locks on even the ensuite rooms, made security a bit of a worry. Only other drawback is the lack of any shuttle service to the town, about a 1 mile walk which is great in the day, a bit dark after closing time however. Fantastic hunting in the area, we had a great trip with some locals met at the hostel, only cost us the beer.
1 of
10 people found this review helpful
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Anonymous
UK
Good, nice interior and grounds. well priced 3 November 2002
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
(Review ID: 12587)
Very friendly staff and owner, quiet area, pool very welcome in summer. All tourism companies pick up and drop off. Hunting and horse riding available on request. Possibility of casual work at hostel, especially for people who can ride horses. Two pubs in town with friendly locals. BUT 15 minute walk along narrow road to town, not pleasent in rain or at night. Shuttle advertised by hostel does not exist. No locks on any doors to room, not even private rooms are able to be locked. When full the lounge can get over crowded. Large groups often stay and tend to monopolise the hostel.
13 of
13 people found this review helpful
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timjulou@hotmail.com
ENGLAND
A relaxed and friendly place to stay 29 October 2002
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
timjulou@hotmail.com
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
(Review ID: 12588)
Juno Hall is a fun place to be. Set in beautifull surroundings, and run by helpful friendly staff. On site are assorted animals, including "Snowdrop" the Deer! The grounds are well kept, and there's an outdoor pool too! You can camp, or use one of two hook-ups.Backpackers may have an opportunity to do some casual work, and here we found it easy to meet/make friends with locals. The owner let us excercise horses, and took us out bush hunting!Two possible downers for some-1. Its a fifteen minute walk from Waitomo village (nearest pub)2. All room doors are UNlockable - there is a safe with access 8am to 8pm. Some people didn't like that.
