BUG review
The Kiwipaka is a very sharp, purpose-built hostel in walking distance to the glow-worm caves and the Waitomo information centre. It’s modern and nicely maintained. Rooms are clean and feature real mattresses and individual bedside lights. There’s a small TV/game room downstairs with a pool table and a kitchen and dining area upstairs. A pizzeria and café, the Morepork Café, is on site and has indoor and outdoor seating. There’s also a reading/internet room and Wi-Fi access is available. Backpacker buses stop here, so it’s often filled up with ready-to-party groups of travellers. Luckily, Kiwipaka is also in walking distance to the only bar in Waitomo.
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Price Dorm bed $29 Single room $62 Double/twin room $66-110 Prices are in New Zealand dollars and are inclusive of all taxes.
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Reception open winter 8am-8pm daily; summer 8am-9pm daily
In centre of town, very big, has restaurant 6 January 2006
Pros:
Good location, clean, has restaurant
Cons:
Very big
bdoo
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(3)
Atmosphere
(2)
(Review ID: 44)
Stayed in the Waitomo kiwipaka-yha for 1 night for NZ$70 in Dec 2005. Got a big double ensuite room, no TV. Hostel is very big with a lot of rooms and chalets. Hostel also had a restaurant attached to it where you can get a decent pizza. Located behind the only bar in Waitomo, the other hostel was about 2km outside the town. Its about a 2 minute drive to the Blackwater Rafting Company. They had plenty of parking available. I would stay here again.
3 of
23 people found this review helpful
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Natalie
UK
Good hostel - but don't stay at the Rotorua one 31 March 2005
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Natalie
saw things this way
Maintenance
(3)
Cleanliness
(3)
Facilities
(3)
Atmosphere
(3)
(Review ID: 12589)
This was quite a nice place. Clean and fairly secure as you had a card to get into the room. Don't be misled into thinking that their sister hotel in Rotorua is any good, it's horrible. This place was nice though but I do agree that the showers were rubbish!
2 of
10 people found this review helpful
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Anonymous
USA
Great hostel 21 March 2005
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 12590)
This has been the best hostel on our pre-arranged trip (although that is perhaps not much of an achievement...). It is modern, clean, with very good beds and no bunks in our dorm. The communal, but single sex, bathrooms were clean and spacious, as was the kithcen. The "post modern" look to the place is institutional, but the comfort and cleanliness wins hands down.
1 of
8 people found this review helpful
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Guyer
Sunnyvale, California
Excellent!! Quiet and Clean! 12 February 2005
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Guyer
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 12591)
We stayed at the Kiwipaka YHA in December, 2004 and really enjoyed their accomodations. We had a double room which contained a comfortable mattress and shelving which is very nice change from other hostels. We shared a bathroom with our floor and it was always very clean. They provide internet connection which was a little expensive compared to other places but better than not having the option. The kitchen and laundry facilities were also nice and clean. A couple of other highlights was the restaurant and the fact that they offer a dishset for your own use as long as you return it when checking out. In addition, you could rent towels which is really nice when doing the BlackWater Rafting activity. We would highly recommend this place to our friends.
10 of
10 people found this review helpful
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felis
Melbourne, Australia
Nice, friendly staff, quiet, ensuite in all rooms 7 November 2001
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
felis
saw things this way
Maintenance
(3)
Cleanliness
(3)
Facilities
(3)
Atmosphere
(3)
(Review ID: 12592)
We liked this place for its large rooms and ensuite. There was a table and chairs. The only down side was that the shower sprayed the floor when turned on. The staff were super helpful. We spent 3 nights here, would stay here again.
