1286 Arawa Street, Rotorua Tel (07) 347 9469 or 0800 227 369 (0800 BASE NZ) Websitewww.stayatbase.com
BUG Review
This is an older property that Base took over, and so it doesn’t have the same level of cleanliness and maintenance of some of the purpose-built Base hostels. But it does have good facilities, including a nice geothermal-heated outdoor swimming pool and a pair of indoor spa pools. Like most Base hostels, there’s a party-oriented vibe – the attached and newly rebuilt Lava Bar is definitely one of the busiest backpacker boozing spots in town. Rooms are generally clean, and all come with a balcony or outdoor sitting area. Base Hot Rock is right across the road from Kuirau Park, so you’ve got easy access to some free geothermal action as well.
Price Dorm bed $26-28 Double/twin room $70 Prices are in New Zealand dollars and are inclusive of all taxes.
Pros:
The only hostel in Rotorua which checks guest in later than 10 pm. Helpful staff.
Cons:
Old, dirty & with poor bathroom facilities
anonymous2
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This really isn't the best hostel I've stayed in by a long shot. Its in an old concrete building, its run down and bits of it need a good clean. I think the dorm accomodation is way overpriced and for a hostel that size they definitely need more than two bathrooms to a floor....people were queuing down the hall for about an hour before check-out this morning and the hostel isn't even full!!! I never thought I'd complain about overheating in New Zealand, but my room was like a furnace. It also backs onto a busy main road and is noisy. And, for those with big backpacks staying on the top two floors, the lack of a lift is really a nuisance...but, having said all that, they are the only hostel in town who will check you in at any hour of the night (most of the others close reception at 8pm) and are happy to do so. I arrived much later than I said and was checked in by a charming and helpful security guy. The receptionists are equally friendly and helpful. The bar looks good, although I arrived so late I wasn't even tempted to have a drink there, and the swimming pool and spa facilities looked excellent.Not necessarily somewhere I'd stay again, but definitely worth it if you arrive late at night in Rotorua!
Pros:
The hot pools are kind of interesting
Cons:
Everything else
Hookey
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Horrible concrete breezeblock walls, grotty carpets, ripped up seats in the TV room, and doors from a 1960s hospital make the whole place feel oppressive. After other Beyond Backpackers places I've stayed in, this was a bit of a shock. The bar tries to redress the balance (and they're building a new one) but the jobsworth bouncers let it down. Staff were friendly enough, but not that helpful. Oh, and THE most uncomfortable bunk bed I've ever slept on. Left early and went to Treks next door.
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(Review ID: 12230)
Miserable staff and ill equipped, May 18, 2005
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Anonymous
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Hot Rocks was a complete disappointment. We were looking forward to the onsuite bathroom but to find out that it is shared by 12 people with just one toilet that is in the same room as the shower. There is even a poster in the bathroom asking people not to have showers in the morning so other people can use the bathroom! One particular member of staff is very grumpy and unhelpful and a number of people commented on her attitude. I also had my coat stolen from my room. I dont believe it was our room mate becuase it wasnt the right size for her. I asked reception if it had been handed in but they were really unhelpful and rude. From what I hear I would recommend the YHA instead.
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(Review ID: 12231)
Dingy and dirty, March 21, 2005
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Anonymous
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A really inferior hostel. The halls, rooms, bathrooms, linens--all dingy and dirty. While they could not do anything about Rotorua's smell--you just knew it disguised smells far more serious. And the staff? Supremely indifferent, to say the very least.
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(Review ID: 12232)
Loud and dirty, January 3, 2005
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Anonymous
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This hostel is loud and dirty. Ok, there are bathrooms in the rooms, but I can't see the point in a bathroom with mould on the walls! The kittchen is way to small, and so are the dorm rooms. (Which are as well dirty and run down). Furthermore it is VERY expencive for what you get. Maybe I was just unlucky, but I got a room opposite the Lava bar. And this is too loud, and the (not properly closing) windows don't help to keep the niose outside.
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(Review ID: 12233)
the worst of 20 accomidations in NZ- VERY LOUD/DIRTY, April 1, 2004
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Anonymous
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If you just left the frat house and are used to a dump you might like this place- right next door to a bar that hopps till 4:00am. I can even tell you the play list as we were awake until 4:30 when the last of the crowd left. BTW the rooms were last remodeled in the early 60s and haven't been painted in 10+ years. The dirt/mould was a nice touch also. When we complained the two other rooms we were offered were in the same or worse condition. We left after the one night and moved to the YHA across the park which was VERY NICE
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(Review ID: 12234)
Great facilities, rooms and location, January 27, 2004
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Anonymous
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Maintenance
(5)
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(5)
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(5)
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The hot rock backpackers had very spacious rooms with brilliant facilities. I stayed in a twin room which had it's own kitchen, bathroom, toilet and balcony although with the smell of rotoura, you don't really want to sit outside. I can't say what the dorm rooms were like but the staff at the reception were happy to book any tours for you. The hostel has 2 thermal spas to relax in although they also have a very strong smell but there is also an outdoor pool. The hostel is well located and there is a bar next door that really isn't all it's cracked up to be. Overall i thought this hostel was great and more like a budget motel.
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(Review ID: 12235)
An interesting smell, but thats Rotarua for you, January 4, 2004
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Anonymous
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(4)
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We stayed at hot rock for 2 nights in November, the place was great and had a lively bar with many friendly people. Being New Zealand, we didn't spend too much time at the hostel itself, as there were far to many other things to be doing. We were relegated to the outside dorms (1 metre from the bar, which suited us nicely) as the hostel was very full. Our only complaint was that everyone in our room was always asleep... I wouldn't recommend the outside mixed dorms to anyone not interested in having a good time and enjoying the company of others as the bar can be very noisy.The staff were friendly and helpful, arriving late, the security guard checked us in and made sure we had a secure place to park our car. I'm not too sure about the thermal pools, they smelt like they had to be good for you, but we didn't have enough time to try them out.
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(Review ID: 12236)
A home away from home, November 9, 2001
Reviewer:
felis
Pros:
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Imported Review
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Maintenance
(5)
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(5)
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(5)
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(5)
We stayed in a double room for 5 nights. The very spacious bedroom had two other private rooms attatched, a kitchen with fridge, sink, stove and full crockey and cutlery. The bathroom had shower, hand basin and toilet. The double bedroom had a queen size bed as well as a single bed. This hostel was a former motel, hence the spaciousness and extra facilities. The thermal heated outdoor pool was fantastic and open late into the evening. There were also 2 indoor mineral pools, they were a bit wiffy and spooky, but nice and hot. The hostel had lots of information on activities and tours and took care of all bookings for us. Many tour operators pick you up from the hostel. We went whitewater rafting, horse trekking,and to a Hangi. The only downside is if your room happens to be located on the same side as the rocking lava bar you may not get enough shut eye. We highly reccommend this backpackers hostel, it rates as one of the very best we stayed at in N.ZApart from the hostel we really enjoyed Rotorua it has lots to offer, can't wait to returrn.
