Deluxe Double or Twin Room
Check availability

Reviews of Based by the Lake - Hostel

2 out of 5
Based by the Lake - Hostel
7 Tuwharetoa Street, Taupo, North Island

Reviews

7.4

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 33 out of 105 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 34 out of 105 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 21 out of 105 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 7 out of 105 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 10 out of 105 reviews" "

7.8/10

Cleanliness

8.2/10

Staff & service

7.4/10

Amenities

7.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.6/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

4/10 Poor

Jenna

Travelled with partner
The windows in our room were left open and the ceiling was covered in sandflies because of this. The room smelled quite bad, and there were no forks or spoons available to use in the kitchen.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024
Response from BBTL Reception on 23 Apr 2024
Thanks for your feed back Jenna, Unfortunately being so close to the lake we do get sandflies, I will alert Housekeeping regarding this issue and make sure windows are left closed. Kind Regards BBTL Team

10/10 Excellent

Satbir

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Everything was perfect
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024
Response from BBTL Reception on 14 Apr 2024
Thankyou for the feed back look forward to hosting you again

10/10 Excellent

Rose

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very central, easy parking and good service
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024
Response from BBTL Reception on 17 Mar 2024
Thankyou for your feed back look forward to Hosting you in the future

10/10 Excellent

patrick

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
all good , but loud til 2 am on friday saturday
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2024
Response from BBTL Reception on 28 Feb 2024
Thank you for your feed back unfortunately we can not help the music on the weekends as we are centrally located.

10/10 Excellent

priscilla

Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024
Response from BBTL Reception on 26 Feb 2024
Thankyou for your feed back look forward to hosting you in the future

8/10 Good

Wendy

Travelled with partner
Liked: Staff & service
Very basic but all that we needed. We had an amazing view of lake and everything right at our doorstep. Only drawbacks were that there was no fridge in the room, the plumbing from the room next door was very noisy and there is no lift (we were on the third floor). All in all it was good value for money and suited our budget.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024
Response from BBTL Reception on 26 Feb 2024
Thanks for your feed back

8/10 Good

Sabine

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The hostel was pretty much ok. I had a private room and it was like a hotel room. The kitchen was a little bit run down but ok. Unfortunately was my room close to the main AC or something very noisy during the whole night.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024
Response from BBTL Reception on 15 Feb 2024
Thanks for your feed back

6/10 Okay

Chesson

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Noise from pub below until after midnight. Then street cleaning noises in early morning meant we didn't get a good night's sleep.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024
Response from BBTL Reception on 11 Feb 2024
Thankyou for your feed back. Unfortunately the noise from the clubs can not be helped, as we are in the center of town

2/10 Terrible

Karl

The booking was cancelled by the hostel. They advised the room booked was not available and the reception is not staffed after 10 pm despite it being listed as staffed from 8am- 5am
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024
Response from BBTL Reception on 15 Feb 2024
Thanks for your feed back. Sorry to hear that your booking was cancelled, Unfortunately due to staff shortages our opening times have altered for now

8/10 Good

Tony

Good place to stay in an excellent location. Ear plugs are included in room and were needed due to street party noise
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024
Response from BBTL Reception on 11 Feb 2024
Thankyou for your feed back.

10/10 Excellent

Helen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Awesome location
Awesome location with everything you need
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024
Response from BBTL Reception on 11 Feb 2024
Thankyou for your feed back

10/10 Excellent

Helen

Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort
Close & easy
A 2 night stay for the Taupō Summer Concert. A perfect place to stay as parked the car. & left it for the weekend as everything was walkable.
Broken fan base
View from our balcony in 305
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024
Response from BBTL Reception on 11 Feb 2024
Thankyou for your feed back

8/10 Good

Samara

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024
Response from BBTL Reception on 11 Feb 2024
Thankyou for your feed back

8/10 Good

Craig

Liked: Staff & service
The Lake view from the third floor accommodation was excellant. But the lift which only went up one floor was in very poor shape, soon after elevating the lift, the system jerked quite violently, giving my partner and I quite a fright.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024
Response from BBTL Reception on 11 Feb 2024
Thankyou for your feed back

8/10 Good

David

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Taupo Central
We booked 2 ensuite rooms for 2 couples. The location was excellent. Checkin was great and the staff were pleasant. The rooms were tired but clean. My only negative is that it was very hot in the rooms especially at night and there was only a fan in one of the rooms that we booked. The staff told us that there were not enough fans for everyone.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024
Response from BBTL Reception on 11 Feb 2024
Thankyou for your feed back

10/10 Excellent

Cecilia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great spot! Nice vibe. Huge kitchen with stuffed fridge worried me a bit on arrival (that it would be loud/party) but everyone was just friendly and chill. Very clean and nice environment, great location in town. Laundry facilities were always busy but I guess that can't always be helped on some dayes
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024
Response from BBTL Reception on 15 Feb 2024
Thanks for your feed back

2/10 Terrible

Anne

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities
Awful night at BATL .. situated next to a noisy late live music bar which was open until 3AM... no sleep until and other guests were complaining also. I was wearing ear plugs also. Terrible night and ruined my next day as had full itinerary planned but had to change plans. Very let down, will never stay again and would state to anyone who wants some normal sleep NOT to stay here at all.. oh yes and kettle didnt work so that was just the last straw this morning when i left very early.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024
Response from BBTL Reception on 15 Feb 2024
Thanks for your feed back. Unfortunately being in the center of town we cannot help the night life. Hope to see stay again soon

8/10 Good

david

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Convenient, close to lake with views. Clean, friendly, would stay again.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2023
Response from BBTL Reception on 28 Dec 2023
Thank you for your feed back. Look forward to hosting you in the future

10/10 Excellent

Marta

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2023

8/10 Good

Evelyn

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Good overall near the lake
We had requested a twin room as we are sisters but had one large double bed. Not terrible but we would have preferred separate beds. The room was lovely and so were the amenities. The lobby could use some upgrading considering it’s the first thing people see when they walk in. Good overall and near the lake
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2023

6/10 Okay

Jennie

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very noisey with the bars downstairs until after 2am.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023

2/10 Terrible

Silvia

Travelled with group
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Terrible stay. After our key card didn't work we couldn't get into our room for ages. The staff on the night referred us to management for a refund who have just been plain rude. I will never stay there again and can't recommend to anyone. Dirty and tired property.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023
Response from BBTL Reception on 24 Oct 2023
Thanks for you review Siliva

8/10 Good

Simba Kevin

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Central to town and smart
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023
Response from BBTL Reception on 23 Oct 2023
Thanks Simba,Look forward to hosting you in the future

8/10 Good

Dragana

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Nice.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023
Response from BBTL Reception on 22 Oct 2023
Thanks Dragana, Look forward to hosting you again.

6/10 Okay

Patricia

Disliked: Staff & service
No hot water on my second morning Side tables very wobbly
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023
Response from BBTL Reception on 5 Oct 2023
Thanks for your feed back.

8/10 Good

Dot

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023
Response from BBTL Reception on 12 Oct 2023
Thanks for your rating. look forward to hosting you in the future

6/10 Okay

Gary

Travelled with partner
Liked: Staff & service, amenities
Room not clean
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023
Response from BBTL Reception on 16 Sept 2023
Hi Gary,Thanks for your feed back. Hope to see you back one day.BBTL Team

8/10 Good

Adrienne

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Ensuite room
Very clean and reception friendly. Bed just a bit uncomfortable. Needs a topper pad. Also a couple of folding chairs would save people sitting on bed.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Uneak

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
This place was perfect for a couples get away plus a baby , we had a very simple room for the night. Double bed with own bathroom and a beautiful view of the lake and the mountains 😍 that’s all we needed. Only thing was the noise from the pubs across the road but we weren’t fussed on that either. Ild defs stay again
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023
Response from BBTL Reception on 8 Sept 2023
Thanks for your review, Galde you enjoyed your stay. look forward to hosting you again in the future

10/10 Excellent

Brian

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Excellent facilities and staff. Looking forward to staying there next time in Taupo.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023
Response from Wendy on 20 Aug 2023
Hi Brian, thank you so much for the great review, we would be more than happy to host you again.RegardsBBTL Team

6/10 Okay

Louenza

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Pleasant stay with room on opposite side of the building so not to noisey, especially with the bar across the road, however we were up three flights of stairs and the elevator was not in use. Parking okay and convenient o all stores, restaurants etc being within walking distance as well. Would definitely stay again in the same room if able but only if the elevator is in use.
Stayed 1 night in May 2023
Response from Wendy on 12 Jul 2023
Hi Louenza thank you for your kind review and we would be happy to host you again. On the subject of the elevator unfortunately the Fire Department have informed us that we can only use this for service only or we would be breaching Safety Standards.

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Thanks BBTL
Had the private room which was really nice & clean. Was a shame the elevator was out of order and had to get up to the 3rd floor with a bad knee - realised after checking in etc! Laughed at first that you were provided ear plugs. Shortly realised Saturday night why - right across from the bars haha! Location was good :)
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

8/10 Good

Patricia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Would have been nice to know that I had to provide my own bathroom equipment, wasn’t sure where to leave key so placed by the till
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Desiree

Stayed 1 night in Apr 2023

6/10 Okay

Promesh

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Busy area
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2023

6/10 Okay

Craig

Travelled with partner
It was ok
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Shane

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very tidy, friendly staff very helpful.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2023

2/10 Terrible

Janice

Disliked: Cleanliness
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

8/10 Good

steven

Stayed 1 night in Feb 2023

8/10 Good

Christine

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Central location with easy safe parking, room was w at Ely what was required. Very clean, fresh and tidy. Staff were amazing.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2023

6/10 Okay

Paul

Liked: Room comfort
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Noisy
Private room (ensuite) in a backpackers. Room great. Clean & well presented. Tea, coffee, ear plugs (more later) provided. Can't fault it.... However... Limited hours reception - very. Limited hours kitchen too - not helpful. All the communal areas pretty grotty. No sign of any cleaning in the kitchen during the day and the early closure wasn't used either. On the day everyone got stuck because of the weather, the person on reception kept telling everyone to speak to someone else basically - any question. Presumably following orders but really unhelpful and not in the slightest bit empathetic. And then there's the earplugs... There is a bar/club opposite that gets noisy about midnight. If you came here to sleep during the night, forget about it.
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2023

2/10 Terrible

Annie

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Staff & service, room comfort
This is basically back packets accomodation. Very noisey internally and externally. We got very little sleep and left about 6 am. Bed uncomfortable and staff unhelpful. Tea and coffee in your room no milk or fridge.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2023
Response from Management on 8 Jul 2023
Hi Annie, thank you for your feedback unfortunately being located right in the heart of the city and being surrounded by pubs, nightclubs and restaurants it does get very busy and noise control is completely out of our hands.RegardsBBTL Team

8/10 Good

Maria

Travelled with family, Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We booked the deluxe/twin ensuite and this was basic but great for our one night stay in Taupo. We were supplied towels, but no hand towels .. there was coffee/tea making facilities, but no hlt milk .. guessing you may have to buy your own. We had our own ensuite, shower was great .. good enough for the budget traveler. Big king bed was comfortable
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2023

8/10 Good

Mairi

Travelled with partner
Liked: Staff & service, amenities
No parking your information does NOT SAY BACKPACKERS if I’d known that I would not have booked or stayed

8/10 Good

Julie

Travelled with partner, Travelled with group
The overall experience was good. I would expect a lift service available when staying on 3rd floor. For someone with weak ankles, it wasn’t ideal walking up and down 3 flights of stairs every time we went out or used the communial kitchen.

4/10 Poor

Brad

Liked: Staff & service, amenities
What you would expect for the price. Except the noise from the nightclub across the road is unbearable.

10/10 Excellent

Rosanne

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Callan

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice friendly staff, cozy private room

10/10 Excellent

Vahid

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great management and maintenance crew. Great location Good price Very peasant environment I was lucky for staying three nights I had a room with a view. May be they gave me a favour. I will be a loyal customer if I travel to Taupo again. I wish them the best in coming Christmas and New year.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Una

Stayed 1 night in Nov 2022