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Reviews of Ariki Backpackers

2 out of 5
Ariki Backpackers
25 Ariki Street, New Plymouth

Reviews

8.8

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 73 out of 133 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 43 out of 133 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 13 out of 133 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 2 out of 133 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 2 out of 133 reviews" "

8.4/10

Cleanliness

9.2/10

Staff & service

8.4/10

Amenities

8.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.2/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

2/10 Terrible

Mark

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024
Response from Ariki on 27 Apr 2024
Haha, crack up, the guy/couple who unscrewed the fire/smoke alarm from the ceiling which caused the main alarm to sound and wake the whole hostel around midnight, and were subsequently asked to leave immediately, leave a 1 out of 5 review. I give you a 0.5 out of 5 review, and only this because you cooperated and left while subjecting staff to only a small amount of verbal abuse.

10/10 Excellent

Alyssa

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great little backpackers! Would stay again.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024
Response from Ariki on 27 Apr 2024
Primo to hear Alyssa )

10/10 Excellent

Faye

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Property was very clean and tidy. Staff were extremely friendly and helpful. Very conveniently located for dining, shopping, broadwalk, bus terminal. Only issue is no parking which could be alleviated by putting a blurb about where you can park. One thing said there was parking and another said no parking??
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024
Response from Ariki on 27 Apr 2024
Cool to read of all the aspects of the hostel that you enjoyed. Thanks for the heads up re the parking confusion. We don't have any parking reserved for the hostel but there is abundant street parking in the immediate vicinity and nearby. Staff can also advise of free parking nearby if staying for a few days or more.

10/10 Excellent

Jennie

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Lovely refuge and great spot to visit central attractions and sea walks.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024
Response from Ariki on 27 Apr 2024
Great to hear that you enjoyed your stay Jennie, and made great use of the location by the sounds )

10/10 Excellent

Andreas

Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024
Response from Ariki on 27 Apr 2024
Cheers Andreas )

10/10 Excellent

Barbara

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Enjoyed two nights in the family room. Excellent value with air conditioning, TV and own bathroom. All linen supplied. Excellent location right in the centre, next to mall, restaurants and costal walkway. Excellent staff service. I would have liked to rate cleanliness higher, but some guests did not always leave the kitchen clean or wash and dry their dishes.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024
Response from Rob on 28 Feb 2024
Sounds like you came to the right place for you )The kitchen, it is what it is, not everyone respects themselves or others enough to clean up after themselves.

10/10 Excellent

Donna

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Fantastic place. Great location for coastal walkway, right in town. Bars, restaurants all handy. Manager was so friendly and welcoming, also very efficient. Best hostel I've stayed in NZ.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2024
Response from Rob on 28 Feb 2024
Yeah Ariki isn't flash but there is plenty to enjoy about the place if one can look beyond the superficial )

10/10 Excellent

Sofia

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
I liked a lot!
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2023
Response from Rob on 26 Nov 2023
Primo Sofia ) It was a joy to host you. Fun travels... Rob

10/10 Excellent

Matt

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Carolyn

Stayed 1 night in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jack

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great service and accommodation. The only thing I'd take issue with is the parking which you have to either pay for from 9am-5pm or not drive at all. Don't let this overshadow your stay though, as it's a lovely place.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Samantha

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities

10/10 Excellent

Joanne, Hawera

10/10 Excellent

Janet

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2022
Response from Rob on 19 Dec 2022
Really cool to know that you enjoyed your stay Janet )

8/10 Good

Shelley

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Location very convenient and helpful staff. Noisy at night especially Friday and Saturday nights.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Maria Eugenia

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Good stay
We stayed one night only at a private room. It was spacious and clean. Awesome location, nice staff.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2021
Response from Rob on 11 Jan 2022
Really good to hear that you enjoyed the place = )

10/10 Excellent

Aurore

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Really nice stay
Really warm welcoming, explaining everything around the hostel but also what to do. The room was cozy not noisy with ac and with clean bathroom. Really close to the intercity bus stop.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2022
Response from Rob on 11 Jan 2022
We do our best to be hosts with the most ; ) Cool to know that you enjoyed your stay.

10/10 Excellent

Hohepa

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Rangi

Travelled with family, Travelled with family and small children, Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was safe
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2021

8/10 Good

Karen M

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Extremely helpful & friendly hosts. Backpackers well run.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Business traveller, Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Staff and other guests all lovely. Great kitchen facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Samantha

Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2021

8/10 Good

John, Tauranga

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very central to museums, shops, bars, eateries and the coastal walk and cycleway
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2020

8/10 Good

Jenny, Auckland

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Good place. Friendly staff. Our stay was very pleasant
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2020

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2020
Response from Rob on 16 Mar 2020
Always glad when someone enjoys themselves here

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Staff very friendly and knowledgable great central location
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location, helpful and friendly staff, clean and comfortable. Highly recommend.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Super friendly staff & atmosphere, and the room was great. Handy location too being so central. 10/10 would recommend
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2019

8/10 Good

Johnny

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2019

10/10 Excellent

CLARENCE

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
PERFECT LOCATION
Perfect location. Just across the road from Puke Ariki, The Wind wand and waterfront. Stone throw from the Len Lye centre. If you can't sleep with pub and karaoke noise, then this is not for you. We stayed on Friday night and the noise didn't bother me. The host gave us a big room. Very friendly and helpful. Plus ear plugs:).
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2019

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Business traveller
Liked: Staff & service
I liked the location being so close to food places, mall, beach and bus stops. I liked the helpful guy at reception. No lift to get upstairs and building is very old and run down. Very affordable though.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2019

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Loud
It's above a pub so Saturday night is super loud 😓 Not conducive to an early night.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2019

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Too noisy at night on Thursday to saturday nights. Customer service was very friendly and welcoming.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Friendly place. Great location. Very central......
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2019

10/10 Excellent

Klara

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Would stay there again
This was a second stay at this hostel. The private room is great. The rooftop terrace is the best :)
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2018

10/10 Excellent

Klara

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Recommend!
Great place to stay in New Plymouth. The staff was friendly and gave a lot of tipps about the area and the location is really central with lots of eateries, shops, etc. I really liked the cozy commonrooms which so that you can chat with the other visitors if you wanted to.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2018

10/10 Excellent

P, Oscoda

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Awesome location right In the CBD of New Plymouth. TV and WiFi work great in the room. We had an ensuite but shared facilities available for a little less money. Excellent staff. Tons of shopping and food within a block, very walkable.e. Prices in downtown New Plymouth are a little higher than elsewhere. Oceanfront visible from the front door. Only down side was the large lack of parking. Closest free parking was four blocks away up the hill on Brigham street. The parking mavens missed regulating three spots at the very end of the street. Free parking on site from 5 PM to 6 AM but you HAVE to move at 6 AM. It’s a pain in the rain.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2018

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Excellent location, though a little noisy at night in the weekend
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2018

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Excellent location in the CBD, staff very friendly and helpful. Reasonably priced bicycle hire. We stayed in a double room and the bed was pretty comfortable and it was nice and clean. The kitchen could do with a bit of a clean but was well equipt and basics like herbs, oil and tea are provided.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

Bee, whanganui

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Great for a central, safe bed for the night.
Great central location within walking distance to several points of interest and local cafes and eating places. Although an older building, it was well run, safe and clean and fitting for its purpose. Helpful staff. Would definitely stay again. Now a favourite.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2018
Response from Matty on 27 Jun 2018
Thank you! we are stoked you had such a good stay!

8/10 Good

Shane, Tauranga

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great stay enjoyed the fact it was in the centre of town and at a great price piont
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2018

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Adequate facilities that are tired. Great to be in the centre of town and close to activities.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2018

8/10 Good

Ross

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Conveniently situated backpackers
Ariki is a backpackers not a hotel, and offers value for money without any frills. Good points were location (near Intercity coach stop, seafront and town), friendly and helpful guy on reception, and we had our own twin ensuite room. Useful to be able to use shared fridge etc in main kitchen, and the establishment felt friendly and safe. The downside was that it was a bit scruffy, furniture was old and surfaces were dusty, and outlook from our rear room was onto a blank wall across a narrow alley. Pub downstairs was doing a good exclusive deal for people staying at the backpackers, pizza and a beer.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2018

10/10 Excellent

Nicki

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great and cost friendly stay right at the center!
Very close (right at the center) of the bus station, the information centre is just opposite, sea view from the balcony (sunset!) and generally clean bathroom and toilets.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2018

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service
The staff where awesome! Really helpful. Nice roof top deck, comfy bed
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2018

8/10 Good

Jessie, Calgary, AB

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Great location, incredible staff.
Staff and location are amazing. Hostel is clean, a little bit older, but is a great homebase for people of all ages. Surprised to find a TV in the room and great quality wifi. I would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2017

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Friendly place
Felt welcome as soon as you walked in! Cozy rooms and great places surrounding
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2017

8/10 Good

Susan

Liked: Staff & service
Fantastic location.
Great location but of course that comes with a noise factor. We were warned on arrival that Saturday nights are noisy. We were even offered ear plugs. Lol. We just dealt with it as best we could. Sunday night was fine. Kitchen was often messy with unwashed dishes left around but tgat cant be blamed on the hostel but on lazy other guests. Door of our shared shower was really difficult to lock . Probably needs fixing. We got a park right outside the front door which was a great stroke of luck.All in all, 2 nights here worked ok for us.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2017