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Reviews of Rotorua Downtown Backpackers

2 out of 5
Rotorua Downtown Backpackers
1193 Fenton Street, Rotorua

Reviews

7.4

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 21 out of 100 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 47 out of 100 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 17 out of 100 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 11 out of 100 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 4 out of 100 reviews" "

7.6/10

Cleanliness

8.4/10

Staff & service

6.8/10

Amenities

7.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Ting Ting

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great stay
Nice and helpful staff Warm and clean room :)
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2020

8/10 Good

Dawn, Hastings

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Clean place and friendly staff. Good location right in town.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2020

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in May 2020

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great Value
It was overall a very nice place for the money. I think the showers and bedding were clean and overall the place was maintained well, with little noise at night.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2020

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2020

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Very value for money, with clean sheets and a clean bathroom. Hostel was super popular but everyone was quiet and polite, even while using the shared kitchen, things were left clean and tidy.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2019

10/10 Excellent

Kaybix Holdings

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Smack in the city
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The staff were helpful and friendly,the room was comfortable and had a nice view and the location was convenient
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2019

8/10 Good

Thomas

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2019

8/10 Good

Kevin

Liked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort
A Decent Hostel
Our stay was decent. Sevice was ok but tours needed to be booked with Peterpan Adventure Travel down the street instead of directly through the hostel.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2019

8/10 Good

Uta

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2019
Response from Emz - Rooms Manager on 10 Apr 2019
Thank you for your review of our Hostel. We hope you enjoyed your time in Iconic Rotorua.

4/10 Poor

Anonymous, Canada

Travelled with partner
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities
While the location is awesome and staff friendly this place was the worst hoatel we stayed at on our trip. Private room with bunk beds was sweltering hot with no AC or windows. Just a small fan that blew the hot air around. The wifi never worked for us. The room had no outlets to charge our phones. Bathrooms were filthy and the showers had no temperature control. Patchy and terrible signa of maintenance arouns the place like half patched holes in walls and moulding glue in showers. Fridge was so full with peoples food we had no room for our small cooler so didnt bother. The beds were so uncomfortable. Parking was free on the street from 5pm to 9am which worked out for us. Glad we only stayed one night.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2019

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Stayed 1 night in Feb 2019

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Stayed 1 night in Feb 2019

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Stayed 1 night in Feb 2019

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Stayed 1 night in Feb 2019

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Stayed 1 night in Feb 2019

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Stayed 1 night in Feb 2019

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Stayed 1 night in Feb 2019

10/10 Excellent

chris, new zealand

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Location second to none. Price amazing easy to book activities from reception. Lively atmosphere of hostel coupled with central location easy social.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
This hostel was very nice. The staff were so friendly and helpful. The room was a little warm with no aircon but not too bad. Overall it was a clean and convenient place. I would recommend it for anyone staying in Rotorua.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Karen at reception was wonderful and friendly. The place was clean and tidy, I was happy to stay there. Showers could use a small shelf or something to put soaps on when showering.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2018

10/10 Excellent

Sin Ting

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2019

8/10 Good

Amie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2018

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2018

8/10 Good

wai king

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Good hostel
Everything are good. Except the kitcken is too small !
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2018
Response from Emz - Rooms Manager on 15 Nov 2018
Kia Ora, Thank you for choosing to stay with us here during your time in Iconic Rotorua. We hope you enjoy the rest of your travels in New Zealand.

6/10 Okay

Cynthia

Liked: Staff & service
Should've shelled out more money for a better plac
Stayed in the 12 bed shared room ensuite. Shower needed some demolding. Also, a lock on the bathroom door would be nice. Or at least a sign hanging on the door that we can flip saying "occupied" because inevitably, somebody just opens the door without knocking. I was on a top bunk which was uncomfortable solely because it was rather close to the ceiling. An 11 year old couldn't sit up without hitting their head. Also, there aren't railings on one side so if you move a lot in your sleep, the probability of falling out is very real and would be very dangerous. Also got bit by something in the bed and it's still itchy a week later. Earplugs are a must. And an extra sweater or blanket if you are easily chilled. BUT, the people are nice. The staff are nice. The kitchen is convenient. And check in and check out is easy. It's also super close to the i-site which makes traveling via Intercity bus easy.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2018

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2018
Response from RDB Crew on 3 Oct 2018
Kia Ora, Thank you for choosing to stay with us here at Rotorua Downtown Backpackers. We are happy to see you had fun in Rotorua. Enjoy the rest of your Travels - Take care

8/10 Good

Bikky

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Close to everything. Friendly atmosphere. Very clean, including kitchen area.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2018
Response from RDB Crew on 19 Sept 2018
Kia Ora, I am glad to here that you enjoyed your stay here with Us. Enjoy your travels around NZ and have the best time!! We hope to see You again =)

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Okay for one night
Stayed here only one night. Bed uncomfortable, unpleasent smell in the room. Also no windows in the room (except small skylight), so we weren't able to to air the room. Fridge so small, barely room for our couple things. No lighting in men's toilet area.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2018

10/10 Excellent

Natalie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great find. Comfy space, provided towels and toiletries. Quiet as well. Toilet had hairdryers. Well equipped space. Friendly and helpful staff.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2018

8/10 Good

wong, malaysia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Comfy room
Overall is prefect. Nice room for 2. Good location near to night market
Stayed 2 nights in May 2018

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Very friendly staff. Backpackers was very clean. Room was spotless. Great location.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2018

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Friendly staff, great location!

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
a staff was really kind and friendly. some activities are good for backpackers to see new people
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2018

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Nice Good clean
Nice clean Good coin operated laundry Have events on at night (music, organised drinks)
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2018

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Disliked: Room comfort
Convenient location
We booked a twin room. We got bunk beds so one on top of the other. No where in the booking did it say anything about bunk beds otherwise we wouldn't have taken it. When we mentioned it first of all she didn't understand! Then she said that was all they did. Very disappointing
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2017

2/10 Terrible

Damion, Napier

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
No WIFI, mess of a backpackers!!
THERE IS NO WIFI IN THE ROOMS, the wifi in the reception doesn’t work well. Not the place to stay if you need to book and plan out the rest of your stay in New Zealand. We found booking future accommodation etc very difficult. Their were baby hipsters smoking weed in the garden attempting to express there individualism, not a good idea considering their were children checked into the hostel, there is also a police station across the road. Staff were sleeping in the lounge and appeared to be aware of guests smoking weed. Bathrooms were freezing cold and with no lights in the toilet cubicles. Faeces on the toilet seat and urine on the floor. Only 10 mins only allowed in the shower..... All this stuff should be put on Expedia. Furniture was all old and ran down. No oven in the kitchen. Windows in the bedroom thin and don’t close makes for a freezing bedroom and very noisy. Basically this place is a mess. Staff also offered nothing other than awkward eye contact. Good place to stay if you like to do nothing other than sit around playing games, smoking weed and expressing your individualism on guitar in a baby hipster manner. If your here to see New Zealand avoid this place, not worth the money. Up side, good location. Me and my partner have been travelling the world for months now, by far the worst backpackers we have stayed in!!
Stayed 8 nights in Oct 2017

2/10 Terrible

chaman, christchurch

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Not good
I had very bad experience. No electronic blanket in room, no hanger or any place to keep the clothes. No WiFi in room, we have to go downstairs in sitting room to use internet. Too many restriction. I dnt know why alcohol is not in room, u have to drink in sitting room only. They are expecting us to take all the bed sheets and pillow cover and put them in the basket before checkout. In shower there were no space in shower to keep the shampoo, shop etc. Completely disappointing experience.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2017

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
the staff member was very friendly and free pasta!
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2017

8/10 Good

Gremlin lau, Rotorua

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Prefect Location
Coveniant
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2017

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Okay
Okay but discription is in accurate no wifi in rooms
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2017

8/10 Good

Benjamin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2017

8/10 Good

Kristen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Pretty good for a quick stop
I had a very brief stay. Location is GREAT (right next to isite) for the busses, but there isn't much within walking distance in terms of amazing geothermal activity. Kuirau park is walking distance (it's no Waiotapu), and there's a strip of restaurants and gift shops. I suggest the Tamaiki village (the hostel can get you a deal/book for you!!). The beds weren't very comfortable, and there was a very strange metallic smell on the hallway. Other than that, it was pretty good. Free wifi in the lobby

8/10 Good

Ivy

Liked: Staff & service
Great location
Helpful and friendly staffs, room a bit small that I cannot open my luggage in room...share bathroom condition ok, no complain with the price.

4/10 Poor

Terianne

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort
I only stayed here for one night, so I can't judge a full stay, but overall I wouldn't stay here again. The people were friendly and nice but the space is too small. The living room and kitchen is tiny for the amount of people staying there, it was hard to get a seat. Their biggest upside is that they have 24hr check-in, which worked for me since I arrived at 12:40am. The bathrooms and showers are okay, not as clean as I would like, but acceptable. The worst part was the room. First off the door was so loud when it opened, waking up all the other roommates (please put some wd40 on that door). Secondly it was incredibly small, I could barely open up my bags on the floor. Thirdly when I went up to my top bunk, I hit my head on the roof! How in the world does at 5' tall girl hit her head on the roof when getting into bed? I can only imagine what it must be like for a normal size person. I could barely sit up in bed. Lastly the room was facing the main street, which was incredibly loud and woke me up. I understand some of these issues are due to space and location which is not their fault, and can do nothing about. But if I had the choice (and thankfully I did) I would not stay here. There are better hostels in the area for the same cost, offering better amenities and space.

4/10 Poor

Vladimir

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
I had an overall poor experience. I was arriving late (around 1am), of which I've informed the property in advance. Obviously, when I arrived the door was closed and nobody was at the reception desk. I had to wait till somebody entered the hotel, and then have spent a while looking / waiting for the receptionist, who was apparently sleeping somewhere inside the hotel. The cleanliness is fairly poor, the room had a smell to it and no active ventilation system (except for a rather useless fan). No window in the room, except for a glass (or plastic) panel in the ceiling. In itself this is not a problem, but I am surprised they haven't mentioned this detail in the room description. The Wifi never worked for me.

4/10 Poor

Jason

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Dark, hot, dirty. At least it was quiet. Otherwise, not impressed.

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Great socializing scene and a BBQ hosted by the hostel