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Based by the Lake - Hostel

2.0 star property
Travelers can dive into adventure by day and unwind with lakeside drinks at night, creating the perfect balance of excitement and relaxation

Choose dates to view prices

Based by the Lake Hostel offers a welcoming atmosphere by the water. Guests enjoy laundry facilities, a restaurant, bar, in-room WiFi, friendly staff, a pool table, and luggage storage for a comfortable experience. Perfect for planning hiking trips or skydiving.

Reviews

7.4 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Restaurant
  • Bar
  • Laundry room
  • Housekeeping
  • Kitchen

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 4 of 4 rooms

View all photos for Shared Dormitory

Shared Dormitory

Shared Dormitory

Highlights

Heating
Fridge
Private bathroom
Shared/communal kitchen
Stovetop
Cookware/dishes/utensils
Toaster
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Single Bunk Bed

View all photos for Double Room

Double Room

Double Room

Highlights

Heating
Fridge
LCD TV
Private bathroom
Shared/communal kitchen
Stovetop
Cookware/dishes/utensils
Toaster
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Deluxe Double or Twin Room

Deluxe Double or Twin Room

Deluxe Double or Twin Room

7.6 out of 10
Good
(5 reviews)

Highlights

Heating
Fridge
LCD TV
Private bathroom
Shared/communal kitchen
Stovetop
Cookware/dishes/utensils
Toaster
  • Lake view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed OR 2 Single Beds

View all photos for Basic Triple Room

Basic Triple Room

Basic Triple Room

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(2 reviews)

Highlights

Heating
Fridge
Private bathroom
Shared/communal kitchen
Stovetop
Cookware/dishes/utensils
Toaster
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Double Bunk Bed
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About the area

Located in Taupō Central, a neighbourhood in Taupō, Based by the Lake - Hostel is in a shopping district and on a lake. A.C. Baths and Maori Carvings are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Lake Taupō and Waikato River. Spa Thermal Park and Waipahihi Botanical Gardens are also worth visiting. Relax and indulge in the area's hot springs, or seek out an adventure with ecotours, horse riding and mountain climbing nearby.
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Map
7 Tuwharetoa Street, Taupo, North Island, 3330

What's nearby

  • Taupō Museum and Art Gallery - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Taupō i-SITE Visitor Information Centre - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Taupō Marina and Boat Ramp - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Spa Thermal Park - 2 min drive - 2.2 km
  • Taupō Hot Springs - 3 min drive - 3.2 km

Getting around

  • Taupō Airport (TUO) - 12 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Dixie Brown's Cafe - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Replete Food Company - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Cafe Baku - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Fast and Fresh Bakery Cafe - ‬4 min walk

About this property

Based by the Lake - Hostel

Hostel near Lake Taupō
You can look forward to laundry facilities, a bar and a restaurant at Based by the Lake - Hostel. Adventurous travellers may like the hiking/biking trails and skydiving at this hostel. Stay connected with free in-room WiFi.
Other perks include:
  • Free newspapers, a vending machine and luggage storage
  • ATM/banking services, a front desk safe and a lift
  • A billiards/pool table
  • Guest reviews say great things about the helpful staff
Room features
All guest rooms at Based by the Lake - Hostel include amenities, such as free WiFi.
More amenities include:
  • Communal kitchens with fridges, toasters and stovetops
  • Cookware/dishes/utensils, heating and daily housekeeping

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  • Parking included
  • Free Wi-Fi
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The price is NZ$133
includes taxes & fees
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Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • No on-site parking available

Food and drink

  • A bar/lounge
  • A restaurant

Things to do

  • Billiards/pool table
  • Hiking/biking trails
  • Skydiving

Family friendly

  • In-room refrigerator
  • Laundry facilities

Conveniences

  • ATM
  • Free newspapers in lobby
  • Laundry facilities
  • Luggage storage
  • Safe at front desk
  • Shared microwave
  • Shared refrigerator
  • Vending machine

Guest services

  • Change of bedsheets (on request)
  • Change of towels on request
  • Housekeeping (daily)

Outdoors

  • On a lake

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Handrails in stairways
  • Lift
  • Visual alarms in hallways
  • Well-lit path to entrance
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible path of travel
  • Wheelchair-accessible path to lift
  • Wheelchair-accessible public bathroom
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk
  • Wheelchair-accessible restaurant

More

  • Designated smoking areas

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Shower

Food and drink

  • Cleaning supplies
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Hob
  • Refrigerator
  • Shared kitchen access
  • Toaster

More

  • Heating

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; check-in end time: anytime
Contactless check-in and check-out are available
Minimum check-in age - 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM
Contactless check-out

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open Sunday - Thursday (8:00 AM - 5:00 PM) and Friday - Saturday (8:00 AM - 5:00 AM)
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Staffed front desk, smart lock

Pets

Pets not allowed (service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees)

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
Cots (infant beds) are not available

Payment types

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards and cash
Cashless transactions are available
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector and a first aid kit

National rating

Property class, provided by our rating system, is based on property type, amenities and services.

Property is also known as

Based by the Lake
Based By The Lake Hostel Taupo
Based by the Lake - Hostel Taupo
Based by the Lake - Hostel Hostel/Backpacker accommodation
Based by the Lake - Hostel Hostel/Backpacker accommodation Taupo

Frequently asked questions

Is Based by the Lake - Hostel pet-friendly?

No, only service animals are welcome at the property.

How much is parking at Based by the Lake - Hostel?

Based by the Lake - Hostel doesn't offer parking.

What time is check-in at Based by the Lake - Hostel?

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; check-in end time: anytime.

What time is check-out at Based by the Lake - Hostel?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Based by the Lake - Hostel located?

Located in Taupō Central, this hostel is within a 10-minute walk of Taupō i-SITE Visitor Information Centre and Lake Taupō. Taupō Museum and Art Gallery and Taupō Marina and Boat Ramp are also within 10 minutes.

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Reviews

Based by the Lake - Hostel Reviews

7.4

Good

7.8

Cleanliness

7.2

Amenities

8.2

Staff & service

7.4

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 38 out of 115 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 34 out of 115 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 24 out of 115 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 8 out of 115 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 11 out of 115 reviews

Reviews

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

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

10/10 Excellent

Helen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort

Awesome location

Awesome location with everything you need
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rose

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very central, easy parking and good service
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

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

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

6/10 Okay

Raman

It is good the price we paid for. It’s noisy and small room with bathroom which was nice and clean. Its value for money, no complaints!
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

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

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

6/10 Okay

Liliana

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Property was fine, room was clean and was fine. What I didn't like much was the kitchenette as the fridges weren't completely clean.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Wendy

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

8/10 Good

David

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

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

8/10 Good

Evelyn

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

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

8/10 Good

Juliette

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Staff are super friendly and helpful and the shower in my room was amazing
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Callan

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

10/10 Excellent

Jackie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Easy access to the township. An affordable stay, great value for money.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Siu

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great digs for a short stop over, was a bit noisey at times due to thin walls but would stay here again and the staff were ever so helpful and informative thanks.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Shane

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

6/10 Okay

Paul

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
A good back packers, but be aware of 3 flights of stairs if an issue for you. Shame it is opposite the party pub with lousy loud bands.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

8/10 Good

Craig

Liked: Staff & service
Great affordable option in the heart of Taupo’s action. Highly recommend
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2022

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Convenience the only reason we stayed here

We stayed here last year and booked again well ahead of time and were given a room on the noisy side and up on the top floor and the lift only goes to the first floor, it's got more run down since our last stay, no knob on toilet cistern, no teaspoons, no plug for hand basin and kitchen very rough
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Nicholas

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Good service
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Location good …budget accommodation

It was budget and won’t stay again.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2022