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Based by the Lake - Hostel

2.0 star property
Hostel perfectly located for exploring Taupō

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Photo gallery for Based by the Lake - Hostel

Basic Triple Room | Bathroom | Shower
Exterior
Interior
Double Room | Free WiFi, bed sheets
Restaurant

Reviews

7.4 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • Free WiFi
  • Restaurant
  • Bar
  • Laundry
  • Housekeeping
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

View in a map
7 Tuwharetoa Street, Taupo, North Island, 3330
  • Place, Taupō Museum and Art Gallery
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Taupō i-SITE Visitor Information Centre
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Taupō Marina and Boat Ramp
    ‪6 min walk‬
  • Airport, Taupō Airport (TUO)
    ‪9 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Shared Dormitory

Shared Dormitory | Free WiFi, bed sheets

Shared Dormitory

  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bunk Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Double Room

Double Room | Free WiFi, bed sheets

Double Room

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Deluxe Double or Twin Room

Deluxe Double or Twin Room | Free WiFi, bed sheets

Deluxe Double or Twin Room

7.6 out of 10
Good
(5 reviews)
  • Lake view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed OR 2 Twin Beds
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Basic Triple Room

Basic Triple Room | Free WiFi, bed sheets

Basic Triple Room

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(2 reviews)
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Double Bunk Bed
  • Free WiFi

About the neighborhood

Taupō

Heart of Taupō.A stay at this Taupō Central hostel places you steps from Taupō i-SITE Visitor Information Centre and within a 5-minute walk of Taupō Museum and Art Gallery. Taupō Marina and Boat Ramp and Lake Taupō are also within half a mile (1 km).
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What's nearby

  • Taupō Museum and Art Gallery - 3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • beach near Taupō Central - 3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • Taupō i-SITE Visitor Information Centre - 3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • Taupō Marina and Boat Ramp - 6 min walk - 0.4 miles
  • beach near Kaimanawa Reserve - 10 min walk - 0.5 miles

Getting around

  • Taupō Airport (TUO) - 12 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Japan Deli - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Replete Food Company - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Dixie Brown's Cafe - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Waterside - ‬2 min walk

About this property

Based by the Lake - Hostel

Hostel perfectly located for exploring Taupō
There's a restaurant on site. You can enjoy a drink at the bar/lounge. WiFi is free in public spaces. Based by the Lake - Hostel also features a vending machine, complimentary newspapers in the lobby, and laundry facilities.

Smoking is allowed in designated areas at this Taupō hostel.

  • 34 guestrooms or units
  • Self-service laundry
  • Storage area for luggage
  • Front-desk safe
  • Pool or billiards table
  • Newspapers in lobby (free)
  • ATM
  • Elevator
  • Smoking in designated areas
  • Microwave in a common area
  • Refrigerator in a common area
  • Bar or lounge
  • Dining venue
Based by the Lake - Hostel offers 34 accommodations. This Taupō hostel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Guests can make use of the shared/communal kitchen. Bathrooms include showers. Change of towels and change of bedsheets can be requested. Housekeeping is provided daily.

Similar properties

Courtyard
Lakefront Lodge Taupo
Taupō Central
  • Pool
  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Restaurant
3.8 out of 5, Good, 1,004 reviews
$46 nightly
The price is $53
Jun 18 - Jun 19
Total with taxes and fees
Lakefront Lodge Taupo

Property amenities

Family friendly

  • In-room refrigerator
  • Laundry facilities

Internet

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

Parking and transportation

  • No onsite parking available

Food and drink

  • A bar/lounge
  • A restaurant

Things to do

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

Accessibility

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

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Shower

Food and drink

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

More

  • Heating

Policies

Check-in

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

Contactless check-in available

Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Contactless check-out available

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

  • No pets allowed, but service animals are welcome

Children and extra beds

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

Property 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
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. No onsite parking is available. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, debit cards, and cash. For guests' safety, the property includes a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, and a first aid kit in each accommodation. Cashless payment methods are available for all transactions.

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

How close is Based by the Lake - Hostel to the airport?

Based by the Lake - Hostel is 4.9 mi (12-min drive) away from the Taupō Airport (TUO) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

Does Based by the Lake - Hostel have an airport shuttle?

Airport shuttle services are not available at Based by the Lake - Hostel.

Does Based by the Lake - Hostel offer free breakfast?

Based by the Lake - Hostel does not offer free breakfast.

Is there a casino at Based by the Lake - Hostel?

No, there is no casino at this hostel.

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

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

Is there free parking at Based by the Lake - Hostel?

Free parking is not available at this hostel.

Does Based by the Lake - Hostel have a pool?

Based by the Lake - Hostel does not have a pool.

Does Based by the Lake - Hostel have a restaurant?

Yes, there is a restaurant on site.

Does Based by the Lake - Hostel have a spa?

There are no spa services available at this hostel.

How close is Based by the Lake - Hostel to downtown Taupō?

Based by the Lake - Hostel is 0.2 mi away from Taupō.

Based by the Lake - Hostel Reviews

Reviews

7.4

Good

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

7.8/10

Cleanliness

8.2/10

Staff & service

7.2/10

Amenities

7.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

Verified

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
Verified

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
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Callan

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

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
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Helen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort

Awesome location

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

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
Verified

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
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Shane

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

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
Verified

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
Verified

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
Verified

6/10 Okay

Verified traveler

Location good …budget accommodation

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

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
Verified

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
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Satbir

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Everything was perfect
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Nicholas

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

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
Verified

8/10 Good

Simba Kevin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Central to town and smart
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023
Verified

4/10 Poor

Verified traveler

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
Verified

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
Verified

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
Verified

6/10 Okay

Promesh

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

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
Verified

6/10 Okay

Craig

It was ok
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2023
Verified

8/10 Good

Dragana

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Nice.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023