The Hostelz.com Review
Rainbow Lodge is a small hostel close to the heart of Taupo. It is a rather old, wooden building and the rooms are small. The rooms are heated in winter, but the heating is not turned on before 6 or 7 p.m., so it can get pretty cold during the day.
The Location
The hostel is located close to the city center of Taupo. If you arrive by bus, it is approximately a fifteen-minute walk from the bus depot to get there. They are also happy to pick you up if you give them a call upon arrival. If you have a map of Taupo it should be no problem to find the Rainbow Lodge; if not just grab one at the bus depot. A supermarket is just five minutes away from the hostel. All major attractions within the city can be reached by foot.
Rooms and Bathrooms
The rooms and bathroom facilities are medium clean, they seem to be cleaned regularly but it varies every day. The rooms all have door locks and there are both dorms and private rooms available.
Common Spaces
The kitchen is also medium clean, sometimes it is clean and sometimes not so much. The kitchen is a huge open space next to the common area, so if somebody cooks a smelly meal, the smell will spread everywhere. There are several huge fridges which can be used by the guests. Free coffee is provided. There is a large common room with a pool table. The highlight is the sauna, which is open twenty-four hours and can be used at no charge. Wireless LAN is also available throughout the building. The atmosphere is friendly and very social, there are always travelers hanging out in the common areas. The staff are very nice and happy to help you with anything. Room rates are very reasonable and weekly rates are available for long-term guests.
Summary
Generally, the hostel is reasonably priced and ideally located. It is certainly not a luxury hotel, but you get what you pay for and the sauna is definitely a plus.
The Location
The hostel is located close to the city center of Taupo. If you arrive by bus, it is approximately a fifteen-minute walk from the bus depot to get there. They are also happy to pick you up if you give them a call upon arrival. If you have a map of Taupo it should be no problem to find the Rainbow Lodge; if not just grab one at the bus depot. A supermarket is just five minutes away from the hostel. All major attractions within the city can be reached by foot.
Rooms and Bathrooms
The rooms and bathroom facilities are medium clean, they seem to be cleaned regularly but it varies every day. The rooms all have door locks and there are both dorms and private rooms available.
Common Spaces
The kitchen is also medium clean, sometimes it is clean and sometimes not so much. The kitchen is a huge open space next to the common area, so if somebody cooks a smelly meal, the smell will spread everywhere. There are several huge fridges which can be used by the guests. Free coffee is provided. There is a large common room with a pool table. The highlight is the sauna, which is open twenty-four hours and can be used at no charge. Wireless LAN is also available throughout the building. The atmosphere is friendly and very social, there are always travelers hanging out in the common areas. The staff are very nice and happy to help you with anything. Room rates are very reasonable and weekly rates are available for long-term guests.
Summary
Generally, the hostel is reasonably priced and ideally located. It is certainly not a luxury hotel, but you get what you pay for and the sauna is definitely a plus.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
August 2010
Their Description
Rainbow Lodge Backpackers Details
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Rainbow Lodge Backpackers Reviews on Other WebsitesHostelz.com Guest Reviews
Great atmosphere This is an excellent hostel to stay in. The location is great for getting to town centre or heading out to spa & waterfall. The staff are more than ready to help you find what you're looking for and there are always other travelers around to chat to and share stories. This has a great atmosphere and trapped me way longer than my proposed 1 night in Taupo! — Anonymous , Welsh (2012-02-01) Wonderful Place to Stay I stayed here for three nights and loved it. The staff were most wonderful. After checking in, they even showed us around and walked us to our room! The kitchen was great and they have a bbq for us to use. It has such a good vibe and everyone seems to be having fun! They have a nice book collection to trade books. I also loved the TV room for rainy days. — Sam , Canada (2008-01-17) This is a good hostel, and the managers were friendly and helpful, booking my sky-dive and giving me advice about the Tongarrio Crossing. There is no TV, which made for a good atmosphere and I enjoyed the choice of music played. There are individual reading lights by the beds and the main light has a dimmer switch which is inspired! Most people do the Tongarrio Crossing from here so there are always some people going to bed early. — Gillian , Belfast (2007-05-23) Stayed three nights in a double ensuite room June 06. Room is smallish, but comfortable and clean. Electric blankets were a treat during night time. Bathroom was also clean which had a hairdryer (the gf was happy!). The staffs (Ross & Lisa) are amazingly helpful with activities details and any other general info. about the town & shops. Hostel is located about ten minutes casual walk to the town centre. I would definitely stay there again without any hesitation. — Tom & Rachel (2006-08-02) This hostel is definitely the best! I stayed in Taupo for five months and I know every backpackers there. And rainbow lodge is perfect. If you stay longer than a week in Taupo, ask them about their two houses. You can rent a two-bed-room for ninety-five dollars a week. I stayed in one of the houses and the atmosphere there was beautiful. — Steph (2006-07-18) wonderful! helpful and kind staff. very clean and big common area. i could eat free coffee and delicious choco-cake. i stayed 9 dorm room, but it was not small. i went there in winter, and the room was warm. stay here if you want good memory in taupo. — jini (2006-06-29) Great hostel with good facilities. Rooms on-suite a definite bonus. Some of the female staff seemed a little grumpy though (May'06) — Felix (2006-05-14) A nice and clean, homely and sociable hostel with very helpful staff. It was a short walk from the town but not too far. — Anonymous (2005-07-27) This was most definitely the best backpackers I have stayed in EVER! It has a totally top staff who are really clued in on what to do, where to go, etc. It has unbelievably clean rooms and showers, etc. There's a great atmosphere about the place. The kitchen facilities are excellent. It's certainly not your run-of-the-mill backpackers. It has a real homely feel to it. It's a must if you are heading to Taupo. — Jules Ewing (2005-01-10) I didn't think this hostel was anything special, but other people I met in Taupo had nightmarish stories to tell me about where they were staying so, considering that, it was good. — Anonymous (2004-12-12) This was one of the best hostels I stayed in when in I was in New Zealand. It has great, helpful staff, a cosy atmosphere, excellent rooms and fantastic cooking facilities! Nowhere else in Taupo could possibly match it, in my opinion. — Anonymous (2004-09-21) Cool staff and a wicked atmosphere - a must do when in this fab town! — Anonymous (2004-07-01) A good place with plenty of action going on, and lots of opportunity to book activities. It is situated a shortish walk outside of the main area of Taupo, with a large communual cooking and lounge area to encourage interaction. A nice place. — Anonymous (2004-05-13)