The YHA Te Aroha is a cottage hostel in a quiet Waikato country town, excellent for getting away from it all. The lounge offers fantastic views over the town and the Hauraki Plains -- extra lovely at sunset.
Behind the cottage is a small park-like glade, a great place to relax on a fine day. The Te Aroha Domain, museum and hot springs are just ten minutes’ walk from the hostel -- or you may like to borrow a bike free of charge to explore these and many of the town’s other attractions such as the mountainbike park just next door to the hostel.
Spices are available in the well-equipped kitchen if you wish to be creative with your meals. You can listen to music on a 1950s radiogram in the lounge.
The hostel has no Electronic Funds Transfer at Point of Sale so you will need to have cash ready for when you arrive and check in. It also pays to book in advance as the hostel has only twelve beds and often fills up during popular periods. The hostel is open to everyone. There is a small surcharge if you do not have a YHA membership card.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
April 2006