The Hostelz.com Review
Cactus Jack Backpackers is an inexpensive hostel just minutes away from the iSite and the central business district. The friendly staff here are constantly making improvements to the hostel (painting the rooms and such) and it is kept clean and comfortable.
The Location
This hostel is very close to the iSite, the drop-off site for all the coach buses. It's only about a five-minute walk from here, and another five-minute walk from the city bus station. It's right near the edge of all of the shops, so it's near the stores and cafes, and is only a five-minute walk from the lake.
Rooms and Bathrooms
The dorm rooms have bunk beds but do not have lockers, but they do have individual shelves for your things. The doors lock securely, but you will have to lock the door yourself when you leave, since it does not automatically lock behind you. They offer ten-bed dorms (the biggest dorm), privates, and doubles. The rooms can get pretty hot and stuffy, and the mattresses seem very old and uncomfortable. Full linen is provided.
The showers are in individual locked rooms, rather than one big room with individual stalls. There is a shower caddy for your things in the shower, and plenty of space to hang your things on the back of the door. However, this is one stall with no curtain dividing it, so if you need to put anything anywhere on the floor, you run the risk of it getting wet. The showers have very good water pressure, but the heat is inconsistent.
Common Spaces
There is a common room, with comfortable couches and a television with videos and a book exchange. There is also a table with chairs here if you would like to eat at a table. Outside there is a nice spa pool as well as some outside benches and tables for sitting out when there is good weather.
The kitchen is very large, with plenty of utensils and cooking tools -- it would be difficult to run into people with a kitchen this large. Everything is very clean; however, they close the kitchen for cleaning at 9:30 a.m. or so for about thirty minutes, which is really inconvenient when you are checking out at 10 a.m. The kitchen also closes from 9:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m., so if you like to eat late then this place isn't for you.
This hostel is a social one, filled with friendly backpackers who are up for a conversation. While you will likely hear noise and conversation until 9 or 10 at night, this isn't a party hostel.
Summary
The kitchen closing is a pretty major inconvenience, and the beds are really uncomfortable -- so if you have a bad back or like to cook late, this isn't for you. But if you want something inexpensive with a good location, this is a good spot in Rotorua.
The Location
This hostel is very close to the iSite, the drop-off site for all the coach buses. It's only about a five-minute walk from here, and another five-minute walk from the city bus station. It's right near the edge of all of the shops, so it's near the stores and cafes, and is only a five-minute walk from the lake.
Rooms and Bathrooms
The dorm rooms have bunk beds but do not have lockers, but they do have individual shelves for your things. The doors lock securely, but you will have to lock the door yourself when you leave, since it does not automatically lock behind you. They offer ten-bed dorms (the biggest dorm), privates, and doubles. The rooms can get pretty hot and stuffy, and the mattresses seem very old and uncomfortable. Full linen is provided.
The showers are in individual locked rooms, rather than one big room with individual stalls. There is a shower caddy for your things in the shower, and plenty of space to hang your things on the back of the door. However, this is one stall with no curtain dividing it, so if you need to put anything anywhere on the floor, you run the risk of it getting wet. The showers have very good water pressure, but the heat is inconsistent.
Common Spaces
There is a common room, with comfortable couches and a television with videos and a book exchange. There is also a table with chairs here if you would like to eat at a table. Outside there is a nice spa pool as well as some outside benches and tables for sitting out when there is good weather.
The kitchen is very large, with plenty of utensils and cooking tools -- it would be difficult to run into people with a kitchen this large. Everything is very clean; however, they close the kitchen for cleaning at 9:30 a.m. or so for about thirty minutes, which is really inconvenient when you are checking out at 10 a.m. The kitchen also closes from 9:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m., so if you like to eat late then this place isn't for you.
This hostel is a social one, filled with friendly backpackers who are up for a conversation. While you will likely hear noise and conversation until 9 or 10 at night, this isn't a party hostel.
Summary
The kitchen closing is a pretty major inconvenience, and the beds are really uncomfortable -- so if you have a bad back or like to cook late, this isn't for you. But if you want something inexpensive with a good location, this is a good spot in Rotorua.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
March 2012
Their Description
Cactus Jack Backpackers Details
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Cactus Jack Backpackers Reviews from the WebHostelz.com Guest Reviews
Oozing with filth Terrible. Ok, I work with kids, positives first. Cactus Jack's is centrally located in Rotorua and pretty cheap. But, it is filthy, dilapidated, loud, and gross. Front desk offers "discounts" on activities, but ended up being regular priced. Hallways are dark, almost crashed into other unfortunate hostel-mates on the way to the worst excuse for a bathroom since the use of outhouses. There was no light bulb in the women's bathroom, until the second night when someone removed it from the hallway to put it in the bathroom (smart?). Showers apparently only had one setting each -- I took a scalding hot shower, while my friend took a freezing cold one. We walked to the nearby public pool to shower/avoid the one at Cactus Jack's, that's how bad it was. Construction was going on at all hours of the day and night, including random materials, doors, old toilets, and tools littering the halls and "courtyard" outside the rooms. People talked, yelled, and played music until about 4 or 5am each night. Sat down on the bed only to hit the floor below, worst bed I've ever seen. Topper of it all: waking up at 7am to a couple having LOUD sex in the vacant room next to us. (need I mention the poor construction and paper thin walls?) Oh, and as we head out to go to the bathroom it turns out to be a staff member, who was ON DUTY. Traveled the North Island staying at backpackers and this was by far the worst place. Don't stay here. Ever. Would have rather slept in the car. — Anonymous , usa (2011-03-28) Very Nice! I enjoyed Cactus Jacks. It was a lifesaver for us because our other booking fell through. The atmosphere was really nice and the theme was cute. We got a free beer down at the location pub, which was really fun. The only thing I can say bad is the dryer needed two runs to get my stuff dry. Other than that it was good. — Katie , USA (2009-03-03) Great! Cactus Jacks was one of the best hostels I've ever stayed at. The decor is awesome -- I felt almost like I was staying at a theme park! The rooms were clean, as was the kitchen, and the staff was super-friendly and helpful. The drinks coupons I got on arrival were a nice bonus too. The location was great, too, and the place was easy to find. Would definitely stay again! — Ulla , Finland (2007-12-28) The only thing good about it was the rate. The bed -- awful and didn't look clean at all. The shower was cold and filthy, there wasn't any toilet paper in the two loos that was on the courtyard where we lived, the courtyard was cozy in a way but quite dirty. We stayed in fifteen places in NZ, this was by far the worst. — Anna , Sweden (2007-04-25) This hostel was great. The owners were lovely and gave us cheaper rates, as it was a less busy time of year. They also made us soup and scones. The rooms, atmosphere and the hot pool were great (especially on the cold nights). Kitchen was huge and large selection of videos to chose from in the living room. Close to everything in town as well. Definitely the best hostel I have stayed at! — Lucy (2005-10-22) This place was funny!!! Nice friendly staff and guests. The only thing I would say is that it was pretty chilly there in April — there's no heating in the dorms. Bathrooms and kitchen are basic but fine — the best thing about this place is the atmosphere and location. The Western theme was funny — I slept in the Jail House!!! I'd recommend it. — Solo Travel Girl (2005-07-21) Best place ever! The owners really make you feel part of the family. They always welcome you with a big smile. They gladly answer any question you may have. The Western theme is really cute and nicely displayed. The place to stay!!! — Anonymous (2005-02-19) I only stayed one night and then moved on to another hostel in town. This hostel has a friendly staff. The kitchen was okay — it was clean and had lots of room, but it was a bit old and tired looking. The double room we stayed in was tiny, had some broken-looking furniture and the mattress was awful. I didn't sleep at all. I thought the bathroom facilities left a lot to be desired. — Dee (2005-01-12) We really enjoyed Cactus Jack's. The new owners are very nice; they even set out hot scones for everyone in the afternoon. The Western theme is fun; the kitchen is huge, and there are several separate common areas — a lounge and computer room, a TV room, a billiard room, and a sunny spot in the courtyard. There were several showers and toilet areas and nothing felt crowded. We loved our stay here! — Aloha — Hawaii (2005-01-03) I really enjoyed my stay in this hostel. The dorms were small and cozy. It has a great big kitchen and dining room. The thermally-heated tub is great. Also, it is in a very central location. — Anonymous (2004-10-08) I loved the place. It had no over-the-top rules and guidelines, just lovely people and a cracker of a place. And what's the story about the name of the place? I'm sure they spelt it wrong--shouldn't it be Cactus Joe's? See you next year. — Billey, T. K. (2004-09-12) This place is excellent!! It has a nice, cozy setting and has a wild-wild west environment!! It's definitely a must for backpackers and the price is affordable, too:-) — Thomas Junior (2004-07-22) If you are visiting Rotorua, this is the place to stay. The owners are possibly the nicest people in the world and while I was there they even cooked fresh scones for us a few times a week! The atmosphere is relaxed and sociable and it's easy to meet people. There is a thermally heated hot tub, pool table, TV and videos, large kitchen, and Cactus the Kitten!! They have good rates, a town centre location, and are in walking distance to Lake Rotorua. Thumbs up all the way! — Tiffany (2004-06-06) This place is excellent - just what you want from a hostel. Most of the rooms are situated off a Wild West themed courtyard with loads of open air communal space. Tons of showers/toilets and a massive TV room. The staff/owners extremely helpful and I would love to go back here. — Kieran (2004-02-27)