Hot Rock Backpackers is a popular hostel in Rotorua and one of the main stops for Kiwi Experience and Stray Backpacker buses. It's part of the Beyond Backpackers group and has a good location as it is two blocks from the main part of town and right next to the Kuirau Geothermal Park. Similar to other Beyond Backpackers hostels, it offers dorms, triples, doubles, twins, and singles. Some smaller rooms are available en-suite.
Hot Rock is probably the oldest of the four hostels in the Beyond Backpackers group. The best parts of the hostel include the free geothermal pools, which are located on the bottom floor in small rooms, and the pool out back. A kitchen, travel booking desk, sundeck, and TV lounge are all available. It also has a popular bar scene.
We stayed in dorms, which are ok. From talking to other travelers, it seems like the smaller rooms might be a more popular option. The dorm felt a bit cramped with beds placed here and there wherever one would fit (happily, no bunks at least in our room). There wasn't a lot of space to store belongings. The bathrooms down the hall left something to be desired -- they could use more cleaning and a facelift, and a few more toilets and showers wouldn't hurt either. If you're not picky you probably won't mind, and if you want to have access to free geothermal pools, good location, and some nightlife, you'll enjoy it here. All in all, this hostel could use some updating, but it remains a popular choice nonetheless.
— Exklusive Hostelz.com Übersicht
March 2006
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