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Rusty Nail Backpackers
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Rusty Nail Backpackers

Traveller (17)
The view
Room & Suite (2)
Business Centre & Event Rooms (1)

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About

5.0
#1 of 1 hostel in Taihape
4.2 of 5 bubbles
Location
4.6 of 5 bubbles
Rooms
4.8 of 5 bubbles
Value
4.8 of 5 bubbles
Cleanliness
4.8 of 5 bubbles
Service
4.4 of 5 bubbles
Sleep Quality
The Rusty Nail secluded spot overlooks Taihape with a breathtaking view of Mount Ruapehu, 10 minutes walk from the township. Providing a great central location as well as peace and quiet. In the heart of NZ's best scenery with adventure at your doorstep - bungy, white water rafting, tramping, trout fishing, hunting, jet boating, horse treks and snow skiing in winter. Taihape offers great shopping, night entertainment with that country atmosphere.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Internet
Bar / lounge
Non-smoking hotel
Shared kitchen
24-hour front desk
Private check-in / check-out
Shared lounge / TV area
Room features
Kitchenette
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Budget
Romantic
41Reviews1Q+A6Room tips

Reviews
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Traveller rating
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Detailed Reviews
faytomlin wrote a review Aug 2020
Masterton, New Zealand
5.0 of 5 bubbles
We had room 3 for our family of four, it was clean and warm & our youngest was happy on the extra mattress that Leanne had arranged for us. The kitchen was well equipped and the log fire meant we were toasty all evening whilst chatting with other guests. Leanne and her family have recently taken over this business and they seem committed to making it a lovely place to stay. We picked up rental ski equipment in Taihape so saved time and money and made the most of the next day up at Whakapapa (1.5 hr drive away). We will be back to do the same again 🎿 🏔
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Date of stay: August 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Luis Palmieri wrote a review Feb 2020
Guatemala City, Guatemala
5.0 of 5 bubbles
100 points!

I drove from Queenstown to Auckland. I stayed in holiday parks, hostels and in the car sometines. This was the best place of my whole trip.

The owner is a really nice guy. He oponed the doors even though I arrived without notice at 10.30pm. I was lucky though that he was still awake. Super clean beds and bathrooms and good place to rest. Good coffee available since 7am. Great view. Met some good people there.

This is THE place to stay in Taihape, especially if you drove from Wellington and are driving up the Island.
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Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
the_Sadie wrote a review Jan 2020
Wellington, New Zealand
5.0 of 5 bubbles
We stayed in the Family Room with our two kids, and had the whole place to ourselves. Stan was very welcoming and great to talk to. He also gets up and puts a pot of coffee on for guests in the morning, which is a lovely touch! The common areas and amenities are great, with three different areas to sit in, a woodburner, great table for boardgames, and a well stocked kitchen. The wooden house has a lot of character and the garden is also gorgeous. We felt very at home.
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Date of stay: January 2020
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
5.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
Room Tip: We stayed in the family room, but all the rooms looked nice. Our room was nice and dark in the...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
April H wrote a review Oct 2019
5.0 of 5 bubbles
We stayed one night at Rusty nails as a stop between Lake Taupo and Wellington. We really loved the accommodation, the rooms are clean and comfortable, Stan our host was so friendly, chatty and offered good advice on where to go, things to do etc. There’s great cooking facilities with everything you need, the town is just a spin away with shops, restaurants etc. I loved the stove fire to relax by with a glass of wine in the evening. I would recommend this accommodation for a stopover or as a base to so some alpine activities. Thank you!
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Date of stay: October 2019Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Phoebe wrote a review Feb 2017
Tauranga, New Zealand
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Lovely rustic, homely accomodation, comfy beds and relaxing living space. High up on a hill with a beautiful view of the mountain, easy to find but best of all was our lovely hostess Jennie who couldn't do enough to make our stay as fun and enjoyable as possible.
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Date of stay: February 2017
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
5.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Megan R wrote a review Jan 2017
Sydney, Australia
5.0 of 5 bubbles
This hostel looks great from the outside-warm, charming, inviting, rustic. Wait until you go inside. It's amazing-the exposed timber, inviting kitchen, immaculately clean. Jenni is passionate about her bussiness and this is reflected in the love for her place and her clients. This is more like an resort B & B than a backpackers. The rooms are very comfortable and the beds would make goldilocks jealous for choice. Best sleep we have had since leaving home a month ago. Quiet and out of the way of the main road yet a short walk down the hill to a great town with loads of shops and restaurants. Amazing views from the front porch and a lovely walk around the great gardens. Would definitely recommend and would love to go back again. WiFi really good. A small place so it doesn't cater for larger groups-friendly, personal, quiet, calm-the best in Tiahape.
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Date of stay: January 2017
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lady-Barefooter wrote a review Nov 2016
Putaruru
4.0 of 5 bubbles
As a first time "back packer" I have nothing to compare this accommodation with. But we received a warm welcome from the owner, after an initial wait because she didn't hear her phone ringing to announce our arrival.

The decor was rustic, the room was quite small, but with enough room to accommodate the three of us with our bags without a problem. The bed was very comfortable and nicely made up for us. But the lack of sound proofing meant that we could hear anyone using the shower and bathroom next door, early the next morning.

The fire was lit during our visit, which was nice on a dull, damp spring day. The shower was great - good pressure, clean etc. The only surprise for me was that there was no ability to lock our room when we went out. But that may be standard for a back packers - I don't know. I can't comment on the cooking facilities, as we didn't use them.
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Date of stay: November 2016
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
4.0 of 5 bubblesService
4.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nichol N wrote a review Dec 2015
5.0 of 5 bubbles
After feeling very weary driving through, I stayed overnight in the dorm.
I was warmly welcomed and made comfortable immediately - the lovely hostess introduced me to others staying and even invited me to dinner.
Beautiful view of Mount Ruapeuhu and in lovely quiet location.
Bed and facilities were clean and handy.
Thank you
Highly recommended
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Date of stay: August 2015Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sue wrote a review Aug 2015
Greytown, New Zealand
5.0 of 5 bubbles
I stayed for 2 nights when travelling on my own and really recommend the place. The bed was great, just felt very comfortable with everything, Vicky is a great hostess, lovely fire, clean, friendly and homely. Will be back next time travelling and need a bed.Thanks. Sue
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Date of stay: August 2015
5.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lovetodin wrote a review Jul 2015
Auckland, New Zealand
5.0 of 5 bubbles
I have traveled around NZ backpackers, however, this one is a favorite👍. Thank you Vicki for being a wonderful host, you made my stay there so welcoming, and comfortable. I'm definitely going to return. I stayed for 4 nights, the facilities were very clean, my bed was comfortable as well, but most of all having a nice firing burning to welcome me back from my days out A+. Lovely views and very affordable, loved that there was tea and coffee available. Thank you Vicki and partner you have a gorgeous place.

Kind regards Rosanna
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Date of stay: July 2015Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
the_Sadie wrote a tip Jan 2020
Wellington, New Zealand15 contributions10 helpful votes
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"We stayed in the family room, but all the rooms looked nice. Our room was nice and dark in the morning meaning we were able to sleep in."
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Scott R wrote a tip Nov 2015
Hamilton, New Zealand2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"Speak with Vicki, and she'll give you a good bed for the night"
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mridley50 wrote a tip Jun 2015
Wellington, New Zealand11 contributions4 helpful votes
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"most of the rooms are off the communal kitchen area so there is some muffled noise if people talk loudly."
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louise_ts wrote a tip Feb 2015
London40 contributions31 helpful votes
3.0 of 5 bubbles
"Not near the main communal area or next to a toilet."
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AmyCharlotte80 wrote a tip Jul 2014
Palmerston North, New Zealand3 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
"Maybe don't take the room right next to the bathroom. Toilet flushing & refilling is pretty loud."
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LOCATION
New ZealandNorth IslandManawatu-Wanganui RegionRangitikei DistrictTaihape
NUMBER OF ROOMS
4
Prices are provided by our partners for one room, with variable occupancy rules as provided by the property, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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RUSTY NAIL BACKPACKERS | Hostel Reviews (Taihape, New Zealand) - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Rusty Nail Backpackers
Which popular attractions are close to Rusty Nail Backpackers?
Nearby attractions include Ad-Deen Mosque (1.0 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Rusty Nail Backpackers?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, a lounge, and free parking.
What food & drink options are available at Rusty Nail Backpackers?
Guests can enjoy a lounge during their stay.
Is parking available at Rusty Nail Backpackers?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Rusty Nail Backpackers?
Conveniently located restaurants include Le Cafe Telephonique, Brown Sugar Cafe, and Soul Cafe.
Is Rusty Nail Backpackers located near the city centre?
Yes, it is 0.9 km away from the centre of Taihape.
Is Rusty Nail Backpackers accessible?
Yes, it offers wheelchair access and reduced mobility rooms. For specific enquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.
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