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BoBs Hostel
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About
#10 of 11 hostels in Taupo
Location
Rooms
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Our hostel is in an iconic building slap bang in the best position in Taupo. We are one block back to from the Lake with elevated views thanks to our enormous sundeck. We are 2mins walk to the I-site and bus station and an easy stroll to all the best entertainment Taupo has to offer. Our activities desk will book all your trips at our special discounted rate. Grab a dorm bed or a private room, kick back grab a sundowner and head out to the deck. The BBQ is ready to rock and summer is on the way! Rates start from $18 - BoB's is where it is at this summer in Taupo.
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Property amenities
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Wifi
Baggage storage
Non-smoking hotel
Shared kitchen
Laundry service
Self-serve laundry
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Budget
Languages Spoken
English
Location
8 Tuwharetoa Street, Taupo 3330 New Zealand
Getting there
Great for walkers
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Grade: 97 out of 100
97
85 Restaurants
within 0.5 kilometers
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We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
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Detailed Reviews
The hostel is quiet alright though. A lot of place in the kitchen, a. Nice terrace, a different room for the TV...
It was perfect on a Thursday but man on a Friday and even more on a Saturday all the room is moving in rythme. Yes I'm writing this comment live. It's two oclock because I can't sleep. It's not a "backpack above a bar". It's a backpack over fu**ing night club.
The backpack and the workers AR good that's a shame.
It was perfect on a Thursday but man on a Friday and even more on a Saturday all the room is moving in rythme. Yes I'm writing this comment live. It's two oclock because I can't sleep. It's not a "backpack above a bar". It's a backpack over fu**ing night club.
The backpack and the workers AR good that's a shame.
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Date of stay: March 2020Trip 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.
It is true that the roof terrace is great and the staff are friendly and that it is on the main street so very central. But I won't stay again. I am covered in flea (or bedbug) bites from one night in this hostel. The rooms were suffocating hot. The bathroom was clean but the room pretty depressing and the sheets and pillow cases filled with holes were worse than many cheaper hostels I've stayed in. Definitely not worth the $85 for a double room. I see others have paid $50 which is more reasonable for what you get although I would rather sleep in a tent and take a risk with mozzies than sleep in a room with fleas and bedbugs.
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Date of stay: January 2019Trip type: Travelled solo
Value
Rooms
Service
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.
WIFI barely works, constantly cutting out. Room is over-priced for very little comfort, we had private room, noise below isn't just on Friday and Saturday nights but extends to the rest of the week as well.
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip 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.
Stayed here before in July and thought it was fine... but this time, was the heating broken?? No heating at all, no extra blankets, and no staff anywhere to be found. Three degrees outside and I’m pretty sure it was the same in my bed, could see our breath inside- if I wanted to do that I would have stayed in my sh*tty Wellington flat.
When we checked in staff were aloof and unfriendly, giving us zero information. And I haven’t even got to the noise yet... we expected it to be noisy but it was worse than we expected (again, been here before and it was fine!?) they say they will give you free earplugs, but good luck finding any staff who you can ask.
Also the kitchen only had one spoon so I’m including that because it was stupid.
When we checked in staff were aloof and unfriendly, giving us zero information. And I haven’t even got to the noise yet... we expected it to be noisy but it was worse than we expected (again, been here before and it was fine!?) they say they will give you free earplugs, but good luck finding any staff who you can ask.
Also the kitchen only had one spoon so I’m including that because it was stupid.
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Date of stay: July 2020Trip 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.
We booked this hostel because it was central and really cheap. We had 2 private rooms, one with an en suite room. It was new year so I expected noise etc but WOW!!!! The base from the music downstairs vibrated our room the whole night! Just bare that in mind when booking.
The facilities were ok but could do with a refurb and new carpets maybe. Cant expect much with the price though!!
The facilities were ok but could do with a refurb and new carpets maybe. Cant expect much with the price though!!
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Date of stay: January 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.
This backpacker is an average one but in the center of Taupo and close to the lake.
Free Wi-Fi and furnished kitchen.
Plus you have your own bathroom in the 4 beds dorm. Greatly appreciated!
Maybe needs a little renovation.
Nice staff
Free Wi-Fi and furnished kitchen.
Plus you have your own bathroom in the 4 beds dorm. Greatly appreciated!
Maybe needs a little renovation.
Nice staff
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Date of stay: February 2019
Rooms
Location
Service
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.
Loud, dirty, cold and tired - unfortunately this is how I’d describe Bob’s hostel, and I really wouldn’t recommend it.
I fully understand that the hostel is above a bar, but there could be a lot more done to reduce noise; e.g. double glazed windows (the room was very cold with no heating), thick underlay and thick carpets. I couldn’t see any signs that this had been started in the refurbishment and perhaps, if these changes are made it will improve. The whole place is looking really tired and is in desperate need of improvement.
The music was so loud that it kept us awake nearly all night and carried on well past 2am - a big shame as we had to be on the road again for 7am. At $75 per night, it’s expensive and I’ve been ripped off.
I fully understand that the hostel is above a bar, but there could be a lot more done to reduce noise; e.g. double glazed windows (the room was very cold with no heating), thick underlay and thick carpets. I couldn’t see any signs that this had been started in the refurbishment and perhaps, if these changes are made it will improve. The whole place is looking really tired and is in desperate need of improvement.
The music was so loud that it kept us awake nearly all night and carried on well past 2am - a big shame as we had to be on the road again for 7am. At $75 per night, it’s expensive and I’ve been ripped off.
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Date of stay: April 2018Trip 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.
Response from Steve G, General Manager at BoBs Hostel
Responded 15 Apr 2018
Sorry you had an unfortunate experience, new carpet is indeed on its way, as are further upgrades.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Good sofa is always reserved by staff members . Guest are not welcome . Staff member always make noise and make dirty .I don't recomnend this hostel anyone .
If you like Rock'n Roll live music , you can sleep well at night .
If you like Rock'n Roll live music , you can sleep well at night .
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Date of stay: September 2017Trip type: Travelled solo
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip: another place
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.
Response from Barry M, General Manager at BoBs Hostel
Responded 29 Nov 2017
Kia ora Thank you for your feedback, we do care about our guest's experience so we do apologize if any of our staff did not make you feel welcome while off duty, as like you. they are young travelers themselves living onsite. Your comments have been mentioned at our staff meeting to ensure everyone is aware they must always be watchful of our guests needs. Many thanks BOBs Hostel
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I have nothing positive to say about this place. Twin ensuite room is a single with a trundler bed. Both beds are shocking quality. Everything is so old and disgusting that you can't feel clean. Ear plugs at counter because extremely noisy. Ensuite is just so old and unmaintained. If open window get huge noise from exhaust fans and if close up you cook and still hear the loud humm. Cracked window and tatty curtains finish off the Outlook... Run!
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Date of stay: January 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.
Having travelled throughout New Zealand staying in hostels, this was by far the worst place I encountered. Everything you touched was absolutely filthy - the beds, kitchen and carpets, not to mention the hideous bathrooms. The room was boiling hot and looked nothing like the photos. There was nowhere to get cold water to drink - we were simply told to go over the road to our friend's hostel if we didn't want to pay for a bottle.
Avoid at all costs.
Avoid at all costs.
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Date of stay: January 2019Trip type: Travelled with friends
Value
Cleanliness
Service
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.
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"Go for a double room rather than a single, as the staff told me that it was in the quieter section of the Property."Read full review
FORMERLY KNOWN AS
Go Global Central Backpackers
LOCATION
New ZealandNorth IslandWaikato RegionTaupo DistrictTaupo
NUMBER OF ROOMS
32
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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Frequently Asked Questions about BoBs Hostel
Which popular attractions are close to BoBs Hostel?
Nearby attractions include Taupo Museum (0.2 km), Lake Taupo Hole in One Challenge (0.4 km), and Tongariro Domain (0.10 km).
What are some of the property amenities at BoBs Hostel?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, laundry service, and self serve laundry.
What are some restaurants close to BoBs Hostel?
Conveniently located restaurants include Roquette Restaurant - Taupo, Incredible India Restaurant And Bar, and Master of India.
Is BoBs Hostel located near the city centre?
Yes, it is 0.6 km away from the centre of Taupo.
Are any cleaning services offered at BoBs Hostel?
Yes, laundry service and self serve laundry are offered to guests.