Reviews of Based by the Lake This rating is a reflection of how the property compares to the industry standard when it comes to price, facilities and services available. It's based on a self-evaluation by the property. Use this rating to help choose your stay!
7 Tuwharetoa Street, 3330 Taupo, New Zealand
#56 of 61 hotels in Taupo
Guests' ChoiceReview Score
Based on 1497 hostel reviews
6.8Score breakdown
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Cleanliness
7.4
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Comfort
7.3
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Location
8.8
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Facilities
7.1
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Staff
8.0
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Value for money
7.7
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Free Wifi
8.0
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Reviewed: August 3, 2025
Monique
New Zealand2 Reviews8.0Very Good- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Double Room with Private Bathroom - No Children
- • Stayed 2 nights
The only downside was that the clubs are right next door, so the music was very loud until 2:30am but they did provide you with ear plugs which was a Bouns.
This has to be one of the tidiest Backpackers I have stayed at. and the views were 10/10. the place was in an awesome location, you could leave the car parked all weekend and just walk around to get to bars, shops etc. overall great experience and would definitely stay again.
Stayed in August 2025
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Reviewed: August 2, 2025
Janelle
New Zealand6 Reviews8.0Very Good- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Deluxe Double or Twin Room - No Children
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
Lack of parking is a small issue. Have to park off site
Location great, right in centre of town and almost on the lake edge
Stayed in August 2025
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Reviewed: July 21, 2025
Gerónimo
Uruguay12 Reviews6.0Pleasant- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Double Room with Private Bathroom - No Children
- • Stayed 3 nights
disturbing noise at night coming from a near nightclub
location
Stayed in June 2025
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Reviewed: July 18, 2025
Miriam
New Zealand7 Reviews6.0“Served its purpose - a bed for the night”- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Single Bed in Female Dormitory Room - Sanctuary - No Children
- • Stayed 1 night
Lack of a lounge, no coffee, milk etc, and only 1 teaspoon! Really!
Nic and clean
Stayed in July 2025
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Reviewed: July 10, 2025
Rafiepasqual
Malaysia7 Reviews8.0“A Budget Stay in Taupo”- • Leisure trip
- • Group
- • Deluxe Double or Twin Room - No Children
- • Stayed 1 night
We were at on the third floor with some steep stairs up. The elevator was not working then.
We got the room with a balcony, a personal bathroom, and the view was incredible. The room was simple, but it met our needs (we just wanted a place to sleep). It is suitable for backpackers with a shared cooking area. Had ample free parking right beside the motel. Eateries and restaurants were everywhere.
Stayed in April 2025
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Reviewed: July 6, 2025
Vanessa
New Zealand5 Reviews7.0Good- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Double Room with Private Bathroom - No Children
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
Toilet seat was broken. Mattress needs replacing. Noise at night would put me off booking again
Close to town, location was good. Shower was very good and clean
Stayed in July 2025
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Reviewed: July 6, 2025
Wendy
New Zealand7 Reviews7.0Good- • Business trip
- • Couple
- • Double Room with Private Bathroom - No Children
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
The stairs up to the 3rd floor
Nice location
Stayed in July 2025
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Reviewed: July 6, 2025
Kim
New Zealand4 Reviews6.0Pleasant- • Leisure trip
- • Family with young children
- • Deluxe Double or Twin Room - No Children
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
The door to get outside on the little deck, opened once and then we couldn't get out again.. it was very frustrating.
Liked that we had our own bathroom and the beds were comfortable
Stayed in July 2025
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Reviewed: July 3, 2025
Colleen
New Zealand1 review7.0Good- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Double Room with Private Bathroom - No Children
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
We where elderly couple and on 3rd level, elevator only went to level one. Then we had to drag our bags up 2 flights stairs
Handy to town and restaurant
Stayed in June 2025
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Reviewed: June 28, 2025
Nakul
New Zealand4 Reviews6.0Pleasant- • Leisure trip
- • Family with young children
- • Double Room with Private Bathroom - No Children
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
There were hairs on the bed when we entered and on the side as well by the window. There was dust on the kettle and around that area and the cups were not fully clean either.
Location
Stayed in April 2025
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Reviewed: June 6, 2025
Hannah
New Zealand11 Reviews1 helpful vote8.0Very Good- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Double Room with Private Bathroom - No Children
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
The bed was not very comfortable, but its a value for money stay.
The location and the price.
Stayed in May 2025
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Reviewed: June 4, 2025
Kaidi
New Zealand11 Reviews6.0“Central and convenient”- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Double Room with Private Bathroom - No Children
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
You get what you paid for.
Great central location
Stayed in May 2025
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Reviewed: May 28, 2025
Elizabeth
New Zealand14 Reviews8.0Very Good- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Double Room with Private Bathroom - No Children
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
Very clean rooms
Stayed in May 2025
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Reviewed: May 18, 2025
Hilary
New Zealand2 Reviews7.0Good- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Deluxe Double or Twin Room - No Children
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
Great location!
Stayed in May 2025
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Reviewed: May 10, 2025
Nathan
New Zealand1 review8.0“loved it”- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Deluxe Double or Twin Room - No Children
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted from a mobile device
the noise from the restaurants, but wasn’t a big deal
evening
Stayed in May 2025
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Reviewed: May 7, 2025
Kayla
New Zealand1 review8.0“Cheap, clean stay”- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Double Room with Private Bathroom - No Children
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
Bed was a bit uncomfortable was quite low and could feel the springs. Bit of a laugh but a box of condoms in the bedside table
Nice simple clean room with a small tv. Clean and spacious bathroom along with nice soaps and shampoo. Good kitchen/cooking facilities.
Stayed in May 2025
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Reviewed: May 6, 2025
Chris
New Zealand1 review7.0“Comfortable, central, close to many eateries, good value”- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Budget Double Room - No Children
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
There was a bar or night club close by that had loud music to 2am. It was difficult to sleep because of this.
The location was good, room clean & tidy, was warm. Thank you.
Stayed in April 2025
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Reviewed: April 28, 2025
Widix
New Zealand8 Reviews6.0Pleasant- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Double Room with Private Bathroom - No Children
- • Stayed 2 nights
For the price, it’s fine. The bathroom is spacious, but the room itself is a bit small. The room isn’t very well insulated for temperature or sound. One of the windows didn’t close properly, so a bit of cold air came in at night. The hotel is located near some bars, and you can hear quite a lot of music at night.
Stayed in April 2025
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Reviewed: April 28, 2025
Raymond
New Zealand1 review6.0Pleasant- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Double Room with Private Bathroom - No Children
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted from a mobile device
The key cards didn't always work which meant having to walk up and down three flights of steps to get it sorted. On the second morning the shower water was ice cold at 7 am, that was unpleasant.
Location was awesome, parking easy. Room warm and clean. Staff friendly and helpful.
Stayed in April 2025
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Reviewed: April 27, 2025
Mareike
New Zealand140 Reviews24 helpful votes7.0“Decent place in the liveliest neighborhood in Tāupo”- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Double Room with Private Bathroom - No Children
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
Small rooms. Noisy neighbourhood. Staff confused our room with someone else’s booking: late check-in instructions had us opening a box with a key and an invoice to another couples booking. Fortunately, it was somewhat the same kind of room. Would have been nice to have staff around after 5 pm. I
Good location. Late check-in possible We had an en-suite bedroom.
Stayed in April 2025
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Reviewed: April 23, 2025
Wayne
New Zealand43 Reviews1 helpful vote7.0“Cheap Boom boom”- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Double Room with Private Bathroom - No Children
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
At about 11pm the dance club across the road turned up it's speakers to about 1000db and that was it. No sleep till about w or 3 in the morning when it stopped. Then I realized why the room was cheap. I have stayed there before but never had the extreme noise late at night.
Clean room. The price. Had an ensuite. Location
Stayed in April 2025
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Reviewed: April 22, 2025
Burgess
New Zealand1 review8.0Very Good- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Double Room with Private Bathroom - No Children
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
No refrigerator in the room
Great enjoyed the stay
Stayed in April 2025
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Reviewed: April 22, 2025
Gary
New Zealand30 Reviews7.0Good- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Deluxe Double or Twin Room - No Children
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
Person on the desk didn't really know what he was doing. Couldn't accept cash and when he did eftpos struggled to get the amount correct.
It was a short stay and very handy location for shops and restaurants.
Stayed in April 2025
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Reviewed: April 18, 2025
Brittany
Hong Kong1 review8.0“Great, clean friendly place!”- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Budget Double Room - No Children
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted from a mobile device
A little loud late at night
Great location!!! A short easy walk from the bus and right by the lake and town center. Excellent, friendly and kind staff. Very clean!!!
Stayed in April 2025
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