Up in New Zealand’s beautiful North Island is the geothermal town of Rotorua. Known for its stunning landscapes and geothermal activity (of course), Rotorua is the perfect place to chill out for a few days, soak up the native Maori culture and enjoy nature.

But, with the national park, the bubbling mud pools and the massive Pohuu Geyser as well as the local traditions, where is the best place in town for you to stay?

Don’t you panic. If you like staying in the peace and quiet of nature or are up for a few drinks and late nights, there’s somewhere to suit every travellers in Rotorua. 

Here’s our round up of the best hostels in Rotorua, from the best cheap hostel to the best hostel for couples, to make it super easy for you to decide where to stay.

Just make sure you pack your swimsuit – there’s a lot of hot spring activity going on in town!

Quick answer: The best hostels in Rotorua

Best hostels in Rotorua

10 Best Hostels in Rotorua

Looking for some chill days during your New Zealand backpacking adventure? Rotorua is the right pace for you. Explore the unique Kiwi culture, relax in one of the best hostels and, most importantly, keep the accommodation costs low.

If you still want to explore the area, make sure you know where to stay in Rotorua. There are great neighborhoods, filled with amazing things to see and do. Pick your accommodation accordingly!

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland

Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Rotorua – Rotorua Central Backpackers

Rotorua Central Backpackers best hostels in Rotorua
Rotorua Central Backpackers is our pick for the best hostel for solo travelers in Rotorua
  • $$
  • Tours/travel Desk
  • Laundry
  • Beds (not bunkbeds)

Well, this is just the cutest hostel! The kinda place that you’re always going to remember for the fun times and nice people you meet here. The whole hostel, including the communal kitchen, is clean and the dorms are uncrowded. They even have single beds (sooooo comfy!) which means no sharing a bunk with someone tosses and turns all night.

This is the best hostel for solo travellers in Rotorua, the kinda place you’re happily surprised at when you rock up here after a long journey. The owners are really nice and thoughtful and will help you out with all sorts of local tips and insider knowledge.

Overall Best Hostel in Rotorua – Base Rotorua

Base Rotorua best hostels in Rotorua
  • $$
  • Heated Outdoor Pool
  • Really Good Location
  • Hostel Bar

This hostel has to be one of the best hostels in Rotorua – if a hostel has a pool then you know you’re on to a winner. Not only that, but it’s the best hostel with a private room in Rotorua: think crisp white sheets and a clean and comfortable feeling.

The hostel itself is smack bang in the middle of the town and has a really welcoming vibe. The staff will make sure you have the BEST time during your stay and will more than happy to give you local tips. That’s if you can tear yourself away from lounging around the heated pool with a drink or two.

Base Rotorua is one of our favourites in Rotorua but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

Best Cheap Hostel in Rotorua – Rotorua Downtown Backpackers

Rotorua Downtown Backpackers best hostels in Rotorua
Rotorua Downtown Backpackers is the best budget/cheap hostel in Rotorua
  • $
  • Free Food
  • Laundry Facilities
  • BBQ

Head Downtown to this place that’s geared itself up just for budget backpackers. They have free tea and coffee on offer, but not just that: actual free meals!! The best cheap hostel in Rotorua, they have all the basics for free in the communal kitchen and big warming roast dinners in the winter on a Sunday and BBQs in the summer.

It’s not the most modern hostel in town, and it’s not going to be winning any awards for luxury, but if you want somewhere safe and cheap, this budget hostel in Rotorua is a winner.

Rotorua Downtown Backpackers is one of our favourites in Rotorua but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

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Aether Backpack

We’ve tested countless backpacks over the years, but there’s one that has always been the best and remains the best buy for adventurers: the broke backpacker-approved Osprey Aether and Ariel series.

Want more deetz on why these packs are so damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!

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Best Hostel in Rotarua for Couples – Spa Lodge

Spa Lodge best hostels in Rotorua
Spa Lodge is our pick for the best hostel for couples in Rotarua
  • $$$
  • Looks Cool
  • Housekeeping
  • Free Breakfast

For a little bit of a romantic stay, this hostel is the one. Ok, it might not be a boutique hotel in Paris, but it’s called Spa Lodge so you know it’s gonna be a lil’ bit luxurious. The best hostel in Rotorua for Couples, this is the kind of hostel that you will genuinely love.

Great rooms, big comfy beds and a kitchen to make your other half breakfast in the morning. AND, true to its name, it’s got an actual real life geothermal spa. What more could a couple want? How about some decent outdoor space and helpful staff who are more than happy to book your trips and excursions? One of the coolest hostels in Rotorua, for sure.

Spa Lodge is one of our favourites in Rotorua but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

Best Party Hostel in Rotorua – Crash Palace

Crash Palace best hostels in Rotorua
Crash Palace is our pick for the best party hostel in Rotorua
  • $$
  • Free Parking
  • BBQ Area
  • Jobs Board

So… Crash Palace obviously hints towards the fact that this place isn’t gonna be the most high-end of hostels. But if you’re in town to have a good time, then this is the best party hostel in Rotarua. Things are a bit creative and mad around the hostel, walls decorated in zany colours, and there’s a resident cat, but that’s nothing to complain about.

Located close to the city’s bars and clubs, it’s the ideal base to have a few cheap drinks in the hostel bar before heading for a night out. And here is a hostel so it’s totally one of the coolest hostels in Rotarua.

Crash Palace is one of our favourites in Rotorua but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Rotarua – YHA Rotorua

YHA Rotorua best hostels in Rotorua
YHA Rotorua is the best hostel for Digital Nomads in Rotorua
  • $$
  • Late Check In
  • Steam Room
  • Common Room(s)

Housed in a brand new, re-purposed building right beside Kuirau Park, this hostel is pretty cool. It’s big, light and bright common space feels more like a cafe than a dingy hostel hangout. With loads of room to spread out and great internet, it’s totally the best hostel for digital nomads in Rotarua.

It’s also proper easy to walk to the shops, cafes, restaurants in the town so you can grab a bite to eat once you’ve finished your work. The showers are big and powerful too, which is always a bonus.

YHA Rotorua is one of our favourites in Rotorua but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

Best Hostel with a Private Room in Rotorua – Funky Green Voyager

Funky Green Voyager best hostels in Rotorua
  • $$
  • Free Parking
  • Luggage Storage
  • Laundry

This amazing hostel in Rotorua has so much going for it that you’re going to want to book it quickly. A poppin’ atmosphere and arranged events like BBQs and meals mean you can get to know the other travellers that are staying. All of the rooms, including private and shared, look out on to the sun trap of a garden, which makes a difference from the usual dingy budget hostel bedrooms with no window.

The staff are really decent at this Rotorua backpackers hostel and make sure everyone has a good time – they even make a wicked log fire in the winter months which is really cosy.

Funky Green Voyager is one of our favourites in Rotorua but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

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More Best Hostels in Rotorua

Rock Solid Backpackers

Rock Solid Backpackers best hostels in Rotorua
  • $$
  • Games Room
  • Laundry
  • Steam Room

For people who love rock climbing, this is the hostel for you. These guys are SO into climbing up rocks that they’ve even got an actual rock climbing wall for god’s sake! Not just for adventurous people, they do cater for travellers who like to laze around and watch TV ’cause they’ve got a cinema room in the basement.

As you can imagine, the atmosphere of this place is preeeetty cool. Meet your new bessie mate over a game of pool or a spot of X-Box and head out to the bars nearby for a few beers. You can choose from a bunk or a single as well, which we reckon makes it one of the best hostels in Rotorua.

Best Budget Hotels in Rotorua

Don’t really fancy staying in a hostel? Not really into sleeping in a dorm? Not to worry – we’ve got you sorted with our round-up of the best budget hotels in Rotorua so you can find the ideal hotel for you.

Rotorua Thermal Holiday Park

Rotorua Thermal Holiday Park best hostels in Rotorua
  • $
  • Swimming Pool
  • BBQ Area
  • Laundry

This budget hotel in Rotorua is more like a holiday park… but it’s actually really nice. The park has got all of the fun things that come with staying in a holiday park like a swimming pool, tennis courts and a bike track, so if you like to spend lots of time outdoors, this is probably the best place for you.

The price is really reasonable for the dorms, and even though it’s out in the countryside this place has a good vibe. There’s a good kitchen for making yourself meals, which really helps you keep to a budget – just like a hostel… sorta.

Kiwi As Guesthouse

Kiwi as guest house best hostels in Rotorua
  • $$
  • 24 Hour Reception
  • Tours/travel Desk
  • Free Breakfast

If you’re on holiday in New Zealand you probs already love the country, so why not stay in a guesthouse that claims to be very Kiwi? This is one of the best budget guesthouses in Rotorua, not just for its name, but for its chilled location and clean rooms.

The staff will be very Kiwi and friendly and will make sure everything goes smoothly during your stay. There’s also a big choice when it comes to room types, so you can figure out the best one for you and your budget. Plus if you wanna get to the airport for an early flight, this budget hotel in Rotorua is one of the best choices.

What to Pack for your Rotorua Hostel

Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from us, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straight forward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art we have perfected over many years.

Product
Description
Don’t Let Snorers Keep You Awake!
Don’t Let Snorers Keep You Awake!

Ear Plugs

Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.

Keep your laundry organized and stink free
Keep your laundry organized and stink free

Hanging Laundry Bag

Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.

Stay Dry With a Micro Towel
Stay Dry With a Micro Towel

Sea To Summit Micro Towel

Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.

Make Some New Buddies…
Make Some New Buddies…

Monopoly Deal

Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.

Reduce Plastic – Bring a Water Bottle!
Reduce Plastic – Bring a Water Bottle!

Grayl Geopress Water Bottle

Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!

Check out our definitive Hostel Packing list for our top packing tips!

Why you should travel to Rotorua

So there you have it. All of the best hostels in Rotorua to suit all of your travel needs.

Did you find the perfect place for your trip? We chucked in a few of the best budget hotels in Rotorua in town as well so that you can choose the ideal place for you to stay.

And, if after all of those choices you’re still having a hard time deciding, then why not choose our best overall hostel in Rotorua – Base Rotorua? It’s a great shout for almost anybody. Have the best time ever!

Base Rotorua best hostels in Rotorua

FAQ about Hostels in Rotorua

Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Rotorua.

Travel Safety Tips for Rotorua

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

More Epic Hostels in New Zealand and Oceania

Hopefully by now you’ve found the perfect hostel for your upcoming trip to Rotorua.

Planning an epic trip all across New Zealand or even Oceania itself?

Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered!

For more cool hostel guides around Oceania, check out:

Over to you

By now I hope our epic guide to the best hostels in New Zealand has helped you choose the perfect hostel for your adventure!

If you think we’ve missed anything or have any further thoughts, hit us up in the comments!


And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!