Taupo i-SITE Visitor Information Centre - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
Taupo Museum and Art Gallery - 5 min walk - 0.4 km
Taupo Marina and Boat Ramp - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
Spa Thermal Park - 4 min drive - 3.0 km
Taupo Hot Springs - 6 min drive - 4.2 km
Getting around
Taupo (TUO) - 12 min drive
Restaurants
McDonald's - 4 min walk
Malabar Beyond India - 2 min walk
Dixie Brown's - 2 min walk
Kfc - 2 min walk
Vine Eatery & Bar - 1 min walk
About this property
Based by the Lake - Hostel
Hostel near Lake Taupo
You can look forward to laundry facilities, a bar, and a restaurant at Based by the Lake - Hostel. Adventurous travelers may like the hiking/biking and skydiving at this hostel. Stay connected with free in-room WiFi.
Other perks include:
A front-desk safe, ATM/banking services, and an elevator
Free newspapers, luggage storage, and a vending machine
A billiards/pool table
Guest reviews say great things about the helpful staff
Room features
All guestrooms at Based by the Lake - Hostel have amenities such as free WiFi.
Other amenities include:
Communal kitchens with refrigerators, toasters, and stovetops
Cookware/dishes/utensils, heating, and daily housekeeping
Languages
English
Property amenities
Internet
Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi
Parking and transportation
No onsite parking available
Food and drink
A bar/lounge
A restaurant
Things to do
Billiards/pool table
Hiking/biking trails
Skydiving
Family friendly
In-room refrigerator
Laundry facilities
Conveniences
ATM
Free newspapers in lobby
Laundry facilities
Luggage storage
Safe at front desk
Shared microwave
Shared refrigerator
Vending machine
Guest services
Change of bedsheets (on request)
Change of towels on request
Housekeeping (daily)
Outdoors
On a lake
Accessibility
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
Elevator
Handrails in stairways
Visual alarms in hallways
Well-lit path to entrance
Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
Wheelchair-accessible path of travel
Wheelchair-accessible path to elevator
Wheelchair-accessible public washroom
Wheelchair-accessible registration desk
Wheelchair-accessible restaurant
More
Designated smoking areas
Room amenities
Bedroom
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
Shower
Food and drink
Cleaning supplies
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Refrigerator
Shared kitchen access
Stovetop
Toaster
More
Heating
Policies
Check-in
Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 18
Check-out
Check-out before 10:00 AM
Contactless check-out available
Special check-in instructions
The front desk is open Sunday - Thursday (8:00 AM - 5:00 PM) and Friday - Saturday (8:00 AM - 5:00 AM)
Guests will receive smart lock details
Access methods
Staffed front desk, smart lock
Pets
Pets not allowed (service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees)
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available
Property payment types
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards, and cash
Cashless transactions are available
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, and a first aid kit
Property is also known as
Based by the Lake
Based By The Lake Hostel Taupo
Based by the Lake - Hostel Taupo
Based by the Lake - Hostel Hostel/Backpacker accommodation
Based by the Lake - Hostel Hostel/Backpacker accommodation Taupo
Frequently asked questions
Is Based by the Lake - Hostel pet-friendly?
No, only service animals are welcome at the property.
How much is parking at Based by the Lake - Hostel?
Based by the Lake - Hostel doesn't offer parking.
What time is check-in at Based by the Lake - Hostel?
Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime.
What time is check-out at Based by the Lake - Hostel?
Check-out is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Based by the Lake - Hostel located?
Located in the heart of Taupo, this hostel is within a 10-minute walk of Taupo i-SITE Visitor Information Centre and Lake Taupo. Taupo Museum and Art Gallery and Taupo Marina and Boat Ramp are also within 10 minutes.
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Based by the Lake - Hostel Reviews
Reviews
7.6
Good
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.More informationOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 38 out of 114 reviews
10 - Excellent
38
Rating 8 - Good. 34 out of 114 reviews
8 - Good
34
Rating 6 - Okay. 24 out of 114 reviews
6 - Okay
24
Rating 4 - Poor. 7 out of 114 reviews
4 - Poor
7
Rating 2 - Terrible. 11 out of 114 reviews
2 - Terrible
11
7.8/10
Cleanliness
8.2/10
Staff & service
7.2/10
Amenities
7.4/10
Property conditions & facilities
7.4/10
Eco-friendliness
Reviews
6/10 Okay
Paul
Feb 4, 2025
A good back packers, but be aware of 3 flights of stairs if an issue for you. Shame it is opposite the party pub with lousy loud bands.
Paul
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025
10/10 Excellent
Nicholas
Oct 29, 2024
Good service
Nicholas
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024
6/10 Okay
Raman
Oct 26, 2024
It is good the price we paid for. It’s noisy and small room with bathroom which was nice and clean. Its value for money, no complaints!
Raman
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024
10/10 Excellent
Jackie
Apr 10, 2024
Easy access to the township. An affordable stay, great value for money.
Jackie
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024
10/10 Excellent
Helen
Jan 31, 2024
Awesome location
Awesome location with everything you need
Helen
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024
8/10 Good
david
Dec 26, 2023
Convenient, close to lake with views. Clean, friendly, would stay again.
david
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2023
10/10 Excellent
Brian
Aug 17, 2023
Excellent facilities and staff. Looking forward to staying there next time in Taupo.
Brian
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023
10/10 Excellent
Rose
Mar 17, 2024
Very central, easy parking and good service
Rose
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024
10/10 Excellent
Callan
Dec 23, 2022
Nice friendly staff, cozy private room
Callan
8/10 Good
Juliette
Sep 11, 2022
Staff are super friendly and helpful and the shower in my room was amazing
Juliette
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2022
8/10 Good
Tony
Feb 2, 2024
Good place to stay in an excellent location. Ear plugs are included in room and were needed due to street party noise
Tony
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024
10/10 Excellent
Shane
Apr 9, 2023
Very tidy, friendly staff very helpful.
Shane
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2023
10/10 Excellent
Siu
Oct 17, 2022
Great digs for a short stop over, was a bit noisey at times due to thin walls but would stay here again and the staff were ever so helpful and informative thanks.
Siu
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2022
10/10 Excellent
Satbir
Apr 14, 2024
Everything was perfect
Satbir
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024
6/10 Okay
Liliana
Aug 3, 2024
Property was fine, room was clean and was fine. What I didn't like much was the kitchenette as the fridges weren't completely clean.
Liliana
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024
10/10 Excellent
Helen
Jan 29, 2024
Close & easy
A 2 night stay for the Taupō Summer Concert. A perfect place to stay as parked the car. & left it for the weekend as everything was walkable.
Helen
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024
8/10 Good
Craig
Jul 16, 2022
Great affordable option in the heart of Taupo’s action. Highly recommend
Craig
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2022
6/10 Okay
Verified traveler
Sep 12, 2022
Location good …budget accommodation
It was budget and won’t stay again.
Verified traveler
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2022
8/10 Good
Christine
Mar 5, 2023
Central location with easy safe parking, room was w at Ely what was required. Very clean, fresh and tidy. Staff were amazing.
Christine
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2023
10/10 Excellent
patrick
Feb 26, 2024
all good , but loud til 2 am on friday saturday
patrick
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2024
8/10 Good
Simba Kevin
Oct 22, 2023
Central to town and smart
Simba Kevin
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023
10/10 Excellent
Uneak
Sep 3, 2023
This place was perfect for a couples get away plus a baby , we had a very simple room for the night. Double bed with own bathroom and a beautiful view of the lake and the mountains 😍 that’s all we needed. Only thing was the noise from the pubs across the road but we weren’t fussed on that either. Ild defs stay again
Uneak
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023
10/10 Excellent
Cecilia
Jan 12, 2024
Great spot! Nice vibe. Huge kitchen with stuffed fridge worried me a bit on arrival (that it would be loud/party) but everyone was just friendly and chill. Very clean and nice environment, great location in town. Laundry facilities were always busy but I guess that can't always be helped on some dayes
Cecilia
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024
8/10 Good
Dragana
Oct 21, 2023
Nice.
Dragana
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023
8/10 Good
Wendy
Feb 16, 2024
Very basic but all that we needed. We had an amazing view of lake and everything right at our doorstep. Only drawbacks were that there was no fridge in the room, the plumbing from the room next door was very noisy and there is no lift (we were on the third floor). All in all it was good value for money and suited our budget.