During our New Zealand trip, we stayed at three different YHA locations. We booked accommodations for two adults and one elementary school student. However, please note that YHA doesn't allow minors to stay in shared dormitory rooms. Therefore, we made our reservations for Private Rooms, which are either standalone rooms or booking the entire shared 4-person room.
Tip 1: It's advisable to book your accommodations in advance, especially during peak seasons. I've included YHA regional links in the reviews below for your convenience.
Tip 2: If your total YHA accommodation costs exceed $300, consider joining YHA Membership for a 10% discount. You can sign up here.
https://www.yha.co.nz/membership
YHA New Zealand Membership | Join Now for Discounts
With YHA New Zealand membership you get accommodation discounts in NZ and Internationally! All for only $30 a year. Learn more here.
www.yha.co.nz
Tip 3: If you're traveling with children like our family, you can request a 4-person room to be designated as a Private Room via email.
Now, let's review the three YHA locations:
1. Taupo YHA
- Facilities: ★ ★ ★
- Location: ★ ★ ★ (Google Maps: Link)
- Price: ★ ★ ★ ★
Taupo YHA is slightly away from Lake Taupo, but it's close to Warehouse and PAK'n Save. There are plenty of restaurants within a 10-minute drive, and parking is spacious behind the building.
While the building might have a somewhat dated feel, it is well-maintained.
The shared kitchen is right next to the check-in area, and you can store your groceries in the kitchen refrigerator.
The room we reserved had one double bed and two single beds with a private bathroom. We made our reservation through Booking.com. The bathroom conditions were satisfactory, and there was sufficient hot water and water pressure.
YHA Taupo Finlay Jacks - Budget backpacker hostel accommodation
Modernised, stylised and positive vibes; this backpackers has what you need for a great stay in Taupo, plus extra comforts over and above your average hostel.
www.yha.co.nz
Pros:
- Spacious and comfortable rooms for families
- Nearby PAK'n SAVE and restaurants
Cons:
- Our reserved room was on the 2nd floor, which made carrying luggage up the stairs inconvenient.
- It's not very close to Lake Taupo.
2. Tekapo YHA
- Facilities: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
- Location: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (Google Maps: Link)
- Price: ★ ★ ★ ★
Tekapo YHA is in an excellent location right in front of Lake Tekapo. It's situated in the heart of Tekapo with the lake in the front, a 4 Square Mart on the left, and the Church of the Good Shepherd on the right.
Parking is available in front of YHA and along the street, with ample space on the right side.
The shared kitchen has a door leading directly to the lake, providing stunning views of the lake and mountains while you dine. You can even stargaze and see the Milky Way at night.
The facilities were renovated in 2019, and the shared kitchen, bathrooms, and lounge were well-maintained. The shared kitchen is spacious, and there is ample room in the fridge and freezer. They even had extra space in the freezer to store ice cream and ice from nearby stores.
We booked a 4-person room as a Private Room via email because we were traveling with an elementary school child (minors cannot stay in shared dorms).
Pros:
- Clean facilities
- Stunning lake and mountain views
- Ideal location
Cons:
- None
YHA Lake Tekapo - Quality Budget Accommodation
YHA Lake Tekapo hostel features unobstructed lake views and modern facilities.
www.yha.co.nz
3. Wanaka YHA
- Facilities: ★ ★ ★
- Location: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (Google Maps: Link)
- Price: ★ ★ ★ ★
Wanaka YHA is located right in front of Lake Wanaka, and you can even walk to Wanaka Tree from here. There are also supermarkets and restaurants in the vicinity, but do note that there's a parking fee for the YHA parking lot.
Our reserved room had one single bed and a bunk bed with a private bathroom. We made our reservation through Booking.com. The room conditions were decent, and you can rent towels at the check-in area.
The shared kitchen is spacious, and unlike other YHA locations, the kitchen and dining area are separate.
The laundry room is located at the back of the building along the corridor from the check-in area, and the cost is $2 for washing and $2 for drying, with detergent provided.
YHA Wanaka - Budget hostel accommodation for backpackers
YHA Wanaka's central location boasts views of the lake and mountains. Cosy and sociable, this is the ideal backpacker hostel for discovering Wanaka.
www.yha.co.nz
Pros:
- Convenient location for Lake Wanaka and the town
- Lake view from the dining area
Cons:
- Relatively dated facilities
- Paid parking
Personally, during our trip, I discovered the charm of guesthouses, as I usually prefer hotels and hadn't used Airbnb or guesthouses before. Through our YHA experience in New Zealand, I came to appreciate the unique appeal of guesthouses. I hope you have a wonderful trip to New Zealand!
