Apple Tree Backpackers

The outdoor hammocks and lounge spaces made for a really nice setup, and I liked how simple everything was. The manager and everyone I met were genuinely kind. I'm still here as I write this, and I've enjoyed my stay so much that I wanted to leave a great rating. I'd definitely recommend this hostel if you're passing through Tauranga.

We booked three nights but left after two. The place has a creepy atmosphere, and people were partying until 2am despite the rules we signed on arrival. The toilets had urine on or around them, and the kitchen was in bad shape, with dishes left unwashed and a strange smell. Long-term residents didn't seem very clean. You also can't lock your room when you go out. The photos on Google are from before COVID and things look quite different now. It might do for a cheap one-night stay, but don't expect it to look like the pictures.

The beds are sturdy wood, so they don't creak or wobble, and each bunk has its own power socket and little light. The hostel has a friendly feel and was clean and tidy, with a good 10pm quiet rule. The separate shower rooms were tidy too. Rooms are open and don't lock, so I suppose it's best to keep valuables close, though I didn't feel that was an issue. You can borrow bikes for free, but their brakes don't work.

A few extra bowls in the kitchen would have been useful. Otherwise the facilities were clean and enough for what we needed, the common room was comfortable, and the beds were decent with individual outlets. It was quiet and friendly, and the WiFi was pretty good. The place is a little out of the way, though there's a Countdown nearby.