This is a lovely hostel. The location is great, you can use the gym underneath for free, there is free wifi (which, let's face it, EVERY traveller loves!) and the computers are only $2 an hour if you want to use them too. There is free pool, and although there is a rule against bringing your own drinks, 'happy hour'... More

Hostel was centrally located and easy to find. Decent kitchen and facilities. Good size rooms with large cupboards. All you needed was a lock and your stuff was more than safe. Helpful, friendly staff. They can book tours for you at discounted prices. Cheap drinks in the bar and activities almost every night. Nice and secure place. Only con I... More

For $26 (4bed dorm w/o BBH) you get free WiFi (most places charge $4-10/day), access to foosball and pool table and the bathroom is rather clean and spacious. Beds are comfy and there's reading light for each bed. Cupboards provided too. The reception also has great deals and we did White Water Rafting on Kaituna for $85

I spent a full week at Crank and had a great time. The staff were very friendly, even more so than most of the backpackers. They were helpful when booking activities and with general info. Cheap drinks and free pool, foosball and wifi which were great to fill in time as i was travelling alone. When there were enough participants... More

Stayed here feb2013 great hostel had big kitchen with all the facilities you need. Beds were comfy. Lockers for each person in the room we fitted our backpacks in there. Tv lounge was outside the room which did get a bit noisy at times just bring some ear plugs. Drink promotions down at receprion bottle beer $3. You can book... More

Well I don't know what the deal was with the two negative reviews listed below, they obviously aren't very experienced with hostels! I traveled in New Zealand for a year and stayed in multiple places throughout my time and Crank Backpackers is like my home away from home! So much that I just had to go back on my way... More

If you come to Rotorua this is the place to stay! Big discounts on local activities so don't book anything until you get here. FREE WIFI! You can only get it in the reception and it can be slow sometimes but hey it's free! So don't complain! Big kitchen clean rooms and a good location and great value. But what... More

WARNING. We travelled in New Zealand for 15 days and this was the WORST place we had experienced. When we first arrived, we actually wanted to cancel the booking because we found another place in Rototura offering much cheaper and more spacious room. The woman namned FLAVIE at front desk said no and refered to a 48 hour cancelation policy.... More

The rooms are like a prison!! The staff are not capable of meeting Customer needs. There is very little atmosphere.and throughout the hostel it is too warm. You can definitely get a much better hostel for the same price with a much better and more friendly staff!