I booked a single room at Tauranga Central Backpackers which cost me $20. They also have doubles and dorms available for different rates. The room and bedding was clean and came with a heater for the cold weather. The owner was very helpful and let me see the room before I paid up.

I think that the building might have been retail space before it was made into a backpackers and so it lacks some of the charm and feeling that smaller backpackers have. There is internet access for $2 per half an hour, which is excellent value. The machines are new and fast. There is a space for watching television in the recreational area along with a pool table and table tennis. The kitchen was large and reasonably well appointed. It did lack a kettle, which was a little annoying. I didn't use any of the cooking facilities except to boil water, so can't really comment on them.

My main problem with this backpackers is the noise. I paid for the room not realising that just round the... more