Waiheke Backpackers Hostel — Hotel in Waiheke

If you are a young traveller (18-26 years old), and looking for a fun place to stay on one of the most beautiful beaches in New Zealand, Kina Backpackers is for you. Luke and Erin are great hosts, and will do whatever it takes to make your stay pleasant.

The hostel itself has a great vibe and for being a former army barracks, the place still has a pleasant and homely feel. The kitchen facilities are cleaned daily and nightly and have everything you need to make a tasty meal. The shower rooms are clean and spacious, and there is always one available. The common areas are welcoming and facilitate for meeting some really great people. If you put yourself out there, the long termers are an incredible group of young people to get to know and hang out with.

Kina's location provides absolutely breathtaking views of Onetangi Beach. With a huge front lawn equipped with a hammock, picnic table and bean bags galore, you can sit back and relax in the beauty all day long. It is only a few stairs away from the beach, a half hour walk away from the supermarket (or a short bus ride) and the hilly landscape that surrounds make any walk around the area incredibly enjoyable.

After reading some of the negative reviews, I want to address some things. Being an old military barracks, yes, the rooms are on the small side, but there is plenty of lounging space so you don't have to spend much time in them anyways. In terms of the noise, Luke is very strict about noise past curfew and does his best to keep the noise level down throughout the evening beforehand. If you are bothered by the noise, Luke is only a buzz away.

To experience Kina to the fullest, it is good to stay longer than just a couple nights so that you can get to know the people and fall in love with Waiheke. Originally, I had booked a two night stay, but I ended up extending it to two weeks and it ended up being two of the best weeks of my life.

While Kina may not be for everybody, it's an amazing and special place for young travellers looking to relax and have fun with some amazing people from all around the globe. I would definitely stay at Kina again and encourage others to...

I speak for myself. I give them 5 stars out of 5 stars because everything added to the experience. When my mother told us we were staying at a hostel, the rest of the family were a bit anxious. But for me, everything went up from there. For one thing, I only shared a room with my younger brother, and not with a lot of other people. This gave us a sense of privacy. And autonomy and independence from our parents.

I got to know the staff on a personal level. Which was fantastic, to give an immersive experience. We had the privilege of enjoying the birthday party of Amy, one of the key staff members from Belgium. We also had the joy of celebrating the jubilation of the Argentine guests and staff members at their qualification for the FIFA World Cup Finals at Qatar. And to see English and Germans and everyone else get along wonderfully was certainly a blessing.

When I didn't realise I was supposed to bring my own towel, Jake, one of the staff helpers from Southern England kindly lent me a towel. And when I needed an extra bag to keep my dirty laundry separate from my other luggage, Amy kindly gave me a bag.

I was blessed to enjoy British, German, Argentine, Swiss/Hebrew cuisine and make a lot of friends. I was also blessed with the opportunity to share a graduation celebration with a very small highschool from Christchurch at the local beach and at the hostel. The hostel owner wants me to celebrate Christmas with them, but I might be at work. Anyway, I had a great time. I can't promise that everything will line up for the next guest. But that was my experience, and this is my review, and this is how I justify my rating of 5 stars out of 5 stars in...

One of the best locations on all of Waiheke Island with views overlooking Onetangi Beach and the outer Hauraki Gulf sea view in a great location. A short walk down the road or stairway to the beach and close by to Waiheke attractions and sights to explore.||||The backpackers has been renovated and refurbished. The new beds, bunks with linen and blankets included make for a comfortable sleep. The amenities and facilities have everything you need free WiFi, full kitchen with everything, lounge, TV, guest laundry, good showers, great outside decked areas and seating to enjoy the views and relax. ||All types of rooms gives good options and is affordable especially compared to other places on Waiheke Is. Intend to re visit and stay with my family in the different double + bunk rooms.||Staff are very friendly and helpful and other guests were also friendly with a good chilled out vibe. ||||Overall a great stay, clean, comfortable, friendly, affordable in amazing location with views.||||A tip if using public buses closest bus stop end of Onetangi Beach on the Strand for the stairway or Seventh Ave. Also in a group can get good rate with shuttle...