Ariki Backpackers

New Plymouth · New Zealand

Ariki Backpackers

HostelPunk Score
51% SHIT
Medium confidence 148 reviews
Best in New Plymouth
No bed bug reports in 148 analyzed reviews
No incentivized-review patterns detected in 148 analyzed reviews

Tags

Drip perks

🚲 Bicycle Hire

Facilities

🍳 COOKER 👕 Laundry 🌅 Outdoor Terrace 🍺 Bar ☕ Cafe 🍳 Breakfast
Other facilities (23)
Bicycle Parking Luggage Storage Housekeeping Reception (Limited Hours) Internet Access Book Exchange DVD's Board Games Wi-Fi Restaurant Tea & Coffee Making Facilities Filtered Water Dispenser Linen Included Air Conditioning Towels Included Hair Dryers Common Room Free City Maps Free WiFi Free Internet Access Free Luggage Storage Hot Showers Safe Deposit Box

Prices

Dorms $17 / night
Privates $46 / night

HW prices from today

Unusual phrases

Worst reviews

USA FEMALE Dec 27, 2025 2.0/10

We were late. 1 hour. We were unable to call ahead. Yes,”luckily” someone was there to help us. However, we did NOT deserve the rude condescending mansplaining we received during check in. Lobby felt more like a crack den than a hangout place. Carpets are filthy and the bar DIRECTLY downstairs went on until 3 am. I don’t know where the people that left all the other reviews stayed but it didn’t seem like where we stayed. Would not recommend - 0 stars.

via Hostelworld
Germany FEMALE 18-24 Nov 14, 2024 2.0/10

We weren’t sure whether the room smelled so bad because the cat had peed on the carpet or if it was the one longtermer. Karaoke was loud, but didn‘t bother us. Positive is how close it is to the intercity bus stop. Balcony was nice too, washing was free and staff were nice. Overall we were happy to leave there.

via Hostelworld
Spain FEMALE 18-24 Mar 12, 2023 2.0/10

Not clean at all, all the facilities were really old. No lockers in the room.

via Hostelworld
Israel FEMALE 18-24 Feb 8, 2026 4.0/10

Weird vibes in the place. The kitchen was very small. There are lots of stairs to get to the hostel so it can be a bit challenging with luggage. Beds were uncomfortable. The staff was nice

via Hostelworld
Canada ALLFEMALEGROUP 18-24 Nov 4, 2024 4.0/10

Honestly was a weird energy in there. The place smelt like darts. Also, there was a shower in the room, but it wasn’t really a shower just a divider between another shower and a door. But if you’re looking to ball on a budget then yeah it’s aight

via Hostelworld
Canada COUPLE 18-24 Jul 21, 2024 4.0/10

Staff were kind , but that is all I can really say about the place . Very old , smelly and dirty . I’ve stayed in a lot of hostels and this has been my least favourite … small (dirty smelly ) kitchen was my biggest complaint . Rooms were ok but the beds are very old and bent so as the bottom bunk sleeper very tight space .

via Hostelworld
Germany FEMALE 18-24 Mar 17, 2026 6.0/10

ja gute unterkunft und das beste ist dass die waschmaschine umsonst ist

Translated to English

Yes good accommodation and the best part is that the washing machine is free

via Hostelworld
Northern Ireland ALLFEMALEGROUP 18-24 Mar 12, 2026 6.0/10

Staff were super friendly and helpful, room and kitchen where well kept, overall the stay was really nice. However, some of the longer term guests didn’t really make us feel welcome, and that they owned the space. The made comments about how they were the only ones living there and treated the hostel as their house rather than a hostel.

via Hostelworld
Germany FEMALE 18-24 Mar 10, 2026 6.0/10

nice basic hostel with decent kitchen

via Hostelworld
Germany ALLFEMALEGROUP 18-24 Feb 11, 2026 6.0/10

War okay. Das Hostel liegt direkt neben einer Disko. Wir konnten oft bis in die Frühe nicht einschlafen, weil sie so laut Musik gespielt haben, dass es durch das ganze Hostel gehallt hat. und das Wasser hat nach Sand geschmeckt. Ansonsten war alles supi👍🏻

Translated to English

War okay. the hostel is right next to a disco. we often couldn't sleep till early in the morning because they played music so loudly that it was all over the hostel. and the water tasted like sand. otherwise everything was soupy👍🏻

via Hostelworld

Recent reviews

USA FEMALE Apr 2, 2026 Atm 100%

Great stay! Clean place, courteous guests with the shared spaces. Staff were great! Thank you Chad and Chris for extra towels, recommendations and flexibility with check out. Would come back, even with the karaoke on the weekends. Ear plugs helped me sleep just fine.

via Hostelworld
France MIXEDGROUP 18-24 Apr 1, 2026 Atm 60%

L’équipe a été super sympa pour organiser un late check-in au dernier moment. Moi et mes 4 amis y ont passé la nuit pour pouvoir faire la randonnée du Mont Tanaraki au levée du soleil, et l’emplacement était idéal. La seule chose qu’on aurait à critiquer c’est l’odeur de transpiration qui régnait dans le dortoir, et la température de la chambre (très froide).

Translated to English

The team was super nice to arrange a late check-in at the last minute. me and my 4 friends stayed there overnight so we could hike up Mount Tanaraki at sunrise, and the location was ideal. the only thing we would have to criticize is the smell of sweat that reigned in the dorm, and the temperature of the room (very cold).

via Hostelworld
Germany FEMALE 18-24 Mar 17, 2026 Atm 60%

ja gute unterkunft und das beste ist dass die waschmaschine umsonst ist

Translated to English

Yes good accommodation and the best part is that the washing machine is free

via Hostelworld
Northern Ireland ALLFEMALEGROUP 18-24 Mar 12, 2026 Atm 40%

Staff were super friendly and helpful, room and kitchen where well kept, overall the stay was really nice. However, some of the longer term guests didn’t really make us feel welcome, and that they owned the space. The made comments about how they were the only ones living there and treated the hostel as their house rather than a hostel.

via Hostelworld
Germany FEMALE 18-24 Mar 10, 2026 Atm 60%

nice basic hostel with decent kitchen

via Hostelworld
England FEMALE 25-30 Mar 9, 2026 Atm 100%

Old school style hostel, ended up really enjoying my stay here had a very nice community feel to it - staff are so lovely and accommodating and do the absolute most at making you feel welcome in New Plymouth 💕💕

via Hostelworld
Belgium FEMALE 31-40 Mar 9, 2026 Atm 80%

Just stayed there for one night and had a good time

via Hostelworld
Germany FEMALE 25-30 Feb 21, 2026 Atm 100%

You‘re really gonna love this place. It has a lot of charme.

via Hostelworld
Germany ALLFEMALEGROUP 18-24 Feb 11, 2026 Atm 80%

War okay. Das Hostel liegt direkt neben einer Disko. Wir konnten oft bis in die Frühe nicht einschlafen, weil sie so laut Musik gespielt haben, dass es durch das ganze Hostel gehallt hat. und das Wasser hat nach Sand geschmeckt. Ansonsten war alles supi👍🏻

Translated to English

War okay. the hostel is right next to a disco. we often couldn't sleep till early in the morning because they played music so loudly that it was all over the hostel. and the water tasted like sand. otherwise everything was soupy👍🏻

via Hostelworld
Israel FEMALE 18-24 Feb 8, 2026 Atm 20%

Weird vibes in the place. The kitchen was very small. There are lots of stairs to get to the hostel so it can be a bit challenging with luggage. Beds were uncomfortable. The staff was nice

via Hostelworld
France FEMALE 31-40 Jan 22, 2026 Atm 100%

Un hostel au top 👌 Un accueil magnifique et une ambiance vraiment cool Prévoir les bouchons d'oreilles pour le week-end car, située juste au dessus de plusieurs bars à ambiance

Translated to English

A hostel at the top 👌 A magnificent welcome and a really cool atmosphere Provide earplugs for the weekend car, located just above several ambience bars

via Hostelworld
USA FEMALE 18-24 Jan 3, 2026 Atm 100%

Awesome people, always clean, staff are so so so friendly. It’s like everyone knows each other in a great way.

via Hostelworld
Germany FEMALE Dec 29, 2025 Atm 100%

Ich war ziemlich begeistert. Total zentral, sehr schön, die Lounge lästern verweilen ein. Ich wäregern länger geblieben, es war aber ausgebucht. Danke.

Translated to English

I was quite enthusiastic. totally central, very beautiful, the Lounge lästerern verweilen ein. i would have stayed longer, but it was full. danke

via Hostelworld
USA FEMALE Dec 27, 2025 Atm 20%

We were late. 1 hour. We were unable to call ahead. Yes,”luckily” someone was there to help us. However, we did NOT deserve the rude condescending mansplaining we received during check in. Lobby felt more like a crack den than a hangout place. Carpets are filthy and the bar DIRECTLY downstairs went on until 3 am. I don’t know where the people that left all the other reviews stayed but it didn’t seem like where we stayed. Would not recommend - 0 stars.

via Hostelworld
Netherlands MALE 18-24 Dec 21, 2025 Atm 100%

Amazing hostel, staff was amazing gave some good tips on campsites (did not get fined in the end😉) Love the time here 🤙🏽

via Hostelworld
USA FEMALE 31-40 Dec 20, 2025 Atm 80%

Very nice place. It’s located right downtown and so can be very noisy in the late hours

via Hostelworld
England MALE 31-40 Dec 19, 2025 Atm 100%

Honestly the best hostel ive stayed in not only NZ but world over (not just via the app) Rob and Chris are both very welcoming and great fun as well as the other guests, by far the warmest welcome ive had from entry to exit, if there availability on my way back i will be staying again.

via Hostelworld
Germany MALE 25-30 Dec 18, 2025 Atm 100%

Amazing staff with many local recommendations. Smaller Hostel with a cozy vibe. On the weekends it can get quite loud, even in the rooms as there is a bat located below that plays music until prob 2am

via Hostelworld
Netherlands FEMALE 25-30 Dec 12, 2025 Atm 60%

Hostel was decent. Indeed quite loud on the weekend. It felt like there were a lot of people who seemed to be staying there long-term and staff from the restaurant taking their breaks in the lounge area.

via Hostelworld
France FEMALE 31-40 Nov 30, 2025 Atm 100%

Très bon hostel, juste le matelas était très mou ! Mais tout le reste était parfait.

Translated to English

Very good hostel, only the mattress was very soft! but everything else was perfect.