Haka House Bay of Island

Very pleasant stay at Haka, primely situated on the seafront of Paihia. This was very useful for tour meeting points (you basically just have to cross the road) and restaurants/supermarket. Service was very good as well. Staff were friendly - particularly the British general manager who gave a warm welcome on check in and offered useful recommendations about sites in the area. Rooms were decent. Room for improvement certainly but serviceable. Bed could have been a little more comfortable. I didn't encounter any bed bugs as has been reported in other reviews thankfully. One thing I didn't like - although there is storage in the room, there's no option to lock it securely, which made me a little uncomfortable leaving to do activities in the day. Hence why I've given the room 4 stars. The on-site kitchen worked well, had nice views of the harbour and fridges weren't rammed like in other hostels, which was nice. Perhaps a reflection of the time of year since not in high season for another month or 2. Overall very good value.

BED BUGS. Do not go there.

BEWARE! BEDBUGS! More concerning lack of accountability! No accountability or support at all. Oh yes…No staff on premise or stationed on property after 9pm… so I had to spend the night in the common area lounge after the infestation that night nevertheless. Seasoned traveler here (visited over 75 countries) and after reporting being bite by bedbugs in the room (with provided proof of photos of bites and stained blood sheets after killing on the bugs) managed refuses to accept any responsibility and claims they “were” mosquitoes bites! It was 15Degrees at night and I didn’t even open the bedroom windows?? And how to explain all the bites on the legs and areas of my body covered under the blankets… or would “mosquitoes “ get to me there too ?? Furthermore, we all well know and recognise bed bug biting patterns that was evident in the photos provided. Stay stay clear away! Imagine. Did or will they even fumigate /look into this seriously?? Decide for yourself… Worst experience ever!

Das gesamte Hostel ist in vielen Aspekten wirklich cool und die Mitarbeiter sind es auch. Wir hatten nur leider Bettwanzen in unserem Zimmer (3). Nachdem wir das bemerkt hatten, durften wir noch in ein anderes Zimmer (1) umziehen. Leider waren sie auch dort. Deshalb gehe ich davon aus, dass Zimmer 2 auch befallen sein muss. Ich will nur davor warnen und lösche diesen Kommentar in drei Wochen. Wenn ihr keine Lust auf Bettwanzen habt, dann meidet dieses Hostel für einige Wochen.

This Hostel seemed like a win win with it being so close to everything! I did have bed bugs bite me in Room 5. Went to reception as it was over night and they had an urgent number to call and no one answered!! Left a sticky note and Max got back to me and apologized and refunded me 1 nights stay . Ended up bombing the room and spraying unfortunately I still got bit again in a different bed Room 5. Moved to my original bunk and slept well. However the top bunks you’d hit your head, no A/C.

Allerdings wurden in einem Stockbett im Zimmer Bettwanzen gefunden. Dieses Bett wurde zwar evakuiert, aber so richtig wohl gefühlt hab ich mich dann nicht mehr ...