Backpacker lodge in Taupo
The land and buildings housing a backpackers’ accommodation hostel in one of New Zealand’s biggest tourist destinations has been placed on the market for sale.
Rainbow Lodge backpackers — at 99 Tit¯ıraupenga St — is located on edge of Taupo¯ CBD, and licensed to accommodate up to 68 people.
The lodge buildings are situated on about 2866sq m of freehold land, split over two adjoining land titles zoned for high density residential use.
Rainbow Lodge’s 20-room inventory is configured to support a range of occupancies — ranging from singlesex and mixed gender bunk style dormitories and single rooms, through to stand-alone share twin and double rooms.
Adjacent to the commercial accommodation amenities are a twobedroom owner/managers home and a one-bedroom flat.
These could either be let out totally separately from the backpacker inventory, or utilised as staff accommodation. Guest services within the facility, include:
● A fully-equipped kitchen with extensive food preparation benching and all crockery and cutlery
● A separate dining room
● Heavy-duty laundry facilities for washing and drying clothes.
● A TV lounge
● Off-street parking
● A sauna.
The Rainbow Lodge backpackers land and buildings are being marketed for sale by tender through Bayleys Taupo¯, and these will close at noon on June 27.
Bayleys salesperson Gary Harwood says in addition, there is also the option of purchasing the business.
Nightly rack rates at Rainbow Lodge backpackers range from $25 for a shared dormitory through to $70 for twin and double rooms.
“The hostel has been operating since 1985, when it was founded by Mark and Sue Dumble,” says Harwood. “It really couldn’t be better situated, being just a 500m from Taupo¯’s vibrant central business district, while guests cooking their own food on the premises have a mere fiveminute-stroll to local supermarkets.
“The Lake Taupo¯ District is one of the country’s most visited destinations for both domestic and international tourists. So here is an exciting opportunity to purchase the Rainbow Lodge business, or perhaps to buy just the land and buildings separately. And what’s more, the location offers superb opportunities for future redevelopment.”