Good hostel. Great bar. Hotdog stand outside :)
pool isn't worth going in. Looks dirty

A party hostel, which is fine if you are happy being kept awake till the early hours by music and drunks. The rooms were basic with clean bedding. There was a flood in to the sleeping area from the bathroom when we arrived - we reported it to the guy cleaning but no one turned up to sort it out so it was left to stink out the room. We stayed in two different dorm rooms, and couldn't turn off the water taps properly in either room - a bit ironic when there are signs up asking guests to conserve water. Staff were helpful, and friendly enough. The swimming pool didn't look like it had been cleaned out for a few weeks.

There are probably better places to stay in Paihia if you want to sleep.

It's fine. The bar is fun. It's a younger crowd. It's also where many of the tour buses go so it gets crowded. But it's really not that great. There are better hostels in Paihia. Also, I was in an 8 person room so that doesn't help this review. Not their fault though.

I went on a Stray bus and pretty much had to stay here in an 8 bed dorm. Never again. The fellow guests were loud, obnoxious, inconsiderate and partied late into the night. It is where all the Stray bus and Kiwi Experience crowd stays on a nightly basis.
It may have been better in a smaller dorm but the shared kitchen facilities were not large enough for the number of people staying anyway and the bar can be heard from all the rooms.

I would recommend staying next door at The Saltwater Lodge instead.