I stayed for a week at Bell Lodge. Originally my entire stay was booked to stay in a private room with ensuite in the backpackers quarters but given how noisy it was, I decided to move to a motel room. The backpackers room had a DB, SB and small bedside table. The ensuite was quite large. The bed linen was... More

It is really sad to see the bad reviews about Bell Lodge, Sheree and Rick. I came back here for visiting Sheree, Rick and a few friends who live in Tauranga in March 2011, that is my fourth time here, I was here, Bell Lodge, in 2007, 2008 and 2009, all together like over 15 months, the most fabulous time... More

I stayed in Bell Lodge with my partner for a few weeks. We went for work in the kiwi orchards and pack houses, we were told to come down asap as work was starting it then took 3-4 weeks before we got any work. The owners lie through their teeth about job opportunities, Rick and Shiree are not to be... More

When we first arrived and were greeted by Rick, one of the people that run the hostel, the place seemed nice and the owners seemed friendly, if a little eccentric. We were assured that work would be starting in the next week and were warned that it would be a little off and on to begin with. This was explained... More

After travelling through New Zealand for a few months funds were running low and we needed some work. After some research we called the bell lodge and asked about seasonal work, mainly with the kiwi fruit. We were told that work was to start at the end of the week and they were just waiting for sugar levels to rise... More

They have been "helpful" in finding a job, but too bad for the timing. We were assured that "in a week the job began" and we had to book a room soon. But we came here and we had to wait 3 weeks WITHOUT DOING ANYTHING, no revenue but only outputs. (The Bell Lodge is really expensive .. talking to... More

Nice place to stay met a lot of international travellers who were working here doing kiwi work More