Rotorua Whakarewarewa Hotels

First stay was 3 years ago when it was still a Holiday Inn. We enjoyed the pools and nearby attractions. Came back this time around for the same reasons. Kids enjoyed the heated pool. And we adults find it soothing after a long day out. When pool towels run out, reception was glad to replenish. We were at a deluxe queen queen room facing the carpark. Room looked tired. Bathroom was even worse. Mould on the grouting and sink had lime scale. Turning the tap was bound to give you a splash. Other than than, room was clean and tidy. Staff were friendly. And doing the best they can on a busy long weekend. Carpark can get full on a busy weekend, you almost dont want to go out for dinner.

On the edge of Rotorua, there is a street full of Motels, the rooms are relatively large, except that there is no stove, other facilities are complete. There are plenty of parking spaces, and the boss looks like an Indian. The downside is that the toilet in the bathroom has been leaking.

The motel units are clean, comfortable, and adequate for a short stay. I had left a telephone message before arrival, and not had any reply, so when we arrived and I introduced myself, the young lady explained to me that the owners do not speak English, and she, herself is only a part time worker who helps them out. HOW in NZ, can this happen? The criteria for living and working in NZ, as a foreigner, is that English is tested prior to working visa's or residency is granted (being an immigrant myself, I know this first hand!). Despite this language barrier, which is more annoying than anything else, our stay was comfortable. The unit could do with a freshen up - coat of paint, new bathroom floors, shower glass cleaned better etc. We chose this motel as it had a hot tub, but the tub annoyingly switches off every supposed 8 - 10 minutes. This seemed more like every 5 minutes and the re-set switch is so far away from the tub, you have to hop out in the COLD to switch it back on! So much for my relaxing time. The motel request to avoid using the hot tub after 10pm is realistic and understandable, and we were happy to comply. I'm sure we will return, possibly. Hope the re-set hot tub switches are moved by then!

I love this hotel. To be honest, I didn’t expect much when it comes to old and vintage hotel. But when I entered the hotel, I found the hotel is quite special and unique. Yes, it’s old and vintage but it is also well-maintained. For the room, I like it because it has big windows including bathroom and the sunshine can get through. For the location, I like it because it is so close to the central bus stop, Eatery Streets and Polynesian Spa. Because I don’t drive so location is very important to me. Like many other places in NZ, this hotel seems to be short staffed too. But the staff still did the best to serve. They are nice and friendly. I wish I could stay in the hotels for a few more couples and enjoyed the unique atmosphere there. I would stay again if ever I go to Rotorua.

The location of the hotel is very good. It is located in the city center. The tourist center and various tourist attractions are very convenient. The environment is good and the service attitude is very good. I will continue to live here next time. This is the surrounding attractions

I stayed in the Sudima Lake Rotorua Hotel for three nights while attending a conference. The Sudima was selected as it was the cheapest of the four listed by the conference organisers. The accommodation and buffet breakfasts were standard and wouldn’t in themselves warrant a review, either positive or negative. What did warrant a review, however, was the check-in experience. This is the reason for the level-two rating. Having stayed at a range of accommodation – from higher end to backpacker - I cannot recall anything like it, either here in New Zealand or overseas. There was one person at the reception desk and only one other guest checking-in before me. That check-in took a seemingly interminable time, but that can happen for whatever reason. My check-in appeared normal, but thereafter the experience ‘went to custard’. Assigned a room on the third floor I duly went with my bag to the room. Arriving there the magnetic door card wouldn’t open the door. I then returned to the reception desk, explained the situation and was provided with a new set of door cards. I then proceeded back to the third floor and, yes, the door cards this time successfully opened the door. However, upon entering the room I was surprised to find evidence that someone else was using the room. Material around the room showed that this person was also a conference attendee. (Interestingly there was a half drunk bottle of whisky on a table, but alas it was a blend and not a single malt so there was no temptation to take a few swigs.) Using the room’s telephone, I called the reception number but there was no response. Anxious that the room’s inhabitant may return I returned once more to the reception desk to be provided with a new room and corresponding door cards. Another ascent to the third floor finally eventuated with valid room occupancy at the Sudima Lake Rotorua Hotel. The time lapse since first entering the hotel stretched to about 40 minutes.

The hotel has free geothermal hot springs, just next to Lake Rotorua, there are no living facilities around, but the town is beautiful.

Nice hotel good location easy to get to main land city too but also close to all the major activities and beaches Room clean and spacious comfortable bed good view of ocean Rooftop pool and bar with view over ocean and beaches Staff friendly but a little bit more knowledge would have helped! Asked if we could hire a couple of cycles but said they don’t have any asked if they knew where we could hire them and they didn’t know but as soon as we walked down to the main road we found some self renting cycles… also asked where you can smoke and was directed to go through other hotel and out where the 7/11 24/7 shop was and there’s smoking area in courtyard but when we went back to our hotel we found a smoking area on the rooftop not sure why they didn’t tell us this… Entrance to hotel a little hard to find as you access it via underground car park or via the other hotel Would stay here again though..

We really enjoyed our time here. The rooms aren't huge but they're well appointed and well decorated. The locations is excellent, we walked to breakfast, lunch and dinner most days. It's also just a few minutes from the lakefront. The staff was really friendly and they have a good wine selection inside. We would definitely stay here again.

Had 2 nights here to go to the very lovely collection of gardens for visiting during the 3 day Rotorua Festival of Gardens. Was attending the weekend solo so didnt want to pay too much so $50 a night for my own room was affordable and good value. Would have been worth spending a few more dollars to have had a room with an ensuite which are on the ground floor so also wouldnt have had to go up and down stairs to room on 1st floor and be half way down the corridor from the bathrooms. Just saw in the news yesterday that yha in nz is folding/closing all its hostels....a travesty to nz tourism and national and international travellers! Tragic news