Taupo Thermal Motel & Spa — Attraction in North Island

Response to establishment:

Thermal water does not justify brown/rusty tap from spa bath. Same as the fact that the room was freezing on arrival (in winter), or that there was no hot water at the kitchen or bathroom taps and I am still saying that the room dates back to the 70s (design and no chrome cast or else to watch your program).

I've been in the hotel/restaurant industry for 10 years, including a few years as a manager, with 5 years living abroad in different countries.

My "lack of travel experience" as you say has no place here. Please don't make accusations without knowing your customers, especially when you've been answering the same thing on Google reviews for months and months.

Don't justify your excessive price with the thermal water behind a lack of professionalism on certain points.

Ask yourself what needs to be improved to deserve this amount for a room.

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We were disappointed overall. Admittedly we had a large comfortable bed, a renovated bathroom and a private bath, but it wasn't worth $240. The room was old-fashioned, the curtains weren't blackout, the spa was nice but nothing more (although it was thermal water), and the spa fittings were rather confusing (brown/rust). We had hoped for a terrace (as shown in the booking photos and informed the receptionist) but ended up with a corner terrace facing the road and people's homes (the room closest to the road, of course...). Nothing as cozy and pleasant for a drink as we thought it would be. Also, when we arrived the room was very, very cold. We work in a motel/hostel and in our establishment we always turn on the heating a little for the arrival of our guests especially in winter! (We arrived 2 hours after the agreed time, which was more than enough to warm up the room). Finally, 240$ for not having a smart TV or Google service in 2023 is very surprising. We wanted to watch a movie after our restaurant outing, but were forced to watch an uninteresting game program. Unfortunately, we don't...

We did a booking for V U Thermal Lodge, Taupo via Booking.com. We have done a series of booking through booking.com and have never faced a problem like this. I was accompanied along with my wife and our less than one year old baby was traveling from Palmerston North, and it was extremely tiresome. We were quite relieved on reaching the lodge, but the worst was yet to come. We were “welcomed” by a receptionist who had such a cold behaviour. The lady over the reception on seeing us said that kids under the age of 9 years old are not allowed, but we are quite sure we had the filter on with the baby, as that’s how we have done the booking till now. Is it because we were brown skinned that she had such a behaviour or is just having a bad day? Nevertheless, it such a terrible attitude to be shown to anyone at the door, its not that we haven’t paid and asking for accommodation, we have booked and then being welcomed in such a way was so heart-breaking. She just talked so rudely through the window and kept on shutting the window when we wanted to clarify our side, atleast she should have the courtesy to open the door and hear our side of the story. She kept on saying that our booking affected the sales of the lodge and its too late to get a refund and that we need to be talking to Booking.com. It would be have been better if you had an ounce of kindness in the way you...

We had the friendliest of welcomes at Vu Thermal Lodge and felt immediately at home enjoying all that this Lodge and the area have to offer.

We had a family room witch gave us plenty of space. Had our own mineral pool which became part of our daily routine and made for relaxing evenings. Having gloriously hot weather we also enjoyed the swimming pool which we had to ourselves each time we used it. Don't worry if you dont have your own pool as there are some available for you to use, this I highly recommend.

The rooms are serviced daily by friendly helpful staff who go out of their way to make the rooms tidy, clean and provide ample towels and fresh linen,

There is a washing machine and tumble dryer available at $2 per load in each. Only once did we have noisy neighbours on a weekend.

The hotel is situated on the main road along Lake Taupo close to several good restaurants, good walking distance down into the marina and two. We enjoyed walks along the lake every day and found a hot spring down there too. Along the front there are places to grab ice-cream, coffee and to sit and watch the world go by.

If you want any advice on things to do locally the lady is at reception most of the time and will help all she can.

Cant speak highly enough about our stay here but home one day we get back to Taupo and this will again be our...