Ambassador Thermal Motel — Hotel in North Island

Greeted warmly at check-in, and housekeeping staff we encountered were friendly and helpful too. There was an issue with the room we had booked so we were given a family suite even though it was just the two of us 👍🏾. Unfortunately we didn't get the chance to use the thermal pool on site, but I would have loved to try that. There is a washing machine for guest use, $4/load, you can buy powder at reception if you don't bring your own. There is also a dryer but I used the drying room instead. It smells a bit sulphury because of the geothermal heating, but my clothes didn't take on that smell at all, and they dried pretty quickly. The room was old and could do with a refurb, but no major problems, and it was clean. And pretty much everything you could need is provided. Well-equipped kitchen, stove, full-sized fridge. And it was always warm, which was good because even though it was the start of December, it was still pretty cold in Rotorua for the few nights we stayed. Off-street parking is probably not sufficient if every room is occupied and brings a car, but we always managed to get a park. Location is superb, easy walk to the centre of town or the lakefront. I would definitely...

We misplaced our room key due to being at a wedding. We got back to the room at 11pm phoned the number on reception door. The own said he wasn’t coming to let us in he is an hour away. This is family time. Then said no I’m 20 mins away I’m not coming. After making it clear we would make our own way in and being on the phone to him for ten mins, he popped up with in 1 minute to let us in. The next day I expected to pay for the room key. He charged $100 for a lock change as “would need to be done asap so next guests don’t get broken into”. Fair enough no problem. A week later we found the key in left over wedding things, have taken back and the owner still hasn’t replaced the lock but gave us $60 of the $100 back. Was very hostile and strange about the whole thing. But anyway. Don’t loose ya room key here cus he won’t let you in...

Large rooms! The staff was very accommodating to us when we arrived. I am crushed I didn't get to try their mineral hot bath! Cleanliness - 3.5 giving this rating just because there was a smell of stagnant water from the outside of our room which is probably due to just some water pooling in certain areas. But I have a sensitive nose and so it bugged me quite a bit. Location - 4.5 it's very close to the i-site, so very easy to get on coaches and tour buses to do fun activities within Rotorua. Comfort - 4 my mother had complained that the bigger bed would sink in the middle a bit and it hurt her back, the single beds were fine though!

Overall, very happy...