Ashbrook Motel Taupo — Hotel in North Island

PLEASE READ Checked into this motel for the night with family of 6 and had my uncle and grandmother join us - they booked separate rooms within that motel.

Staying in accomodation during holidays for over 17 years this is the first time we experienced this:

Firstly, we were told we had to pay $300 bond, however this was not displayed on the website at all.

My sisters (10y and 15y) went to my grandmothers room for a cup of tea, the owner came knocking on the door and demanded they get out as ‘visitors are not allowed’ she also mentioned that it is NZ Law that there cannot be people going into each others rooms. We removed them from the room. She also videoed our faces while we were telling the kids to come out of the room. The owner took photos of our vehicle. She took photos of the front (which I assume is the number plate) but also the sides of our vehicle. When asking if everything is ok - she claimed she’s just taking a photo of our rego, this was done without a consent form signed.

Upon conversation with the owner, she mentioned the NZ Law is ‘no visitors allowed in each others room even if you live in the same motel (next door)’ I told her that was very interesting as we had stayed in Rotorua, Napier and Tauranga prior to coming to Ashbrook motel and never had issues like this. When I asked her this question she said she feels threatened. As quoted, she said: ‘If your not happy to follow rule you can leave.’ She told us to get out of the motel. Such a horrendous experience that I took my family, which also includes my 85y grandmother and drove back to Wellington.

The behaviour of the Motel owner was absolutely shocking. She did not want to hear what we have to say and kept repeating that she feels threatened and wants us gone after asking her 1 question.

I am no expert - but this type of behaviour is legally and ethically shocking. Please beware before you book into this motel.

Also, if you are the owner reading this review, I invite you to email me your motel policies AND send me the relevant NZ legislation per your...

What a lovely lady Maggie is, such a fantastic host, very welcoming on our arrival, I had booked direct will her a few days before, as I was bringing my wife away for her birthday, and needed a pet friendly Motel, as we have a little dog. our daughter had sent flowers to the Motel from Australia, and Maggie had placed them in the unit, she also came down later with a box of chocolates and some discount vouchers. We were given a one bedroom unit, with a spa bath, the unit was immaculately clean, everything was spotless, ( we managed motels in Hawkes Bay, ) in fact the whole complex was loverly, with hanging baskets of floers outside every unit and partisans between the units for privacy. This is definitely one Motel we will be going back to and would highly recommend to anyone. Once again, Maggie, thanks very much for a fabulous stay. Tony and...

The room was nice and very clean. Sadly I can't give them 5 stars like I was going to. An hour after we checked out we got a message that said there was a couple of items missing and the charge for replacements. We definitely did not take anything!! (not even by mistake). As we were still in Taupo we went back to sort it out. I discovered they had already taken money out of our account!!!! Apparently that's the policy but we were very annoyed. They eventually gave us a refund after my husband explained how everything was left, just as it had been found. I even offered for them to check our car and luggage. Even though they refunded us, the whole experience left us very disappointed and angry. Would be better to give people a chance before...