Kowhai Motel — Hotel in North Island

Oh dear, where do I start? The unit (16) had a strange smell on entry......not the Rotorua pong we all know....but stale and greasy. The kitchen was beyond usable and the fridge was mucky. Stored a few wrapped goods in the larder but wouldn't use glassware, crockery or cutlery. Bathroom also needed better cleaning: base of shower door and windowledges were dirty. There is nothing welcoming in this unit.....no pictures, no clocks, no colour anywhere other than the bedding. Which brings me to the bedroom......there's nowhere to store clothes: in each of the bedrooms there is a cupboard but it has no shelves or rail and could barely be opened due to the position of the bed. Under the bed was in need of a Hoover.|The lounge is OK although furniture could do with replacing.....just old and past its best. The whole place is soul-less. Car park is difficult to negotiate.|Now there are a few good points: Location - an easy walk into town: the unit has Sky TV: Beds were comfortable and towels good quality. ||I mentioned my concerns at checkout but received no apology / explanation, just a smile and told that this was the only room available.....||Sorry Kowhai Motel.....I am very disappointed. |You...

My 2 older children and I rented room 12 with its private spa bath at the Kowhai and found it very quiet, private and relaxing despite being right on the edge of the busiest part of town! we loved the location of our room within the hotel right next to the large heated pool and 2 natural mineral baths. The complete kitchen with full sized stove and fridge was just like home. The beds were very comfortable and everything worked properly and the whole place is very tidy, clean and well kept. We especially enjoyed examining the exposed thermal plumbing running right into the ground and the little smokestacks and vent pipes with the volcanic crystals growing on them to let off the extra steam and hot water were such a treat to watch with their irregular eruptions. The smell only occasionally wafted in. The location of the hotel being close to the town centre is also great with everything you need in walking distance and private off street parking made us feel very secure. Free milk, coffee and tea were provided and the office staff are very friendly and...

My reservation was lost (I had made it a year before and also comfirmed it 3 month prior to the date)So upon arrival there wasn't a room for us, not good at 7.00pm at night after a long journey. They eventually removed a family member from the room we booked, after a very quick tidy up. The year before there was a issue with the shower which they promised they had fixed, however when showering the next morning the hot water disappeared very quickly and I stood in a cold shower. (Same problem as before) We were promised upon returning to our room that a plumber would be called to fix the problem.... 3 hours later our room wasn't serviced, there was no sign of a professional plumbers attempt to fix the shower and the owner said "All fixed". (The shower was the same) I have given this motel one star because they eventually gave us our money back after threatening to call the police but I would not recommend staying in this dysfunctional motel, it was dirty, mismanaged, and not fit...