Pipers Ski Lodge — Hotel in North Island

All those who experienced Pipers Ski Lodge under the capable and loving hands of Bruce and Di would be appalled and disappointed at the changes the new owners have implemented. Yes, there have been some upgrades/renovations to the ensuite rooms, but even here the choices made are questionable. The ensuite bathrooms have been updated, but unless you have a family used to seeing each other naked, the frosted glass wall between the room and the bathroom really doesn't provide any privacy for toileting processes without anyone still in the room getting an eyefull. The pool table, gone. The table-tennis table, gone. The bar, closed. The drinks vending machine, gone. The spa pools, gone. The seperate kids tv lounge, gone. In their place is a gaming room that could put Time-Out to shame. Lots of flashing lights, thumping music and whining children wanting another $2 per game. The lounge has a TV, but the remote is a free-for-all, so while we were there, an animated Spiderman played twice in a row and then a Korean animae. The selector holding tight to the remote. Children allowed to run in the hallways, no respect given for those trying to put little ones down by 8.00pm. From our room (a bunk room several rooms away from the gaming space) we could still hear the thumping music from the games, this definately also drowns out the noise on the TV (maybe this was a blessing after-all). Clothes left to dry around the fireplace really turns this once bold and beautiful Ski Lodge into a backpackers. Our room temp was set so high it was hotter in there than in the drying room, with no way to turn it down. The bunk beds squeeked every movement that was made, add that to the heat of the room and it was the most uncomfortable night with the worst sleep I think I have ever had. The garish fluro wings that light up the lounge really show the changes that the new owners have put in place. We have been regular customers of Pipers Ski Lodge for over 15 years, we have had family reunions there, stayed for full weeks during the ski season and the occassional night or two where we could skip out on work to get some skiing in. What is sad I think is that all the newbies to Pipers do not even realise whats missing from their Ski Lodge experience. They do not know how great it was, to even know that what they have experienced is subpar. We will...

All those who experienced Pipers Ski Lodge under the capable and loving hands of Bruce and Di would be appalled and disappointed at the changes the new owners have implemented. Yes, there have been some upgrades/renovations to the ensuite rooms, but even here the choices made are questionable. The ensuite bathrooms have been updated, but unless you have a family used to seeing each other naked, the frosted glass wall between the room and the bathroom really doesn't provide any privacy for toileting processes without anyone still in the room getting an eyefull. The pool table, gone. The table-tennis table, gone. The bar, closed. The drinks vending machine, gone. The spa pools, gone. The seperate kids tv lounge, gone. In their place is a gaming room that could put Time-Out to shame. Lots of flashing lights, thumping music and whining children wanting another $2 per game. The lounge has a TV, but the remote is a free-for-all, so while we were there, an animated Spiderman played twice in a row and then a Korean animae. The selector holding tight to the remote. Children allowed to run in the hallways, no respect given for those trying to put little ones down by 8.00pm. From our room (a bunk room several rooms away from the gaming space) we could still hear the thumping music from the games, this definately also drowns out the noise on the TV (maybe this was a blessing after-all). Clothes left to dry around the fireplace really turns this once bold and beautiful Ski Lodge into a backpackers. Our room temp was set so high it was hotter in there than in the drying room, with no way to turn it down. The bunk beds squeeked every movement that was made, add that to the heat of the room and it was the most uncomfortable night with the worst sleep I think I have ever had. The garish fluro wings that light up the lounge really show the changes that the new owners have put in place. We have been regular customers of Pipers Ski Lodge for over 15 years, we have had family reunions there, stayed for full weeks during the ski season and the occassional night or two where we could skip out on work to get some skiing in. What is sad I think is that all the newbies to Pipers do not even realise whats missing from their Ski Lodge experience. They do not know how great it was, to even know that what they have experienced is subpar. We will...

The following comments are based purely on mine and my family's experience here.

CONS:

Generally a bit run down and dirty.

The room for my family we booked and paid for was different to the room we got by a significant standard. When I complained the staff member I was dealing with said "You're being an Ass" then followed up by saying "Come I give you refund and you go!" I refused seeming we had travelled hours and didnt want to try and find accomodation on the spot during ski season, So I said my review probably just wouldn't reflect well, As soon as I said that he said I'd rather you just get a refund than give us a bad review! Clearly hoping the ruse of appearing to be a place that it's not could continue without honest feedback. The Owners/Operators were no where to be seen the entire time and just left the less than professional staff to deal with the complaints.

2 of the bunk beds were lopsided, short and cramped and would only really be comfortable for a Hobbit. The shower in the ensuite ran at either extreme hot or freezing cold because the mixer was defective.

The Bar for adults and Arcade for kids was only operating for a very brief time and you are made to feel like you need to ask for it instead of it just being one of the attractions of staying there.

PROS:

The location is perfect!

The pricing seems fair if you actually end up with what you book.

The Spa was fantastic!

The Sauna was also good.

Does come with complimentary breakfast and apparently has meals that can be ordered on site however we can't judge those as myself and my family were too scared too eat anything from there based on the customer service and general...