Utuhina Hot Springs Fishing Lodge — Hotel in North Island

After looking at the photos online (hotels.com), and seeing the beautiful pool, and thermal spas, we decided to stay here. Needless to say we were fairly disappointed to what the hotel is like in reality. The pool was empty, and looks like it had been for quite some time with the amount of dirt (and a witches hat) in it. Two of the smaller thermal spas were also not in use and looked like they hadn't been for quite a long time too, There was a maintenance man cleaning the larger spa, and refilling it when we arrived. The room was quite old and in disrepair also. Paint missing from most walls/doors, the shower had parts falling off it and rot at the base. The glass louvered window in the bathroom looked like it hadn't been cleaned in a very long time. The bathroom door didn't shut, so cold air from the glass louvers came flowing through the whole room. There was no remote for the tv, there was only 1 cup provided to have a drink and the teabags seemed to be from a vintage era. On the plus side the bed linen was clean, but could do with some extra pillows and blankets.||There was nobody at reception when we arrived, so the maintenance man gave us our key. The lady from reception was there in the morning, and we spoke with her. I feel for these people, they are not the managers (but caretakers). The Manager let the hotel get into this state and then up and left. The caretakers are trying to do the best with what they are left with, and are quite open/honest about that. However I would recommend, that if the facilities are not as advertised, then a discount on the room rates...

My brother and I booked 2 x 2 bedroom apartments for 3 nights each (4, 5 & 6 January 2018). These bookings were done well in advance on September 1st 2017. It was booked since we had a wedding in Rotorua to attend. Upon check in on 4/01/18, we left luggage and went to the wedding house to help for preps. When we returned to the rooms to get ready for the evening, there were water leaking from everywhere in the room. We complained to the receptionist and we were rushing so we left for the wedding. Upon return to the motel, nothing was sorted for us so I had to leave at 1am to return home to Auckland (3 hours away) just because that room was not liveable. The very next morning I had to drive back to Rotorua for the second day. When I went back to the motel, the reception lady said they’ll change our room and give us the refund for the stay. Being reasonable, we said just refund for one night and the can still charge us for the remaining 2 nights. We even had a chat with the owner of the property and he was ok to do the refund but now he doesn’t even answer the call or reply to the messages. I have the videos of the leaking ceiling that was right on the bed in the bedroom. See below for the pathetic condition of the room we were given. It made the whole wedding event stressful for me and my family. We had small kids and our old parents with us as well and we had to go through these dramas. It’s simply unacceptable I think. Unfortunately it only allows me to upload 10 photos but happy to share more photos and the screenshots of the convo with the owner of the property. Now...

We arrived at 3.00 pm and could not book in. Nobody was around anywhere. Lucky for us we had a car at this stage of our holiday, so we were able to drive off with our luggage. Our Unit was the oldest accommodation I have ever stayed in. It had been painted in recent times, but that could not hide the bad state of repair. All appliances were old. Light fittings that did not work. ect The ceiling looked like it was asbestos or some form of cement sheet. It might have been OK in the 1970's, but its 2018 now and some updating is required. Anything that has been fixed is done cheaply and poorly. Its only redeeming feature was it had three bedrooms and seemed to be relatively clean. The door to the toilet had to be wedged shut, as it kept popping open when you used the bathroom. No working lock on the door. My advice is to look elsewhere, unless its so cheap you are willing to put up with its...