Rotorua Hotels with Bars

I love this hotel. To be honest, I didn’t expect much when it comes to old and vintage hotel. But when I entered the hotel, I found the hotel is quite special and unique. Yes, it’s old and vintage but it is also well-maintained. For the room, I like it because it has big windows including bathroom and the sunshine can get through. For the location, I like it because it is so close to the central bus stop, Eatery Streets and Polynesian Spa. Because I don’t drive so location is very important to me. Like many other places in NZ, this hotel seems to be short staffed too. But the staff still did the best to serve. They are nice and friendly. I wish I could stay in the hotels for a few more couples and enjoyed the unique atmosphere there. I would stay again if ever I go to Rotorua.

Stayed here for 2 nights with my family including an infant. Room was pretty spacious. Staff was friendly. Unfortunately, there seems to be bed bugs or dust mites on the floor carpet as I got plenty of bites around my ankle. Went ahead to inform the front desk but I was told that there were absolutely no bed bugs in the hotel. Overall room is ok except for the cleanliness.

I stayed in the Sudima Lake Rotorua Hotel for three nights while attending a conference. The Sudima was selected as it was the cheapest of the four listed by the conference organisers. The accommodation and buffet breakfasts were standard and wouldn’t in themselves warrant a review, either positive or negative. What did warrant a review, however, was the check-in experience. This is the reason for the level-two rating. Having stayed at a range of accommodation – from higher end to backpacker - I cannot recall anything like it, either here in New Zealand or overseas. There was one person at the reception desk and only one other guest checking-in before me. That check-in took a seemingly interminable time, but that can happen for whatever reason. My check-in appeared normal, but thereafter the experience ‘went to custard’. Assigned a room on the third floor I duly went with my bag to the room. Arriving there the magnetic door card wouldn’t open the door. I then returned to the reception desk, explained the situation and was provided with a new set of door cards. I then proceeded back to the third floor and, yes, the door cards this time successfully opened the door. However, upon entering the room I was surprised to find evidence that someone else was using the room. Material around the room showed that this person was also a conference attendee. (Interestingly there was a half drunk bottle of whisky on a table, but alas it was a blend and not a single malt so there was no temptation to take a few swigs.) Using the room’s telephone, I called the reception number but there was no response. Anxious that the room’s inhabitant may return I returned once more to the reception desk to be provided with a new room and corresponding door cards. Another ascent to the third floor finally eventuated with valid room occupancy at the Sudima Lake Rotorua Hotel. The time lapse since first entering the hotel stretched to about 40 minutes.

Great location in the heart of Rotorua, right next door to the lake and Eat Street restaurants and came highly recommended to us, but left us a little disappointed - especially for the price. Room a little outdated, holes in the blinds which let the light in, dirty grout in the shower and the shower head was broken and the glasses were dirty. I never ever leave a bad review, but after a great experience at 4 other different hotels across NZ this trip, the front desk lady on arrival at the Novotel was not the friendliest - it felt like we were an inconvenience to her. It was check in time and she was the only staff member on with a queue of people. On a positive note, the bed was comfortable.

I'll start with the things I liked. The breakfast buffet. It was nice to have a quick way to get a good breakfast at the hotel. The decorating in the lobby was very nice. Now the not to nice parts: The room was cramped with 2 queen-sized beds. (Though it did have a refrigerator and kettle.) I opened the curtains to be surprised by shredded sheers. The wi-fi was very poor. The access is not handicap accessible. The front steps did not have a railing. The ramp was great for luggage, but would not have accommodated a wheelchair. (I have bad knees and use a cane.) They seems understaffed. A common problem throughout our trip. But the staff was helpful. They acknowledged the torn sheers and have plans to replace them all.

We really enjoyed our time here. The rooms aren't huge but they're well appointed and well decorated. The locations is excellent, we walked to breakfast, lunch and dinner most days. It's also just a few minutes from the lakefront. The staff was really friendly and they have a good wine selection inside. We would definitely stay here again.

First stay was 3 years ago when it was still a Holiday Inn. We enjoyed the pools and nearby attractions. Came back this time around for the same reasons. Kids enjoyed the heated pool. And we adults find it soothing after a long day out. When pool towels run out, reception was glad to replenish. We were at a deluxe queen queen room facing the carpark. Room looked tired. Bathroom was even worse. Mould on the grouting and sink had lime scale. Turning the tap was bound to give you a splash. Other than than, room was clean and tidy. Staff were friendly. And doing the best they can on a busy long weekend. Carpark can get full on a busy weekend, you almost dont want to go out for dinner.

The hotel used to be a private mansion with every detail. The hotel is facing Lake Rotorua, the room has a wide view, five minutes drive from the skyline and ten minutes from the downtown. The hotel has its own paddock, where horses and sheep graze leisurely on the slopes. Breakfast can be cooked to order, and the lamb in the kiwi breakfast is very good. It was very comfortable to take a walk in the courtyard after eating breakfast. The hotel staff was warm and considerate. Some regrets were that because of the self-service on the skyline, I didn't try the dinner at the hotel. I have a chance to try it next time. There is a study room on the second floor of the hotel. There is a 200-page world map on the table. It has been turned over and confirmed that there is no less in China.

Not a 4 star hotel at all - and terrible experience. We booked for 2 nights, beds were like rock, so much noise (from furniture moving overhead, children yelling and people playing pool in reception) that we couldn’t sleep. Went to reception after midnight, night staff not interested or sympathetic. Were awake till after 1am. Asked to see the mgr in the morning, not available. Explained to reception staff the experience we had and that we would like to check out a day early and get a refund on the second night as not possible to sleep. Reception very sympathetic and refunded 2nd night. Bank account shows it charged back again. Rung the mgr, no answer and no callback. Email reception and they apologize again and undertake to refund again. Manager then texts me and says it was not accidental that they recharged me, he said I shouldnt have had a refund. I said that his reception staff had agreed with no issues. His response: ‘No. Not agreed, and she even does not have the authority to do it. You threaten her on site. You have stayed and use excuse to request money back, which is not acceptable and not approved.’ I actually had apologized to the staff member for not being able to resolve with the manager and she was very sympathetic and helpful. As others have noted, insufficient parking and the door lock on the room beeped continuously when engaged so we had to put a table in front of the door for safety

The room is tidy The Chinese ones are different, they have Chinese service, there is a laundry room, everything is very convenient, and the room can see the lake.