Tongariro Suites

Apr 29th, 2023

The suite was very clean and tidy and the diy breakfast things available are a good selection of bread, yoghurts and biscuits and fruit as well as some quality cereals. Yes the Google location is incorrect slightly but I think thats the mapping algorithm not the location itself. You find it easily enough without drama. I too didnt meet the owner but was given a warm welcome from the housekeeper. After that, didnt see a soul for the remainder of the time which was a little unusual but not a major problem. Comfortable beds, electric blankets a nice touch as it is chilly. The hot water for the shower as well as the flow was a little hit and miss, perhaps when someone else was using it. Which was a minor inconvenience. All in all a lovely location within a short drive of Ohakune for dinner and National Park for the Tongariro Crossing.
Apr 4th, 2023

Apr 2nd, 2023

This is a difficult review to write, because theres so much right with Tongariro Suites. The studio bedroom is one of the best-designed weve stayed in. From the full-width glazed doors looking out onto the garden and large pond, to the comfortable sitting area, to the super king-sized bed, to the kitchen area behind the room divider, to the shower room (this the best design weve seen in a B&B). All this makes it a treat to occupy. The common parts are neat and tidy with the hallway angled to reduce the institutional look. Access was easy (once you learned that Google Maps takes you down the turning before the correct one at the end of the road. This leads to the back door which has a less than tidy presentation). The front door where the guest parking spaces are is a much better welcome. But there are some less good things which must be mentioned in the interests of balance. These may well not bother other people. If so please ignore! Our host was unable to speak English, though he understood a bit more. He used a translation app on his mobile to communicate with us. For example I tried to indicate with sign language that the lightbulb above the kitchen unit had gone out and needed replacing. App was duly wielded and he nodded in understanding. However a day later the bulb was still out. I would have mentioned the Google Maps problem to him but couldnt face the communication task. On arrival there had been a strong smell of cooking (curry?) emanating from his end of the corridor. I wanted to warn him of its potential to put off guests. Again it was in the too difficult communication category. A bothersome duck turned up on our deck expecting food soon after we opened our door onto the garden with its pond. The duck set up camp and then squirted s*** on the deck. I shooed it away (with difficulty as clearly it had become accustomed to guests feeding it) and sluiced down the deck. The following morning we went outdoors to have breakfast and found more s*** deposited on the deck. I called the App guy and my pointing was sufficient - clearly not a new issue for him to deal with Later the unrepentant duck was still lurking close to our deck. I walked towards it to remonstrate and realised it had previously left more deposits in the grass. Thankfully we hadnt stepped in them the day before I relayed all this to the boss of the resident host by e-mail which resulted in the explanation - a selfish neighbour who: refuses to keep the duck on their property; wont have its damaged leg treated by a vet; fails to clean up the s*** their duck leaves on the Tongarino Suites property (or pay for it to be done); sells duck eggs from a residential property; and doesnt compensate Tongarino Suites for reputational damage. Hopefully by the time you read this review the duck will be gone. Although there are B&Bs where you literally dont see anyone, I much prefer to at least meet a host when we arrive, and even better on check-out in case theres any feedback, whether praise or suggestion for improvement. If you like your accommodation stylish, high function, and de facto anonymous, then this place is for you. And if its duck-free I recommend you book!
Apr 2nd, 2023

Such a beautiful location. Calm and tranquil. Our room overlooked a small pond, birds chattered and beyond was the mountain. Tastefully furnished. The hot tub was a welcome addition. Our hosts were so very friendly. The use of a piano was the icing on the cake.
Feb 2nd, 2023