Payments made by partners impact the order of prices displayed. Room types may vary.
The listings of booking offers for each property take into account the compensation paid to us by our partners. Prices shown may be for varying room types. Prices displayed are the lowest available, corresponding to the least expensive room type available, as provided from our partners as of the time of the user’s search.
This unique purpose-built Mediterranean styled two-storied country manor is a 10-minute drive from central Taupo, the perfect spot to stop, relax and discover the central north island. Panoramic mature gardens and surrounding mountains greet you as you enter our front gates. A warm Kiwi welcome awaits from your resident hosts John and Nancy. Our four self-contained, spacious, luxuriously appointed upstairs ensuite bedrooms all with spectacular rural views, refrigerators, tea & coffee making facilities, TV with USB, underfloor heating, Free Wi-Fi and serviced daily. A free shuttle to restaurants is provided, or guests can bring readymade food provisions and eat at home. You could just have a day relaxing around the saltwater pool reading a book from our library collection. Children over 13 years are welcome.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Business
Great View
Languages Spoken
English, Farsi, Hindi, Urdu
Location
7 Deborah Rise Bonshaw Park, Taupo 3379 New Zealand
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
From the first minute you will feel welcome at this incredible house. Just ten minutes’ drive from the hustle and bustle of the busy holiday centre of Taupō, The Pillars is an oasis of relaxed calm. Hosts Nancy and John are warm, friendly and ready to help with anything you might want. The house is set in gorgeous manicured gardens, perfect for a peaceful walk. I was in the Pillars Suite, which is huge with a lovely balcony for an evening drink, underfloor heating (yes really!) and an enormous tiled bathroom with a great bath for relaxing in. I had a peek at the other rooms yesterday and they are all beautiful. A touch of mischief is the slide next to the main stairwell, apparently put in by the people who built the house, to amuse their children! (Must admit I tried it yesterday, lots of fun) Nancy and John offer a delicious continental breakfast and will cook you eggs from their own free range chickens.
The location is perfect, in a quiet reserve off the Taupō - Napier highway, within easy reach of everything Taupō has to offer but no traffic noise whatsoever. I haven’t been to Taupō in a long time but if I come up this way again I will be sure to stay here. I couldn’t recommend The Pillars more.
Read more
Date of stay: December 2020Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Our stay at The Pillars Retreat was really great. John and Nancy are gracious hosts anxious to meet the needs of their guests, including a really scrumptious breakfast! Our suite was immaculate and comfortable. We loved strolling the grounds and John and Nancy gave us wonderful recommendations for local fun. We recommend this hotel and hope to return some day.
Read more
Date of stay: February 2020
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from PillarsRetreat, Owner at The Pillars Retreat
Responded 18 Mar 2020
It was a great pleasure to have you stay with us. We hope to see you again in the future sometime. Call us direct and we will help plan your stay and events. Until then stay safe and stay healthy
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I loved my stay at Pillars Retreat in Taupo. The property was charming and the amenities outstanding. John and Nancy were such gracious hosts, providing us with so many recommendations to make the most of our stay in the beautiful Lake Taupo area. I would highly recommend this extraordinary BnB and hope to visit again. It's the only place I'd stay on a return visit.
Read more
Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beautiful home on quiet street. Room & en suite were spacious and nicely equipped. Pretty view from the Sunset room. The slide from 2nd floor is whimsical! Breakfast was yummy & plenty. Nancy & John are wonderful hosts. Would definitely stay again if we are in the area. Less than 8 mins. drive from Lake Taupo, restaurants, bars & shopping.
Read more
Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from PillarsRetreat, Owner at The Pillars Retreat
Responded 13 Feb 2020
Thank you Wendy for your kind review, we hope you do come back again and stay longer. Warmest regards and safe journey John and Nancy
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Nancy and John treated us like family! Beautiful property with a pool that we enjoyed. Rooms are luxurious and the breakfast was delicious. Taupo was very nice with a spectacular river and waterfall. Wish we could have stayed longer!
Read more
Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from PillarsRetreat, Owner at The Pillars Retreat
Responded 13 Feb 2020
We wish you stayed longer too, you are wonderful guests and we really enjoyed having you stay with us. Kind regards John and Nancy
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Exceptional because of the situation, the architecture, the huge garden, the extreme kindness and helpfulness of the couple of the owners.
Everything is so harmonious, of high quality and so neat and clean...
The suite is very large, with a bathroom that makes dream, installed in a large corner room, flooded with light...
Swimmingpool, tennis in the middle of a garden which is a real park, impeccably maintained. What more can I say, just that it furiously wants to come back and stay there for several days to enjoy the place and all the tourist possibilities of the immediate surroundings.
A place really out of the ordinary with a lovely couple.
Note: 10/10 without any hesitation!
Read more
Date of stay: January 2018
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled solo
Room Tip:La suite très vaste et très confortable. Autres chambre spacieuses très bien équipées et la...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from JohnPillarsNancy, Owner at The Pillars Retreat
Responded 5 Mar 2018
Dear FB, Thank you for your kind words. We try really hard to ensure our guests are well looked after and that their experience with us is positive. But our main goal is to make friends and to spread happiness. Thank you for your friendship and for spreading your positivity and love.
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This was one of our stops on our trip in New Zealand. We chose it as it is billed as a romantic spot - it is! The grounds and rooms are fabulous (even though we were not in the largest suite) and the owners could not have been nicer or more helpful. It is so luxurious that it was almost off-putting for my wife but the hospitality was so great that she quickly started to enjoy herself. The location is a little outside of Taupo but not inconveniently so. What we found was that it is located very close to many of the attractions that we wanted to see including the Glow worm caves and Hobbiton. If we had known, we would have stayed here longer and used this as our “base of operations” We enjoyed their evening get togethers and the breakfasts were fabulous. Unfortunately, it was on the cold side during our stay so we were unable to take advantage of the pool. We did take advantage of the laundry facilities and they were equally gracious in sharing.
Read more
Date of stay: January 2017
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:They are all great!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from JohnPillarsNancy, Owner at The Pillars Retreat
Responded 21 Jun 2017
We are so glad to hear you enjoyed your stay with us. We hope to see you again sometime in the future.
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
A wonderful B&B just out of Taupo. Gilly and Brian are great hosts, we and our friends arrived late St Patrick's Day afternoon after a long drive. We spent a delightful hour having a drink with our hosts, Gilly managed to get us reservations in the restaurant we wanted. Huge rooms, very clean, every amenity we might need. Gilly's breakfast was wonderful and both she and Brian were very helpful with hints in the Hawkes Bay Area. We visited every suggestion and were not disappointed. Wish we could have stayed more than one night.
Read more
Date of stay: March 2017
Rooms
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from 2GillyJ, Owner at The Pillars Retreat
Responded 19 Mar 2017
Many thanks for writing a review for us and good to hear you enjoyed Hawkes Bay, we are happy to pass on our favourite places to visit to our guests so they can experience New Zealand through our eyes !
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
A wee bit out of town, but all the quieter and more tranquil for that, with gorgeously manicured grounds, comfortably appointed rooms, and delicious home cooked breakfasts. Wonderfully friendly and helpful hosts. HIghly recommended.
Read more
Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: January 2016Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:All the rooms we saw looked good--not sure they have bad ones.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from 2GillyJ, Owner at The Pillars Retreat
Responded 5 Apr 2016
Thank you for your kind review.Yes we are 8km from central Taupo but an easy 10-15 minute drive to all the action.We find our guests really enjoy returning after a busy day sightseeing as they are able to relax in our peaceful surroundings.
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We have to agree with previous comments, this place rates first class and by far the best accommodation we stayed in during our visit to NZ. The attention to detail was excellent, the room was spotless and well appointed with everything needed. Gilly and Brian made us feel so welcome, it was like visiting friends not strangers. It was a nice touch meeting for drinks in the evening with the other guests. Our hosts could not have been more friendly and helpful. They booked excellent restaurant for dinner and provided us with a wealth of information for sightseeing in the area. Our mistake was only staying one night, it would have been lovely to have stayed longer.
Read more
Date of stay: March 2016
Rooms
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from 2GillyJ, Owner at The Pillars Retreat
Responded 15 Mar 2016
Thank you for your lovely review and so glad you enjoyed the experience of staying with us, we enjoyed hosting you both and and relaxing over a drink in the evening together.
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
There are more places to choose from in the Taupo area.
ALSO KNOWN AS
pillars hotel taupo
LOCATION
New ZealandNorth IslandWaikato RegionTaupo DistrictTaupo
NUMBER OF ROOMS
5
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
