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4.5
#5 of 41 motels in Taupo
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Enjoy the nostalgia of days past in a charming self-contained studio or family cottage. Hosts Lewis & Tania Bourke offer warm personal service and are happy to share their fresh perspective of the Lake Taupo area. Enjoy tea in a private garden courtyard, cycle along the lake-front or paddle a kayak around the point. Take the path to the lake edge or relax in a spa bath with lavender bubbles. Just minutes from the boutique shopping, restaurants and cafes of downtown Taupo, the motel is central to the region’s action and attractions. Fine dining, fishing expeditions, a long soak in thermal pools or a weekend spent walking and cycling … whatever your idea of a Taupo getaway, Cottage Mews promises a moderately-priced and memorable lakeside experience.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
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A great place right on the lake and just a short stroll to the sailing club for delicious pizza. The room was a great size and the amenities were great. Friendly welcome on arrival. All very cosy and the spa bath was fun. Would definitely return. The only downside for me was that there was light shining through the windows next to front door which made it difficult to sleep.
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Date of stay: March 2023
Value
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Trip 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.
The hotel is ideally placed in front of the lake with direct access to the beach. It is few minutes away by car from the city, which is very convenient too. We had a very nice and cozy room at ground floor with private garden, honestly a big advantage when the weather is so good as in the period of our visit. The rooms are very well equipped and hotel gives also free towels for the beach and access to the washing machine (you will just have to pay for the drying machine). I really recommend this hotel if you want to stop in the city
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Date of stay: January 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.
This is a really pretty little motel very close to town and with access to a beach. I had great fun dipping my toes in the lake after a hard day’s sightseeing!
The room was a good size for three adults with it’s own back yard with chairs and parasol. There was even a hot tub in the room for those who fancy a long soak. And the owners were friendly and helpful.
The room could have done with a curtain over the kitchen window though. The light outside (and the odd reversing car) lit our room up like a Christmas tree.
But despite that, I would recommend a stay here.
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Date of stay: January 2020
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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 expectations were high as we entered the driveway, noting the prominently displayed sign recognising the property as one of the top 1% of hotels on Trip Advisor – despite being a motel. Perhaps this might be a great motel, but when you proudly advertise as being in the top 1% and having a 9.6 rating on Hotels.Com, then you have a lot to live up to.
“Nostalgic” may be a kind description, “dated” or “tired” would be my choice as our room would have been quite familiar to a visitor from the 1980s, with the décor, mini kitchen and furniture a throwback to that era. The light fittings were so old they were rusting away with the old style light bulbs pumping out the heat. The TV was a little newer, the 50 inch centrepiece (an early TV version from Samsung with a resolution of 760ip) was a mere 13 years old and therefore incompatible with the resolution of today’s laptop.
The crockery was definitely from the past, but it was more akin to those found in student accommodation than a top establishment. There were four, very small, main dinner plates and bowls, but just three water and wine glasses plus three mugs but only the most basic cutlery for two. The casserole top and bottom were from different sets. Meanwhile the super cheap plastic bin (surely not another 80s relic?) had a split lid, and there was no differentiatIon between recyclable and landfill.
I suspect that once upon a time, maybe when it was built, the property had a great view of the lake, a major implied attraction, but not any more. Another building has been built in front and so taken the prime spot, therefore our “partial view” was only partly visible from a side window (see photo).
As a rule, I try not to write poor reviews and it’s not all bad here, the staff are friendly, there are good laundry facilities on site, the room is spotlessly clean, the sheets are high quality, the bathroom had been modernised relatively recently, the shower worked effectively and the upstairs a/c was great (shame nothing in the bedroom though).
However, overall as a mid range motel, it’s fine for the price, but to promote itself as a top hotel is, to be kind, an exercise in delusion, bordering on misleading.
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Date of stay: February 2023Trip 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.
We went to this motel just before it was handed to the new managers. The previous manager and her husband were absolutely helpful and did everything their guest needed. the accomodation was nice and the rooms were good, spacey and clean. the bedding absolutely great. Being next to the lake guaranteed a nice walk under the start around the lake and the distance from the town centre is only 15 minutes walk. This was an absolutely good stay for us and hopefully the new managers are able to upkeep the standard of the previous managers. We wish them and their business well.
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Date of stay: December 2019
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Room Tip:very romantic, all the rooms at ground floor have a little outdoor space.
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.
What a lovely little motel, We spent 2 nights here in a garden room. It was well appointed and had everything we needed. I particularly liked the little private courtyard off our room. Whilst this motel doesn't have a lake view, it does have a walkway to the lake which has a lovely public walking/cycle path along the lake. The motel is little way from the main town however that wasn't a problem and there was a shopping centre with a Woolworths supermarket not too far away. after travelling around for a week it was nice to be able to wash our clothes (for free) in the laundry onsite. The clothes drier was only $2.00 per cycle. Our room had a spa bath in room separate from bathroom and a kitchenette which had plenty of items for cooking a meal or making coffee etc. The beds were comfy as well.
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Date of stay: October 2024
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Trip 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.
Thanks for a great place to stay,to break our trip south. We were comfortable and enjoyed the luxury of our own courtyard. The weather was a bit chilly but we could keep our bikes there safely even if we didn't sit outside. Lovely staff and close to the lake
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Date of stay: March 2021Trip 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.
We have used this motel on several occasions whilst travelling between Palmerston Nth. and Mt. Maunganui. The "good" facilities - great spacious rooms, beds and spa baths" have not changed and the new owners are "friendly". Central Taupo is about 5 km north. I always enjoy going down the short access to the beach on the lake !
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Date of stay: December 2020
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Room Tip:This motel is a bit far from local hiking and skiing areas mentioned in the questionnaire .
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.
Arrived 23rd January 2020. Well what a lovely experience. Excellently situated close to town. Cute cottages, spotless presentation and fabulous views! The new owners were so lovely, helpful and friendly. Nothing was to much to ask. We went for a kayak (available for rent) in the lake, just a 1 min walk down through the lake access this morning and we are off out for a bike (available for rent) ride shortly. Couldn’t recommend more!
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Date of stay: January 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.
This was my hubby, son and my second stay here and we’ll be back again next year! The rooms have everything needed for a comfortable stay. The furnishings may be outdated, but everything is sparkling clean and extremely well maintained. The small touches, like the lavender bubble bath, make it special. Thank you so much!
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Date of stay: October 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.
There are more places to choose from in the Taupo area.
PRICE RANGE
$159 - $251 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
New ZealandNorth IslandWaikato RegionTaupo DistrictTaupo
NUMBER OF ROOMS
11
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.
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