Bella Vista Motel Franz Josef Glacier
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Bella Vista Motel Franz Josef Glacier
34 Cron Street, Franz Josef, Westland Tai Poutini National Park 7856 New Zealand
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Avg. $338 /night, 2/18 - 2/19
$354
per night
$298
per night
$242
per night
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About
#4 of 5 motels in Franz Josef
Location
Rooms
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
We are just a minute's walk to a variety of flights, glacier hikes, restaurants, the Wildlife Center with its Kiwis and the Glacier Hot Pools. Offering a range of modern studio accommodation including, spa bath, queen and twin studio, mountain view studio and larger one bedroom family accommodation. All accommodation includes in-room phones, free Wi-Fi, hairdryers, complimentary tea, coffee, drinking chocolate & fresh milk, fridge, small microwave, toaster and a hot water kettle. Some rooms have full kitchen facilities. Off-street parking, guest laundry and BBQ area are available.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Breakfast available
Hiking
Walking tours
Books, DVDs, music for children
Baggage storage
Non-smoking hotel
Electric vehicle charging station
Car park
Wifi
Complimentary Instant Coffee
Complimentary tea
Laundry service
Self-serve laundry
Room features
Blackout curtains
Housekeeping
Safe
Telephone
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Kitchenette
Microwave
Flatscreen TV
Refrigerator
Kitchenware
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Qualmark.
HOTEL STYLE
Mountain View
Mid-range
Languages Spoken
English, Czech
Location
34 Cron Street, Franz Josef, Westland Tai Poutini National Park 7856 New Zealand
Getting there
Somewhat walkable
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.
Grade: 79 out of 100
79
Christchurch Intl Airport
190.3 km•
See all flights
Car Hire
11 Restaurants
within 0.5 kilometers
ReviewsWe perform checks on reviews.Tripadvisor’s approach to reviewsBefore 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.
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We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
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.
Learn more about our review moderation.
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Detailed Reviews
This is an excellent motel and I thoroughly recommend it. Our room on the ground floor had plenty of room and a decent kitchen area for simpler cooking. Very pleasant host checked us in and spent at least 10 mins telling us about the local area and handed us a free map of the area with the attractions on it. Franz Josef township is very small and the motel is situated one street back from the main road so it's very quiet. There's a Dept of Conservation information office (with very friendly staff, as always) within 5 mins walk in one direction and the wildlife centre where kiwis are reared within 5 mins walk in the other direction. The main supermarket in the town is only 10 mins walk away. Very happy with our choice of accommodation here.
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Date of stay: November 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
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.
When you stay with Bella Vista you know what to expect and whilst there are subtle nuances that define difference locations, the experience is fundamentally the same. The hotel is located slightly away from the main street of Franz Josef, but still in a busy location. There are many restaurants within a very short walk and except for touring the region, once you park at the hotel, you don't need your car for getting around the town.
We had booked a Compact Queen room, however we were put in an access room on the ground floor, which had a great deal of space and a large bathroom.
As you expect from Bella Vista, everything was immaculately prepared and presented and its hard to fault any aspect of it. This room was also fairly dark, with effective drapes.
We didn't have much interaction with the hosts, apart from at check in.
We had booked a Compact Queen room, however we were put in an access room on the ground floor, which had a great deal of space and a large bathroom.
As you expect from Bella Vista, everything was immaculately prepared and presented and its hard to fault any aspect of it. This room was also fairly dark, with effective drapes.
We didn't have much interaction with the hosts, apart from at check in.
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Date of stay: February 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
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.
Drove across from Christchurch to Franz Josef Village. This little motel room had all the basics, plus a single element portable stove and a large sunbeam fry pan. Great for little meals to assist with the costs. Off street parking. Walking distance to everything in the village. Short drive to Franz Josef Glacier.
The hotel manager was informative and helpful with local advice. After a wet first day, we awoke the following morning to see ice on the mountains from our motel door.
Guest laundry available.
The hotel manager was informative and helpful with local advice. After a wet first day, we awoke the following morning to see ice on the mountains from our motel door.
Guest laundry available.
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Date of stay: March 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
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.
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Although we had booked a larger room, we got the smallest room in the hotel. Since we were on a big trip to New Zealand, we had luggage with us. However, we were not able to open a suitcase properly in this tiny room. When we asked at check-in if we could change rooms, we were very rudely told no even though the hotel was not fully booked. We stayed at this hotel for two nights. At check-out, we again mentioned the gentleman's negative behavior. He then became very rude and accused us very loudly. As hotel guests, we found that unacceptable. We stayed again during our tour of New Zealand in a different Bella Vista hotel. There we had a larger room and friendly check-in staff.
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Date of stay: October 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
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 response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We stayed at the Bella Vista some years ago and found it a great place. With that in mind we booked the same motel again. What a mistake!
The room, though clean, stank. No idea what it was but it kept me awake and made me feel 🤢. The following day my husband bought some bathroom cleaner to pour down the drains. This helped a little. The next day a man physically opened the drains to try an sort the problem. A slight improvement was the result. The kitchen tap is not secure and swings about. The motel WiFi didn’t work. To be fair, this could have been location/ reception.
On a positive note, there was a warm welcome and the staff are very helpful and friendly. DVDs are available to borrow from reception. The bed was extremely comfortable.
Bella Vista, it is time for a refit.
The room, though clean, stank. No idea what it was but it kept me awake and made me feel 🤢. The following day my husband bought some bathroom cleaner to pour down the drains. This helped a little. The next day a man physically opened the drains to try an sort the problem. A slight improvement was the result. The kitchen tap is not secure and swings about. The motel WiFi didn’t work. To be fair, this could have been location/ reception.
On a positive note, there was a warm welcome and the staff are very helpful and friendly. DVDs are available to borrow from reception. The bed was extremely comfortable.
Bella Vista, it is time for a refit.
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Date of stay: March 2023
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: Guests upstairs can be heard moving around when you are in a downstair room. Best be upstairs.
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 place was easy to find, and off the main road, so very quiet. Check in was straight forward and the host was very informative and helpful. Fresh milk was provided.
The room was on the first floor. A nice comfortable huge king sized bed was very welcome after a day of driving! The room was very clean. the bathroom was nothing special, but very clean and certainly very adequate. Parking was not a problem at all over our two night stay. Definitely a good choice for touring the area.
The room was on the first floor. A nice comfortable huge king sized bed was very welcome after a day of driving! The room was very clean. the bathroom was nothing special, but very clean and certainly very adequate. Parking was not a problem at all over our two night stay. Definitely a good choice for touring the area.
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Date of stay: March 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
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 Jim Xiao, Owner at Bella Vista Motel Franz Josef Glacier
Responded 17 Apr 2024
Dear Our Valued Guest, Thank you so much staying with us and taken time sharing us a great feedback. We are so pleased to see you have enjoyed your stay, we trust you had a good time in Franz Josef Glacier and hope to welcoming you again next time. Best regards Jim & Cindy
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We stayed 2 nights as part of our NZ tour. The room was very small but had everything we needed. A continental breakfast was included and brought into our room. Free off street parking. FJ is a small place so the hotel was convenient for everything including a number of good eateries and a walk from the hotel (Callery Gorge). Alice May restaurant was next door. The proprietors were very pleasant, friendly and helpful. They made suggestions as to what to do when our helicopter trip was cancelled.
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Date of stay: April 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: Glacier walks are a short drive away. We called in at Lake Matheson and Peak View on our way to...
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 stayed here for two nights and were made to feel welcome from the moment we checked in. Jo couldn’t have done more to help. The room was very clean and equipped for cooking including a toaster, grill etc. we were offered milk on arrival. The added bonus was having a spa bath which was great after a day of walking. A very quiet position just off the Main Street making it easy to walk to the restaurants.
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Date of stay: November 2022Trip 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.
Booked a compact room and got a free upgrade to a bigger queen room which was nice.
Went out for a drink and came back to a cold room. The heated towel rail, bedroom heater and half of the electric blanket didn't work. Went to reception to see what could be done but it was closed at only 5.50pm. Still closed when we left at 9.15am the next day.
Handy location just needs better on site service.
Went out for a drink and came back to a cold room. The heated towel rail, bedroom heater and half of the electric blanket didn't work. Went to reception to see what could be done but it was closed at only 5.50pm. Still closed when we left at 9.15am the next day.
Handy location just needs better on site service.
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Date of stay: October 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 Adam Haugh, Owner at Bella Vista Motel Franz Josef Glacier
Responded 15 Nov 2020
Hi Jo, Thanks for stopping of with us on the 30th. Thanks for letting Miyargy our morning receptionist, know the electric blanket in your studio was not heating on one side, before your departure. Our rooms have a key tag energy saving feature in them. When you came home from dinner I suspect that your room key did not make it back in the key tag holder next to the light switch. In this room, unit 2, it works the power for the heater and towel rail. I have upgraded the label on the heater to have a larger font making it easier to read. Hope you enjoyed the rest of your journeys around the south island. Kindly Adam
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Absolutely top notch service from the main receptionist!
Our cases were delayed 3 days and we had been anxiously waiting their arrival after driving to Franz from Wanaka, away from where we had flown into Queenstown.
She could not have helped us anymore. We got back from an epic heli hike to a post it note on the door saying “I have news about your cases come down to the reception”. And she just helped us every moment from then. Even scoping out the Hokitika taxi driver and coming back up to the motel after closing to make sure the driver found us with our cases!
So so grateful for the care and support during an anxious time!
The room was lovely, clean and with everything we needed. Loved sitting out on the veranda looking up at the mountain.
Thank you so much for the care!!!
Our cases were delayed 3 days and we had been anxiously waiting their arrival after driving to Franz from Wanaka, away from where we had flown into Queenstown.
She could not have helped us anymore. We got back from an epic heli hike to a post it note on the door saying “I have news about your cases come down to the reception”. And she just helped us every moment from then. Even scoping out the Hokitika taxi driver and coming back up to the motel after closing to make sure the driver found us with our cases!
So so grateful for the care and support during an anxious time!
The room was lovely, clean and with everything we needed. Loved sitting out on the veranda looking up at the mountain.
Thank you so much for the care!!!
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Date of stay: December 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: Great easy parking, and a lush restaurant next door called Alice May.
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.
Like many other guests we took our own. With supermarkets close by we were never short of any fresh produce. Alternatively there are many facilities within a stones throw that serve breakfast if you require cooked.
"If you’re going to walk to the Glow worm tunnels make sure you have a torch with you."Read full review
"Glacier walks are a short drive away. We called in at Lake Matheson and Peak View on our way to Wanaka (small diversion) Highly recommended"Read full review
"Guests upstairs can be heard moving around when you are in a downstair room. Best be upstairs."Read full review
"We came prepared with everything I guess just enjoy what Franz Josef has to offer."Read full review
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PRICE RANGE
$139 - $300 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
bella vista hotel franz josef
LOCATION
New ZealandSouth IslandWest Coast RegionWestland Tai Poutini National ParkFranz Josef
NUMBER OF ROOMS
18
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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Frequently Asked Questions about Bella Vista Motel Franz Josef Glacier
Which popular attractions are close to Bella Vista Motel Franz Josef Glacier?
Nearby attractions include West Coast Wildlife Centre (0.1 km), Tatare Tunnels Walk (0.2 km), and Te Koha Gallery (0.4 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Bella Vista Motel Franz Josef Glacier?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free parking, and laundry service.
Which room amenities are available at Bella Vista Motel Franz Josef Glacier?
Top room amenities include a kitchenette, a flat screen TV, and a refrigerator.
What food & drink options are available at Bella Vista Motel Franz Josef Glacier?
Guests can enjoy breakfast, complimentary tea, and free instant coffee during their stay.
Is parking available at Bella Vista Motel Franz Josef Glacier?
Yes, free parking and a parking garage are available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Bella Vista Motel Franz Josef Glacier?
Conveniently located restaurants include Alice May, BLUE ICE RESTAURANT & BAR, and Monsoon Bar & Restaurant.
Is Bella Vista Motel Franz Josef Glacier located near the city centre?
Yes, it is 0.2 km away from the centre of Franz Josef.
Are any cleaning services offered at Bella Vista Motel Franz Josef Glacier?
Yes, laundry service and self serve laundry are offered to guests.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Bella Vista Motel Franz Josef Glacier?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Czech.
Are there any historical sites close to Bella Vista Motel Franz Josef Glacier?
Many travellers enjoy visiting Church of St. James (10.8 km).
Does Bella Vista Motel Franz Josef Glacier have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the mountain view available here.