Escape to Paradise: Dunrovin Motel's Taupo Oasis Awaits!
Escape to Paradise: Dunrovin Motel - My Taupo Oasis? Let's Dive In!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from a mission, a quest, a vacation at the Dunrovin Motel in Taupo. And I'm here to lay down the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth (with a healthy dose of opinion, of course) about whether this "Paradise" lives up to the hype. Let's get this messy, honest, and ridiculously human review started!
First Impressions & The "Must-Haves" (Accessibility, Internet, and…Well, Being Clean):
Right off the bat, Accessibility is a big tick. Dunrovin advertises facilities for disabled guests, which is fantastic. I sadly can't personally vouch for it, but knowing they recognize the need is a great start!
Then there's the Internet – Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! – Hallelujah! As a digital nomad/social media addict/person who can't live without scrolling, this is GOLD. And guess what? It actually WORKED. No buffering nightmares, no screaming at the router. Solid internet access - a huge win. The bonus of Internet [LAN] and Internet Services is a nice touch, though honestly, I stuck with the Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi in public areas too, so ditching Netflix in bed isn't required.
Now, let’s talk Cleanliness and safety. This is HUGE, especially given the world we live in currently. They've got the anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, rooms sanitized between stays, and the professional-grade sanitizing services. They even have room sanitization opt-out available for those who prefer it, which is a nice personal touch . Hand sanitizer is everywhere. Staff trained in safety protocol, etc. – all reassuring stuff that makes you feel like you can actually relax. They don't skip a beat. (Although I'm still a germaphobe, I can rest a little easier.) Hot water linen and laundry washing…good to know, even if I didn't use the personal laundry service directly.
Finding Nirvana (and Maybe a Little Bit of Annoyance): Things to Do, Ways to Relax & the Spa Shenanigans:
Alright, here's where things get interesting… the Spa scene! Dunrovin advertises a lot of options. Now, I'm a sucker for pampering so I dove straight into the Spa/sauna!
The Sauna was the bomb. The kind of dry heat that melts away all the stress. I could have stayed there for hours (and probably did). It was clean, well-maintained, and just bliss. The Swimming pool (outdoor), however, was a bit…meh. It had a pool with a view, sure, but from the looks of it, some of the equipment that I imagine was for the 'fitness center' was a little dated. Body scrubs and body wraps are advertised, but I didn't go there so I can't say. I love a foot bath (who doesn't?), I'm afraid I didn't utilize it. The steamroom was a miss, unfortunately.
Moving on to the Gym/fitness center… Well, let's just say it’s a place you go if you want to try to work out, but you’d probably have a better time going for a brisk walk.
Food, Glorious Food (And Maybe a Hangry Moment): Dining, Drinking & Snacking:
Okay, let's get to the important stuff: the grub! Restaurants are on offer, and I love Asian cuisine in a restaurant. A la carte in restaurant and buffet in restaurant are possibilities. Coffee/tea in restaurant and coffee shop, are always a winner for me as a coffee freak! Restaurants, Poolside bar, Snack bar all are available.
Breakfast wise, they advertise Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, and Breakfast in room. I went for the buffet. Honestly? It was… decent. Not Michelin-star-worthy, but the essentials were there. Cereal, some fruit, the usual suspects. They even had an Asian breakfast one day, which was a pleasant surprise. The salad in restaurant was refreshing. Desserts in restaurant always a bonus.
Now, the Bar experience… that’s a story. They have Happy hour. I'm a big fan of happy hour. I will happily embrace bottle of water as a start. The soup in restaurant wasn't available the night I went, so I had to improvise, but honestly, it wasn't bad. (That's the review, right? Honest?)
The Quirky Little Extras: Services and Conveniences
This is where the Dunrovin really flexes its muscles. They offer a ton of Services and conveniences to make your stay smoother. They have Air conditioning in public area, Concierge (helpful!), Contactless check-in/out (essential in the world of germs), Convenience store (for those midnight snack attacks), Currency exchange (if that's your thing), Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery (handy!), Gift/souvenir shop (standard!), Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Outdoor venue for special events, Safe deposit boxes, Smoking area - which is a nice touch.
CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property - making you feel secure. Check-in/out [express] and Check-in/out [private] are possible.
For the Kids (and the Rest of the Family Too!):
Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, and Kids meal options. The Family/child friendly is a plus.
The Rooms: Your Private Paradise (Or Not?) - Available in all rooms:
Alright, now the rooms! This is really where the rubber meets the road, right?
Air conditioning - Check! Alarm clock - Check! Bathrobes - Check! Bathtub - Check! Blackout curtains - YES! (Seriously, I need those.) Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker - essential! Complimentary tea - always appreciated.
Daily housekeeping. Desk. Extra long bed. Free bottled water. Hair dryer. High floor. In-room safe box. Interconnecting room(s) available) - handy if you’ve got the whole crew. Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless. Ironing facilities. Laptop workspace. Linens. Mini bar. Mirror. Non-smoking. On-demand movies (always a plus). Private bathroom. Reading light. Refrigerator. (Crucial for leftover snacks, of course). Safety/security feature. Satellite/cable channels. Scale (for those post-buffet moments…), Seating area. Separate shower/bathtub. Shower. Slippers. Smoke detector. Socket near the bed. Sofa. Soundproofing. Telephone. Toiletries. Towels. Umbrella. Visual alarm. Wake-up service. Wi-Fi [free]. Window that opens.
One thing I wasn't thrilled about was the lack of Additional toilet (just a minor point).
Things That Could Be Even Better:
- More updated amenities (specifically the fitness center - not a deal-breaker, but could be improved).
- More vegetarian dining options.
The Verdict: Dunrovin Motel – Is it a Paradise Escape?
Here’s the honest truth: Dunrovin isn't perfect. It's not the flashiest hotel, but it feels comfortable, like a good friend. The things that matter (cleanliness, internet, helpful staff) are on point. And the spa, sauna, are definite highlights.
The Final Question – Would I Go Back?
Yes. Absolutely. This place is a solid basecamp for exploring Taupo. Especially if you're looking for a comfortable spot with a good location to relax, the Dunrovin Motel is a great selection.
Escape to Paradise: Dunrovin Motel's Taupo Oasis - Your Special Offer!
Tired of the Everyday Grind? Craving Peace, Relaxation, and a Taste of Heaven? Look No Further!
Escape to Paradise at Dunrovin Motel in Taupo!
Why Choose Dunrovin Motel?
- Unwind in Style: Melt away stress in our rejuvenating spa, complete with a luxurious sauna, and other relaxing amenities.
- Stay Connected (and Happy): Enjoy Free Wi-Fi in all rooms – perfect for streaming your favorite shows or staying in touch with loved ones.
- Clean & Safe: Experience peace of mind with our rigorous cleanliness and safety measures, including *anti-viral cleaning products
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this itinerary is less "polished travel blogger" and more "me desperately trying to remember what I actually did on that trip to the Dunrovin Motel in Taupo, New Zealand, while simultaneously battling a crippling caffeine addiction." Here we go…
The Dunrovin Debacle (Taupo, NZ – A Messy Memoir)
Day 1: Arrival & The Great Lake Taupo Disappointment (with a side of existential dread)
- 10:00 AM (ish) – Auckland Airport, Hallelujah! Okay, so the flight was long. Like, seriously, how is it possible to be cramped and bored at the same time for that many hours? Finally, glorious freedom! Collected the rental car – a terrifyingly small, suspiciously red thing named "Rusty," which immediately filled me with regret for not choosing a bigger car. Already regretting this trip? Probably.
- 12:30 PM – Road Trip! Driving down to Taupo. Remember that feeling of excitement? Yeah, that faded around Rotorua. Seriously, the sulfur smell? It's like a thousand rotten eggs decided to throw a party in your nose. But hey, pretty scenery, I guess. And Rusty managed to not completely self-destruct.
- 3:00 PM – Dunrovin Motel Check-in. The anticipation. The Letdown. The Dunrovin. Ah, the Dunrovin. Honestly? Looked exactly like the pictures, which…weren’t exactly flattering to begin with. It was…modest. A bit tired, but clean enough. The lady at reception was lovely though, a real Kiwi gem, bless her cotton socks. She told me I had a lake view (which was technically true, if you squinted and ignored the massive tree).
- 4:00 PM – Lake Taupo (The Illusion of Grandeur). Okay, so here's the thing about Lake Taupo. It's BIG. Really big. Like, you look out at it, and it's all shimmering and majestic, and you think, "Wow, I could totally spend hours here, contemplating the meaning of life, and maybe even finally write that novel!" Then you actually try to do that, and the wind whips up, the waves crash, and you realize you're freezing and your existential angst has turned into a desperate search for a decent cafe. The cafes were alright, but the coffee was a crime against humanity.
- 6:00 PM – Dinner and Deep Thoughts. Found a pub, ate a rather average burger, and, in the dim light, started to wonder if I should have just stayed home. Maybe a solo ski trip was not the right idea.
Day 2: Obsessive Fishing & the Case of the Missing Fish
- 7:00 AM – The Early Bird (Doesn't Catch a Fish). Rent fishing gear. I, who had never fished in my life, thought "How hard can it be?" Famous last words. Turns out, extremely hard. I spent a solid three hours battling the elements, tangling my line, and generally looking like a complete idiot. The trout, however, remained elusive.
- 10:00 AM – The Fisherman's Lament. Gave up. Ate my packed sandwich and watched other people actually catching fish. The feeling of deep failure was quite intense.
- 11:00 AM – Huka Falls (and a splash of awe). Okay, Huka Falls? Impressive. Really impressive. Water thundering over rocks, a rainbow, the whole shebang. Actually made me feel a little bit insignificant in a good way for a minute. Until a tourist tried to take my photo and nearly knocked me into the river.
- 12:30 PM – Lunch at a coffee shop near the falls. It was delicious and I managed to re-energize.
- 2:00 PM – Taupo's Quirky Charms. Wandered into Taupo's little town, and it's actually quite charming. Found a fantastic little ice cream shop, and I decided it was the best ice cream i have ever tasted! The sun was shining, and I began thinking, "Maybe this trip isn't a total disaster after all."
- 7:00 PM – Trying to cook something myself. Oh man. I should have just gone out to eat.
- 8:00 PM – Early Night/Self-Reflection. Watched some TV. Didn't want to face another day. The thought of going fishing again filled me with dread, and the thought of the cold lake was too much.
Day 3: The Thermals & The Hot Pools - Finding Some (Much-Needed) Serenity
- 8:00 AM – Sleeping in! Success!
- **9:00 AM – Breakfast - Egg and Bacon. ** Still not much for a foodie, but the smell was something.
- 10:00 AM – The Craters of the Moon (Literally). This place…wow. Steam, sulfur smells again (ugh), but also this otherworldly landscape. It was like being on another planet. Actually a really cool experience.
- 12:00 PM – Lunch at The Store Lunch at The Store. Another really delicious meal. I think I am starting to like this trip again.
- 1:30 PM – De-stressing. The hot pools, a few minutes away from the motel. Soaking in the hot pools was pure bliss. Like, melting-into-the-earth kind of bliss. I emerged feeling like a new person.
- 4:00 PM – Souvenir Shopping & Departure Preparation. Bought some (probably overpriced) souvenirs. Started packing – aka throwing everything back into my suitcase in a vaguely haphazard manner.
- 6:00 PM – Dinner in Taupo & Final Reflections. Ate a decent meal out, and started to think, "You know, Taupo wasn't so bad." Maybe Rusty wasn't so bad after all. Maybe I’d even come back someday. Maybe… I had actually enjoyed this trip.
Day 4: The Road Back to Auckland. The long Flight Home..
- 8:00 AM - Check Out. Wished I could have stayed longer. Maybe I will come back.
- 9:00 AM – The Drive. Back to the airport.
- 12:00 PM - The Airport.
- 6:00 PM - The Flight.
The Aftermath (aka, Conclusion)
So, yeah. The Dunrovin wasn't the Ritz. Taupo wasn't perfect. But it was real. It was messy, it was frustrating, it was occasionally breathtaking. It was a reminder that travel isn't always Instagram-worthy sunsets and perfectly curated experiences. Sometimes, it's just you, a slightly dodgy motel, and a whole lot of self-doubt. And sometimes, you end up having the time of your life anyway. And that, my friends, is the magic of travel. (Or, you know, the desperation to escape your everyday life. Either way.)
Queenstown's Hidden Gem: Pencarrow Boutique Lodge - Unforgettable Luxury Awaits!
Escape to Paradise: Dunrovin Motel's Taupo Oasis Awaits! - Because Honestly, You *Need* This (Maybe)
Okay, so "Paradise"? Is that, like, corporate marketing BS? Is this place actually decent?
Alright, let's be real. "Paradise" is a *bold* claim. I went in expecting, you know, the usual motel deal – slightly damp, slightly dated, maybe a lingering scent of last week's fish and chips. Buuut... Dunrovin actually surprised me. Not knock-your-socks-off, angels-singing paradise. More like... a genuinely chill, comfortable spot. Think less Garden of Eden, more "my grandma's really cozy living room, but with a lake view." (My grandma, bless her, always had the best tea.)
Look, it depends on what you're after. If you demand Michelin star service and a personal masseuse, you're in the wrong place. If you want a clean, comfortable base to explore Taupo, with genuinely friendly staff who don’t make you feel like a burden (a surprisingly rare find, I've discovered), then Dunrovin is a winner. I mean, I even had a slightly embarrassing encounter with a rogue goose (more on that later), and the staff just *laughed* with me. That's worth something, right?
Tell me about the rooms! Are they… you know… clean? And spacious enough to *breathe*?
Okay, this is important. Cleanliness is next to godliness, and I am decidedly *not* religious, but I still like a clean space. Generally, the rooms were spotless. Like, actually clean. No mysterious stains on the carpet, no questionable smells. The bathroom? Sparkly. Which is always a win.
Now, spaciousness… that’s more of a judgment call. We had a lake-view room (highly recommended, by the way. Seriously, book one. You won't regret it.) It wasn't a mansion, but it wasn't a prison cell either. We had enough room to spread our stuff out, pace a little bit (I get restless, okay?), and not feel like we were constantly tripping over each other. There was even a little kitchenette area, which was a lifesaver for making early morning coffees and avoiding that godawful instant stuff. (Again, speaking from experience.)
What's this "lake-view" business? Is it actually a lake, or a glorified puddle?
Oh, the lake. Lake Taupo. It’s freaking *massive*. And the view from our room was… glorious. Seriously. Imagine waking up, pulling back the curtains, and BAM! Turquoise water stretching as far as the eye can see, with snow-capped mountains in the distance. (Okay, maybe I got a little misty-eyed. Don't judge me, it was beautiful!) Seeing the sunrise over that lake was *worth* the price of admission. Seriously, that view alone almost made up for the time I accidentally spilled coffee on the duvet (mortifying).
The 'glorified puddle' scenario? Nope. Definitely full-on, majestic lake. Prepare to be impressed. Pack your camera. And maybe some anti-gravity boots because the views just might make you float.
Food! Is there a decent place to eat nearby? Or do I need to pack my own survival kit?
Okay, food. This is crucial. Dunrovin doesn’t have a restaurant, which is fine, honestly. I'm not a fan of overly fancy hotel restaurants, anyway. But, BUT! There are loads of options nearby. You're a short drive (or a manageable walk, if you’re feeling ambitious and haven’t overdone it on the coffee) from the Taupo town centre, which has everything from casual cafes to proper restaurants. We had a seriously delicious pizza at a place called "Pauly's" one night. Can't remember the exact name, but trust me, look it up. Seriously good.
And for breakfast? We did the supermarket run for some snacks and coffee. Makes sense, right? I went for a walk in the area, and for a simple breakfast place, a nearby cafe called "The Storehouse."
Okay, the staff. Are they the "plastic smile and forced friendliness" type, or actually helpful?
This is where Dunrovin *really* shines. The staff were legitimately lovely. Not the "I'm-required-to-be-nice" type. Genuinely friendly, helpful, and even… dare I say it… *human*. They were happy to offer advice on what to do, where to go, and even laughed when I accidentally locked myself out of my room (more on that later too). And the goose incident. (Don't get me started.) They’re the kind of people who make a place feel welcoming. Definitely a big plus.
What's there to *do* around Taupo? Besides stare at the lake (though, honestly, that sounds tempting).
Taupo is bursting with stuff to do! Literally. If you're into adrenaline, there's skydiving, jet boating, white-water rafting… the works. If, like me, you prefer something a little less… terrifying… there's hiking, cycling, and of course, loads of opportunities to get out on the lake. We took a boat tour to Huka Falls (spectacular!), and walked along the lakefront most evenings. Then, the hot springs! Pure bliss.
And the goose incident? Yeah, so, there was this goose. A *very* assertive goose. I was having a peaceful moment by the lake, enjoying my coffee, when this feathered fiend decided my muffin looked particularly tasty. He attacked. Full-on, beak-to-face assault! I screamed, ran, and ended up tripping over my own feet and spilling coffee everywhere (again!). It was the most humiliating thing that has ever happened to me. The staff at Dunrovin? They cracked up. Which, to be fair, *was* pretty funny.
Any downsides? Gotta be some, right? Nothing's perfect.
Okay, let’s be realistic. Nothing’s perfect. The décor is, shall we say, “classic motel.” Think functional, not fancy. But it was clean, so I’m okay with that. And the wifi could be a little… temperamental at times. But hey, you're on holiday! Put down your phone for a few minutes, and enjoy the view! It's more of a minor inconvenience than a dealbreaker.
And, uh, parking. It's not the best. Okay, maybe it's a *little* annoying. But it's manageable. Just be prepared to shuffle things around a bit, according to our luck. And the goose incident? Yeah, the goose. Still traumatized.
Would you recommend Dunrovin Motel? And, more importantly, would *you* go back?
