Scenic Hotel Te Pania

We had a very enjoyable two-night stay, with spacious, well-appointed rooms and a good choice at breakfast. The dinner menu had plenty of variety too. The hotel is in a great spot on the Napier seafront, and we’d recommend it for a short break. Napier itself is well worth visiting, one of the highlights among NZ cities.

The major concern for me was the dining room ceiling fans and lights. When we came in for breakfast, the fans cast a strobing shadow from the surrounding lights, and everyone seated there was visibly flickering. That’s a serious risk for anyone prone to seizures, whether they know it or not, and a seizure could be fatal even with prompt medical help. A young staff member acted straight away and isolated the affected lights, but the duty manager was less receptive. We raised it on Sunday 1st February and felt it should have been properly fixed by Monday afternoon. If not, there should at least be a warning at the entrance and a defibrillator nearby. Anyone in hospitality, or working as an electrician, should know about this danger. Guests shouldn’t sit under that setup. The property is reasonably priced, has an outstanding location and unbeatable outlook, and has a good feel despite being a little over 20 years old. Check-in is from the rear car park, though the hotel doesn’t tell you that, and the esplanade has very few spaces. Rear parking isn’t guaranteed either, can get crowded, and some spots are hard to access because buses use the turning area. The bar is tiny. Breakfast was crowded and noisy when a group travelling by bus were getting ready to leave, so check their timing beforehand. Eating outside on a cool morning felt bleak and uninviting. The dining area also needs a permanent fix for the safety issue, not an informal local arrangement that may be forgotten when staff change.

The rooms and views are great, and the location is very convenient. Some small touches let the place down. Our shower curtain was past its best, and the old polyester duvet inner could’ve been covered or replaced. In-room supplies could be improved too: the plastic jug could be metal, the tea bags and coffee were pretty bad, and instant coffee, more than two sachets, and fresh milk instead of UHT would be better. Service varied, with some staff very friendly and helpful, others less so. The apples were a nice touch, though it felt odd that they were American rather than local. Still a great place to stay, and with a few improvements it could be amazing. I’d definitely return.

The bedroom was large, clean, and comfortable, but traffic from the main road outside came through because the windows aren’t modern. Ventilation wasn’t great either, and the window was soaked with condensation in the morning. The restaurant also seems short on seats when several coach groups are staying and leaving at once.