Nice Hotel

Even weeks later, I'm still telling people about our stay. We felt at home from the moment we arrived, and the welcome and service were lovely. A charming boutique hotel in a handy central spot made for a real New Plymouth holiday highlight.

Terry and the staff made the place feel welcoming. They were kind, warm, knowledgeable, and genuinely interested in us. I even saw the owner adjust a light to a softer, warmer setting so everything would be just right for guests. We stumbled across this hotel by chance, and it turned out to be one of the best I've stayed in on this side of the hemisphere. The decor is phenomenal, with every item seeming carefully chosen and placed. There's none of that copy-and-paste hotel feel. The whole place deserves a Nobel Peace Prize, if they're handing them out for less these days. And to the one-star reviewers who seem impossible to please: I hope you find a better hobby than trolling a great hotel.

We booked the executive suite on January 10 for Valentine's weekend, February 13-15. Only after arriving did we discover that every other room in the hotel was booked for a wedding reception. No one had warned us. We felt like we were in the way whenever we went back to our room. Staff paid us little attention, and the kitchen was closed to cater for the event, disrupting our plans. On Saturday night, Valentine's Day, the wedding had a DJ and full sound system right below our balcony and bedroom. The music shook the room and kept my partner awake until it stopped, well past 11pm and close to midnight. I raised it at the front desk the next morning and got a dry, “Yeah we overlooked that.” There was no apology or compensation. Our balcony door handle also broke. With no notice, we were ignored, our Valentine's dinner plans were spoiled, and we couldn't sleep on our last night. We felt like intruders at the hotel and missed services included in what we'd paid for. If we'd known the rest of the property was being used as a wedding venue, I would have cancelled and stayed elsewhere. The service was awful, so we won't return. I regret spending so much on a fancy hotel only to have this happen. I want a refund.

The photos didn't prepare me for how lovely this place was. It was my first visit to New Plymouth and the Nice Boutique Hotel, and I was pleasantly surprised. Everything worked so well, from the decor, room and bed to the service and location. The staff also gave helpful suggestions for things to do. I'd definitely recommend it.