Marsden Stay Rotorua

There were plenty of other things that made this stay disappointing: the TV was outdated with no Chromecast or streaming options, the water pressure was extremely poor, and the hot and cold taps were labelled the wrong way round. We had only one pillow each and couldn't request extras, since housekeeping only comes every three days. The bathroom had a persistent musty smell, there was no microwave or cutlery, and we booked a King room but were given a Queen. The restaurant, bar, and pool were advertised, but all were said to be under maintenance. We also got woken very early by a fire alarm and had to evacuate. It seemed like a false alarm, but there was no staff on site after hours, so we got no communication, explanation, or apology. This was meant to be one night of our honeymoon, and our travel agent really missed the mark. The run-down exterior didn't give us much hope on arrival. Only one staff member was on duty, and she showed little of the hospitality you'd expect. The place has over 50 rooms and only a handful of guests, but we were put on the second floor. With no lift, we had to haul our suitcases up the stairs. The rooms look like they've had a superficial refurbishment, but there's no climate control. It was unbearably hot, and opening a window wasn't an option because of the town's pervasive sulphur, or rotten-egg, smell. The accommodation offered the bare minimum and fell well short of what we'd expect. We wouldn't recommend it.

The beds were comfortable, and the rooms were clean enough. For the price, the stay was adequate but basic. The recent renovation shows in places, though some of the finishing is rough. The bathroom let things down. The shower is tiny, there was hair in it, and both the water pressure and temperature were poor. There's only a fan, no air conditioning, and the TV has basic free-to-air channels, with no smart or Sky TV. The outside and grounds look run down. Maybe renovations are still underway, but some improvements are needed.

For the price I paid, the overall experience was satisfactory. The location was good, and we drove to eat and shop nearby. The room size was fine and the hygiene was good, though the carpark was ordinary. The decoration looked fairly new, but the door lock was a little rusty. Road noise around midnight was bearable. There was no air conditioning, but an electric fan was supplied. Only stairs serve the second and third floors. The bathroom was just acceptable, with water pressure a big question. The basin wasn't deep enough to fill the kettle, as I've found at other hotels too. A heated towel rail and fog-free mirror were nice touches, and the switches were well placed. It could use another rail or a larger wardrobe for hanging clothes. The front desk staff was still there when we checked in, fortunately, as her hours were 9 to 5. Tea bags were provided, though the chocolate drink wasn't very good. The heated pool shouldn't be mentioned. We stayed two nights, but there was no cleaning or refill of towels and tissue paper.

A backpackers might have been more comfortable. The building is run down and noisy, with every footstep echoing and doors banging all night. It was overpriced for a stay without basic things like a microwave, toaster, cutlery, bowls for breakfast, or face cloths. We had to go looking for toilet paper, and my parents had to hunt for towels. The shower was filthy. Take earplugs if you decide to stay. I won't be back, and I'll tell others to avoid it.