Chateau Tongariro

The staff were lovely to deal with, even though they were always busy, and we were lucky to check in before the expected 3pm. Our room was tidy, warm, and had comfortable, firm beds. There was plenty of room for the three of us and our ski gear, with space for another one or two people. The buffet breakfast had a good range and was reasonably priced, so we enjoyed our stay and would come again. The two-bedroom cabin was dated and could use maintenance. The bathroom floor felt like there might be a hole beneath the lino, and the shower pressure was poor, though the room did what we needed. We wished there were more family hangout options, like game consoles, board games, or pool tables for the late afternoon.

The piano player was the highlight for me. He played every night, and his music gave the grand lounge such an incredible atmosphere. At the end of a great night, he played one last song for my partner and me to dance to. The food was great, from breakfast and the light lunch to dinner in the lounge, and the restaurant meal was an incredible finish to our weekend. The hotel setting is amazing and the staff are great, though some of the bar service could have been more attentive to people waiting. I would have loved to see what life here was like in the 1920s. We had such a great stay and will definitely be back.

The voucher gave us so much for the price, and we were honestly blown away. We'd read some negative reviews and felt a little nervous about coming, but we'd happily return. We stayed for two nights with our two-year-old, and the staff were lovely with her, even pointing out the kids' playroom and movie theatre. On arrival she was given crayons and colouring books, which was such a thoughtful touch. Our room had everything we needed and was spotless and tidy. The walls were a little thin, but we weren't bothered by other guests, just concerned our little one might disturb them. Dinner and buffet breakfast were both outstanding, and the dining room was grand and impressive. Across all four meals, everyone serving us was attentive, took our orders promptly, kept our water topped up, and cleared plates quickly. A big thank you to the staff, especially the dining room team working April 19-21.

The food was a real highlight. Breakfast had an outstanding selection of bakery items, fruit, and cooked dishes, all presented well. Dinner in the main dining room was an epicurean delight. We spent three days and two nights at the Chateau and couldn't fault the service or our room either. It was spacious and modern, with a very comfortable king bed, and the staff were all friendly and helpful. A wonderful experience and great value.