Hotel berhampiran Motion Entertainment, Rotorua

I stayed in the Sudima Lake Rotorua Hotel for three nights while attending a conference. The Sudima was selected as it was the cheapest of the four listed by the conference organisers. The accommodation and buffet breakfasts were standard and wouldn’t in themselves warrant a review, either positive or negative. What did warrant a review, however, was the check-in experience. This is the reason for the level-two rating. Having stayed at a range of accommodation – from higher end to backpacker - I cannot recall anything like it, either here in New Zealand or overseas. There was one person at the reception desk and only one other guest checking-in before me. That check-in took a seemingly interminable time, but that can happen for whatever reason. My check-in appeared normal, but thereafter the experience ‘went to custard’. Assigned a room on the third floor I duly went with my bag to the room. Arriving there the magnetic door card wouldn’t open the door. I then returned to the reception desk, explained the situation and was provided with a new set of door cards. I then proceeded back to the third floor and, yes, the door cards this time successfully opened the door. However, upon entering the room I was surprised to find evidence that someone else was using the room. Material around the room showed that this person was also a conference attendee. (Interestingly there was a half drunk bottle of whisky on a table, but alas it was a blend and not a single malt so there was no temptation to take a few swigs.) Using the room’s telephone, I called the reception number but there was no response. Anxious that the room’s inhabitant may return I returned once more to the reception desk to be provided with a new room and corresponding door cards. Another ascent to the third floor finally eventuated with valid room occupancy at the Sudima Lake Rotorua Hotel. The time lapse since first entering the hotel stretched to about 40 minutes.

I'll start with the things I liked. The breakfast buffet. It was nice to have a quick way to get a good breakfast at the hotel. The decorating in the lobby was very nice. Now the not to nice parts: The room was cramped with 2 queen-sized beds. (Though it did have a refrigerator and kettle.) I opened the curtains to be surprised by shredded sheers. The wi-fi was very poor. The access is not handicap accessible. The front steps did not have a railing. The ramp was great for luggage, but would not have accommodated a wheelchair. (I have bad knees and use a cane.) They seems understaffed. A common problem throughout our trip. But the staff was helpful. They acknowledged the torn sheers and have plans to replace them all.

JetPark Rotorua is located right in the heart of town. It gives easy access to the park, the forest, the spa, and other main sites are within a 15 minute drive. The staff are super friendly and the place is well maintained. The walls are thin so we could hear our neighbors, but it wasn't too bad. The beds were very comfortable. It was a great stay!

I stayed here for two nights in May 2023. The hotel is located on the main street in Rotorua, about a 10-minute walk from the main shopping centre. Just up the road, about a 5-minute walk away, there are a couple of supermarkets. The airport is a 10-minute drive away. The hotel has plenty of parking. The room was very big with a small kitchenette, large bathroom, table and chairs etc. However, the room was showing its age and could do with an upgrade. Unfortunately the room was cold. I had the heating on but, given the size of the room, it took a long time to heat up. It was uncomfortable. There was no extra blanket for the bed. The wifi worked well. The service at the front desk was good. For what I paid, this hotel was good value. However, for my next trip to Rotorua, I would be prepared to pay a bit more for something warmer and more up to date.

Stayed here for 2 nights with my family including an infant. Room was pretty spacious. Staff was friendly. Unfortunately, there seems to be bed bugs or dust mites on the floor carpet as I got plenty of bites around my ankle. Went ahead to inform the front desk but I was told that there were absolutely no bed bugs in the hotel. Overall room is ok except for the cleanliness.

First stay was 3 years ago when it was still a Holiday Inn. We enjoyed the pools and nearby attractions. Came back this time around for the same reasons. Kids enjoyed the heated pool. And we adults find it soothing after a long day out. When pool towels run out, reception was glad to replenish. We were at a deluxe queen queen room facing the carpark. Room looked tired. Bathroom was even worse. Mould on the grouting and sink had lime scale. Turning the tap was bound to give you a splash. Other than than, room was clean and tidy. Staff were friendly. And doing the best they can on a busy long weekend. Carpark can get full on a busy weekend, you almost dont want to go out for dinner.

Great location in the heart of Rotorua, right next door to the lake and Eat Street restaurants and came highly recommended to us, but left us a little disappointed - especially for the price. Room a little outdated, holes in the blinds which let the light in, dirty grout in the shower and the shower head was broken and the glasses were dirty. I never ever leave a bad review, but after a great experience at 4 other different hotels across NZ this trip, the front desk lady on arrival at the Novotel was not the friendliest - it felt like we were an inconvenience to her. It was check in time and she was the only staff member on with a queue of people. On a positive note, the bed was comfortable.

The positives first: The hotel is not terrible. It was not our first choice, but we ended up booking here, as well as booking our friends we were meeting here and another couple joined us for one night and paid for a room. We alerted the manager and he put us all on the the same floor, with a lake view. The room was clean. A little tight on space, but this is not a negative. Staff were friendly. The negatives: NO HOT WATER!! We stayed for 4 nights. One person out of 6 had a hot shower, as he showered just after we arrived. That was the last hot shower. The water was progressively colder, each day. And it was the whole hotel. This was the topic of conversation with every other hotel guest we happened to meet in the lift. We complained, every day. At each stage, we were told they were... waiting for someone to turn up...the problem was fixed but because everyone kept using the water it could not warm up...the problem was not fixed, they were waiting for someone from somewhere else. I think they had no idea and I did feel sorry for the staff, but a hot shower is absolutely a basic requirement. At no stage was there a note slipped under the door to apologise and ask us to bear with them. It was incredibly frustrating. It seems petty after this to mention the bathrooms also need a bit of care and smell very mildewy, but if it were not for the hot water issue, this would have been my main complaint. The last thing to mention, it rained the whole time we were there and the Ibis has no lounge area. We ended up sitting in one of the rooms, as a group, having a natter, like high schoolers. This is more of a Rotorua problem, though, as Rotorua seemed to shut down early and there was no where to just chat, in the evenings. Ibis Rotorua is not somewhere we will stay again.

Our stay was fabulous. We had a spa room which was also fantastic even though it was chilly outside. It was well worth it. The rooms were clean, the bed comfortable and it had everything we needed. My husband's only complaint was there were no sky channels available and we needed our own netflix etc. accounts. We did have to fight for parking even though there was parking straight outside the rooms and some people coming with more than one vehicle per room. (Hubby has lung issues so needed close parking), otherwise we thoroughly loved it - thank you.

This lakeside hotel was wonderful! The rooms are a good size and has all the comforts. Wild wall paper! The bathrooms are a little tight with little counter space. The food was out of this world. The best of our travels in New Zealand. Breakfast on the deck overlooking the lake was memorable! Staff was friendly and efficient.