Chateau Tongariro Hotel

As an American that had traveled to several countries, and been to Chateau Tongariro twice many years ago, I just want to say: Don’t you DARE close this magical wonderland for good. If a dang earthquake and/or volcano eruption occurs, that’s a sacrifice those folks have to take. This place is like the last hold out of true beauty and class without EXCESS!!! Long live Chateau Tongariro!!!! That being said, keep my trashy fellow Americans away from this place. Yes, if this place made a cameo on American Twitter, it would probably never have financial woes again, but also the Americans would destroy it.

Really, really impressed. We stayed 2 nights with our 2 year old and everything was perfect. On arrival we were given crayons and colouring books for our daughter which was so thoughtful. Our room was tidy and spotlessly clean with everything we needed. Only minor negative was the walls were a bit thin but we weren’t bothered by anyone else - only worried about our little one disrupting others! Dinner and buffet breakfast both outstanding. Very fine dining and such an amazing experience. The dining room was very grand & impressive. Everyone serving us during all of our 4 meals were very attentive taking orders promptly, filling up our water glasses and clearing dirty plates quickly. Every single staff member we came across were so friendly to us and so lovely to our little girl making sure she knew where the kids playroom and movie theatre was (which are both SO cool!!!) We purchased the grab one voucher and you get so much bang for your buck it’s worth every cent. We we’re a bit nervous to come after reading the negative reviews lately but we were honestly blown away and wouldn’t hesitate to return again in future. Big thumbs up to all of the staff on (especially the dining room staff) working on 19th-21st April. Thank you :)

Where do you start with this place. The once grand hotel really feels tired and certainly not worthy of its reputation. The positives? It’s an amazing place to sit - have a drink or two and gaze out to the National park … but the service to get a drink is slow and the fries we ordered were cold by the time we got them. The staff are generally friendly apart from the front of house on arrival who are either not suited to this type of hospitality - genuinely rude or just overworked. We stayed in the Chalets - it’s a place to put your head down after a long walk but they need work. The rooms are very tired and there appeared to be no housekeeping. We ran out of toilet paper and it was not replaced. The bed was not made. We opted not to eat at the hotel due to the rather high prices (I’m eternally let down with my expectations of hotel food) but did have breakfast. It was ok. I wouldn’t come back and I wouldn’t bother going. Please don’t bother with your stock standard apology about how you can do better. Just do better. Shocking - so disappointing.

We stayed for a two night Celebration Package and enjoyed every minute. We had High Tea on arrival - just lovely. Our room was large and clean and the bed very comfortable. We had a lovely view of Mt Ruapehu and were lucky enough to have beautiful weather. The staff were friendly and helpful. The only issue I had was the meal at night - the set menu was quite limited and the meals sounded good but didn't quite come to expectation. They were beautifully presented but just weren't very tasty. I also enjoy potatoes with my meal and there were none. I love broccoli but it was too hard. Please don't see this as a complaint as such - but this is one area I would like to see improve for us to come back. Having said all of this - we enjoyed the breakfast - great range and well done. Very efficient service. Again - we loved our stay - it really is a very special place - the building and interior decoration is superb and the location is stunning! We would love to come back.

We stayed in a 2bed cabin. It was a little outdated and we felt it needed a little maintenance. The bathroom floor felt as though there may have been a hole under the lino. The water pressure in the shower was poor, but the room served its purpose. The room was large enough for the 3 of us, with plenty of space for our ski gear - definitely could have accommodated another 1-2 people. The room was very tidy when we arrived, it was warm and the beds were very comfortable - nice and firm. We were also very lucky to have checked in a little earlier than our expected 3pm arrival. The staff, while always busy, were lovely to deal with. The buffet breakfast had a great variety and was priced well. We thought possibly there could be more of a family break out area, with game consoles, board games and pool tables - for late afternoon or early evenings when your not quite ready to settle in for the night. But overall, we enjoyed our stay and we would stay again.

Restore this beautiful building. Have stayed many times and loved this hotel. Also the afternoon teas and lunches. We pull down buildings that should stay.....look what we did to Queen St Auckland. All those theatres now gone, a boring place to visit. Save this icon in this beautiful location.

Our stay was magical. It's like stepping back in time. If you can't appreciate it's history it's not for you. The staff, every single one were exceptional. Food, drinks, cocktails were first class. Highly recommend the breakfast buffet and the drinks voucher package for your stay. The the movie theater had good variety for everyone. There is also a play area for young children. The pool and sauna were another fabulous highlight. Surrounded by beautiful walking tracks, so close to the mountain, and easy drive to local surrounding towns

We booked the Chateau for our first anniversary celebration. It was a disappointment. We waited over an hour for dinner mains to be served, but tables around us who ordered the same meals got served first. Our dinner reservation was at 8PM, this was after the peak dinner service. They even forgot the drink we ordered. Food was fine but definitely not worth the wait. Around 4pm, we requested for the pillows. We followed up at 7pm then was informed just before 8pm that there was no available pillow case for what I wanted but my husbands order was delivered. Noted that the staff was clutching the pillow to his body when it was delivered, so the pillow smelled strongly of perfume. The room was dusty and the curtains were stained. With the reviews saying the same things, I would question the hotel's 4 star rating. The only good thing about the hotel was its location.

Grand old lady of a hotel and wonderful to see many of the original features retained. The ground floor lobby/bar and ante rooms are the jewels. We spent a lovely evening sunken in deep couches in front of the fire. Had friends with us and met some nice people we chose to have drinks there and eat as well. Drink service very slow and erratic. Had to double sign when we got a second round with good so were concerned we'd been double charged ( we weren't but that wasn't explained well). Had chicken pizza which tasted and looked microwaved - blah at $26. Club sandwich with fries much better for friends. Rooms varied. In heritage block the bathrooms are dated but clean. Good beds but mattress protector under the topper pad so not so hygienic. Clean and comfortable though. Changed first room as was musty and only had double not king bed. Newer block at back have better bathrooms but less views. Had dinner 2nd night in Ruapehu Room. Very grand. Excellent food - we had lamb for two - delicious. Overall good value. Historic venue. Stunning views of mountain. Snowed overnight do that was a plus. Staff service could be a lot better.

I just absolutely adored this historical hotel: its old, quirky, vintage, has a few creaks, but you still got love how they've kept up this place to maintain the nostalgic charm of this "built in 1927" hotel...that's right, its a 92 year old building! It has the look and feel of the old grand hotels you'd see in a 1930s movie, like a all the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers movies. I paid for the "Bed and Breakfast" package which cost me a reasonable $170US/night for Friday and Saturday. The luxurious and elegant room was spacious and romantic, and even came with a complimentary bottle of champagne from the manager to help us celebrate our 20th anniversary. Everything seemed new and pristine, but still had a touch of its classic heritage. The vast breakfast buffet in the mornings had a great variety of food selections and drinks. At night the main lobby and lounge area becomes a lovely social setting complete with a live pianist, classic pool table, and cocktails. Downstairs is a small but free cinema that plays six movies a day. The main restaurant serves good food with great service, and the side cafe is cheaper and just as good since it all comes from the same kitchen. Some folks will complain about the prices, but relative to America I'd say its a bit cheaper for level, especially for the wine! Not sure when I'll ever make it back to New Zealand, but I'd definitely love to stay here again!

We stayed here with the intention of hiking the Tongariro Crossing; & since we were on our honeymoon we figured a super fancy hotel would be a luxury to treat ourselves...instead we felt like the poor cabin immigrants on the Titanic watching the rich row off with lifeboats. The staff at check in seemed indifferent to us as guests, let alone honeymooners. We couldn't locate our room because the weird numbering system, and they treated us like it was super obvious and they were annoyed to direct us. Inside the room our tv volume didn't work, but they didn't bother to fix it, despite numerous calls (this was important since 1. we attempted to ask traveling questions like sights nearby, places to eat, places to get snacks or shop and they acted like us suggesting leaving the hotel was ludicrous. & 2. When it was snowing, they decided they wouldn't run the hiking shuttles, and then they had signs up hire a guide they wouldn't give us a phone number for the local guides, and kept saying no help. We were also told even though we didn't know you had to make dinner reservations, in an empty hotel, we were too late to make reservations and they would let us know in a few hours if they could ft us in, so by that time we just drove 40 minutes away to another town to eat. (Did I mention there is nothing around for miles and they don't care because you're supposed to just be super rich and buy everything from them). The Pihanga cafe was where we ate day two (with our reservation) in a basement-like room with a bar in a poorly ventilated side room -- is a bit cheaper and was delicious so it worked out, but it's out in a strange area where they do make it feel like you're going to the poor kitchen and they don't pay attention to you down there (aka slow service)

Nice hotel in the middle of the national park, colonial style, nice breakfast, good size room. It has one restaurant, and reservation is recommended. The food and the wine in this restaurant is quite good, but that is if you are patient enough to wait. We waited a long time for our meal, it might be that this particular night was very busy. Breakfast is good, and has 3 price categories. The most expensive category being $26 NZ dollars. I liked their sausage and different kinds of yogurt.

We didn't even stay at this hotel but came back for 3 meals! Do yourself a favor and order the Lamb for 2. That was the best lamb that we had on our 3 week Honeymoon...might have been the best lamb that we had in our lives. It was so good we came back the 2nd night and had the Chateaubriand which was fantastic too. Make sure to make a reservation for dinner because they get packed! We also did high tea the next morning - make a reservation for this too! Got there first thing in the morning in order to get the best seat in the house. Right next to the window just in time to watch the clouds clear and see Mt. Doom. That was my first time trying high tea but my wife said that it was one of the better ones that she had tried. We also watched a movie in the movie theater downstairs. Next time we visit we will have to stay at this hotel!

We had one of the older rooms on our honeymoon- the room is a bit dated but really charming (spacious but the bathroom could benefit from some updated ammenities). It's the only place around but you don't feel like you're stranded (and the common areas are quite inviting with a cozy fire and plush furniture to relax on while reading a book or meeting other guests). The restaurant downstairs takes you back to the age of "dining" with good food and an attentive wait staff in an upscale setting. They do have a dress code so just be prepared to dress up a little. We tried high tea on a lark before leaving-it's a fun experience if you've never done it before.

Exceptional service from the front desk. I wasn't staying there as a guest but they were able to give me directions on the Alpine Crossing on a day when there seemed to be no information anywhere, at an hour when the information center wasn't open. Will stay here if I'm ever in the region again.

A famous old hotel with its charms and quirks, such as door handles at the level of your bellybutton, a maze of staircases, and older style architecture. Could be a scene from the Shining! The carpet and some of the features just seem outdated and dingy though. The rooms are small, the bathrooms could use renovation. They do not bring your bags up to your room for you or offer you luggage carts. They also advertise a "spa" with dipping pool and sauna. The sauna wasn't working when we were there and the dipping pool is lukewarm -- refreshing but not like a hot tub. But, the location is great, and there isn't much else around, so this is probably your best option. But might be better just to visit for a drink in the lobby. The Ruapehu room is famous for brunch and high tea, but does not seem nice enough to warrant the expensive prices. The Pihanga cafe is in a basement-like room with a bar in a poorly ventilated side room -- is a bit cheaper but honestly is not worth the price. Does share a kitchen with the Ruapehu room though. The third option is the Tavern just down the street, which is much more relaxed and affordable.

PIHANGA CAFE AND T-BAR Suggest going to the downstairs restaurant. Better prices and the same excellent food preparation as upstairs.

Had a really good buffet meal in the evening. Good service, good choice of food and excellent surroundings. Must visit again. The whole stay overnight was a super experience. Sauna and plunge pool too.

When we first checked in I was a little creeped out because there was a definite 1920s feel and since we were in the middle of nowhere, it reminded me of the Shining. I quickly got over that. The room was nice except you could hear everything going on in the room next to you. Had two dinners here and both were good. The one in the nice restaurant was the best. Breakfast buffet was ok. Second day we ordered poached eggs which were great. The lobby was magnificent. Old style and a real fire place that was toasty to sit in front of. Also stunning views out the windows.

This place is past its prime. You can tell that it was once a luxury hotel but now it is run-down and the food is mediocre. The hotel needs a major renovation. The downstairs restaurant, i.e.basement, is just awful but your only choice unless you want to pay premium prices for basically the same menu in the dining room. Since there are no other restaurants nearby, you have to eat at the hotel. This hotel is also your only choice for lodging in the area so if you are touring the nation park, you need to stay here or camp.

Stayed here for two nights in April. Check-in was okay, but the staff seemed pretty indifferent. The room was nice, but the headboard of the bed had a very bad smell (so we slept the other way). The location is perfect (very close to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing - 10 minutes by car), and the hotel has some pretty nice facilities i.e. a cinema. The fitnessroom is a joke. The restaurant has a dresscode, which just means no flipflops, tanktops and hiking gear, which is fair. The food is very good and the prices are okay.

We had a very enjoyable meal here after a tough day of hiking. Did the Tongariro pass hike. I think we were a bit past our prime for this type of hike. The hotel is modeled after the Hotel in Banif Nat'l Park. Very old world and charming. Meal was a tad expensive, but the food was good. Fantastic glass of wine sitting in the lobby looking at the volcano in the Nat'l Park. Absolutely fabulous view. Can't always see it, because often covered with clouds.

This place was awesome! Driving up the road, it appears stark against the snowy peak. We had a third floor room facing the mountains, and we sat there for multiple hours just admiring how great the view was. We did dinner at Tussock (good!) and breakfast in the dining room (a great deal!$. Our room was spacious and had a soaking tub. The hotel is very old, and we could hear everything in the adjacent rooms. Bring ear plugs or a white noice app if you're a light sleeper!

Beautiful building, but very disappointed with the service. We traveled as a group and reception gave us the wrong room. An 'special' holiday surcharge was added to our bill, which wasn't mention till check out. Restaurant couldn't find our booking - done weeks prior to arrival. Staff were friendly, but completely under trained. Looks like management is not doing a good job at training their staff. I don't recommend staying here... amazing views, but not worth all the hassle they put us through.

The Chateau Tongariro is a unique treasure, a grand hotel and ski lodge located in the middle of nowhere. If you've ever wanted to stay in Wes Anderson's Grand Budapest, this may be as close as you can come. Even though the old building is starting to show its years in many ways, it's still a beautiful experience. I especially enjoyed the sun-filled conservatory, although the restaurant and bar were awesome as well. The cinema downstairs would be great for kids, as would the huge lawn out front. The only drawback I saw was the lack of dining options in and around Whakapapa Village, so be prepared to shell out for the still-expensive café. In my opinion, though, it's worth every penny.

We've stayed here before. We really like this property, it's the best in the area. Pros: Friendly welcoming staff. Nice comfortable, well equipped rooms (kettle, iron, glasses, cups etc), wifi (1G free). The beauty of this place, inside and out, makes you smile from the time you arrive until you leave. The property has a "cinema room" showing movies for much of the afternoon and evening. Sauna, pool, laundry, fitness...hard to find anything it doesn't have. Fine dining Restaurant (Ruapehu Room). Bars and lounges, cafes, billiards table, games for kids, fireplaces, soft sofas and deep chairs, tables in very, very large common areas. Cons: There are little things that make me give 4 rather then 5 stars. In our bathroom, one of the two light bulbs over the sink was burned out on arrival. Something that should have been obvious to housekeeping. The "facial tissue" dispenser in the bathroom was empty on our arrival...again something that should have been obvious to housekeeping. I approached a staff member in the breakfast dining area (there's a great breakfast buffet) and asked "how much does the breakfast buffet cost?" He was working the breakfast buffet...he said "Sorry, I really don't know." (as a minimum, each staff member working the breakfast buffet should know how much it costs or know where a price sheet can be found...he didn't know either and the staff member manning the desk was no where to be found). While inside the elevator on the ground floor, I saw that the 1st floor had the "Pihanga Cafe and Bar"...I decided to exit on the first floor and follow the signs to the "Pihanga." I wound my way thru the corridors (many) following the signs...then to a closed door... I opened the door to discover steps going down and a sign, reassuring me that I was on the right track to the Pihanga. I descended more than 30 steps...another corridor...finally "THE PIHANGA" !!! It was closed...door locked, I could peer into the darkened bar and cafe...seems nice...unfortunately the only way back to the lobby was hiking the steps....and following the maze of corridors. Perhaps the many many signs showing the way to the Pihanga could be accompanied by a sign stating the hours of operation. Pro's and Con's in one: In the fine dining restaurant, one of our party had the "French onion soup" ... it was so salty as to be inedible (and uncharacteristically, it didn't have any cheese in it...) On the "pro" side, they took it back without question and removed it from the bill. Another person in our party had the tomato based soup...again too salty to eat, she left it uneaten but wouldn't ask that it be returned to the kitchen. Two of us had the chateaubriand...it was excellent in every way....one in our party had the salmon...his reaction was that it was "OK...at best." Our desserts were uniformly great. We were pleased with the wine list as well...not the biggest we've seen but contained wines which were great representatives of their varietals. Would I come here again...you bet! Would I recommend it...again "yes." It's just not perfect...yet.