What a delightful place. Rus & Pat would have to be two of the most accommodating, lovely people I have met for ages. They have a passion for making your stay perfect. Mineral spring hot tub out the back under cover. Very private Rus sets it up & in you hop. They also gave us a glass of wine to have in the spa. The gardens are lovely. The room (we had the room with balcony) was beautiful the bathroom spotless. Breakfast I could not start to tell you how good it was. These people know how to run a B & B & are like having your own private tour advisers on what to see & do. Yet in a way are not in your face. If you get the chance stay!!

We've never met hosts which were so kind and helpfull than Pat & Russ.
if I ever would go back to New-Zealand I'll definately go to Pat & Russ and for a longer stay in their B&B.
My wife and I, will never forget their kindness.
many thanks to Pat & Russ

Walter & Lutgart

This gem of a B&B is set on a slight incline giving spectacular views of Lake Taupo about 2-3 minutes’ drive from the centre of Taupo itself. Our hosts, Pat & Russ, gave us a very warm welcome on arrival and while we sipped tea and eat homemade buns they provided valuable local tourist information and maps.

We stayed in the Lake Room which was spotlessly clean, overlooked the lake and had a private terrace with table and chairs. We had an adjoining lounge with television/dvd player if we chose to relax, but one of the novelty features of this B&B is the geothermal spa pool, the water for which is supplied from the underground volcanic activity, so it never goes cold. Brilliant. The additional personal touches such as fresh flowers in the bedroom and cold drinks in the room’s mini fridge are just examples of the extra mile these hosts go to ensure a very comfortable and memorable stay.

We chose to have the full breakfast which was superb and included everything you could want. From the fresh fruit, stewed fruit, cereal & cooked food, it really set us up for the day.

This is a first class B&B with excellent hosts in Pat & Russ. If you intend to stay in Taupo, try Ambleside and I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. We certainly weren’t and wished we could have stayed longer. Thank you Pat & Russ, from A & J.

Russ and Pat’s home is beautiful, clean and comfortable and our room had a gorgeous view of Lake Taupo and a spacious balcony to enjoy it from.. It is also well situated for doing things in the area – being walking distance to a botanical garden, a short drive to town and other activities. But what makes Ambleside stand out so much from any other place we’ve been is Russ and Pat themselves. We never felt more at home while travelling than at Ambleside. We visited Taupo because we wanted to hike the Tongariro Crossing and friends recommended Ambleside in Taupo. While we never made it to Tonagiro (closed due to high winds on the day our planned hike), Russ and Pat gave good recommendations for other things to do including the Huka Falls hike we enjoyed. Breakfasts were excellent, there is a geothermal hot tub to relax in with a complimentary glass of sauvignon blanc to enjoy. Pat made the best tea-cookies I’ve ever had and left them in the room (as well as giving me some when I left!). Russ and Pat were excellent hosts making us feel like close friends or family the whole time. They even went to watch me bungy jump after I checked out. Russ noted humorously that they tested the bungy *after* I jumped. My wife & I hope come back to Taupo to see the many things we missed …. and to stay at Ambleside again.
Thanks Russ and Pat - from Hank and Maggie - for a wonderful stay and memories.