I've stayed in some fancy hotels, and this is one of the best.
The excellence comes from both the building and the staff.
The building is a star. A massive riverside Swiss chalet with rafters and handrails made out of whole tree trunks. It creaks a little. The rooms are large and well-furnished (though rather gloomily lit) and the wifi works well.
The astonishing pool (36 C) is a subterranean grotto of wood with bar stools, and an unusual tiled dome of a slide.
Then there's the staff. They are all so warm and pleasant and willing to help, and so enthusiastic about the lovely place in which they live. Yes, ALL OF THEM. One of them decided that a single person in a double room deserved breakfast to be included even though I hadn't paid for it. I had various requests (can my grandchildren come and have a swim even though they are staying somewhere else? Yes, no charge. Can I check out but take a hotel towel with me and have a swim in the river and then use the pool afterwards? Of course. Can you put my bike somewhere safe tonight? Yes, follow me, we'll put it next door.)
Breakfast was excellent, with a good continental buffet including home-made toasted muesli, stewed plums, pastries, and an assortment of cooked things. I had dinner here three times. This was a high standard of cooking (modern multicultural NZ )....I've stayed in some fancy hotels, and this is one of the best.
The excellence comes from both the building and the staff.
The building is a star. A massive riverside Swiss chalet with rafters and handrails made out of whole tree trunks. It creaks a little. The rooms are large and well-furnished (though rather gloomily lit) and the wifi works well.
The astonishing pool (36 C) is a subterranean grotto of wood with bar stools, and an unusual tiled dome of a slide.
Then there's the staff. They are all so warm and pleasant and willing to help, and so enthusiastic about the lovely place in which they live. Yes, ALL OF THEM. One of them decided that a single person in a double room deserved breakfast to be included even though I hadn't paid for it. I had various requests (can my grandchildren come and have a swim even though they are staying somewhere else? Yes, no charge. Can I check out but take a hotel towel with me and have a swim in the river and then use the pool afterwards? Of course. Can you put my bike somewhere safe tonight? Yes, follow me, we'll put it next door.)
Breakfast was excellent, with a good continental buffet including home-made toasted muesli, stewed plums, pastries, and an assortment of cooked things. I had dinner here three times. This was a high standard of cooking (modern multicultural NZ ). It was definitely the the best cooking in Ohakapune, though it's likely there are more alternatives in winter -- many restaurants were closed during my stay.
If you are using the train to get to Ohakune, Powderhorn is very close. It's a couple of kilometres from "town', but by a pleasant walk (choice of houses or riverside). If you don't have a car, I recommend renting a bike for your stay. This will make getting into town a lot faster and easier.More
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