Staying at the Prince's Gate Hotel in Rotorua

Grant Bradley and Estelle Sarney check into one of NZ's best-known hotels

Check-in experience:

A fantastic step into history. This hotel traces its origins back 120 years to a site 150km north of Rotorua in Waihi. It's been a Rotorua landmark for the past century after being moved there nail by nail, board by board. The (Lizzie) Marvelly family owned it for a while. We were welcomed in a grand lobby by friendly check-in staff, who tried the age-old hospitality trick of trying to sell us a $75 dinner and cabaret. No sale this time.

Room:

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A one-bedroom suite in a slightly retro apartment block next to the historic wooden hotel. We booked the night before for $175. The rooms in the old hotel are generally smaller but have more of that 120-year-old feel about them. Our suite had facilities for rustling up a decent meal if you wanted — a range, fridge, microwave and plenty of crockery and cutlery. Someone on TripAdvisor gave the closets a bad rap — how could you diss a place that provides an iron, an ironing board and plenty of space to hang garments?

What's in the neighbourhood?

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Everything you would want to do in Rotorua central, even if you didn't have a car. The Government Gardens, Polynesian Pools and the rapidly improving Eat Streat are an easy walk.

Food and drink:

The hotel's lovely bar runs a happy hour between 4.30pm and 6pm and offers good local beers. We passed on the banquet and cabaret, instead heading to a splendid South American barbecue restaurant up Arawa St. A full breakfast for $30 each at the hotel was OK, the setting great but the food so-so.

The bed:

A double — comfy enough but a bit small.

The view:

A nice line-up of maples just starting to turn colour. The exterior had the feel of a European mews.

Bathroom:

Large — a bath with a shower above it. Shampoos and soaps were there.

Room service:

Not necessary, as so many all-hours' dining options nearby. The mini bar offered a bottle of wine for under $30 and a Heineken for $8.

Value for money:

Fantastic spot, great room and facilities, friendly staff, but look elsewhere for breakfast and a bigger bed.

Facilities:

We made the most of the thermally heated pools out the back. There's free Wi-Fi and marvellous lounges. We heard the final (aka death) throes of the cabaret and it didn't sound great, but maybe that's just us. Bring back Lizzie!

Perfect for:

Getting a taste of fascinating history, enjoying a comfy room, in-house hot pools and being a walk away from Rotorua's great central attractions.

Would I return?

For the right price.

CHECKLIST

Prince's Gate Hotel is at 1057 Arawa Street, Rotorua. Phone: 0800 500 705.