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Kowhai motel

2.0 star property
Motel near Polynesian Spa in Rotorua

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Photo gallery for Kowhai motel

Hot springs
2 indoor pools, outdoor pool
Garden
2 indoor pools, outdoor pool
City Apartment | Private spa tub

Reviews

8.2 out of 10
Very good

Popular amenities

  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Room service
  • Housekeeping
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

View in a map
1232 Ranolf St, Rotorua, Bay of Plenty, 3010
  • Place, Rotorua Night Market
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Place, Rotorua Central Mall
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Place, Eat Street
    ‪8 min walk‬
  • Airport, Rotorua (ROT-Rotorua Regional)
    ‪10 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Premium Studio

Premium Studio | Desk, blackout drapes, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Premium Studio

8.4 out of 10
Very good
(5 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Business Apartment, 1 Bedroom

Desk, blackout drapes, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Business Apartment, 1 Bedroom

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)
  • 495 sq ft
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Twin Beds and 1 King Bed

View all photos for Deluxe Suite

Deluxe Suite | Desk, blackout drapes, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Deluxe Suite

  • 484 sq ft
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Queen Bed and 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Comfort Apartment

Comfort Apartment | Desk, blackout drapes, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Comfort Apartment

  • 484 sq ft
  • 2 bedrooms
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Queen Bed and 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Family Apartment

Desk, blackout drapes, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Family Apartment

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Sleeps 5
  • 1 Queen Bed, 1 Twin Bed and 1 Twin Bunk Bed

View all photos for Economy Apartment

Desk, blackout drapes, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Economy Apartment

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(4 reviews)
  • 646 sq ft
  • 2 bedrooms
  • Sleeps 6
  • 2 Twin Beds and 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Premium Suite

Premium Suite | Desk, blackout drapes, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Premium Suite

  • 3 bedrooms
  • City view
  • Sleeps 10
  • 6 Twin Beds and 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for City Apartment

City Apartment | Desk, blackout drapes, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

City Apartment

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Queen Bed and 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for One Bedroom Apartment With Kitchen

Private kitchen | Stovetop, dishwasher, toaster, highchair

One Bedroom Apartment With Kitchen

  • Sleeps 4

View all photos for One-Bedroom Apartment With Spa Bath

Desk, blackout drapes, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

One-Bedroom Apartment With Spa Bath

  • Sleeps 4

Studio With Kitchen

  • Sleeps 2

View all photos for Three-bedroom

Desk, blackout drapes, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Three-bedroom

  • Sleeps 10

View all photos for Two-Bedroom Unit

Desk, blackout drapes, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Two-Bedroom Unit

  • Sleeps 4

View all photos for Two-Bedroom Apartment With Air Conditioner

Desk, blackout drapes, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Two-Bedroom Apartment With Air Conditioner

  • Sleeps 6

Superior Apartment

  • Sleeps 6

Family Apartment

  • Sleeps 5

Premium Suite

  • Sleeps 10

Comfort Apartment

  • Sleeps 4

City Apartment

  • Sleeps 4

About the neighborhood

Rotorua

City center stay.Within a 10-minute walk of this Inner City motel, you'll find Kuirau Park and Rotorua Central Mall. Rotorua Night Market and Waimangu Cauldron are also within half a mile (1 km).
View more Motels in RotoruaOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Kuirau Park - 2 min walk - 0.1 miles
  • Rotorua Night Market - 5 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • Rotorua Central Mall - 5 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • Eat Street - 8 min walk - 0.5 miles
  • Tamaki Maori Village - 10 min walk - 0.5 miles

Getting around

  • Rotorua (ROT-Rotorua Regional) - 13 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Poco. - ‬7 min walk
  • ‪Thai Central Restaurant Rotorua - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Chinese Delights - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪Pig & Whistle - ‬7 min walk
  • ‪Chicking - ‬7 min walk

About this property

Kowhai motel

Motel near Polynesian Spa in Rotorua
As a guest of Kowhai motel, you'll find 2 indoor swimming pools and an outdoor pool. Public spaces have free WiFi. Self parking is free.

This Rotorua motel is smoke free.

  • 12 guestrooms or units
  • Front desk (limited hours)
  • Storage area for luggage
  • No smoking on site
Kowhai motel offers 12 accommodations with hair dryers and irons/ironing boards. Kitchens offer stovetops, cookware/dishes/utensils, and dishwashers.

Bathrooms include showers with hydromassage showerheads. Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access (speed: 50+ Mbps). Housekeeping is provided daily.

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Indoor pool, 2 outdoor pools
Ambassador Thermal Motel
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  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
4.2 out of 5, Very Good, 598 reviews
$75 nightly
The price is $87
Jan 31 - Feb 1
Total with taxes and fees
Ambassador Thermal Motel

Property amenities

Family friendly

  • 2 indoor pools
  • High chair
  • In-room kitchen
  • Outdoor pool

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • In-room WiFi speed: 50+ Mbps
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Free uncovered self parking on site

Things to do

  • 2 indoor pools
  • Outdoor pool

Accessibility

  • No elevator
  • Thin carpet in room

Room amenities

Entertainment

  • Cable/satellite channels

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided
  • Blackout drapes

Bathroom

  • Hair dryer
  • Hydromassage showerhead
  • Shower
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Kitchen
  • Limited room service
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

More

  • Desk
  • Iron/ironing board

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 9:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 15

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open daily from 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
This property doesn't offer after-hours check-in
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
  • Cribs (infant beds) are not available.

Property payment types

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards, and cash
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB International, Union Pay, debit cards, and cash.

We should mention

  • Pool access available from 7:30 AM to 10:00 AM.

National rating

Property class, provided by our rating system, is based on property type, amenities, and services.

Property is also known as

Kowhai motel Motel
Kowhai motel Rotorua
Kowhai motel Motel Rotorua

Frequently asked questions

How close is Kowhai motel to the airport?

Kowhai motel is 5.9 mi (13-min drive) away from the Rotorua (ROT-Rotorua Regional) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

Does Kowhai motel have an airport shuttle?

Airport shuttle services are not available at Kowhai motel.

Does Kowhai motel offer free breakfast?

Kowhai motel does not offer free breakfast.

Is there a casino at Kowhai motel?

No, there is no casino at this motel.

What time is check-in at Kowhai motel?

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 9:00 PM.

Is there free parking at Kowhai motel?

This motel offers free self parking.

Does Kowhai motel have a pool?

Kowhai motel features 2 indoor pools and an outdoor pool. Guests can enjoy pool access from 7:30 AM to 10:00 AM.

Does Kowhai motel have a spa?

There are no spa services available at this motel.

How close is Kowhai motel to downtown Rotorua?

Kowhai motel is 0.2 mi away from Rotorua.

Kowhai motel Reviews

Reviews

8.2

Very Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 24 out of 53 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 13 out of 53 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 11 out of 53 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 3 out of 53 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 2 out of 53 reviews

8.0/10

Cleanliness

8.6/10

Staff & service

8.0/10

Amenities

7.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

6/10 Okay

Kenny

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Harrison

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

6/10 Okay

Rawinia

Liked: Staff & service
.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

diane

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
It was comfortable enough. The king size bed was hard and uncomfortable, my only complaint
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

6/10 Okay

Caroline

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness
This motel had everything we needed for a short stay…comfy beds, clean unit and the mineral plunge pool was great. The unit is a bit run down…a few small changes would make a huge difference….Milo or hot chocolate sachets, light fixtures updated, towel rails and the shower boxes are really in need of replacing
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Tanea

Traveled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
we have stayed here before and loved it
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mareta

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
We were granted an early check in as the room was available, kids loved the heated pool (and so did I), it was a bonus to have a spa pool with our room but hot water was not working so great, although it was warm enough for the kids. Pleasant staff, quiet place despite being near the CBC. Beds were comfortable and room was warm.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Erin

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
SO nice and warm in the winter. The heated pool is a great feature for the kids. Perfect size apartment for the price. It is a bit dated but the price reflects that also. Would definitely stay for a quick trip again :)
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

8/10 Good

Paul

Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveler

Disliked: Staff & service
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

8/10 Good

David

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Convenient. Friendly and accommodating staff
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

M V

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Excelente

Confortável, limpo, espaçoso, pessoas gentis. Atendeu muito bem a todas as minhas necessidades.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

4/10 Poor

Janine

Traveled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Was not the room I had chosen on the website, very disappointed. Photos on sites should be true to what you are expecting and paying for! The area of motel was great as it was central to lots of things.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

Brett

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Overall I enjoyed my stay. A nice warm room with everything I needed. Very conveniently located to local shops and restaurants etc. Just a little noise created by Saturday evening traffic on the busy road fronting the motel
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

Cindy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Really lovely helpful staff and owners, also liked the book swap!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

6/10 Okay

Kylie

Traveled with partner
Disliked: Amenities
Comfortable space for average cost
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

6/10 Okay

Brian

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness
Room layout was interesting. Parking was very tight, hard to park and get out of lot
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kevan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great room and friendly staff . Highly recommended
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

6/10 Okay

Stephanie

Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Roy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

2/10 Terrible

Ashvyn

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Poor customer service
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Bruce

Business traveler, Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Friendly staff Quiet
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

Adrienne

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Alon

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Alice

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
As a family of four with 2 school aged kids we really enjoyed our stay. While a bit dated looking the warm pool and mineral baths were a wonderful way to start and end the day. The staff were friendly and helpful. The location was great for walking to the public central thermal pools and the lake not too far a walk away too. The beds were comfortable and the facilities in the apartment good. We would definitely stay again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025