Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery

3.0 star property
Enjoy the free WiFi at this 3-star Piopio motel

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery

Garden
Bar (on property)
Outdoor dining
Room | Free WiFi, bed sheets
Queen Room | Room amenity

Reviews

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful

Popular amenities

  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Business services
  • Bar

Explore the area

View in a map
12 Ruru Street, Piopio, Waikato, 3912
  • Place, Big Shearer
    ‪19 min drive‬
  • Place, Te Kuititanga-O-Nga-Whakaaro
    ‪19 min drive‬
  • Place, Waitomo Glowworm Caves
    ‪36 min drive‬

Room options

Queen & Single Room

  • Sleeps 3
  • Free WiFi

Queen Room

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
(4 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed
  • Free WiFi

Twin Room

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(18 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Twin Beds
  • Free WiFi

Queen & Single Room

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(5 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed and 1 Twin Bed
  • Free WiFi

Family Room

  • Sleeps 5
  • 1 Queen Bed and 3 Twin Beds
  • Free WiFi

Room

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free WiFi

King + Sofa Bed

  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Twin Sofa Bed
  • Free WiFi

Queen Room

  • Sleeps 2
  • Free WiFi

Twin Room

  • Sleeps 2
  • Free WiFi

About the neighborhood

Piopio

In Piopio .You'll be within 9 miles (15 km) of Tainui Historical Society Museum and 16 miles (25 km) of Big Shearer. Te Kuititanga-O-Nga-Whakaaro is within 20 miles (32 km) and Waitomo Glowworm Caves is within 32 miles (52 km).

What's nearby

  • Big Shearer - 19 min drive - 17.2 miles
  • Te Kuititanga-O-Nga-Whakaaro - 19 min drive - 17.2 miles
  • Altura Gardens & Wildlife Park - 35 min drive - 30.9 miles
  • Waitomo Glowworm Caves - 36 min drive - 31.4 miles
  • Woodlyn Park - 37 min drive - 31.4 miles

Getting around

  • Auckland Intl. Airport (AKL) - 159 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Fat Pigeon Cafe - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Clover Leaf Cafe - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Pio Pio Orchard - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Piopio Cosmopolitan Club - ‬4 min walk

About this property

Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery

Enjoy the free WiFi at this 3-star Piopio motel
There's a restaurant on site. You can enjoy a drink at the bar/lounge. WiFi is free in public spaces. Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery also features barbecue grills, a garden, and a picnic area. Self parking is free.

This 3-star Piopio motel is smoke free.

  • 10 guestrooms or units
  • Charging station for electric cars
  • Breakfast available (surcharge)
  • Self-service laundry
  • Front desk (24 hours)
  • Express check-in
  • Express check-out
  • Storage area for luggage
  • Garden
  • BBQ grill(s)
  • Outdoor picnic space
  • No smoking on site
  • Bar or lounge
  • 1 conference room
  • Dining venue
Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery offers 10 accommodations with coffee/tea makers and hair dryers. Flat-screen televisions come with satellite channels.

Bathrooms include showers and complimentary toiletries. Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access. Housekeeping is provided daily.

Similar properties

Property amenities

Family friendly

  • Laundry facilities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Electric car charging station on site
  • Free self parking on site
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking available

Food and drink

  • Daily continental breakfast available for a fee: NZD 10 per person
  • A bar/lounge
  • A restaurant

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking

Room amenities

Entertainment

  • Flat-screen TV with satellite channels

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker

More

  • Heating

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 2:00 PM
Express check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM
Express check-out available

Special check-in instructions

Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

  • No pets allowed, but service animals are welcome

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Fee for continental breakfast: approximately NZD 10.00 per person

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

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
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
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 and Mastercard. For guests' safety, the property includes a fire extinguisher in each accommodation.

National rating

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

Property is also known as

Owls Nest Motel Piopio
Owls Nest Motel
Owls Nest Piopio
Owls Nest Motel
Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery Motel
Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery Piopio
Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery Motel Piopio

Frequently asked questions

How close is Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery to the airport?

Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery is 131.1 mi (159-min drive) away from the Auckland Intl. Airport (AKL) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

How much does it cost to stay at Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery?

As of Jun 5, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery on Jun 26, 2026 start from $63, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

Does Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery have an airport shuttle?

Airport shuttle services are not available at Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery.

Does Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery offer free breakfast?

Free breakfast isn’t provided at Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery, but continental breakfast is offered for a fee of NZD 10.00 per person.

Is there a casino at Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery?

No, there is no casino at this motel.

What time is check-in at Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery?

Check-in begins at 2:00 PM.

Is there free parking at Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery?

This motel offers free self parking.

Does Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery have a pool?

Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery does not have a pool.

Does Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery have a restaurant?

Yes, there is a restaurant on site.

Does Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery have a spa?

There are no spa services available at this motel.

How close is Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery to downtown Piopio?

Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery is 0.1 mi away from Piopio.

Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery Reviews

Reviews

9.0

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 120 out of 222 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 80 out of 222 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 16 out of 222 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 5 out of 222 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 222 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

9.2/10

Staff & service

8.8/10

Amenities

8.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Hetal

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Comfortable stay. Visited with family and was not disappointed with the accomodations.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Andrew

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
A welcoming, comfortable environment where we felt right at home!
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
Verified

8/10 Good

Ivar

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Yes and good staff
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Raewyn

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Room was comfortable, food and drinks in the restaurant excellent and the staff was lovely. Manager Dee fantastic. Thank you for another lovely stay
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Peter

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Spotless roomand facilities, great staff. Communal kitchen and lounge area were a fabulous bonus. And toast, cereal and coffee at any time in the kitchen.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2026
Verified

8/10 Good

Carol

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Very quaint and quite setting. Absolutely loved the ambiance. Lots of character.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026
Verified

8/10 Good

Nicola

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Nice room, good restaurant on site, friendly staff,
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Julia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Awesome spot. Staff so very friendly. Clean and loved the styling.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Alastair

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The room was clean and adequate for an overnight stay. Staff were helpful. The bar and eatery was closed the night we were there but the Fat Pigeon around the corner was exceptional for a small town.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
Verified

8/10 Good

Shruti

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Perfect for our 1 night stopover to New Plymouth.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Terry

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great stay
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2023
Verified

8/10 Good

Michael

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Nice room and stuff
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Wayne

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Fantastic place to stay like staying with old friends Food and service out of this world Highly recomend staying here
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Pik Wai

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
nice hotel and nice food
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023
Verified

8/10 Good

Emma

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Nice tidy rooms, friendly staff. Great proximity to the pub!
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sue

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very friendly check-in, and pet friendly. Clean and quiet
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

ZHEN

Clean room,
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026
Verified

8/10 Good

Penny

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Love that it has the Bar a& Eatery which is why we stayed.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jeremy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The pub and restaurant was a big plus and the meals are quite nice
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ian

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Quiet, Clean excellent dining options. Perfect for an overnight stay or when exploring the area.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Christine

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Just so flean and quite
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sven

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Excellent stop over accomodation
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Matthew R

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Breakfast is not available at the hotel, but there is a very nice bakery/Café one block around the corner
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025
Verified

6/10 Okay

Ange

Our stay was satisfactory
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kamalu

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very clean and staff was accommodating.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025