Our accommodation had been chosen for us, by family, and we were pleasantly surprised at the standard. The place was easy to find, and not far from the main drag (easily walkable), although far enough to be a quiet and peaceful place to stay. Not ever having done the motel thing before, we were more than pleased with the facilities: the room had plenty of space, the kitchenette was stocked with all the essentials (plates, pots, etc), and the bathroom and shower were spacious and clean. We have travelled to many places, and usually choose a 4 or 5 star hotel. However, this was far more impressive than most of the major chain hotels.
The adjacent pool and spas were an added bonus, and although we didn't get time to use the spa, the pool was wonderful, especially at 36 degrees celsius.
Being led by the Rough Guide to New Zealand, we arrived in Rotorua with a fair few things in mind to do. However, our hosts made further recommendations in response to this, suggesting that some places were better than those found in the guide. We followed their advice and had the time of our lives.
It was totally hassle free. We were booked on excursions and were picked up, all of which was taken care of by our hosts. All we had to do was sit back and enjoy the ride.
There is a lot to do in Rotorua, but taking the advice of those who know was the best thing we did.