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Ngongotaha Lakeside Lodge: Traveler Reviews

41 Operiana Street | Ngongotaha, Rotorua, New Zealand
Hotel amenities
Ngongotaha Lakeside Lodge
Ranked #13 of 47 Rotorua B&B and Inns
4.5 of 5 stars 42 Reviews
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42 reviews from our community

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Traveler rating
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Milwaukee
Top Contributor
95 reviews 95 reviews
Reviews in 50 cities Reviews in 50 cities
45 helpful votes 45 helpful votes
“Great Place to Get Away”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 26, 2009

We loved our two nights at Ngongotaha (especially once we learned to pronounce it!). We were upgraded to the beautiful king suite overlooking the lake and it was great. Lyndsay and Graham were fabulous hosts who were so helpful with suggestions and arrangements. We saw several sights that we wouldn't have found on our own but were recommended by Lindsay and they were well worth seeing! Breakfasts (freshly cooked trout! yum!) were delicious and fun because of the camaraderie of our fellow travelers and our hosts. It is outside of Rotorua, which makes it a bit of a drive for dinner and other attractions in town. However, it was nice to get away from the tourism and smell of Rotorua and relax at this delightful B & B.

  • Stayed April 2009, traveled as a couple
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask kayteeMilwaukee about Ngongotaha Lakeside Lodge
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Oxford, United Kingdom
Contributor
17 reviews 17 reviews
Reviews in 11 cities Reviews in 11 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
“Just perfect!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 25, 2009

I've travelled all over the world and have NEVER had such a good breakfast! I even found myself looking forward to the following morning so that I could eat again! Lindsay and Graeme are doing a brilliant job. Nothing is too much trouble. They offer a first rate, personal service, offering travel tips, suggestions for day trips, restaurant advice... as well as wonderful beds, a fabulous view, a great welcome and.... BRILLIANT breakfasts! What more could you want?
Prim and Chris UK

  • Stayed April 2009, traveled as a couple
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask chapeluser about Ngongotaha Lakeside Lodge
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
cheshire
Senior Contributor
25 reviews 25 reviews
Reviews in 15 cities Reviews in 15 cities
13 helpful votes 13 helpful votes
“Definitely worth booking for more than a couple of nights”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 14, 2009

Graham and Lyndsay are perfect hosts. They just cannot do enough for you, booking trips, answering questions knowledgeably and taking a strong interest in helping guests make the most from their stay. Graham is an expert fisherman and we had a great day out under his guidance. Lyndsay keeps a smart house and provides canapes and a glass of wine in the evening and a fantastic breakfast that will see you skipping lunch.

As for the accommodation, we stayed in the Queen room which is ensuite, very comfortable and having spent three nights at the Lakeside Lodge, we wished we had booked more. Yes, Rotorua is regarded as being smelly as it is in a geothermal area and sulphar gas does smell a bit, but Lakeside is far enough outside Rotorua that the smell doesn't reach there. And despitethe smell, there is just so much to see and do in the area that you may very well regret not booking more time.

Lakeside Lodge itself sits very close to the lake with magnificent views. The residents' lounge is very comfortable.

Highly rcommended - if I come back to Rotorua, I'd have no hesitation in coming back to Lakeside.

  • Stayed April 2009, traveled with friends
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask StuartCheshire about Ngongotaha Lakeside Lodge
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Arlington, VA
Contributor
15 reviews 15 reviews
Reviews in 14 cities Reviews in 14 cities
44 helpful votes 44 helpful votes
“A little disappointing, but fine for one night”
3 of 5 stars Reviewed April 10, 2009

I should start by saying we didn't visit under the best conditions -- it was gloomy and rainy, so there wasn't much of a lake view, and we didn't spend much waking time at the lodge. The hosts were not very outgoing, although they were helpful in arranging the Mitai Maori dinner and tour.

We stayed in the Wai Motu (king) room. The room itself was fine -- clean and comfortable -- but the door and the walls were thin. We could hear the people in the next room. There were some snacks left out for us, which was nice. The breakfast was good, but the host seemed put out by a request for iced coffee.

The location is indeed far enough out of Rotorua to avoid the sulphur smell, but it's not isolated. In fact, it's in a residential neighborhood with houses on either side -- not really what I was expecting. If we're ever lucky enough to be in the area again, I would try a different place -- this might be great if you're into fishing, but we aren't.

I don't really recommend the Maori tour, by the way -- it's 300 tourists all shoving each other out of the way so they can get a better picture. Also, it's very, very long, and you don't get dinner until a couple hours into the tour. The Maori cultural experience is very interesting, but it would have been a lot better with 50 people instead of 300.

  • Stayed November 2008, traveled as a couple
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 3 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 3 of 5 stars Service
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Ask mnkytourist about Ngongotaha Lakeside Lodge
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Washington, DC
Contributor
18 reviews 18 reviews
Reviews in 12 cities Reviews in 12 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
“Hidden gem on the lake”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed March 29, 2009

Stayed in the Queen room here one day in January with my wife heading south on the North Island. We had a limited amount of time so we could only stay the one day or I would have stayed more. Lyndsay & Graham were very gracious hosts and the giant breakfast was amazing, especially the muselix. Lyndsay also arranged for a whitewater rafting trip for us the next day which was about 20 minutes away. Lastly, if you like to fish, stay here and save money because you do not need to hire a fishing guide. Graham has several fly & spin cast rods you can use or you can bring your own. Walk 50 yards outside the back of the house and there is some of the best trout fishing I have seen in my life. I woke up at around 6:00 AM and waded out about knee deep into the lake and caught three nice sized trout in an hour and lost many more. Also, if you have never fished or have any questions ask Graham because he is an expert on the fishing situation in the area.

  • Stayed January 2009, traveled as a couple
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 3 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask dcfreqflyer about Ngongotaha Lakeside Lodge
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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Additional Information about Ngongotaha Lakeside Lodge

41 Operiana Street | Ngongotaha, Rotorua, New Zealand
Price Range: $$

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