Experience the latest in quality service and surroundings, where traditional elegance blends with a restful ambiance. Baycrest Lodge, Qualmark rated 4 Star Plus is 100m from the main swimming beach of Great Lake Taupo. All 16 units are spacious and elegantly appointed and have tasteful European bathrooms and fully self contained kitchen facilities, including fridges, ceramic hotplates and microwaves. Ground floor suites have individual hot thermal tubs, up to 50'C, 2 of which are full disability access units. First floor suites have large champagne spa baths, balconies and superb Great Lake Taupo views. Super King beds are available in all the studio suites. The 2 room family suites can have either singles or a super king bed as well as the queen bed in the lounge area. Some suites interconnect to make more sleeping configurations. Baycrest Lodge also has a stunning swimming pool thermally heated to between 30'C and 35'C all year round. There is a guest lounge/bar area and a guest laundry on site. Baycrest Lodge is close to a number of restaurants and is about 1 kilometre (flat and easy 15-20 minute walk) from the town centre. It is also in a perfect position to watch many of the major events such as the NZ Ironman. All the suites offer free WiFi (limits apply), Sky's all new 'Guest Select' meaning 50+ channels in every room, 32" LCD TVs with inbuilt DVD player and I-Pod docking. Baycrest Lodge is the ideal place for the discerning traveller, anyone away on business or those just wanting to get away and relax for a time. We look forward to welcoming you to Baycrest Lodge and Taupo.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Qualmark.
HOTEL STYLE
Quiet
Family
Languages Spoken
English
Location
79 Mere Road, Taupo 3330 New Zealand
Baycrest Lodge
423 reviews
Getting there
Car recommended
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travelers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
We stayed at Baycrest during our first visit to New Zealand in 2007 and it's still a great choice for the Taupo area.
Our room was huge with a lovely balcony and views of the lake. It was very clean and the bed was comfortable. There was also AC which was a real plus in 75-80F weather. The property is in good condition and they offer free parking and also have a small pool. We were grateful to have access to laundry ($4NZD for a wash and $4NZD to dry) after hiking the Tongariro Northern Circuit.
The managers were so kind and helpful. When we couldn't get an uber or cab, they drove us with all of our bags up to pick up our rental car.
The one downside for us is that we didn't have a rental car for most of our days there. There are a few ubers and taxis but not many and town is a 1.5 mi walk (about 30 min). But if you have a car, it won't be a problem.
Also, there's a great little coffee truck right by the lake near Baycrest that opens at 7:30am if you don't want to go into town first thing.
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Date of stay: February 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip:Get one of the upper level rooms with a balcony and views!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Hamish McCrostie, General Manager at Baycrest Lodge
Responded Mar 10, 2024
Thank you for your review. We're glad we helped make your stay in NZ enjoyable. Hopefully we will see you again.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This is a nice place, but like all of Taupo, it is phenomenally expensive for what it is. I can get a room in a 5-star hotel in Wellington for the price I paid for one night here.
At check-in, the owner wasn't overly welcoming, just wanted our money and gave us the room allocation. Later on, after further interactions with her, she was much better - I guess she must have had something going on when we arrived.
Anyway, we were allocated a room overlooking the lake. It was clean and comfortable, but it's starting to look a little tired now. It's a 5 minute drive (or a long walk) into Taupo itself, but it is a lovely little town.
The pool advertised in the photos is not really a pool, more of an oversized spa pool (without the jets), so manage your expectations accordingly. You won't be doing laps here.
Would we return? Probably, but the price would deter me more than anything else. It's like so much of New Zealand, overpriced for what it is.
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Date of stay: September 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A Great location. Friendly service. We stayed on the ground floor with a private thermal spa. So relaxing after a long day of travel. We stayed for 4 nights and our bed was made every day, we also got clean fresh towels every day which was great. The carparks in front of Rooms 1 & 2 is a bit tight to get into with large vehicles and a car parked behind us, where there wasn't a car park, so we struggled to get out at 5:30am, so make sure you choose a car park wisely if you want to leave early. The shower floor was very slippery as there is no fan in the bathroom. Tip - We used our spa towels to put it on the floor around the shower, while having a shower, so we don't slip when done in the shower. The basin is really low, it's the perfect height for a 5 year old, but not for a 1.90m person. The soap and shampoo dispensers didn't work properly. You only get 2mmx2mm of a drop. A dressing table with a mirror and plug for a hairdryer would be great in the room, especially having no fan in the bathroom, so the mirror is all fogged up and no where to put make up. Otherwise a really lovely place to stay. We've stayed here before and will probably stay there again in the future.
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Date of stay: September 2022
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2-night stay. What a wonderful find! The motel met every expectation and we had a superlative stay. Booked here because of the private thermal pool, which was tremendous; we also had a private garden and a view (albeit, standing up) of the lake - which we hadn’t expected.
The room (allocated the accessible option) was a great size, with an exceptionally comfy bed and everything we needed for a perfect stay. The motel team were brilliant and so helpful; nothing was ever too much trouble. I particularly liked the power outlet hub on the bedside table which had x3 USB ports, making the multiple charging requirements of this modern age simple and convenient.
The local town was within walking distance for me, even needing to push my disabled wife in her wheelchair. However, I enjoy the exercise - I guess it may be a little far for some as probably close to a mile each way.
In summary, very highly recommended.
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Date of stay: October 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip:Try and have a room with a private plunge thermal pool
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Such a wonderful experience. The hosts are amazing and everything from start to end was top notch. The worst part of the stay was that we have jobs and had to check out. The rooms are lovely, very spacious. The best feature is the spa in the backyard. Water heated naturally and you can just turn on the water and fill it up whenever plus its private so as a couple it was a plus point. The room feels like freshly refusrbished and are really cleaning, full marks to housekeeping. I usually dont prefer cooking when on a holiday but the room had a kitchnette with all necessary appliances where you can cook all sorts of stuff. I didnt use the outdoor heated pool but it looked amazing, not too big not too small just perfect according to the Lodge. I can see a few reveiws regarding parking, i do admit the space is tight but i never had an issue parking the car and we had a Jeep. The lodge is not too big so doesnt matter where you park, you will always be close to your room. Check in process was so easy, they sent me a map of the lodge with directions to my room and the keys there so they are doing a super job with the contact less service. Check out was simple. Just drop your keys. Location is ideal, in city center, all the major restaurants are just in a 5 minute driving radius. I would highly recommend this place and would like to thank the hosts for having us and taking such good care and making our stay memorable.
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Date of stay: April 2021Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jody Semmens, Owner at Baycrest Lodge
Responded Apr 24, 2021
Hi - thank you for your lovely words! We love to hear that our guests have had a fabulous experieince with us at Baycrest and we are delighted you enjoyed your stay. We hope to see you again when your travels next bring you to Taupo!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The managers have been there just a couple of months and we put their customer service skills to the test when our daughter was sick in the middle of the night and we reached out for their help. They were amazing, can't speak highly enough about the help they provided and with the warmth and care it was delivered with. The room we stayed in was great for a family - everyone had a proper bed and on our ground level unit we had our own thermal bath which was fantastic. The communal pool was warm and inviting. Would most definitely stay here again, and would highly recommend Baycrest Lodge.
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Date of stay: November 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This is the third January in a row where we’ve stayed at Baycrest and once again, it did not disappoint! We absolutely love it here - the location, the view of the lake, the beautiful furnishings in the room, the comfortable bed and amazing pillows, all the tv channel options, the soft fluffy towels - everything! I believe the ownership is different from last January but the quality of service remains 👌🏽 some of the reviews speak about the place being run down or needing work - but that’s all subjective to each person and to us, it’s perfect! I’d rather spend money where it feels more homely than a brand new hotel that lacks in the things that actually impact the quality of your stay. Keep up the great work! We’ll be back again next January!!!
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Date of stay: January 2025Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We booked in last minute on the morning of and are so happy that we did. From the time we arrived, we enjoyed our stay in room #12. Ample parking, clean, neat and spacious room. It was very quiet and we enjoyed the warmth of the room and bathroom due to heating provided. Big TV, and large patio in the 1st floor. Stunning views and will definitely be back.
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Date of stay: July 2024Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Great place to stay in Taupo, a 15 minute walk into the centre of town. The accommodation is really reasonably priced and has great views of the lake. We had a terrace room with a geothermal hot tub which was really a highlight and made our experience here great!
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Date of stay: April 2024Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Hamish McCrostie, General Manager at Baycrest Lodge
Responded May 1, 2024
Thank you for your review. We look forward to seeing you again.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This is my third time here with family and I love this place! The rooms are spacious (we have a family room), clean and well-appointed. It has a kitchenette, couch, bed and dining table in the main room, a separate bedroom and a massive bathroom with a spa bath. We have a balcony overlooking the lake and the airconditioning is great for chilly weather. But the best thing of all is the delightful pool to swim in at the end of the day. It isn't really large but you can swim around and it is surrounded by boulders and plants so is very pretty. Place has a relaxed vibe too, no one is uptight. Highly recommend!!!!
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Date of stay: May 2024Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are more places to choose from in the Taupo area.
PRICE RANGE
$146 - $180 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
flag hotel baycrest
LOCATION
New ZealandNorth IslandWaikato RegionTaupo DistrictTaupo
NUMBER OF ROOMS
16
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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