Princes Gate Hotel

Princes Gate Hotel descritpion

The Princes Gate is a historic, boutique-style hotel in the center of Rotorua. This classical 5-star hotel is across from the Polynesian Spa and the famous Government Gardens.
The hotel has 50 stylish guest rooms and apartments, all decorated in a traditional and classical style. Each room is beautifully furnished with luxurious private bathroom and a range of personal toiletries. The larger apartments have a living area and kitchen facilities.
The Princes Gate Hotel, dates back to 1897 and is in the historic area of the city. The hotel is only 300 feet from the lakefront and the center of the city and is also within easy reach of the Convention Centre.
This property has three thermally heated pools, a private pool and sauna. Guest laundry facilities are available. The property has a restaurant and bar on-site, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. There are also live cabaret dinner shows.

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Facilities of Princes Gate Hotel

Outdoors ：Outdoor Pool (all year) | Grounds

Pets ：Pets are not allowed.

Food & Drink ：Bar | Restaurant with Dining Menu | Snack Bar | Special Diet Meals (upon request)

Internet ：Wired internet is available in the hotel rooms and charges apply. | WiFi is available in the hotel rooms and charges apply.

Parking ：Free!Free private parking is available on site (reservation is not needed).

Languages Spoken ：Hindi | English

Reviews for Princes Gate Hotel

Review 1：I thought the room was just a little small, some sound proofing would have been good as i could hear other people walking around. There were many toilet trips which could be heard.

Review 2：I really enjoyed the food. The staff were most helpful. The bed was lovely and comfortable

Review 3：The rooms get very hot in warm weather and the small fan doesn't help much

Review 4：Beautiful room and hotel. Friendly, helpful staff. We were very comfortable and happy for our four nights

Review 5：Maintenance in the bathroom not up to scratch

Review 6：The owner at the door greeting me, both on arrival and at breakfast the next day. Staff were polite and friendly.

Review 7：It was our wedding night and we came in advance to see the room, we were shown a much nicer room by the manager, than what we got at the end. On the night of our stay we didn't even have a card to say congratulations, working in the same industry we know how easy it is to do that. There was hair on the bathroom floor and stains on the towels. We called to order room service and got told that there isn't one and that we need to go to McDonald's. The night manager didn't even offer to order a cab for us, said that we sould call us one ourselves and was overall very rude. Our guests stayed at the Rydges and were very impressed with everything, we just regret we didn't do the same. In the morning we shared our concerns with reception and didn't even get an apology or any kind of recognition.

Review 8：Be prepared to hear a lot of creaking from the floorboards as people walk past your room. The continental breakfast of $22 is over priced and a little lack lustre. In our group of four we were given one slice of toast each, one pot of tea between four and other than cereal there was just one type of pastry, a muffin which is a little heavy for breakfast but not exactly the end of the world. No orange juice left either at 8.30am.

Review 9：Lovely colonial style building. Something a bit different, not your usual type of accommodation which is what I liked about it. The rooms are very nice although some are much nicer than others. The bedrooms are not terribly big but that is what you would expect from a building built during that era but the rooms are comfortable and have everything you need for a pleasant stay. The complimentary newspaper outside your room (on request) in the morning is a nice touch. Great location.

Review 10：It was after 3pm when our room was serviced. It was over the NY holiday but surely if the Hotel is full you would have more than two housemaids working. Breakfast was included in room rate but it was the same every day - all four of them! And, the rooms were very hot - heat pumps I guess would spoil the décor.

Review 11：Great location. Friendly staff. Good bar and restaurant. Wonderful furnishings - very unique.

Review 12：Suite room was ordinary No air conditioning or fan for ventilation Bathroom was huge with very ordinary shower over the bath in a corner. Ground floor room was dark

Review 13：Location Staff

Review 14：Breakfast control..not free to toast our own toast or pour our tea..the personality of manager was nil.. Felt personality was lost in Trying To Hard to please..

Review 15：Balcony and outside spaces and the afghan cookies

Review 16：Location of the hotel is perfect, a lovely stay with great staff, local facilities are brilliant, a new zealand hotel at its best and to top it off the food was awesome too A+++++++

Review 17：The gentleman seating us for breakfast was a wee bit short and grumpy with me.

Review 18：Comfortable accommodation in a lovely old building. We had a delicious evening dinner with excellent service.

Review 19：Old sticky grey place with awfull rooms. Poorest standard i' ve ever seen. Not possible to stay in such a hotel for any price.

Review 20：Nothing. Old stable with no quality. Time for renovation. Very poor standard like nowhere else. Close the place and get a racking ball.

Review 21：We had a bad experience with the servicing of the suite. On Christmas day the cleaners removed 2 bags that were sitting on the kitchen bench that contained medications and a Diabetic meter for blood sugar.We told the manager but my husband had to go through the rubbish to retrieve them. Couldnt imagine what we would have done if they were gone.The reason given was that the cleaner must have been rushed.

Review 22：Location. Right beside the great gardens. Lovely breakfast with excellent service.

Review 23：1. Excellent location: Royal Garden, the Blue Bath and Museum are just across the road; within walking distance to the lake 2. The heated pools are great 3. Spacious premium suite

Review 24：The Classic Victorian style manor house was as an incredible step back in time, a true gem! The staff were very helpful and attentive. Loved the robes

Review 25：We are from Hawaii, so when the heat didn't work during the very cool days, we were very cold.

Review 26：The personal attention from the staff and spacious, well-decorated apartment. Great location next to the Government Gardens, Museum and Polynesian Spa.

Review 27：The hot pools are not hot! Lukewarm doesn't do it in Rotorua!

Review 28：Lovely gracious old hotel comfortably maintained. Wonderful staff. Delicious dinner in the restaurant.

Review 29：Our room was a sauna, portable fan made no difference. Hair in bathroom and bed wobbled. Wrote written complaint with no response.

Review 30：Downstairs facilities were magical. Staff on arrival warm and welcoming.

Review 31：Not much to dislike. Perhaps the bathroom could be updated but I felt it just added to the feel of the hotel.

Review 32：Lovely staff who I couldn't fault. Great old building so close to everything I needed. Clean room and more than worth the price I paid. It is an old building so the wooden floors creaked. It didn't wake me though.

Review 33：The rooms are very small, hard to find space to open suitcase. And easy to hear the person staying next door.

Review 34：The location is great and the hotel looks pretty good both outside and inside.

Review 35：Our room was tiny (you couldn't open door of small fridge without hitting the end of bed), certainly not what was advertised on website. Fixtures and fittings tired. Maintenance lacking. Headboard not even attached to bed (wrong size)

Review 36：Staff were just lovely.

Review 37：I had a really bad experience there, because hotel gave us the different room, not the one we booked plus that room was cheeper than the one we booked. Reception said that it is not their problem, because we booken that room on Booking,com not on their website. We booked a room for $1000 per day, but instead they gave us a room for $500 a day. This is a really terrible service and we never expected something like that from Booking.com

Review 38：Very noisy fridge in our suite. Restaurant rather dark.

Review 39：Location,character of building, friendly reception and an in-house laundry for guest use. Overall it was comfy.

Review 40：My room was beautifully finished, spacious and comfortable, although the bathroom was a little squishy - but you expect that in an historic building. I would definitely book in the next time I visit Rotorua. Staff were very welcoming and helpful. The hotel lived up to my expectations!

Review 41：Miss AC in the room, other than that.. even the creaky stairs had charm!

Review 42：A charming hotel with soul. Old and statuesque, lovey decor and very friendly and professional staff. The mix of old-time style and modern service works brilliantly.

Review 43：Nothing.

Review 44：Excellent place to stay. Very English country-style hotel. Staff very friendly, helpful and welcoming. Good breakfast and our room was very cosy.

Review 45：The breakfast was OK, but in future I would stay at the hotel and maybe go to zippy's for brunch.

Review 46：Very comfortable traditional room. Friendly front of house staff.

Review 47：Standard of cleaning not so great and our room was dated Our friends room was great I suppose for 4 star we were abit disappointed

Review 48：Location was great Staff were helpful and nice General building and decor great We generally had a great stay Hot pools great

Review 49：What a wonderful customer experience this was. I arrived in Rotorua for a Black Tie event and determined I had left the studs for my white shirt in Auckland. 30 minutes to go, shops shut and no spare shirts. The team at the hotel gathered 7 sewing kits each with a white button and we sewed them on as a temporary fix. Great improvisation , problem averted and all with a great attitude - well done team I appreciated your support. Michael Barnett Auckland Chamber of Commerce

Review 50：The elegant, luxurious Prince's Gate Hotel is situated within perfect reach of Rotorua's Government Gardens Precinct. Rooms are wonderful, the dining is superb and the staff are very welcoming without ever being intrusive. Enjoy your stay and you'll be back again for certain!

Review 51：Book an upstairs room if possible. We had a downstairs one and could hear steps all night long. We found the rooms hot.

Review 52：Great location and presented beautifully. Central location in the heart of the city.

Review 53：Very small room. No window TV on wall parallel to bed with no where to sit Only spare plug hidden away in shoddy cupboard. The lounge area was comfortable and of a bygone age. The dining room was lovely and service ok but slow .. the food was only average

Review 54：The external appearance

Review 55：Disappointed to find our allocated room not accessible from within the hotel (needed to walk round verandah).

Review 56：Character of building; welcoming and helpful reception staff; proximity to central atractions.

Review 57：The shower water blew hot and cold. bed too small for couples.

Review 58：The location was great and service is very good. It is a very old building but still keep very beautiful and tidy.

Review 59：The only thing i dont like the most if when someone walking upstair and and so much noise and i cant sleep till they went to bed i know u cant control that

Review 60：Like about everything

Review 61：As with many old properties plumbing is not ideal. As we had fine, not too cold weather it wasn't an issue, however access to our room was via an open verandah which may be an issue in bad weather. Also there is no lift which again wasn't an issue for us but maybe for those less mobile or traveling with alot of luggage.

Review 62：A good location to walk to town or through the gardens (including bubbling hot springs!) to the museum/gallery. A historical place where you can still imagine guests arriving in horse drawn carriages! The room was clean and a good size as was the ensuite. There was a good selection for dinner and breakfast.

Review 63：The pool area is starting to look a bit tired. It was a little warm in our apartment.

Review 64：After staying in a number of newer hotels, we opted for a more traditionally styled hotel. The hotel was clean and the staff were friendly.

Review 65：The bed mattress - you roll into the middle. The bed head isn't attached to the bed and is noisy! The pool,spa and private spa were not working - no heat. No Sky TV and cheap soaps, shampoo etc.

Review 66：The history of the hotel and location

Review 67：The common pools would have been amazing if they were a smidge hotter. The shower in our room was not great.

Review 68：The hotel is beautiful with creaky steps, floral wallpaper and old school charm. We enjoyed the free WiFi, the hotel bar and the fantastic location. We walked everywhere in town. The three pools/hot tubs were a little too cold for our taste but the private hottub/spa was great.

Review 69：The pool surrounds were very scruffy, weeds, rubbish, around them, all the trees and shrubs were tired looking. Being a landscaper this stood out badly.

Review 70：The hot pools

Review 71：It was noisey. Very noisey. The sound of the shower door closing in the rooms on either side of the room was very, very, loud. You can hear the voices of the other guests. It's an original old building and that is it's great charm, but the downside is Victorian style soundproofing, which is just non-existent.

Review 72：The thermal pools with three different temperatures were great. Excellent location. It's worth staying for the somewhat iconic experience, but it is noisey owing to the age of the building. However, there are a lot of little niceties to offset this.

Review 73：It was absolutely gorgeous nothing i didnt like the fire place downstairs was magnificent

Review 74：I travelled solo was aprehensive as i really dislike travelling solo the Princess Gate Hotel was comfortable and the view from the balcony incredible i felt like i was staying in a castle the room service was so delicious fantastic quality. My room was spacious but very comfortable i felt relaxed and not lost very cosy with the best facilities.Staff were professional and friendly nothing was an effort ... highly recommend Princess Gate loved my stay :)

Review 75：The decor in the entrance lounge is a little dark for my taste but we did love the open fire at night. It would be great if the breakfast was included in the room price but it was not..

Review 76：The hotel has a lot of beautiful old furnishings and also all the mod cons that you need for a short break. I loved the thermal pools which were great to relax in at the end of the day. The staff were always polite and curtious. Lots of places to eat nearby with 'Eat Street' just a short10 minute walk away.

Review 77：Nothing that Princess Gate can control such as damage to our vehicle park on the road.

Review 78：Just love staying there, the best room has been the Howard Morrison room.

Review 79：The staff were wonderful. The beautiful, French style courtyard between the apartments was a great place to relax. The old world luxury of the hotel was like a journey back to a more elegant time.

Review 80：One of staff wasn't helpful and friendly. Our room wasn't clean properly and we need to request for toilet rolls as cleaner didn't provide any to our room.

Review 81：Amazing experience and outstanding value for money. Huge ceilings and well renovated old glam feel - adored my room and the hot pools were pretty amazing too

Review 82：I had a room on the upper level and there was quite a lot of noise from both outside and from the neighbouring rooms.

Review 83：The location for the conference centre is superb.

Review 84：Our room was in a newer part of the complex so we did not get to enjoy the beauty of the old building. Our room was pretty basic except for the chandelier.

Review 85：The most beautiful building

Review 86：Parking right outside main entrance, warm welcome and recognition as return guests. Large room nicely warmed and a comfortable queen bed. Olde style furnishings, lounge, bar and restaurant.

Review 87：The lighting in the room was not at all good for reading. I would suggest that this be remedied.

Review 88：The overall ambiance & decor is very well done. The room was very comfortable.

Review 89：It was a bit disappointing that the rooms were modern as I had hoped they would be more in fitting with the age of the hotel ..sort of more antique and old Victorian style.

Review 90：Great location walking distance to everything in Rotorua town.

Review 91：The light in the sauna was broken, and when we asked for help, first response implied we were stupid for not finding the light switch. Sauna in complete darkness. Had to walk through dining room in togs and towel to get help

Review 92：Great location and charming decor mostly (too much floral wallpaper)

Review 93：The room was quite noisy, no A/C so with heater off all day struggled to get the room temperture down even with window open, musty smell in the room likely due to the water leak from the roof when it rained, small window for the room (part of being in an older hotel)

Review 94：The location is good, nice style of building inside and out, tidy facilities

Review 95：Parking is on the street so parks are not reserved for Hotel guest so were often not available (staff were parked in them). No help with luggage to rooms. Keys that did not work.

Review 96：Dressing gown would have been good. Room a bit dark. Shower not good pressure

Review 97：History and lovely old building, thermal pools. Service at breakfast was excellent

Review 98：Dining room staff took a long time over things. Our bedroom was above the dining room, which was very noisy. Broken fittings in room, eg, window catches, doorlock (# 26) need fixing.

Review 99：Eat Street was just awesome! Hotel's history was very interesting.

Review 100：The restaurant meals are adequate. But, there is room for improvement. Having said this - we found 1 dish that was amazing - the ravioli.

Review 101：Staff were friendly, the rooms were amazing. We enjoyed the experience so much. We not only stayed an extra night. But, we booked an extra room as a surprise for friends.

Review 102：Room was really small for $220.00 a night. Shower was a trickle, air conditioning was poor, windows were filthy when I went to open them. Had to pay an extra $10.00 per night for parking, so we didn't have to park on the road. Wont be staying here again. Dinner was nice, but $34.00 each extra for cabaret was a joke. Husband and wife singing and computer broke, they relied on that for the music. Very disappointing as it was our 20th wedding anniversary.

Review 103：The food was fantastic, staff were great.

Review 104：Excellent service, Staff is very well spoken and rooms are very clean. I was surprised to see Wifi speed of over 20mbps which is absolute delight. Five star's to food and service.

Review 105：My room did not have air-conditioning. The freezer was so frozen, I could not chill any beverages, as nothing fit in that little freezer with packed up ice. My meal took 3 hours, and then the order came out wrong. The menu description and what was on the plate was not nearly the same. After all this a $220 bill. I did not complain on the night as it was a special occasion for my partner and I. The F&B manager witnessed it, and should have actioned it, even if I did not complain. I mentioned it at reception the following morning, but again no one was interested.

Review 106：The smell in Rotorua is a bit unpleasant and there's no air conditioning in rooms so having the windows open means the smell comes in.

Review 107：Charming old world decor. Exquisite taste. Perfect location a few minutes walk from city center and Rotarua museum.

Review 108：Room was very small, no air conditioning and in summer really hot and stuffy. Only internet was in reception.

Review 109：Great location and lovely olde worlde look to it. Lovely pool area.

Review 110：On the last day arrived for breakfast 15 mins before close and most of the food had already been cleared from the serving table.

Review 111：The overall ambience, service and comfort is good. Hotel well managed and staff always friendly and pleased to help.

Review 112：Rude concierge, room was tiny for what we paid- ( would hate to pay full price ) Mini bar was way over priced, fridge was to small and too close to bed, shower leaked, water pressure & shower head bad, cubical was small, overall experience poor for s botique hotel, went away feeling ripped off to be honest.

Review 113：Location, comfortable bed, they had sky tv.

Review 114：Our room was so small and hot it was like a cell. Shame as other rooms were beautiful and well sized. Check which room you book so as not to be disappointed as we were.

Review 115：Great hot pools and location. Excellent cabaret show.

Review 116：Xmas dinner evening meal, nice but thought a little music would have improved the ambience. no complaints really though, an enjoyable experience.

Review 117：The rooms, location, dining room, pools excellent.

Review 118：Decor was tired in places and whilst charm enabled place to get away with a fair bit cleanliness didn't go un-noticed. Grime around taps in bathrooms & on cupboard handles etc was NOT really what was expected. Headboards not attached to beds just lazy / poor from my perspective. Plunge pools nice attribute but 2 were just far too hot to use.

Review 119：Liked location, staff & ambience.

Review 120：Despite advertising then & now that there is off street parking it was not available. Told to park on street? Our room was small, dingy & in need of redecoration. It is located where the noise from the cabaret evening was so loud that we could not talk let alone consider sleeping. at 11pm my partner asked if we could be moved to a quieter area of the hotel but this did not happen. I also found the staff not very friendly or interested in being there. Not good value for money, I booked on line it would be better to book at the hotel where you can see what the room you are getting is like. Incidentally 18 months ago we found it excellent.....why has it changed so much?

Review 121：The location was great. nice Christmas decorations

Review 122：Room and furnishings were tired, disappointing - didn't live up to its advertising.

Review 123：Lovely entrance lobby Location - handy to the Rotorua Museum and Te Puia Cultural Experience

Review 124：Bathroom was cold and damp No heated rails Old furniture and units A bit pricey for what we got However Rotorua is a tourist place and I suppose they can ask these prices

Review 125：Room beaded some TLC Old units and furniture one chair was broken however they replaced it immediately Room was dark and dingy although it had a window to a small eating area below with table for staff and overlooked a car park

Review 126：no mirror outside of bathroom limited breakfast options for special breakfast which was an optional extra, but not worth the extra price

Review 127：food at the hotel restaurant was excellent. didn't like the high stools for seating in the bar, and there is nowhere else to sit there

Review 128：Having prepaid $22.00 pp a day ($88.00) for breakfast we were only offered eggs and bacon or a limited continental buffet. Bedroom very dark with limited lighting and no receptacle for trash such as used tea bags etc Cracked tiles in bathroom, Water in private spa pool dirty and cold and the surrounds were filthy.

Review 129：Very little

Review 130：The shower wasn't great. Food wasn't hot, but it was tasty. We got the feeling the staff were being 'watched' by the boss/ ?owner. We were giggling when we arrived and he looked at us like we were naughty school kids. The customer service needs to relax a little, rather than come across a bit stiff.

Review 131：We went to the show which was great. It was a nice experience to stay at such a lovely old hotel, meaning we didn't have to go to another hotel after the show.

Review 132：Booked Princes gate particularly for the big, old style rooms in old building shown on the internet. One of those is what I thought I had asked for. NOt what we got. Booked for 3 then hotel staff were only expecting 2 people. Luckily I had printed my confirmation noting 3 people. Room NOT CLEAN. Blood spots on lightswitch, hair and blobs of toothpaste in bathroom. Medication on lounge floor (tablet). Really cold even with radiator on.

Review 133：Staff were friendly and helpful. Lovely sit in hot pool. Outside of both buildings is gorgeous. Quiet (except the heavy rain).

Review 134：Noise woke us up starting at 0400 hrs. and the front desk claimed they didn't know what it was. This lasted until 0800. However, the manager spoke to us later after we complained and said it was the kitchen staff and apologized. Didn't offer to make it right however. Very upsetting to my wife and I.

Review 135：We liked the facilities and the décor.