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Karaka Tree Motel

3.5 star property
Motel with free parking, near Lake Taupō

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Photo gallery for Karaka Tree Motel

Hair dryer, towels
TV
Spa
1 bedroom, free WiFi, bed sheets
Fridge, microwave, coffee/tea maker, cookware/dishes/utensils

Reviews

7.6 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • Hot Tub
  • Housekeeping
  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

View in a map
216 Lake Terrace, Taupo, TAUPO
  • Place, Taupō Hot Springs
    ‪14 min walk‬
  • Place, Wairakei Geothermal Power Station
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Place, Spa Thermal Park
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Airport, Taupō Airport (TUO)
    ‪8 min drive‬

Room options

One Bedroom Suite

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

Twin Suite Mineral Spa

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

Studio Mineral Spa

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

Two Bedroom Suite

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Sleeps 6
  • 2 Queen Beds and 2 Twin Beds

About the neighborhood

Taupō

Located in Waipahihi within a short walk of Waipahihi Botanical Gardens, Karaka Tree Motel is within a mile (2 km) of Lake Taupō. This 24-room, 3.5-star motel has conveniences like free in-room WiFi, free self parking, and a hot tub.
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What's nearby

  • Taupō Hot Springs - 14 min walk - 0.8 miles
  • Wairakei Geothermal Power Station - 3 min drive - 1.8 miles
  • Taupō i-SITE Visitor Information Centre - 4 min drive - 1.8 miles
  • Spa Thermal Park - 4 min drive - 2.1 miles
  • Taupō Marina and Boat Ramp - 5 min drive - 2.0 miles

Getting around

  • Taupō Airport (TUO) - 6 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Industrie French Kitchen - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪The Vine Eatery - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Dixie Brown's Cafe - ‬6 min drive

About this property

Karaka Tree Motel

Motel with free parking, near Lake Taupō
At Karaka Tree Motel, guests have access to free WiFi in public areas, a hot tub, and free newspapers. If you drive, take advantage of free parking. Friendly staff can provide front-desk service during limited hours, and also offer advice about sightseeing.
Guests can expect to find TVs and stay connected with free WiFi. Refrigerators, microwaves, and coffee makers are other standard amenities.
Recreational amenities at the motel include a hot tub.

Children under 10 years old are not allowed in the swimming pool or hot tub without adult supervision.

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  • Free WiFi
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7.6 out of 10, Good, 944 reviews
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The price is $61
Nov 2 - Nov 3
Total with taxes and fees
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Property amenities

Internet

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

Parking and transportation

  • Free self parking on site

Things to do

  • Hot tub

Family friendly

  • In-room microwave
  • In-room refrigerator

Conveniences

  • Free newspapers in lobby
  • Limited-hour front desk

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only

More

  • Smoking not allowed

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Hair dryer
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • TV

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator

More

  • Free local calls
  • Heating
  • Phone

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 2 PM; Check-in end time: 8:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open daily from 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
This property doesn't offer after-hours check-in

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

  • This property doesn't allow pets

Property payment types

Important information

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 major credit cards; cash is not accepted
Noise-free guestrooms cannot be guaranteed
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, and window guards
  • Check-in: 2 PM—-8:00 PM
  • Check-out: 10 AM
  • Minimum check-in age: 18
The front desk is available during limited hours. Driving? This property offers free parking.

We should mention

Details about charges, deposits, or other important information:

  • This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession.
  • Charges for extra guests may apply and vary depending on the property's policy.
  • A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges, as well as a government-issued photo ID, may be required at check-in.
  • Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in and can't be guaranteed. Certain requests may come with additional charges.
  • This property accepts major credit cards. Cash is not accepted.
  • Onsite safety features include a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, and window guards.

Additional information about polices, regulations, and more:

  • Registered guests are the only ones allowed in guestrooms.
  • There are no elevators.
  • No cribs or infant beds are available.
  • No rollaway or extra beds are available.
  • Noise-free rooms can't be guaranteed.

National rating

For the benefit of our customers, we have provided a rating based on our rating system.

Property is also known as

Karaka Motel
Karaka Tree Motel Motel
Karaka Tree Motel
Karaka Tree Motel Taupo
Karaka Tree Taupo
Karaka Tree Hotel Taupo
Karaka Tree Motel Taupo
Karaka Tree Motel Motel Taupo

Frequently asked questions

Is a free cancellation option available at Karaka Tree Motel?

Karaka Tree Motel provides free cancellation on some room rates. If you'd like to learn more, look at the cancellation policy on Orbitz.

What can I see close to Karaka Tree Motel?

This motel is situated in Waipahihi within a short 18-minute walk of Lake Taupō and also 17 minutes on foot from Taupō Hot Springs. You'll also find Spa Thermal Park and Taupō Museum and Art Gallery within a short drive.

Is there parking available at Karaka Tree Motel?

Yes, self parking is offered for free at the motel.

Does Karaka Tree Motel have a casino on the premises?

No, Karaka Tree Motel doesn't have a casino.

Will I find an indoor pool at Karaka Tree Motel?

No, this motel doesn't have an indoor pool; however, there is a hot tub.

Are there hot tubs at Karaka Tree Motel?

Yes, this motel has a spa tub.

Does Karaka Tree Motel feature a restaurant that includes a breakfast menu?

No, Karaka Tree Motel doesn't have a restaurant that serves breakfast.

Will Karaka Tree Motel allow pets to stay free of charge?

No, pets aren't allowed at Karaka Tree Motel.

Are there connecting rooms at Karaka Tree Motel?

No, this motel doesn't feature connecting guestrooms.

Where is the closest airport to Karaka Tree Motel?

The closest major airport to Karaka Tree Motel is Taupō Airport (TUO), which is 3.4 mi away (6 minutes by car).

Are there rooms with balconies that I can book at Karaka Tree Motel?

No, there aren't any guestrooms with balconies at Karaka Tree Motel.

Karaka Tree Motel Reviews

Reviews

7.6

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 116 out of 412 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 151 out of 412 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 85 out of 412 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 42 out of 412 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 18 out of 412 reviews

7.4/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Staff & service

6.0/10

Amenities

6.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

4.8/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

2/10 Terrible

Brendon

Traveled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Property dirty, unsafe with power cords all over the place, hole in floor that we would trip over. Slugs in bathroom. Holes in walls. Untidy surrounds, garbage outside windows. Poor to no. Internet access. Tvs didn't work due to internet. No sky TV as advertised on the billboard out the front. We paid for a spa unit and no spa yet advertised on Expedia and on billboard as having a spa. Unhelpful staff. No mention of a refund or partial when I approached them with the issues. Worse motel I have ever stayed in. DON'T STAY HERE
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

2/10 Terrible

Rhys

Traveled with group
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Property isn’t as advertised. Arrived and they couldn’t find our booking straight away. It’s the middle of winter with heavy snow on the mountains and the only heating in the room was a small fan heater, would not meet housing standards for any form of accommodation. Property isn’t maintained, room is dark and cold. We had just arrived from Ohakune and to walk into the room we knew it wasn’t going to be warm enough for the temperatures it gets down to at night. Motel refused refund, lost out on money when we had to book elsewhere due to not wanting to get sick. Bathroom is the size of a closet. Overpriced for what you get. Would not recommend. Might have to approach Ministry of Business to get the refund under the Consumers Guarantee Act at this point.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

2/10 Terrible

Sherliana

Traveled with family and small children
Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
I have to say that I’m not enjoyed my time at Karaka Tree Motel. 1. I’m expecting there’s will be spa pool in each room. Apparently it’s not. This false advertisement is very disappointing and upsetting. 2. The room is cold. Only one works heater was provided. 3. There’s exposed electrical connector hanging on the tv. It’s not even secured make it even dangerous hazards. Especially when I’m travelling with my kids. 4. There’s a connecting room that not even been locked. It’s makes me feels unsafe. Overall, I do not enjoyed my stay and will suggest others to think twice before staying in this motel. I do have some pictures to show the hazard
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

6/10 Okay

Kelly

Traveled with partner
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Very dated. Heater didn't work so room was cold. Internet was not great which meant the smart tv kept buffering. We eventually switched tv off. Could hear everything from people upstairs. Uncomfortable beds. Wouldn't stay for longer than a night.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Sarah

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dwayne

Liked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
Love the hige spa pools , would be nicer if they had a good clean everynow and again though
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dwayne

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

6/10 Okay

Sue

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
It appears the property has different owners than when i last stayed here. Cleaning needs to be upgraded. The area around the fridge was very dirty and dirty towels from previous guests were left on the floor in the dpa bath room in my unit. The tv didn't work alrhough the owner attempted to get it working, he gave up in the end. There were no easy chairs in the room and heating was s tiny fan heater. The general condition of the unit was dated and slightly run down but not too bad. The plant pot ashtray outside the room had not been cleaned out and on the morning i keft, the cleaner knocked on my door at 9.30 a.m. and asked how much longer i was going to be before i vacated. Having said all that, i would probably still stay here but would look at other options first.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

6/10 Okay

Gregg

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
We got a good deal on this property. We have stayed here a number of times pre covid. Accepting this is a budget motel, I was happy with the motel. TV set up was not great along with the internet and we couldn't get the microwave to work. The hot pool that fills in lightning speed off set the rest of it. Iwas very satisfied for the value for money. I think some of the other reviesw were a bit harsh for what you pay.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Doug

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
I really liked the healthy retreat we have every time we visit the spa is awesome just same as debrets but in your room... Didn't really have anything to say negative about my stay always good service ect
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

2/10 Terrible

Lyndell

Traveled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
this property needs to be shut down and totally renovated. It was disgusting and not a bit like the photos suggested. It was unsafe with light fittings dangling off walls heater not working holes in base of shower curtains in disrepair. The only reason we stayed was because it was late in the afternoon and we were too tired to look for an alternative it should not be on Expedia's listings, horrible place
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

8/10 Good

Sandra

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

6/10 Okay

TJ

Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

6/10 Okay

Verified traveler

Traveled with family
Liked: Room comfort
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities

A little cleaning would go along way!!

I checked in and gave cash but they could not provide me with a receipt, ended up having to pay by card and only got an eftpos receipt!!. No milk was given for our room. There was no spa for us to use either and no apology given. The beds were super comfy though and the rooms were very spacious, the sheets were also clean. The cleaning left alot to be desired, beside the fridge looked like it had not been cleaned for years, same with beside the shower and on top of a plug was thick in dirt! Was not impressed either at getting a knock on the door at 9.27 asking when we were checking out as checkout was between 9 and 10!!
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

2/10 Terrible

Mike

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
No Soap provided in the bathroom. No face cloth or hand towel. Room hadn't been cleaned of cobwebs around window catch's and windows were dirty. Used shampoo packets and cobwebs down the side of the bathroom vanity. Key provided to the room didn't work. Some lights didn't work. Adjoining room door didn't lock with the key provided and no way to lock it to keep my room isolated from someone else coming in if the other room got booked. Staff seemed indifferent to this issue. No milk offered or provided. No additional bedding if it got cold. TV lost Wifi frequently. Stayed 2 days, room not serviced after the first day - which I was expecting. Check in was a joke, after 2pm (official time to check in) spent 20 minutes pushing the buzzer and calling out, 4 other people and a serviceman also waiting for attention at this time. Very poor. A little bit of effort from them could have changed this easily.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

Rex

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Smoke detector was removed, Mineral bath was dirty, leaking tap in bathroom, low water pressure in shower, cigarette butts in container outside window, no milk given, general condition of unit was out-dated and needed a lot of maintenance
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

John

Traveled with group
Close to town
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

6/10 Okay

Suzie

Liked: Staff & service
The manager was lovely and the bed was clean and comfortable but the shower was dirty and the bench in the kitchen was chipped plus there were spiders above two light switches and on the wall
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

4/10 Poor

Janette

This place is not like the picture show in very need of repaint, curtains with rips and not even hung up holes and walls!
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

4/10 Poor

Graeme

Traveled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Property needed a major tidy up with weeds and dead plants in pots etc. No SKY as advertised. Rooms very outdated and in need of repair. Cleaning left a lot to be desired. Also office still closed for checkout at 8.45am.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

6/10 Okay

Patricia

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Clean, comfortable, quiet reasonably close to town.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

4/10 Poor

Bella

Traveled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very old and run down. Dusty and bathroom not clean. No milk provided even when advised they would drop it off. Tv wouldnt work. Jug had to have the switch held to boil. Extra pillows where gross(glad we had our own) Glad we were only one night. Will not be returning
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

4/10 Poor

Karen E

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

2/10 Terrible

Matthew

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Shocking stay

Upon arrival to our room, the first thing we noticed was the used towels on the floor in the spa room covered in hair. Next we noticed stalks of cherries and strawberries ends left next to the spa, the spa was not clean. All doors were damaged or had been smashed, the door lock was fiddly to secure. The mirrors were dirty and had not been cleaned. There were ‘white mark’ stains on the couch, the tv did not have Sky as it was advertised. The kitchenette doors did not close (and half were missing) and kitchen was dirty. Bathroom was gross, floor had grime and there was mould on the ceiling and bits of toilet paper left on the floor. The light fixing/vent was completely exposed with cobwebs and dirty hanging. There was no toilet paper in the holder. After bringing the ‘dirty towels’ to the staffs attention it seemed there was no care, although they were removed. The room was out dated, and there was no effort taken to improve or actually clean anything. We didn’t spend anytime in the room, and left earlier than expected.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Harjeet Singh

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Totally worth it.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024