Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery

3.0 star property

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery

Garden
Bar (on property)
Outdoor dining
Room | Free WiFi, bed sheets
Queen Room | Room amenity

Reviews

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful

Popular amenities

  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Business services
  • Bar

Explore the area

View in a map
12 Ruru Street, Piopio, Waikato, 3912
  • Place, Big Shearer
    ‪19 min drive‬
  • Place, Te Kuititanga-O-Nga-Whakaaro
    ‪19 min drive‬
  • Place, Waitomo Glowworm Caves
    ‪36 min drive‬

Room options

Queen Room

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
(4 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Twin Room

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(18 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Twin Beds

Queen & Single Room

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(5 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed and 1 Twin Bed

Family Room

  • Sleeps 5
  • 1 Queen Bed and 3 Twin Beds

Room

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

King + Sofa Bed

  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Twin Sofa Bed

About the neighborhood

Piopio

Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery places you 8 mi (12.8 km) from Tainui Historical Society Museum. This 3-star motel has 10 rooms and welcomes guests with a restaurant, free in-room WiFi, and free self parking.

What's nearby

  • Big Shearer - 19 min drive - 17.2 miles
  • Te Kuititanga-O-Nga-Whakaaro - 19 min drive - 17.2 miles
  • Waitomo Glowworm Caves - 36 min drive - 31.4 miles
  • Woodlyn Park - 37 min drive - 31.4 miles
  • Aranui Cave - 39 min drive - 32.9 miles

Getting around

  • Auckland Intl. Airport (AKL) - 159 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Fat Pigeon Cafe - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Pio Pio Orchard - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Clover Leaf Cafe - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Piopio Cosmopolitan Club - ‬4 min walk

About this property

Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery

At Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery, guests have access to free WiFi in public areas, a meeting room, and express check-in. You can put free parking to good use if you drive. The front desk is staffed 24/7 to help with luggage storage, and answer any questions about the accommodations. Additional amenities include express check-out, laundry facilities, and a banquet hall.
Flat-screen TVs come with satellite channels, and guests can stay connected with free WiFi. Bathrooms offer hair dryers and free toiletries. Coffee makers are also included.

Similar properties

Property amenities

Internet

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

Parking and transportation

  • Electric car charging station on site
  • Free self parking on site
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking available

Food and drink

  • Daily continental breakfast available for a fee: NZD 10 per person
  • A bar/lounge
  • A restaurant

Family friendly

  • Laundry facilities

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Laundry facilities
  • Luggage storage

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)

Business services

  • Meeting room

Outdoors

  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Picnic area

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking

More

  • Banquet hall
  • Smoking not allowed

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • Flat-screen TV with satellite channels

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker

More

  • Heating

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 2:00 PM
Express check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM
Express check-out available

Special check-in instructions

Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

  • This property doesn't allow pets (service animals welcome)

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

These fees and deposits will be charged at check-in, check-out, or the time of service.

  • Fee for continental breakfast: approximately NZD 10.00 per person

This list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits might not include tax and are subject to change.

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 credit cards
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
  • Check-in: 2:00 PM
  • Check-out: 10:00 AM
  • Minimum check-in age: 18
The front desk is open 24 hours a day, and checking in and out are easy with express services. Driving? This property offers free parking, along with a car charging station.

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 credit cards.
  • Onsite safety features include a fire extinguisher.

National rating

Property class, provided by our rating system, is based on property type, amenities, and services.

Property is also known as

Owls Nest Motel Piopio
Owls Nest Motel
Owls Nest Piopio
Owls Nest Motel
Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery Motel
Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery Piopio
Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery Motel Piopio

Frequently asked questions

Are free cancellation options available at Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery?

Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery offers free cancellation on certain room rates. For additional details, review the cancellation policy on Orbitz.

How much does it cost to stay at Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery?

As of Apr 6, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery on Apr 13, 2026 start from $63, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

Is parking available on site at Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery?

Yes, self parking is offered for free at the motel. An electric car charging station and wheelchair-accessible parking are also available for guests.

Does Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery feature a casino?

No, Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery doesn't have a casino.

Will I find an indoor pool at Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery?

No, there is no indoor pool at this motel.

What will couples enjoy most about a stay at Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery?

Couples will appreciate amenities like a restaurant, a bar/lounge, and a 24-hour front desk at this motel.

Are there hot tubs at Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery?

No, this motel doesn't have a spa tub.

Does Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery have a restaurant that serves breakfast?

Yes, Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery serves continental breakfast each morning for a surcharge from its restaurant.

Will Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery allow pets to stay for free?

No, pets aren't allowed at Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery though service animals are welcome.

Are there connecting rooms at Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery?

No, there aren't connecting guestrooms at this motel.

Are there rooms with balconies that I can book at Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery?

No, there aren't any guestrooms at Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery that offer a balcony.

Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery Reviews

Reviews

9.0

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 116 out of 215 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 77 out of 215 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 16 out of 215 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 5 out of 215 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 215 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

9.2/10

Staff & service

8.8/10

Amenities

8.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Hetal

Traveled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Comfortable stay. Visited with family and was not disappointed with the accomodations.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026

10/10 Excellent

Juliet

Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026

8/10 Good

Michael

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Nice room and stuff
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Julia

Business traveler, Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Awesome spot. Staff so very friendly. Clean and loved the styling.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ruby, Taihape

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Matthew R

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Breakfast is not available at the hotel, but there is a very nice bakery/Café one block around the corner
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christine

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Just so flean and quite
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Daniel

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
We were here for maybe 10 hours but very surprising at the quality of room with this stay. One of the best roadside motels ive ever been to in terms of comfort. Large new bed, good qater pressure, clean, and nice soap. Easy check in/out and even though we showed up too late, a nice looking, lively, pub on site. Great stop on our road trip.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sue

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very friendly check-in, and pet friendly. Clean and quiet
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

Shruti

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Perfect for our 1 night stopover to New Plymouth.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Emma

Traveled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Nice tidy rooms, friendly staff. Great proximity to the pub!
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Nicola

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Nice room, good restaurant on site, friendly staff,
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

ian

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
clean tidy friendly rural type setting
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kath

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Good little room for a night.. clean and tidy..
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ross

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very quiet. Staff very helpful and friendly. Restaurant next was excellent.(
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Garry

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great stay but would be nice to have hooks to hang towels and clothes Shower drained away very slow
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Marianne

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
This place is a great place to stay. It is comfortable and super clean. They were so lovely and accomodating to my needs and even offered me free breakfast! I was very impressed with the place and would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kristina

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

8/10 Good

Pauline

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Excellent place for an overnight stay. Meals in restaurant were delicious with good portion sizes. Twin room small but adequate. Beds comfortable. TV not working. Free continental breakfast was a lovely surprise. Will definitely stay again.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

Isaia

Traveled with partner
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Toilet door straight into bedroomand no place to hang towel when in the shower and no place to put soap and gel in the shower
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Louise

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kelly

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

10/10 Excellent

Vivienne

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Staff are very accommodating
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kamalu

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very clean and staff was accommodating.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

Emmett

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
We loved staying here. The staff were super friendly and accommodating. The beds, especially the pillows, were a bit on the stiffer side, but everything else was super nice.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025