Hawkes Bay - where to (and not to) stay by Mark Sukhija

Please mention MarksTravelNotes.com when contacting these fine establishments. I have stayed at all these hotels.

    Recommended

  • Whitehouse Homestay Bed and Breakfast (14 Woodford Heights, Havelock North, New Zealand) - Karin and Doug, who own and run the Whitehouse Homestay Bed and Breakfast , are excellent, hospitable hosts with a deep knowledge of the local region. Rooms are spacious, comfortable and well maintained. Views from the property, which is on a hillside, give an excellent view of sunsets over the Plains. Karins breakfasts are second to none. A spa is avalaible for guests to use - as is the lounge in this fine property. Faultless.

  • Caveat Emptor

  • The County Hotel (12 Browning Street, Napier, New Zealand) - Asserting itself as Hawkes Bay only 5-star hotel The County Hotel really shouldn't be on a caveat emptor list of any kind. But it is on this one. On my last stay during off season, I discovered that the restaurant and bar was only open on the Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights during the off-season. Unacceptable for a 5-star hotel - esp as they purport that reservations are essential. Otherwise, the hotel was excellent with its own library and some courtesy ports to enjoy as you read. Rooms were excellent and comfortable, decorated in the appropriate style and all named for native birdlife. Otherwise, reception was decent. While the continental breakfast was limited, the cooked was worthy. Free wifi is available. (July 2010)

  • Scenic Hotel Te Pania (45 Marine Parade, Napier, New Zealand) - Standardised, santised chain hotel with chaotic breakfast service on my solitary stay. Returned to the Bay twice since and haven't returned. OK for the price but not outstanding. Paid wifi is far, far too expensive. (December 2009)

Related Posts

Havelock North - Sunset over Hawkes Bay Sunset over Hawkes Bay seen from Havelock North
Cape Kidnappers - the Gannet Colony Gannets at the Cape Kidnappers colony overlooking Hawkes Bay
Napier - Art Deco building An Art Deco façade in the city of Napier in New Zealand
Taranaki - Lake Rotokare Lake Rotokare Scenic reserve in Taranaki
New Zealand - places not to miss Recommended places to visit in and around New Zealand
Taranaki - Street scene at Taranaki Pioneer Village Street scene at the Taranaki Pioneer Village outside Stratford
Stratford Glockenspiel The Stratford Glockenspeil in Taranaki
Mt Egmont and King Edward Park Mt Egmont seen from the King Edward Park playing fields in Stratford

Map

Further reading

Hawkes Bay trip - facts and figures - Facts and figures about our trip to Napier and Hawkes Bay in New Zealand

New Zealand - places not to miss - Recommended places to visit in and around New Zealand

New Zealand travel plan - 2009 - Plan for a trip to New Zealand in 2009

Napier - Art Deco building - An Art Deco façade in the city of Napier in New Zealand

Cape Kidnappers - tour to the Gannet Colony - Travelogue from a trip to the Gannet Colony in Hawkes Bay on the North Island of New Zealand

Hawkes Bay - a three day travelogue - Travelogue from our three day visit to Napier and Hawkes Bay on New Zealands North Island

Napier - Art Deco walking tour - Travelogue from a walking tour of Napiers Art Deco architecture with the Art Deco Trust

Havelock North - Sunset over Hawkes Bay - Sunset over Hawkes Bay seen from Havelock North

Napier - a visit to the National Acquarium of New Zealand - A travelogue from a trip to the National Acquarium in Napier, New Zealand

Hawkes Bay - a wine tour - Travelogue from a wine tour in the Hawkes Bay region of New Zealand

Hawke's Bay - Official website of Hawkes Bay Tourism

Key facts

Name: Scenic Hotel Te Pania
Address:
45 Marine Parade, Napier, New Zealand
Book now
Name: The County Hotel
Address:
12 Browning Street, Napier, New Zealand
Book now
Name: Whitehouse Homestay Bed and Breakfast
Address:
14 Woodford Heights, Havelock North, New Zealand
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About Mark Sukhija

Mark Sukhija is a travel and wine blogger, photographer, tourism researcher, hat-touting, white-shirt-wearing, New Zealand fantatic and eclipse chaser. Aside from at least annual visits to New Zealand, Mark has seen eclipses in South Australia (2002), Libya (2006), China (2009) and Queensland (2012). After twelve years in Switzerland, Mark moved back to London in 2012. You can follow Mark on Twitter or Facebook