Name: City Lights Boutique Lodge
Address: 56c Mountain Road, Rotorua, NZ

10/10

Exceptional

03 Feb 2026

Suzanne

Spotlessly clean accommodation. David and Grace were great hosts, who made us feel very welcome.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

01 Nov 2025

Mark

Lovely hosts, lovely place, lovely stay. Definitely recommend

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

13 Oct 2025

Thomas

None

8/10

Excellent

14 Nov 2024

Sreerupa

The views from the common area were beautiful. However, our room was tiny, no space to move about in at all. The breakfast provided was good but the spread somewhat stingy. You had to ask for that second cup of coffee for example, and the cold cuts and cheeses platter looked meager.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

27 Jan 2024

Thomas

Wonderful stay in peaceful surroundings with a great view down into Rotorua. Close enough with a car to all the local attractions but far enough away from the busy town centre.
Lovely breakfast, very comfortable room and even managed to find time for the hot tub! Would highly recommend!

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

12 Nov 2022

Christopher

Amazing place to stay

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

17 Jul 2021

Verified traveler

Absolutely beautiful accommodation and the owners/staff were amazing! So friendly and kind to us during our stay. The room was so clean and was very very comfortable! Would definitely stay again! It’s amazing!

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

05 Jul 2021

K

Amazing place to stay and hosts. Has everything you need to stay and more including Alpacas you can feed and an outdoor spa pool.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

05 Jun 2021

Verified traveler

The cottage we stayed is fully equipped with everything we need and has a beautiful view overlooking the city of Rotorua. We loved that we could feed the Alpancas everyday. The location is handy away from the city but handy to get around. Our hosts David and Grace were very friendly and hospitable, and made us feel very welcomed when we first arrived. We enjoyed our stay and would sray there again when we next visit Rotorua

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

19 Apr 2021

Verified traveler

Loved the peaceful outlook from the cottage. Was cool to feed the alpacas in the morning too.
Nice to have use of the spa as well. Owners were super friendly and allowed us to keep to ourselves for a nice quiet weekend away.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

13 Jan 2020

Charles

lovely place to stay

We stayed in a separate cottage that was well organized , extremely clean and comfortable. There were many extra touches , such as robes, Beach towels, barbecue, food for breakfast, maps and things to do in the area. We hosts were very helpful. There is a lovely hot tub to use. The accommodation is about a 15minute drive to the centre of town.
Great place to stay.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

11 Jan 2020

Genevieve

Perfect Place to Stay

We highly recommend a stay here. The cottage included several thoughtful touches - the hosts have clearly put a lot of thought into making sure everything a traveler might need was in the cottage and made us feel welcome and provided lots of info about the area. It was a sleemless check in...Perfect location for those with a car up on the hill with stunning views and a hot tub and alpacas!!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

05 Jan 2020

John Keith

Upscale B&B in Rotoroa

Very upscale B&B home with lovely views of the Rotoroa valley & city. Immaculate rooms with nice breakfasts too. David & Grace gave us great activity recommendations & helped book a dinner event, as well. They were extremely friendly & professional. Bonus: 5 adorable alpacas nearby, to feed, pet & take photos. We’d return!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

21 Aug 2019

Christine

Wow!

It was awesome! Great hosts and a beautiful location.

10/10

Exceptional

20 Feb 2019

Verified traveler

Beautiful views. Alpaca's in the front yard. Very close to town. We were in the private house so it was very nice and cozy.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

03 Jul 2018

John

More than expected

Walking into something without too much expectations, my partner and i where very surprised. So nice to be greated like old friends who haven't seen each other in ages! The views, tiny gym, sauna, spa, comfy beds and you have to feed the alpacas! Was a real nice change to be JUST out of town (Just a couple of kms). Home made breakfast with a country touch was a sad reality that we had to leave that day. Will be back but not soon enough.

10/10

Exceptional

03 May 2018

Verified traveler

This is the best place to stay in Rotorua. The hosts Leigh and Angie are so warm and welcoming. You will experience true hospitality here. Their homemade breakfast that we enjoyed here each morning was delicious, healthy and filling. It is the perfect to start your sightseeing day. The homemade blueberry muffins and zucchini bread were delicious and comforting. The homemade plum jam, grapefruit marmalade, lemon curd, peanut butter, and muesli were delectable as well. Our room was extremely clean, comfortable and luxurious. This really felt like our home away from home. Angie and Leigh gave us extremely valuable tips on when and where to best see the sites. I think we made the most of our 2 days here because of Angie and Leigh’s recommendations. When we visit Rotorua again, we will certainly stay here.

10/10

Exceptional

12 Feb 2018

Lawrence

Great option in Rotarua

A comfortable stay in a well- decorated house. Lots of lounging space, a spa, views, excellent breakfast.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

11 Jun 2017

Arie

Great honeymoon stay!

We stayed for two nights on our honeymoon and had a great time! The hosts are extremely accommodating and went out of their way to give advice on activities, get to know us, and make our honeymoon feel special. They decorated our honeymoon suite and offered to drop us off downtown in the evenings. They obviously care about their visitors and their business. It felt like staying at a friend's home, having breakfast and drinks in the living room and getting to know the hosts and other guests. Views are amazing and getting to feed the alpacas was so much fun! Walls in the rooms are a bit thin/accommodations a little tight for those wanting a lot of privacy but the hosts and warmness of the place more than make up for that and it's a true B&B experience. Highly recommend!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

07 Sep 2016

Alex

Beautiful B&B\n

Had a wonderful stay at City Lights Boutique Lodge
Really nice place not too far from all the attractions
Hope to be able to go back with friends

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

24 Jul 2016

Jeff

Great Homestay in Rotorua.

Great stay at City lights with wonderful hosts that prepare a great breakfast for you. Great views of the city from the house and cute alpacas in the backyard.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

08 May 2016

Joy

Fab city getaway!

After a long day of driving and sightseeing, City Lights was like a relaxing oasis for us. In fact, we bought groceries in town and took advantage of the outdoor grill to cook our own dinner. Local NZ wine, cheese and steaks plus the lovely views - what's not to enjoy! After dinner, we enjoyed relaxing a bit more in the hot tub!

Thanks to our lovely hosts for a great night! Angie was sweet enough to turn on the heater to warm up our cozy room before our arrival and made us fresh museli in the morning. And we got to meet the friendly alpacas. So cute! All in all a great place to stay during your NZ adventures.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

27 Nov 2015

Steven

Extremely clean and hosts very friendly!

What a wonderful time. The hosts were very attentive. We really enjoyed meeting their pet alpacas!

City Lights was extremely clean and neat but with a homey feel

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

14 Jul 2015

Deb

Luxury in the hills

Had a lovely stay in this gorgeous B & B. The couple that run it are just so sweet and can't do enough for you. Very comfy bed and the breakfast, superb! Highly recommended!!!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

23 May 2015

David

Hidden Gem of Rotorua

Went above and beyond to make our stay as comfortable as possible. Hidden gem of Rotorua. Must stay!!!!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

05 May 2015

Vito

The best view and very friendly owners.

Don't worry about the distance from town, it really isn't far and it is well worth the extra 5-10 minute drive to get there because you can get away from any sulfuric smells and the views are just stunning from up the hill. The city lights at night are beautiful to look at and the views during the day are just as grand. The caretakers of the bed and breakfast are truly a delight! They are very friendly and offer the best advice for things to do and places to eat around Rotorua. Nothing but fresh air and the feeling of privacy all around the property. This place is the perfect getaway in New Zealand. There are also some alpacas on the property that the owners will let you feed and get close to if you ask. Some rooms are very quaint but cozy. We recommend the suite as it has plenty of room, a great view, and it doesn't cost that much more than the other rooms. I was celebrating my birthday during one of the days I stayed there and when the owners found out they were so nice that they got me a card and a souvenir the next day (the day of my birthday)! I highly recommend this place if you are staying in Rotorua. I can't imagine a better place to stay. With a tasty complimentary continental breakfast every morning you can't beat it! The owners will work around your schedule. The location is just within 7-15 minutes of all the attractions in Rotorua. Don't miss out!

8/10

Excellent

06 Apr 2015

Verified traveler

Great location. Friendly staff. Very comfortable rooms.

10/10

Exceptional

25 Feb 2015

Jonathan

Best B&B in Rotorua

Fantastic bed&breakfast! Best stay so far in Rotorua.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

04 Feb 2015

Verified traveler

Citylights

This BnB owners Angie and Leigh made us feel like a family
Superb view through our room
Amazing ambience
Overall a wonderful stay

Partner

8/10

Excellent

01 Dec 2014

Gary

NIce B&B, but far from town

This well-kept modern B&B is artistically decorated and sits high above Rotorua. Which means it is a fairly long drive into town, but has none of the sulphurous smells either. The owner is pleasant and helpful, has a well-mannered cat and dog, and several alpacas out back. The City Lights views are seen from the common area and 2 of the guest rooms. The 3rd room (our room) had a view of the side utility yard, so ask for one of the view rooms when booking. the room was also pretty small, but of course that is typical for almost all B&Bs. Our bathroom was odd in that there was no enclosure for the shower. It sprays right onto the main floor. There is a semi-circular hanging curtain that somewhat contains the water spray, and a drain in the center of the room, where most of the water drains, but you do end up with a generally wet bathroom floor if you take a shower. The breakfast was quite nice.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

19 Oct 2014

Gina

great 2 bedder 5 mins from centre Rotorua

Great little 2 bedder apartment, just 5 minutes drive from Rotorua.
Very comfortable and well laid out, has everything you need, including internal laundry (came in very handy with a little one :))
Owner very friendly and helpful, good advice, and lovely breakfast hamper pack.
Only 2 small negatives - small shower, and small bedrooms - not enough room for our luggage plus portacot. But that said, is great little 2 bedder for a good price.

10/10

Exceptional

10 Oct 2014

Kelly

A lovely place to stop in Rotorua

Our hosts were welcoming and friendly and the location has lovely views do the surrounding countryside. We really enjoyed our stay.

8/10

Excellent

08 May 2014

Beat Boxer

Service and lodgings great

Last minute supporters needed a room for 2 nights (i.e. I get told the night before Im heading to Rotorua for the half-marathon) so luckily City Lights had a vacancy: kea room = queen bed, kettle for hot drinks on separate stand (milk provided, no room fridge), en suite, flat screen tv, closet with built in shelves/drawers (no luggage stand). Shared lounge/dining room. Access to shared small fridge (no access to kitchen..microwave etc). Service and lodgings great and well maintained. (compliments to the builder, great workmanship - so Dad raved) Little bit of a windy drive to get to from the road. Tip: dont arrive after dark like we did, some tricky turns, and you could miss the small signage (which Dad did). However, if you're after peace and quiet, away from the central city (..and your pocket is suitably padded), this tranquil b&b is perfect.

Family

8/10

Excellent

22 Apr 2014

Patrick

Facilities: Basic; Value: Average price; Service: Respectful, tries to please;

10/10

Exceptional

02 Mar 2014

Julie

Beautiful location overlooking Rotarua

Lovely location and accommodation. The hosts were very nice and the breakfast was outstanding.

Family

6/10

Pleasant

17 Jun 2013

Verified traveler

pretty basic

Very difficult to find. There is a sign on the main road, but once you enter the area, signate is extremely poor. The place is very basic - nothing luxurious about it.

10/10

Exceptional

27 May 2013

Angie

Beautiful Getaway at City Lights!

What a lovely way to spend time in Rotorua. Amazingly friendly and helpful hosts in serene and beautiful surroundings. A true getaway with all the comforts of home. Lovely views of the city lights at night and beautiful mountain and city views during the day. Can't wait to come back on my next visit but make sure I stay longer. Kids loved the open space and the animals - particularly the very friendly goat. Highly recommended.

4/10

Poor

21 Apr 2013

Peter

Facilities: Unpretentious; Value: Over-priced, Could be better; Service: Non provided ; Cleanliness: Grubby;
Advertisement badly worded no mention that apart from main bed the others were BUNK Beds hardly suitable for a grown up to sleep on

Family

10/10

Exceptional

02 Apr 2013

Stuart

Facilities: Good; Value: Affordable; Service: Go the extra mile, Outstanding; Cleanliness: Spotless, Immaculate, Pristine;
Amazing people

8/10

Excellent

01 Apr 2013

C & N

Perfect place away from hustle and bustle

You will need to have a car if you choose to stay here. My husband and I stayed at the cottage during our stay. If you like to be away from the hustle and bustle, is definitely worth a bit of drive away from the town centre. The cottage is furnished with everything you need and we felt at home during our stay. Anyone with kids will love this little cottage too because the owners have a friendly goat and a few alpacas at the fenced up area. We personally enjoy sitting outside on the decking overlooking the town area every evening after spending the day exoploring the surroundings of Rotorua.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

07 Feb 2013

Lil

Excellent Hotel, a MUST in Rotorua

Our host Naomi pays attention to all details, and she is so delightful and helpful. We love the landscape view during the day, and the night view is the best with city lights against a starry sky. Love the animals in the house: Jelly the pooch and Snowy the cat. Love the goat in the fenced up yard, and the alpaca! Wonderful experience!

8/10

Excellent

13 Jan 2013

Ellen

overall our stay was great, except the hut or unit for family stay is a stand alone one and away from the main house, which is shown on the booking system.

Family

8/10

Excellent

14 Nov 2012

Verified traveler

good mountain view

nice view

I chose this cottage as per reviews.
however, it is not as good as I was expected.
it was ok. Rating for this cottage may 4 out of 5.
not 5 of 5.

8/10

Excellent

03 Nov 2012

Verified traveler

As described and comfortable stay

10/10

Exceptional

03 Oct 2012

Martin

Service: very friendly; Cleanliness: Spotless;
a bedroom chair would have been nice

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

20 Jul 2012

Christian

Second time - Still as excellent as the first time

This was the second visit to the City Lights Boutique and will not be the last. Excellent hosts, beautiful rooms and awesome location.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

27 Mar 2012

Sandra

Facilities: Above average; Value: Affordable; Service: Good; Cleanliness: Spotless;

Partner

8/10

Excellent

24 Mar 2012

achana

Lovely place to stay

The lovely place you must stay in Rotorua.

10/10

Exceptional

31 May 2011

Verified traveler

Perfect place to unwind

A perfect place to unwind. Nice hosts and a great room. The location is far away enough from everything so you can unwind but only minutes from all the important places in town.

Great rooms and just a perfect stay all around!

10/10

Exceptional

13 Apr 2011

Lynn

City Lights - Wonderful accomodations

We enjoyed our stay at City Lights very much. Naomi was a wonderful host with plenty of information on what we should do during our short stay in Rotorua (2 nights). The B&B is in a quiet neighborhood with a wonderful view of the city, countryside, and the stars and the room was pristine! We would recommend this B&B to anyone traveling to New Zealand!