Name: Skotel Alpine Resort
Address: Ngauruhoe Place, 1, Whakapapa Village, Mt Ruapehu, 3951, NZ

8/10

Excellent

28 Jul 2026

Helen

Room was really warm for our arrival. Staff were pleasant.
I was not well prepared and I think the hotel could be missing an opportunity to help guests get up the mountain during snowy conditions (I wasn’t carrying snow chains and there were limited options to get me up to my ski lesson on time). Not a criticism I would absolutely stay here again.

4/10

Poor

28 Jul 2026

Annmarie

Good Place to stay, close to the mountain
Better cleaning would be nice, as rooms are quite dusty, not good for anyone with allergries .

10/10

Exceptional

26 Jul 2026

Andrew

Excellent service. Lots of good facilities like the sauna and pool table. The restaurant was also excellent and all the staff were super friendly.

10/10

Exceptional

12 Jul 2026

Christine

We had a cabin , was warm enough and quiet and staff were so helpful

10/10

Exceptional

06 Jul 2026

Matthew

Toy room was fantastic. Lovely check in with friendly staff! Room was warm. Water was hot!

8/10

Excellent

05 Jul 2026

Leighton

Nice cosy room overlooking the tundra, amazing views!! Very warm, sub zero temperatures outside but you wouldn't know it (until you're out on the deck that is). No frills but well maintained furnishings. Great restaurant, polite staff. Next to the trail that takes you to the mountains. Would definitely stay again.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

02 Jul 2026

Ramandeep

Everything is assessable. Have all the things you want near. We Must will be there next time for sure.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

01 Jul 2026

Hiki e otua

We had a fantastic stay and would definitely recommend it to other travellers.

The room was spotless, comfortable, and well maintained, making it easy to relax after a day out. The staff were welcoming, friendly, and always happy to help with any questions or requests.

Breakfast/Diner was excellent, with a great variety of fresh and tasty options to suit everyone. One of the highlights was the evening pre diner beverages by the fire which created a warm and relaxing atmosphere and was a lovely way to end the day.

Overall, it was a great experience with excellent service and facilities. We would happily stay here again.

Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

21 Jun 2026

Bradley

Fantastic place, great food, cozy atmosphere and aesthetic, friendly and helpful staff. Overall great stay with a great view.

Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

13 May 2026

Ros

Very good location. Ample parking. Also clean.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

01 May 2026

Maria

The staff provided extremely helpful suggestions regarding what to do in our limited time there.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

29 Apr 2026

Terrence

Convenient location for mountain hiking.

Self

8/10

Excellent

15 Apr 2026

Shahaf

Good location, especially for the Teranaki Falls walk, but also for Tongoriro Crossing (20 minutes drive to the trail head). The staff was friendly. The room was clean and as-described. The property is a little old/dated. Also, the hot tub is only available 3pm to 8pm and you need to reserve a 30-minute slot (on the plus side you get the hot tub to yourself for the 30 minute slot, and the clean it fully every day).

Family_with_children

8/10

Excellent

13 Apr 2026

JOseph

Grea location at the start of walking tracks. Buffet breakfast hits the spot

Self

6/10

Pleasant

25 Mar 2026

Woody

Great location. Room clean but very basic. Food ... well, there are good options a short drive away.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

23 Mar 2026

Kelley

Fabulous location. Our Google Maps took us way out of the way. You can drive to the hotel in 2 minutes from the Harappa visitor center. The waterfall hike leaves from there parking lot. Great views from restaurant aas well as from backpackers eating area. Staff is super nice.

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

17 Mar 2026

Sylvain

Was there in March, so no snow but a good deal of rain. Rooms are wood framed with an OK bed; but the lights are dim, parking is bad (old asphalt, huge amount of craps in the back where you park: old washer, wood scraps, work shop stuffs, and the whole exterior needs repairs and painting.

Nice view from the bars but the wood is bad. Certainly no chefs here. Frozen industrial pizza dough base, forget the breakfast. and I could not stay another day. No restaurants around.

Folks fix your place ASAP before it physically fall apart.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

17 Mar 2026

Stephen

The room was clean, the staff were excellent and the restaurant and shared facilities were well appointed and clean. Excellent access to the wonderful trails.

Family

8/10

Excellent

13 Mar 2026

Barbara Ann

No shops nearby. Good view of Mt Ruapehu.

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

12 Mar 2026

Rada

The mountain view is outstanding

10/10

Exceptional

10 Mar 2026

Giuliana

Nice hotel

8/10

Excellent

03 Mar 2026

Keisteen

Good location

Self

8/10

Excellent

27 Feb 2026

Janice

The staff was wonderful, very friendly and accommodating.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

05 Feb 2026

Massimo

Room was clean and spacious and staff was friendly. The restroom was a bit outdated. Overall it was a good choice, great for access to trails and gondolas. The restaurant is quite good.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

04 Feb 2026

Andrew

It was quite a fun dinner and breakfast around the nice walks from the hotel

Self

10/10

Exceptional

03 Feb 2026

michel

staff was very helpful and the food was very good

10/10

Exceptional

30 Jan 2026

Alivia

Nice view of the mountains, nice play area for children, it was nice to be able to book a private spa session with children

Leisure Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

30 Jan 2026

Kent

Nothing fancy, we did have our own bathroom, which was a plus. View of Mt Doom is awesome and had a great 10 plus mile hike. Good bar and food!

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

19 Jan 2026

Andy

Rustic, national park lodge. Perfect for outdoor orriented travelers looking for a clean room, friendly staff and quality food in an ideal location.

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

15 Jan 2026

Irene

The rooms were very noisy. Apart from that everything was fine.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

10 Jan 2026

Harrison

Helpful staff and good restaurant on site. The room was clean, albeit super hot and there was no fan or air con. The kitchen is small considering the size of the site but had most things one would need.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

05 Jan 2026

Kirsten

Best location, perfect rooms

4/10

Poor

29 Dec 2025

Anjana

Check in was good. Bar staff was good. Restaurant was terrible. Most food choices were gone. They charged $2 for Tabasco Restaurant staff was very rude I requested if I can wait for a better table. I was told take the table that was offered, otherwise there are other takers I am sure if there were other options in the area no one would eat there. Couple of other tables hardly ate what they ordered. Really good location. Truly sad the way it’s being managed

Partner

8/10

Excellent

13 Dec 2025

Clayton

Guests be warned. If reception staff misplace your room key on check out. Check your credit card transaction to see the hotel hasn't charged your card $50 for a lost key.

Leisure Partner

2/10

Poor

03 Dec 2025

Shuang

Room is pretty good (great location, price is reasonable, and room is very clean).
Major problem: the café is a scam. The food is wildly overpriced and bearly edible, e.g., the $30 “meat-lover” pizza had almost no meat and was basically just BBQ sauce sprinkled all over the crust.
They also charge my 13 yo son for adult price breakfast ($30 for some toast and butter).

10/10

Exceptional

21 Nov 2025

Brenda Bland

We were the last ones in the hot tub for the day and it was not clean at all

10/10

Exceptional

14 Nov 2025

Cheryl

Location, location! Not much else around.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

05 Nov 2025

nathan

The staff were most helpful at the front desk and restaurant.

Leisure Self

6/10

Pleasant

03 Nov 2025

Francina

Exterior looked in need of some TLC. We stayed in a Backpacker Queen with Ensuite. Room was well worn and dated though cleverly decorated, clean, comfortable and warm. It had everything we needed and was room enough for both of us. We spent time in the Bar Lounge, a wonderful place to relax and enjoy the views after a day of travelling. And we enjoyed pizza ordered through the bar - it was delicious and arrived much quicker than expected. Staff were friendly and willing, and the hotel definitely has the alpine village vibe. We enjoyed our stay and would have given more stars had the superficial aspects of the hotel been of a higher standard - if you are like us and those things don't bother you, then you won't be disappointed.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

31 Oct 2025

Rebecca

Great location to the National park trails.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

16 Oct 2025

Misty

Check in was easy.

10/10

Exceptional

02 Oct 2025

cristine

Great location and great stay. Tyson at the front desk was so helpful. Close to the mountain and waterfall hikes.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

21 Sep 2025

Diego

Quite old. But really good food. The staff was young and really friendly

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

15 Sep 2025

David

We liked our stay. We got to the motel bit early, but we still couldn’t get into our room till 3pm.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

14 Sep 2025

JOB

Good

8/10

Excellent

13 Sep 2025

Monica

We really enjoyed our stay! A great place for families

8/10

Excellent

10 Sep 2025

Martin

👍

10/10

Exceptional

05 Sep 2025

Ricky

I loved it there. It was clean and tidy the staff was so kind to me and my partner. I just thought the games room down stairs needs a little bit of a upgrade with new table tennis bats and fix the foose ball tables but me and my partner loved the comfort in our room

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

05 Sep 2025

Carmela

The place is nice and cozy and it’s very close to Mt Ruapehu.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

12 Aug 2025

Kylie

Loved the shower heat and pressure !!!

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

08 Aug 2025

Tamsin Megan

Kaz was so lovely, enjoyed our chat, dinner, especially dessert, was very good and the hot tub was amazing after a day on the slopes as too were the views from our cabin.

Leisure Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

16 Jul 2025

Patrick

Lovely old style hotel lodge.
Really nice and friendly staff.
The restaurant food was also really good, and big portion sizes.

Leisure Self

6/10

Pleasant

13 Jul 2025

Jon

Skotel is conveniently located and our second stay for the ski fields.
Check-in is unmanned before 3pm with earlier arrivals invited to wait in the bar, which is also unmanned at that time.
Dinner seems to be limited to 2 hours between 6-8pm but the food is quite good when available.
The hotel was noisy with the late hour conversation from a neighbouring room resonating through the walls. Guests children seemed to use the corridors as a playground, running, yelling and screaming into the evening.
Seems a very casual hotel with very casual standards

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

25 Jun 2025

Pofen

A decent place with great views of the mountains.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

22 Jun 2025

Conrad

Love it. Friendly staff.

Leisure

10/10

Exceptional

20 Jun 2025

Radhika

Good hospitality
Great atmosphere
Bar and restaurant was pretty good.
Overall loved the place and will recommend people going to whakapapa village.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

13 Jun 2025

Margaret

I stayed in the backpackers side in my own room with a very comfortable bed, heaters & washbasin. Communal facilities were kept clean & tidy, staff were kind and fellow travellers friendly. The bar and restaurant are welcoming places to relax. Staying at the Skotel is a home away from home 😊

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

29 Apr 2025

Patricia

Like the old ski lodge feel. Staff was welcoming, rooms were clean and location was lovely!

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

28 Apr 2025

Kristin

Unbelievable views, sunsets, sunrises. While the interior is (like most ski resorts) somewhat worn in appearance, everything was comfortable. And by far, one of the highlights of this resort is the playroom loft, where our 7 year old played happily for hours!

Business_and_leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

21 Apr 2025

Meghan

Dining staff was incredibly supportive to learn about dietary restrictions.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

20 Apr 2025

Waimirirangi

Family friendly, beautiful staff

8/10

Excellent

20 Apr 2025

Szymon

Good starting point for trekking to tama lakes.
Hotel is a bit outdated and in our room we had a lot of dust.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

18 Apr 2025

Jason

Great location for exploring the hikes.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

18 Apr 2025

Brenda

Great location, tiny rooms. Very lucky the have bar and full service restaraunt. Staff very friendly. Balcony room worth it!

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

15 Apr 2025

elisabeth

Loved our stay

Great location for hiking. Loved the 70s ski vibe! Very comfortable beds!

Friends_and_family Family

6/10

Pleasant

11 Apr 2025

Hannah

The walls are kind of thin so if you are a light sleeper it might be hard

10/10

Exceptional

10 Apr 2025

Verified traveler

Fantastic upscale hostel/motel

I cannot say enough good about this place! Wonderful service, comfortable room with private bath/shower, great breakfast buffet (extra), bar, & restaurant (reserve your dining time early). Plenty of free parking. Our room looked out directly at the volcano with a sliding door walk out patio.
Also, great location. We had planned to leave a vehicle at each end of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing but they counseled us that there is a 4 hr time limit after which you are likely to get towed, so we bought a round trip shuttle. Good to have the heads up!

Friends_and_family Friends

8/10

Excellent

09 Apr 2025

Lisa

Loved the location for walking, it was central. Did not like the noise from the restaurant, we were right beside it and it was not ideal.
Kitchen facilities were also appreciated and staff were helpful.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

24 Mar 2025

Yao

Excellent facilities. Very nice staffs. Great location for starting hiking in the national park.

Leisure Partner

6/10

Pleasant

22 Mar 2025

Derek

A little past it's prime.

Very run down hotel but we kind of knew that when we decided to go there. Everyone there was very friendly and everyone was having a good time. Don't think I would ever stay there again because it was a little below my standards.

Partner

2/10

Poor

20 Mar 2025

Lara

Never ended up staying at this property as was unable to confirm after hours booking despite multiple attempts to contact Skotel. Wotif attempted to get a refund but the hotel refused. Poor customer service. Very unlikely to ever stay again or recommend. TBH the location is good, but there’s better places to stay in National Park

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

16 Mar 2025

Belinda

Chef, reception staff and owner went out of their way to make our stay exceptional. Generous size ensuite room with fabulous outlook and balcony. Warm and cosy and totally appropriate to prepare for and then recover from the Tongariro crossing (hot tub) and to explore Ruapehu. We'll be back for a week next time.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

14 Mar 2025

Jonathan

Old but very well maintained, staff hours at the front desk is limited, but they are very helpful even with the daily Niwa weather updates! Restaurant and bar are very good especially the view. If you travel in the high season, make sure to book it early as the park has limited accommodations. Close to hiking tracks and they can even arrange the shuttle to drop off and pick up for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing!

Leisure

8/10

Excellent

12 Mar 2025

Andrew

Friendly staff. Great location. Good option for food and drinks with a bar/restaurant in the venue. Sauna and gym Included, gym was a bit dilapidated with the weights being welded onto the bars and unchangeable, and with most machines broken.

Cleanliness and other amenities not an issue. Well stocked kitchen

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

11 Mar 2025

Michiko

Stayed here before our hike on Tongariro Crossing. The staff were very polite and the room had the most spectacular view of the mountains. The hotel is a bit tired but clean

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

10 Mar 2025

Cassie

Clean, comfortable. Easy check in an out. Staff was very quick and gave recommendations. I like the fact that there was a little sink in the room. Bathrooms were clean. The showers had hot water which was wonderful cuz it gets cold up there at night. My only complaint is you can hear every single noise that the other tenants make from them just walking to babies crying in their room. Our neighbors didn't go to sleep till midnight, I had to knock on their door and tell them to hush.

Leisure Friends

6/10

Pleasant

08 Mar 2025

Nick

We’ve stay here a couple of times now, this would probably be our least favourite experience. Room was basic but good. Scaffolding outside our room was quite noisy during the night in the wind, and cleaner were vacuuming at 730am in room next door, so no sleep in. Just not the best experience this time.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

06 Mar 2025

Lynn

Simple accommodations that met my needs. Loved the towel warmer in the bathroom. Thin walls and noisy guests made for sleeping interruptions. Perhaps reinforce quiet hours to guests.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

05 Mar 2025

Arthur

Skotel is a wonderful place for hikers, nature lovers and people who appreciate the peaceful wilderness. We splurged on a cabin, because we like privacy, and peace and quiet for sleeping. The cabin didn’t disappoint for quiet, solitude, peaceful sleeps, wonderful views, ample space, fully functioning kitchen, balcony, and parking outside your door. Yes, the facilities are a little old and tired, but the cabin was spotless with clean sheets, a comfy bed, fluffy white towels, dish towels, and everything you need to cook, including dishwashing liquid. There was a laundry rack and ironing board, as well as a heated towel rack. While we brought our own food for breakfast and lunch, we made use of the dining room for dinners. We also used the on-site laundry, which was very convenient ($4/load). On site staff were all lovely and helpful. All in all, we had a lovely time at Skotel, and had our best sleeps here!

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

02 Mar 2025

Mark

It’s was ok.

The hotel was in an amazing location, although it was very dated and needed a great deal of TLC.
My room was tiny (I should have read the details better) but the bed was comfortable. The wall was backing onto the restaurant and the noise was quite loud, that said most people had left by 10pm.

We had dinner which was ok, didn’t stay for breakfast.

Overall the stay was fine, it was only a stop over on a longer trip down to Wellington.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

27 Feb 2025

Julia

This hotel is a haven for hikers and nature lovers. Highly recommend!

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

27 Feb 2025

Teresa

It was fine for a short hiking trip. The property is a bit run down and could use some maintenance but it also had some charm. We booked one of the smaller rooms and there was really not even enough floor space to open our suitcases without having to step in them. The bar and dining space were comfortable and clean. The woman at the reception desk was not very welcoming.

Leisure Partner

6/10

Pleasant

26 Feb 2025

John David

Probably the best you’re going to find in or near Tongariro National Park. Located right at the trail head of popular hikes, its location can’t be beat. Just keep in mind it’s an alpine motel geared toward backpackers. It’s great if you want to be near the park, but don’t have high expectations. Restaurant was very good for dinner.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

24 Feb 2025

Cynthia

Great views

The views are spectacular! The receptionist, Tyson, was friendly and helpful, as was the bartender. We enjoyed our pizza in the bar. The breakfast buffet was pretty bad. Stick to the bread, meat and cheese, and fruit, and skip the “hot” food, and you’ll be ok. Book early if you, like us, are elderly and appreciate an en-suite bathroom. We had to go down the hall and around the corner from our tiny room to relieve ourselves. Overall it was enjoyable.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

24 Feb 2025

Dean

The people here were very helpful...top rating for them. Breakfast was terrific if you are hungry as I was...The historic ski equipment around the lobby and sitting area/dining room was a highlight (they had the really old stuff on display, a real treat). The deck sit outside was on the parking lot so not much value there. Proximity to hiking Running trails was excellent...spent a night, but so much to do. Cold mountain air, slept amazing!

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

21 Feb 2025

Geoff

Great place, pillows could do with sn upgrade

Partner

8/10

Excellent

17 Feb 2025

Janet

Excellent location for hiking. Nice common room and kitchen. Rooms very small with dim lighting.

Leisure Partner

6/10

Pleasant

16 Feb 2025

Deane

Ideal backpacker style facility. Nice food but facilities are dated or do not work, for the money paid.

Business_and_leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

06 Feb 2025

Rafael

Very nice hotel with a good view of Tongariro National park. There’s no AC in the rooms so it can get pretty stuffy unless you open the windows. But it gets chilly in the night so kinda evens out. And if you step outside in the night you get a very good view of the stars.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

25 Jan 2025

Fiona

Stunning setting. Comfortable friendly and great location

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

19 Jan 2025

Brendamari

This a very good option for a one night traveler that wants to do the trails. However it is super noisy. Other than that it is great option.

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

09 Jan 2025

James

Whoops this place is in a need of refurbishing as it’s tired and noisy.. paper thin walls and doors and windows just hanging on in there.
Yes a motel but tramped through and worn out. But the communal kitchen and bar area are great

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

06 Jan 2025

Suzanne

Overall we liked the Skotel, the location is fantastic in Tongariro National Park. The facility is old but clean. Request a room facing south looking over the valley, preferably not one facing the parking lot in the back. The staff was friendly. We were disappointed that one of our rooms was very small and not close to the rest of our party. The price was very good.

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

01 Jan 2025

Jennifer

The bed did not suit us and we left early in spite of not getting any refund. We stayed in 220 and we were relieved that the room did not smell like the lobby. The sky cleared briefly and the stars were amazing. Facility is close to hiking trails and visitors center. We believe that designators \"resort\" and \"hotel\" are a stretch and motel would be a more appropriate designation. Our room was listed as having a mirco and due to forest location, cooking is only in communal kitchen.

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

18 Dec 2024

Laura Vanesa

In need of renovations

Leisure

10/10

Exceptional

14 Dec 2024

Nathan

This place is hiker friendly!

I like their packed lunch!

Self

6/10

Pleasant

13 Dec 2024

James

I understand the appeal of Skotel - a quaint, Kiwi escape in the middle of Tongariro National Park - and while both the meal at their restaurant and the gym/sauna/spa facilities pleasantly surprised me, the resort does have a couple let downs holding it back. Firstly, and importantly, the hotel is extremely isolated - in the summer months there is NOTHING happening in Whakapapa, and the nearest ‘town’ is at least a 20 minute drive away, even if you just want groceries and the like. Also, the room and en-suite bathroom were definitely smaller than we expected. However, I must admit I did have a comfortable sleep there and the stay is certainly more than suitable for a night after a day of exploring the park.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

13 Dec 2024

Lisa

Amazing value. Loved the vibe. Friendly staff. Sustainability efforts. Beautiful setting.

Business_and_leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

10 Dec 2024

Verified traveler

Good location very basic rooms.

Great location and food. Friendly helpful staff. The rooms were a bit worn and awkward, but servicable.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

28 Nov 2024

Amanda

A good stay

We had a good stay. Like other people have mentioned, the walls are thin and you can hear people talking next door, but the room was cozy. We had a bunk bed with another single twin bed. It was unexpected that we had to book time in the hot tub and pay $5 for 30 minutes. The scenery around the hotel is beautiful and it's quiet and dark during the night.

Partner