Waitomo Hotel, Waitomo

Our trip to Waitomo Hotel was a repeat of a visit there 41 years ago. In those days it was owned by the THC government hotel chain and was a busy vibrant place. The government sold the chain in 1990, and although the hotel is a wonderful old building in a brilliant position above the village, it is a far cry from it's hey-day. But fortunately we were unaware that it has a reputation as the most haunted hotel in New Zealand. The only ghosts for us, were memories of our younger selves forty-one years ago. For us, that was equivalent to the paranormal time travel experience  reported in the Waikato Times by an investigator in 2011!
Visit date: 9 February 2015

Oxford Royal Hotel, Tirau

It's hard to imagine that Tirau was originally called 'Oxford'. It was intended to be built in the style of an English town, complete with a Cathedral. A remnant from this optimistic beginning still exists in the Oxford Royal Hotel. Built around 1877, it was the staging post for travellers between Rotorua and Cambridge.

Today however, the hotel serves an excellent steak, and still makes a good stopping point.
Visit date: 22 January 2015

Harbourside, Tauranga

Although, not strictly a historic hotel, the Harbourside Resturant is located in a stunning location in an old harbourside building, built out over the water.

Eating on the old veranda is delightful, and the food excellent. A real summer's day treat.
Visit 20 January 2015

Talisman Hotel, Katikati

Katikati was an area settled by Protestant Irish immigrants from Ulster in 1875.  They arrived by ship and disembarked at the landing, on the Uretara River. Originally the hotel (built in 1888) was named after the river, then moved to higher ground after a huge flood. The present hotel was rebuilt and renamed The Talisman, after a fire in 1929.

Although nearly 100 years old, today it has been remodelled inside into a comfortable restaurant, with a lovely outdoor seating area.
Visit date: 10 October 2014

Puhoi Hotel, Puhoi

 Puhoi is a fascinating backwater (literally on an undeveloped estuary), only 40 minutes north of central Auckland. The hotel is rural and rustic, we had a real feeling of stepping back to pioneering days.
The meals were generous, tasty portions of typical pub food.
Visit date: 20 June 2014

Admirals Arms Hotel, Coromandel

Coromandel is full of interesting historic buildings. The Admirals Arms dates back to the gold rush days, and we did feel as if it was still in the past.
Visit date: 2 February 2014

Tolaga Bay and Matawai Hotels

Our other choice for a night at a historic hotel, would have been Tolaga Bay Inn, so we compromised with morning coffee there. It's a real surprise to find a Victorian looking hotel in such a remote part of New Zealand. The Gothic script inscription of "In what far country does tomorrow lie" over the massive fireplace, was most appealing.

Matawai Hotel is fascinating, in that it appears to be in the middle nowhere. It started life in Motu, which is even more remote, and one third of it was moved here in the 1930's. We planned to stop for lunch on the way home, but sadly found it closed at that time of day. Fortunately the dairy was open and the hotel outdoor seating was a great place to escape the hot sun and eat our ice-creams.
Visit date: 11 December 2013