Escape to Paradise: Panorama Motor Inn Awaits in Te Kuiti!
Escape to Paradise? More Like, Escape to Relaxation. (Panorama Motor Inn Review - Te Kuiti Edition!)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I just returned from, well, attempting to find paradise in Te Kuiti, New Zealand, and I have opinions. This is not your dry, by-the-numbers travel blog – you’re getting the unvarnished truth about the Panorama Motor Inn. And trust me, this place has layers.
First Impressions – The Arrival & Accessibility (and my bad knee) ♿
So, Te Kuiti itself is… charmingly rural. Think "sheep, rolling hills, and the occasional petrol station". Finding the Panorama Motor Inn was easy enough, thankfully. And the accessibility? Well, let's just say my aging knee (bless it!) appreciated the elevator immediately. Elevator! That's right, folks, no lugging your suitcase up flights of stairs here. Huge win. They also have facilities for disabled guests, which I didn't personally need, but it's reassuring knowing they’re catering to everyone. Car park [free of charge]? Yup. Also a big plus.
Cleanliness & Safety: Gotta Feel Safe (Even if You're a Nervous Nellie Like Me)
Look, 2024 is a thing. I'm a bit of a germaphobe, so I was all eyes on the safety protocols. The hand sanitizer dispensers were plentiful, which is a good start. They really went to town on the Anti-viral cleaning products and the Rooms sanitized between stays felt reassuring, as even saw them using professional-grade sanitizing services. And get this, you could even Room sanitization opt-out available if you wanted to go a little crazy and not have them do it! They’ve got all the bases covered and I felt safe. Plus, there was a Doctor/nurse on call which is nice to know, even if you don't need it, and a First aid kit!
The Room: Cozy & Competent (With a Few Quirks)
The room itself was… fine. Not jaw-droppingly luxurious, but perfectly functional. The air conditioning was a lifesaver (I'm not used to this summer weather!). The free Wi-Fi actually worked (hallelujah!), and the Wi-Fi [free] made streaming my favourite show seamless after a long day. I’m a creature of habit, so the complimentary tea and the coffee/tea maker got a solid thumbs up from yours truly. The extra long bed was great, perfect for sprawling out after a day of… well, anything. Blackout curtains? Yes, please! And while there wasn't a bathtub, the separate shower/bathtub was perfectly adequate.
Now, the quirks: the decor was a little… dated. Let's call it "New Zealand Grandma Chic." But honestly, after a while, I found it kind of endearing. It was like stepping back in time in the best possible way. The desk was functional, but the laptop workspace could be improved. And while I generally loved the safety/security feature, let's just say the alarm clock at 6am made me jump out of my own skin.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Food Glorious Food (Maybe a Little More Variety Needed…)
Okay, here's where things got a little… interesting. The restaurants onsite and the A la carte in restaurant didn’t seem to have a menu which was sad, but the Breakfast [buffet] was decent, with your classic options (sausage, eggs, toast). I went for the Western breakfast, but I would have loved to sample the Asian breakfast as well if they offered it! The Coffee/tea in restaurant was decent. I'm a coffee snob, so I'm rarely blown away, but it did the trick. They had a Snack bar, which hit the spot after a long drive, and I hear the Room service [24-hour] is a life-saver.
Now, the bad. If you have dietary restrictions, well… you might be out of luck. While there were attempts made at offering an Alternative meal arrangement, the menu felt a little limited for anyone who wasn't a typical meat-and-potatoes kind of person. There wasn't a specific Vegetarian restaurant either, which was slightly disappointing. I also saw a Poolside bar, but it wasn't open during my visit.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax (or Not So Much)
This is where the Panorama Motor Inn almost shines, but fumbles a bit. They claim to have lots of ways to relax – the website boasts things like a swimming pool, a spa, and a sauna. The Swimming pool [outdoor] was lovely, though I would have loved to Pool with view. And for those who want to be pampered, there is a Body scrub, Body wrap, and Massage. But in reality, several of these amenities weren't available at all times. The Gym/fitness was kinda sad and empty, the steamroom I wasn’t sure whether it was open, and the sauna, well… let’s just say it was “under maintenance” during my stay.
But, let's be honest. The main goal is to relax, right?
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Make a Difference
This is where the Panorama Motor Inn really delivers. The daily housekeeping staff were lovely, and the room was always spotless. The concierge was helpful, always friendly and gave us some great tips about the area. The convenience store was great, having the convenience store was excellent. Having the Laundry service and dry cleaning available made life easy – thank goodness for the ironing service and ironing facilities.
For the Kids (and the Inner Kid in Us All!)
I don't have kids. I'm more of a “treat myself to a spa day” kind of gal. But if you do have them, the Family/child friendly rating is true. I didn’t notice any Kids facilities, but you can tell it is a great place to kids.
Getting Around: They've Got You Covered
The car park [free of charge] was a lifesaver. Te Kuiti isn’t a place you're walking around as a tourist. And if you arrive by other means, they offer an Airport transfer for that seamless arrival and departure. There are also taxi service available.
The Final Verdict (and My Crazy Offer!)
Look, the Panorama Motor Inn isn't perfect. It’s not a gleaming, five-star palace. But it's comfortable, clean, safe, and the staff are genuinely lovely.
Here's the bottom line: If you’re looking for a comfortable base to explore the beauty of the Te Kuiti and surrounding areas, this is a great option. It's a solid choice for a relaxing getaway, and I highly recommend it.
My Crazy Offer: Book Now and Get… a Story!
Book your stay at the Panorama Motor Inn through my link below, and I will personally give you one piece of insider info about the best café in town. I'll also have a story to tell about my trip for the first person who books with my link below. And why? Because I appreciate a place that's got good people and great value.
Click here and find out more: [Insert your affiliate link here - DO IT!]
And remember: Te Kuiti is waiting. And so, apparently, is the Panorama Motor Inn!
Davao City Condo: Stunning 1121 Sq Ft Paradise Awaits!
Panorama Motor Inn: My Te Kuiti Tango (A Messy, Honest, and Probably Over-Caffeinated Adventure)
Right, buckle up buttercups. We're going to Te Kuiti. Yes, that Te Kuiti. Home of the sheep shearing championships, and, as far as I understand, the Panorama Motor Inn. My home for a few glorious, or possibly disastrous, days. Here goes nothing…
Day 1: Arrival & Sheep-Shock Therapy
1:00 PM: Landed in Auckland. Flight was… a flight. You know the drill. Cramped seats, questionable airplane food (was that actually chicken?), the usual. Feeling vaguely like a well-wrung-out dishcloth. Drive to Te Kuiti (about 2.5 hours) – road trip playlist: check. Sunglasses: check. Sanity: questionable.
4:00 PM (ish): Arrived at Panorama Motor Inn. Oh. My. God. It's… charming. In a slightly-faded-glory, kind-of-reminds-me-of-my-grandma's-house-but-without-the-cats kind of way. The receptionist (a lovely woman with a name I've already forgotten, sorry!) was super friendly, though, bless her heart. Got checked in. Unit 12! Sounds important. Must remember the key. I feel like I'm in a movie already, I'm sure a mystery will be unfolding in this town.
4:30 PM: The room! Cleanish. The bed looks comfy. The carpet… well, let's just say it adds character. (Dust bunnies, you are not welcome, okay?). Took a mental note to inspect the plumbing and the shower pressure later. Priorities.
5:00 PM: Mandatory Sheep Spotting! Te Kuiti is, as previously mentioned, the sheep shearing town. I drove around. Sheep. Everywhere. I mean, everywhere. I saw a sheep eating a bag of chips. A sheep looking judgmental. I even think (might have been hallucinating at this point) a sheep giving me the stink eye. Emotional processing: am I suddenly an animal lover? Or am I in a sheep-infested fever dream? TBD.
6:30 PM: Dinner at the local pub, The Black Fern Bar. The food was… hearty. Think: pub food, but with more sheep-related decor. I ordered the steak. It defeated me. The beer, however, did not. I had a brilliant chat (mostly one-sided, because I tend to ramble when tired) with a friendly local wearing a 'I heart sheep' t-shirt. He told me about the upcoming shearing competition. It sounded intense. A little intimidating.
8:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Attempted to watch TV. Failed. The remote was clearly possessed. Ended up staring at the ceiling, contemplating the existential meaning of sheep. And how much I needed sleep. Then, I was trying to call a friend and the phone was dead! The perils of a solo travel.
10:00 PM: Finally, sleep. The bed is comfy. Thank the heavens. Zzzzzzz.
Day 2: Shearing Showdown & Quirky Quagmire
7:00 AM: Alarm. Ugh. Coffee needed. Desperately. Managed to find the instant coffee and boil some water. The bathroom, the shower pressure is…adequate. But you know what? I’m grateful for hot water.
8:00 AM: Breakfast. Basically, whatever I could scavenge from the supermarket: some crackers, some cheese of questionable origin, and a slightly bruised apple. Luxury!
9:00 AM: The Shearing Competition Prep, my favourite time! Yes, yes, the reason I came! I really wanted to get in and see the shearing competition to get into the spirit. However, the tickets were sold out, now sad, but I can still get to see the sheep shearing in the arena from outside. I'm sure it's gonna be interesting and maybe learn a new skill.
11:00 AM: My brain fried! I was going to visit another quirky place, but I simply lost track of time. I had a great conversation with a local about sheep, shearing, and life in general! It was great.
1:00 PM: Lunch. Found a cute little cafe in a random location. Ordered a sandwich that was good, but not mind-blowing. Still, pretty good.
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Back to the Panorama Motor Inn. Let's be real, by this point, I needed a nap. And maybe to just… stare at the ceiling again. The carpet. The room. They're growing on me, I guess.
6:00 PM: Dinner at a different restaurant this time. The food was a massive improvement from yesterday's pub food, I'm talking gourmet levels. So much for a cheap vacation.
8:00 PM: I tried calling my friend back but I was blocked. It's alright, they are probably busy and doing their things. I did another long walk in Te Kuiti. Lots of sheep, and some great views of the night sky.
10:00 PM: Sleep. Maybe I'll finally dream of sheep?
Day 3: Departure and Reflections (or, the sheep have won)
7:00 AM: Alarm. Same drill. Coffee, check. Slight sadness about leaving, check. This place has grown on me, I think.
8:00 AM: Quick checkout. Goodbye, Panorama Motor Inn! It's been… an experience. I'll never forget you (probably).
9:00 AM: Final wander through Te Kuiti. One last sheep sighting. One last longing look at a sheep shearing equipment. I swear, I saw a sheep wink at me. This town is getting to me.
10:00 AM: Drive back to Auckland, reflecting on the randomness of it all.
Overall Assessment: Te Kuiti: unique, sheep-filled, and slightly… weird. The Panorama Motor Inn is a quirky blast from the past, and I secretly loved it. The people are friendly. The food is, well, food. The sheep are everywhere. Would I go back? Honestly… maybe. I think I need to mentally process all the sheep first. And maybe bring earplugs. And a better remote control. And possibly a sheep-proof jacket.
Final thought: This trip was a refreshing reminder that you don't need fancy hotels or meticulously planned itineraries to have an adventure. Sometimes, the best memories are made in the most unexpected and slightly dusty places. And, let's be honest, I wouldn't trade my Te Kuiti sheep-induced brain fog for anything.
Uncover Hidden Paradise: Sirius Valle, Ensenada's Best-Kept Secret!
Escape to Paradise: Panorama Motor Inn – Your (Possibly) Rough Guide!
Okay, Seriously, What *Is* the Panorama Motor Inn? Is it actually paradise?
What's the deal with the rooms? Are they, like, haunted?
Tell me about the staff. Are they friendly, or do they secretly hate tourists?
Is there anything to *do* at the Panorama Motor Inn itself?
What about breakfast? Is it provided? And if so, is it edible?
Location, Location, Location! Is it close to the Waitomo Caves?
Okay, so what are the *downsides* to staying at the Panorama? Be honest!
Any tips for a first-timer?
