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Karaka Tree Motel

Property class: 3.5
3.5-star motel in Waipahihi

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Photo gallery for Karaka Tree Motel

Private spa tub
Two Bedroom Suite
Front of property
TV
Free WiFi, bed sheets

Reviews

7.4 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • Hot tub
  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

View in a map
216 Lake Terrace, Taupo, TAUPO
  • Place, Waipahihi Botanical Gardens
    ‪13 min walk‬
  • Place, Taupō Hot Springs
    ‪14 min walk‬
  • Place, Wairakei Geothermal Power Station
    ‪2 min drive‬
  • Airport, Taupō Airport (TUO)
    ‪7 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for One Bedroom Suite

One Bedroom Suite

One Bedroom Suite

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Twin Suite Mineral Spa

Standard Room

Twin Suite Mineral Spa

7.4 out of 10
Good
(3 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Studio Mineral Spa

Standard Room

Studio Mineral Spa

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Two Bedroom Suite

Free WiFi, bed sheets

Two Bedroom Suite

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 6
  • 2 Queen Beds and 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Basic Double Room

Free WiFi, bed sheets

Basic Double Room

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

About the area

Taupō

Waipahihi stay.With a stay at this Waipahihi motel, you'll be within half a mile (1 km) of Waipahihi Botanical Gardens and 2 miles (3 km) of Taupō Hot Springs. Lake Taupō and Three Mile Bay are also within 2 miles (3 km).
View more Motels in TaupōOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Waipahihi Botanical Gardens - 13 min walk - 1.1 km
  • Taupō Hot Springs - 14 min walk - 1.2 km
  • Wairakei Geothermal Power Station - 2 min drive - 2.9 km
  • Three Mile Bay - 3 min drive - 2.5 km
  • Maori Carvings - 3 min drive - 2.6 km

Getting around

  • Taupō Airport (TUO) - 6 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Dixie Brown's Cafe - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Cafe Baku - ‬5 min drive

About this property

Karaka Tree Motel

3.5-star motel in Waipahihi
Karaka Tree Motel offers its guests 12 hot tubs. Public spaces have free WiFi. Free self parking is available.

This 3.5-star Taupō motel is smoke free.

  • 24 guestrooms or units
  • Front desk (limited hours)
  • Newspapers in lobby (free)
  • No smoking on site
Karaka Tree Motel offers 24 accommodations with coffee/tea makers and hair dryers. Refrigerators and microwaves are provided.

Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access. Business-friendly amenities include phones along with free local calls (restrictions may apply). Change of towels and change of bedsheets can be requested.

Similar properties

Courtyard
Lakefront Lodge Taupo
Taupō Central
  • Pool
  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Restaurant
3.8 out of 5, Good, 1,000 reviews
The price is CA $62
CA $72 total
includes taxes & fees
May 3 - May 4
Lakefront Lodge Taupo

Property amenities

Family friendly

  • In-room microwave
  • In-room refrigerator

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Free self parking on site

Things to do

  • 12 hot tubs

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only

Room amenities

Entertainment

  • TV

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Hair dryer
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator

More

  • Free local calls
  • Heating
  • Phone

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 8:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open daily from 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
This property doesn't offer after-hours check-in
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours), lockbox

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
  • Cribs (infant beds) are not available.

Property payment types

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Noise-free guestrooms cannot be guaranteed
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, and window guards
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club, and JCB International. Cash is not accepted. Noise-free guestrooms cannot be guaranteed. For guests' safety, the property includes a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, and window guards in each accommodation.

We should mention

  • Registered guests are the only ones allowed to be in guestrooms.

National rating

Property class, provided by our rating system, is based on property type, amenities, and services.

Property is also known as

Karaka Motel
Karaka Tree Motel Motel
Karaka Tree Motel
Karaka Tree Motel Taupo
Karaka Tree Taupo
Karaka Tree Hotel Taupo
Karaka Tree Motel Taupo
Karaka Tree Motel Motel Taupo

Karaka Tree Motel Reviews

Reviews

7.4

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 118 out of 428 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 153 out of 428 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 89 out of 428 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 45 out of 428 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 23 out of 428 reviews

7.2/10

Cleanliness

7.8/10

Staff & service

5.8/10

Amenities

6.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Philip

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Super friendly manager handy to everywhere bed comfy
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

6/10 Okay

Tom

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

8/10 Good

Nat

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness
The room was sparse and tidy. Staff were courteous and efficient
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

2/10 Terrible

Nigel

Travelled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
False advertisement: the booking said, a spa in every room. ( No spa). Couldn't turn the tv on because 1, batteries were flat and 2, there was no antenna cord. Room had no air con, so room was quite stuffy. The toilet had no ventilation and was in the middle of the apartment. Also woke up in the morning to find around 50-60 ants running on the kitchen bench. And also the price was way over priced $170 for what we received. Sorry but not happy.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

2/10 Terrible

Courtney

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

6/10 Okay

Jennifer

Travelled with partner, Travelled with group
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Courteous staff. Unfortunately room was not in good condition. The room had great potential but needed refurbishment
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

6/10 Okay

Mike

Liked: Cleanliness
Room was tidy and functional but nothing flash. TV didn’t work and the kitchenette was lacking bowls. Room was quiet though and I had a good sleep.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

2/10 Terrible

Teresa

Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Room was old and smells very musty. Very dated and carpet needs a good clean Bathroom is outdated. Room was not serviced over the 2 days I was there
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025

2/10 Terrible

Fraser

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

Sandra

Travelled with group
Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I like the spa room plenty of space, got what I asked for ie shortage of towels/bathmats. Kitchen handy location in room but needs simple cleaning overall. Average stay for the price. Could do with a small couch inside and table/chairs for outside usage to enjoy the view of lake.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

2/10 Terrible

Dwayne

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I booked and paid for a one bedroom suite with a spa and we ended being put in a dirty 1 room unit that had unrepaired screwholes in the shower, i felt dirtier aftwr i got out, not only did their clerk not really seem to care but also our room had no spa pool in it and believe it or not we didnt even get a tv in the room, ive stayed many times and love the spa units but this room (12a) was gross with no features. I give 1 star because the bed was comfy but thats it.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

6/10 Okay

Heemi

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

2/10 Terrible

Aleasha

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
As soon as I walked in the reception had ripped seating. Got to the room and there was stains on the bed, no soap, tv didn’t work, no smoke alarm, no hot water, the spa pool was extremely dirty. I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone and will be asking for my money back. Didn’t get through 3 hours in this place! Felt so unsafe the entire time ended up forking out over $650 for safer accomodation. Will not be back!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

6/10 Okay

Katy

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Room spacious, had private, geothermal mineral spa, clean but battered furniture. Fine for the price. New management have not yet seen to repairs in rooms (spa bathplug, light bulbs) nor sorted appropriate utensils eg, frying pan but cooking is by microwave. Only a glass salad bowl for microwave…four mismatched plates and bowls, just 1 wineglass. Two plates had toast crumbs on our arrival. Young and older women staff friendly, others a little rusty.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

4/10 Poor

John

Travelled with partner
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
Not enough cutlery or crockery tv very poor and cutout all the time shower base broken no bathmat
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

4/10 Poor

Sherrina

Travelled with partner
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Amenities
The person on duty was so accomodating n friendly. He was amazing. The place was missing lots of things, maybe too higher expectations for what we paid like TV didn’t work, only coffee, no spare blankets on cold night, limited power points. Place was clean and he allowed us to swap rooms. Spoke to people who have stayed there before and doesn’t sound like anything has changed! Sad! Won’t stay there again!
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Jamsheed

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Friendly staff. clean amenities. Only improvement we could pick was a heat pump in the room.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

2/10 Terrible

Brendon

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Property dirty, unsafe with power cords all over the place, hole in floor that we would trip over. Slugs in bathroom. Holes in walls. Untidy surrounds, garbage outside windows. Poor to no. Internet access. Tvs didn't work due to internet. No sky TV as advertised on the billboard out the front. We paid for a spa unit and no spa yet advertised on Expedia and on billboard as having a spa. Unhelpful staff. No mention of a refund or partial when I approached them with the issues. Worse motel I have ever stayed in. DON'T STAY HERE
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

2/10 Terrible

Rhys

Travelled with group
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Property isn’t as advertised. Arrived and they couldn’t find our booking straight away. It’s the middle of winter with heavy snow on the mountains and the only heating in the room was a small fan heater, would not meet housing standards for any form of accommodation. Property isn’t maintained, room is dark and cold. We had just arrived from Ohakune and to walk into the room we knew it wasn’t going to be warm enough for the temperatures it gets down to at night. Motel refused refund, lost out on money when we had to book elsewhere due to not wanting to get sick. Bathroom is the size of a closet. Overpriced for what you get. Would not recommend. Might have to approach Ministry of Business to get the refund under the Consumers Guarantee Act at this point.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

2/10 Terrible

Sherliana

Travelled with family and small children
Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
I have to say that I’m not enjoyed my time at Karaka Tree Motel. 1. I’m expecting there’s will be spa pool in each room. Apparently it’s not. This false advertisement is very disappointing and upsetting. 2. The room is cold. Only one works heater was provided. 3. There’s exposed electrical connector hanging on the tv. It’s not even secured make it even dangerous hazards. Especially when I’m travelling with my kids. 4. There’s a connecting room that not even been locked. It’s makes me feels unsafe. Overall, I do not enjoyed my stay and will suggest others to think twice before staying in this motel. I do have some pictures to show the hazard
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

6/10 Okay

Kelly

Travelled with partner
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Very dated. Heater didn't work so room was cold. Internet was not great which meant the smart tv kept buffering. We eventually switched tv off. Could hear everything from people upstairs. Uncomfortable beds. Wouldn't stay for longer than a night.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Sarah

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dwayne

Liked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
Love the hige spa pools , would be nicer if they had a good clean everynow and again though
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dwayne

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

6/10 Okay

Sue

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
It appears the property has different owners than when i last stayed here. Cleaning needs to be upgraded. The area around the fridge was very dirty and dirty towels from previous guests were left on the floor in the dpa bath room in my unit. The tv didn't work alrhough the owner attempted to get it working, he gave up in the end. There were no easy chairs in the room and heating was s tiny fan heater. The general condition of the unit was dated and slightly run down but not too bad. The plant pot ashtray outside the room had not been cleaned out and on the morning i keft, the cleaner knocked on my door at 9.30 a.m. and asked how much longer i was going to be before i vacated. Having said all that, i would probably still stay here but would look at other options first.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025