Starting my tour of the South Island, I will be staying one night in Lake Tekapo. Lake Tekapo is one of the towns that you have to visit on the south island. It is about a 3 hours drive south of Christchurch. The small little town only has a handful of accommodations options and a majority of them are independent Airbnbs or traditional bed and breakfast. Chain hotels are a rarity in this part of the world. I was considering this independent Galaxy Hotel or the Peppers Bluewater Resort Lake Tekapo. This is one of the rare chain options in the region. While I did not hold any status with Accor I chance upon a pretty sweet rate on an OTA. I just wanted something affordable and to rest for the night since I will be out most of the time.
Booking Process & Pre Arrival
I book the stay from Traveloka, an OTA. Surprisingly, their rates are very good and better than booking direct. Since I don’t hold any status with Accor, this doesn’t make a difference to me! By the time I book, the only remaining room type left was the One Bedroom Mountain View Suite, a mid-tier category. I am staying on the Easter weekend and as such it is a busy period. Rates are also much higher than usual. I paid 250 SGD after taxes for my one-night stay. It is a little more than I would have loved to pay. Do book early when you are staying during the festive period. Peppers Bluewater Resort Lake Tekapo features rooms, suites and villas ranging from one bedroom to three bedrooms. They are great for huge groups. You can find the breakdown below.
| Rooms | Bathtub | Room Size |
|---|---|---|
| Room | No | 14.70 Sqm |
| Deluxe | No | 22 Sqm |
| Deluxe Lakeview | No | 22 Sqm |
| One Bedroom Mountain View Suite | No | 58 Sqm |
| One Bedroom Mountain View Villa | No | 58 Sqm |
| One Bedroom Lake View Suite | Yes | 58 Sqm |
| One Bedroom Lake View Villa | No | 58 Sqm |
| Two Bedroom Mountain View Suite | No | 107 Sqm |
| Two Bedroom Mountain View Villa | No | 107 Sqm |
| Two Bedroom Lake View Suite | No | 107 Sqm |
| Two Bedroom Lake View Villa | No | 107 Sqm |
| Three Bedroom Lake View Villa | No | 129 Sqm |
Checking In
I arrived at the hotel at around 2.30pm in the afternoon. We drove in from Christchurch and took the scenic route and check out a couple of places while on the way. The hotel can be found easily and it is centrally located in the town centre. Upon arrival, you can find the check-in reception to the left and near the entrance.
Parking is free around the property and lots can be found all around the entrance as well as around your villa or suite. Here is a map of the property.
A slight tip is to not unload your baggage first as after doing the registration and the check-in process, you will drive and park nearer to your villa or suite. This is the preferred way. Check-in was pretty smooth and we went thru the usual motion. I was warmly welcomed by the friendly associate and given all the info as well as the direction to my suite. There is a slight wait for my suite as they finish the cleaning.
One Bedroom Mountain View Suite
I book the suite with a mountain view from Traveloka. This is the only category available and the cheapest offering in Lake Tekapo. I would have loved to get something with a lake view. I was assigned suite 407 which is pretty far away from the main building. Thankfully there are lots nearby.
This could in reality be a two-bedroom suite. There is another bedroom connected to the suite which is kept locked or rented out to others. My suite feels more like a villa actually since it consists of two levels. Right after entering, on the ground floor, you can find a narrow entryway and under the stairs, you can find a washer dryer combo for guests’ use. This will come in handy for long-term stays or huge groups.
Towards the right, you can then find the bathroom. It is spacious and well-stocked. Despite the space, they only have a single sink and despite the lack of a toothbrush they did have a grooming kit. Amenities are from APPELLES I have used this brand a couple of times and they are pretty good. The bathroom comes with both a freestanding bathtub as well as a standing shower. The bathtub is very spacious and it will be lovely having a soak in the cold weather.
The standing shower only comes with a handheld shower head but thankfully one that can be pegged on the wall too. Water pressure and temperature control are good.
Right opposite the bathroom, you can find the stairs leading up to the second floor of the suite. The bedroom is located on the ground floor behind an actual door. I am not a fan of the setup and the room is my least favourite part of the entire suite. The bedroom is on the smaller side and I can’t even find a space to open up my suitcase. There is barely any storage area in the bedroom. There is no table or something besides the two small little nightstands. The room doesn’t even come with a television. The only thing worth mentioning in the bedroom is the plush king-size bed. I am glad the mattress is on the firmer side which I love and the pillows also offer great neck support. That’s all that is good. There are no outlets by the side of the bed and I had to unplug the lamp one to use it for my phone and there are also no controls for the lights next to the bed.
The room comes with three spacious wardrobes that will be sufficient for your use. Inside you have plenty of hangers and additional blankets as well. In my opinion, the bedroom is pretty badly designed.
The stairs take you up to the second floor and this is the main living area. Here is where the kitchenette and the living room are. The second floor is very spacious. It is a very nice place and I love the homely vibes. It kind of feels like having my apartment or something. It comes with a fully stocked kitchenette which will be handy for making your meals. This can be cost-effective given how expensive eating out is here. Right ahead after entering the upper level, you can find a working desk. It is a spacious one and comes with an armchair. There is a lack of power outlets here. Wi-fi in the suite is also spotty. I could barely get a connection and it will disconnect all the time. This is not surprising given how huge this property is spread over.
The main living room area is actually in a rectangular longish configuration. The fully stocked kitchenette can be found here. It is a nice space and comes with an island in the middle. By the wall, you have the electric hob, a huge fridge and a microwave oven.
All sorts of amenities and kitchen utensils are provided for your use. All pots and pans can be found in the cabinet. The kitchen also comes with a proper coffee machine and plenty of instant teas. No bottled water is provided but the water in NZ is of very high quality and drinkable.
We cook dinner and breakfast during our stay here. There is a supermarket right across the road in the town. We got some fresh ingredients and whip up some salmon and lamb chops for dinner.
In the middle of the living room, you can find a huge spacious dining table with seating for four pax.
The living room is cosy and comes with seating for 4 to 5 around the couch. There is also a coffee table and a huge large Smart TV here. It comes with a good number of both local and international TV channels.
The highlight of the entire place has to be the balcony. Mine doesn’t come with a lake view. It comes with two outdoor chairs and a good view of the surrounding area. Check out the hues during sunset. It is jaw-dropping! The colours are amazing.
Rakinui Restaurant
The hotel has one main restaurant. Rakinui Restaurant is open for breakfast and dinner. I did not get the opportunity to dine here during my stay. Breakfast opening hours are from 7am to 10am and dinner from 5pm to 9pm. You can get more information on the restaurant and the menu here. Breakfast cost $35 per adult here if not included in your rate.
Conclusion
I won’t say that this is a perfect stay! It got the work done and for my stay, they are the best offer in town. This place is great for huge groups and a no-brainer if you are loyal to the Accor group. The spacious living space is good for gathering. I did wish that the bedroom was better designed. Do book early especially if you are staying during peak periods. I regret not getting something with a view. The central location of the property offers easy access to all places around Lake Tekapo. I wish I had more time here. Having a kitchenette also allows you to cook your meals.
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