As some sad, demented feral Māori kids (some are much older but act like kids) have continued their racist claims and abuse, have now resorted to trying to damage TRM and staff’s reputation by submitting false motel reviews, we need to respond.
We cannot just ignore these creeps spreading their immature poison despite not even staying here. They give Turangi an undeserved bad reputation.
They really are sickos (or should we feel sorry and blame meths?). Instead of replying or deleting them, we prefer to ignore them, so you can judge for yourselves who you prefer to believe… their biased racist assessments follow the other reviews:
So the following is AI’s independent review for comparison:
- Clean and Cozy: Guests frequently mention that rooms are spotlessly clean, warm, and equipped with pre-warmed heaters or comfortable electric blankets.
- Fishing and Pet Friendly: Tailored for anglers with free fish smokers, freezers, and rod racks, while also welcoming pets (and their resident friendly dogs).
OK? Want more?
See what guests loved the most:
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TRM guest review…
It happened again. This is very strange. As soon as SWMBO went away for her style of R&R rest & recuperation – aka annual Christmas shopping leave – TRM received more wonderful reviews. She is still struggling around, persevering with Her “moon boot” and crutches after breaking Her ankle about two months ago. The strangest reaction was that as soon as She delegated management to Her elderly laundry assistant TRM received such wonderful guests’ reviews… For about two months without Her at the helm, rudderless, the motel managed. So perhaps the importance of management is not what it is cracked up to be after all?
Much of the praise – such as the ‘relaxing gardens’ comments below – reflect Her efforts but so many other nice comments have also been sent to show guests do not miss much… To many it is surprising TRM somehow still manages to survive even when She is not here, yet Her standards continue to be maintained without Her. Amazing really…
It is so rewarding to observe so many inmates arrive all cranked up and stressed out after escaping the urban jungle, arriving hot and bothered after several hours of strenuous driving on SH1 dodging traffic and persevering so many road works etc. and then to watch them unwind and slide into relaxed holiday mode. But guests reactions and comments indicate more than assessing the usual management quality factor using standard tourist star ratings measurements. To encourage so many to return again and again there has to be more to it than just the fishing. We call that the Tongariro effect.
TRM cannot claim all the responsibility as you know it is more about the restful natural environment around here – typical of many other small towns in heartland NZ – located alongside delightful walking/biking tracks along the banks of a world famous trout river, in sight of the Tongariro National Park. Tongariro River is 100% pure snow-melt, so clear and clean and sweet, you can drink it. Trout even thrive in it. How can anyone continue to be stressed out in nature’s 100% pure natural setting?
Additional factors at TRM include so many other little usually overlooked ingredients that contribute to the holiday spirit – in addition to the “customer friendly dog” mentioned below – such as being woken by the noisy chirping native bird life, or spying on the covey of quail always parading unafraid through the gardens. Also TRM have four resident bunnies (despite dog’s best endeavours) to the astonishment of everyone as they ignore guests to play on the lawns. Even BIG kids adore them.
Also perhaps the thinner cleaner air at higher altitude contributes more to relaxation as so many comment on how well they sleep here compare to their usual pattern. There really is something magical in the air in Turangi that encourages mental and physical and emotional relaxation to remove pent up stress. So how do you assess the added star rating or value of that as a wind-down from intense pressured city life to the slower gentle pace of Turangi?Comfortable self contained cottages’ tucked in off state highway 1 in Turangi. The owners there are so hospitable in all types of adventures you desire from walking to skiing mountain climbing and bike trails as well as bikes are available for you and your family’ fishing ventures are at the host discretion. Their gardens are also relaxing for the eyes day and night. One of the only motels that allow family animal on their premises, they also have a customer friendly dog that cares for them as well as the many visitors on site. I must also add that a play area for the children and a laundry facilities for those whom chose to stay awhile not to mention Wi-Fi in the comfort of your abode.
Guest reviews of TRM
Now that the busiest tourist season of January & February has passed, we make the time to read the guest comments and complaints to see if we can improve. We apologise for the most common grouch, the obsolete elderly motel developed over 60 years ago. Obviously, we cannot do much about the age except to suggest it provides a friendly mature character environment. We try to make up for it with more personal service. The geriatric management team, Pip & Ross, are both over 80, having been here at TRM for over 20 years. So, not surprisingly, SWMBO has become seedy and slower.
Pip is better known as SWMBO – She Who Must Be Obeyed – featuring often in daily reports and blamed for everything. She is the real manager, so if you have any complaints, go to her. Ross just pretends he knows where the trout are and what is happening to communicate with our inmates via these chatty blogs on fb. They have become an integral part of this motel’s reputation. He must be speaking their language as they have attracted (updated to 27 July = 596,906!!! during the last 28 days ). These blogs have been posted since 2004 to keep fishing guests up-to-date.
The guest review score breakdown, assessed by independent online travel agents’ feedback, awards the highest mark of 9.4 for TRM Staff. We think that is more important than a swimming pool – that was never used and filled in many years ago. Therefore, we trust you will appreciate that most of the work and day-to-day management is provided by local Turangi staff.
Both the motel and management might have passed their “used-by” date, but enjoy the close association with Tongariro River anglers, many of whom are a similar vintage. There is no place we would rather be.
(Tongariro River Motel when we first stayed in 1959, in third caravan, and returned ever since)
The latest techno whizz kid, AI, which SWMBO and tourists now embrace, advises:
Tongariro River Motel in Turangi is highly rated (92% recommendation) for its friendly, helpful owners, clean and cozy, “retro” comfortable rooms, and excellent location near the Tongariro River and town center. Guests consistently praise the spacious, well-equipped kitchens, pet-friendly options, and convenient, free laundry facilities.
We think that says it all.
More Reviews of Tongariro River Motel
Review Score
Based on 318 hotel reviews 8.3
Score breakdown
- Cleanliness 8.5
- Comfort 8.4
- Location 9.0
- Facilities 8.1
- Staff 9.4 (Ross!)
- Value for money 8.6
- Free Wifi 7.5
We appreciate and enjoy all the guest feedback and photos, if only to learn how often our savage guard dog, Juno, visits all the guests, claiming she has not been fed and begging for a hug and a snack!
Some more picky tourists may need to adapt to many peculiarities at TRM, which operates more as an anglers’ retreat. That is quite deliberate. We prefer fishos as they stay longer and return again and again.
At the moment, TRM has “fishy inmates” who are staying up to one month and who have returned again and again for the last 20 years. As such, by modern standards, the retro units are over-equipped with all sorts of strange fly fishing gear to provide everything for longer stays. We do not apologise, that does not happen in a normal tourist motel.
COMPARE TO THE LATEST INSULTS BELOW… These clowns do not deserve any respect.
doesn’t recommend doesn’t recommend doesn’t recommend doesn’t recommend