At this time during the peak holiday season, guests booked in via OTA’s (Online Travel Agents like Booking-dot-com) increase substantially. Coincidentally, SWMBO (She Who Must Be Obeyed manages everything at TRM) suffers more complaints about them than the rest put together. If you wonder why, keep reading…
It can be hard for SWMBO to know how to enhance the appeal of TRM, of one motel over another when they all read the same flowery BS description. Why? The specification and terms for TRM were provided about ten years ago by someone at Booking-dot-com who had never been here and had never asked us to verify whether they were correct or a fair description. When we tried to correct their mistakes, we were ignored. Their misleading promotion is an insult to our inmates’ intelligence.
When they originally popped up on the internet, they described the motel in gushy terms which did not quite match the photos of a tramping hut up on Ruapehu. Waihohonu Hut photos are repeated below; the shared interior facilities are represented as being TRM?
TRM’s star status varied, with ratings ranging from 2 stars to 8.8 stars. They insisted we had a restaurant. etc. SWMBO had every right to complain but they would not alter their specification or ratings? No way…
When TRM tried to get them to correct the description and post the correct photos we could not make any progress, so we cancelled any further TRM involvement.
In response they posted Tongariro River Motel as “No longer in business”! This was read by everyone who believed them. So we had to crawl back and rejoined, with more appropriate photos.
Now it is even worse as the misleading descriptions are “AI” based. They have assessed different room rates depending on the ages of prospective guests when we do not know who they are. As a result, we totally disregard their room rates to provide a fair, equitable spread.
In the meantime, we were wondering if we might enhance the image of the 65-year-old accommodation by showcasing some of the guests’ similarly aged toys instead.
First below is a modern angler’s dream vehicle – instead of the usual 4WD truck, he added some 1966 style and class, and he really did go fishing.
The photos were taken inside the carport to confirm he really was booked in and this was not a stunt.
Then, below is the adjoining unit family with Bonny, not the usual motel pet puppy.
To illustrate how long the public have been misled by these online travel agents, the following TRM Daily Report was posted almost ten years ago:
TRM – like you have never seen it before…
A great 2 star hotel in Turangi Low Price Guarantee. Book Now!
OTAs = Online Travel Agents… Their images are supposed to be of Tongariro River Motel? I’ll bet you have never seen TRM looking like this? This is to explain again why we have to go on and on about them and why you should not rely on them… Even though they are our photos that have been used, TRM is not featured.
If they cannot get the correct basic info would you trust them with all your confidential cc details. ?
DOC’s Waihohonu Hut features as Tongariro River Motel?… The following is the sort of nonsense you can expect when you troll the internet looking for the best deal… we have not indicated who this OTA is, apart from the fact they have obviously pinched the info with no understanding of what TRM is, but no doubt will get a commission for on-selling your enquiry to booking-dot-com or a similar OTA. They have no idea of what they are even describing. This one describes Tongariro River Motel as a two star hotel (?) with but then goes on to say:
Tongariro River Motel 8.8 stars Very Good
Quote: “The Tongariro River Motel enjoys a prime position right in the centre of the town. Lake Rotopounamu is within a 10-minute drive away, and the property offers free parking. Guests of the Tongariro River Motel can enjoy a range of services, including free bike rental. Facilities at the motel include laundry facilities, a playground and free Wi-Fi. The motel also offers ski lockers during the ski season. Included in the rooms are a refrigerator and a microwave. The motel has several oversized rooms to accommodate families.
The Tongariro River Motel has its own on-site restaurant, perfect for those wishing to dine in. The motel enjoys a prime location, allowing guests easy access to a range of popular attractions. Taupo Airport (TUO) is within a 40-minute drive away.”
Oh Really? What misleading info. i.e.
TRM has never had an on-site restaurant.
TRM does not have free bike rental.
TRM does not have shared kitchen facilities as shown in above photos. etc…..
Amazingly, TRM is not even featured. They cannot get the correct basic info, yet prospective guests trust them with all their confidential cc details. Would you trust them? Yet thousands of tourists do – for the ‘convenience’ of booking online?
If you want to book at the real Tongariro River Motel, then it is far better to contact us – ross@tongarirorivermotel.co.nz – or phone SWMBO direct at 07 386 8555.
Their photos feature a remote DOC hut about 40 km south along the Round the Mountain walking trail, accessible only by tramping in from the Desert Road.
If the tourist industry were serious about doing their job, they would ban these OTA’s promoting NZ!