Skotel Alpine Resort Review: For the Best Hiking Trails and Views of Mount Ruapehu!

Skotel Alpine Resort is not only the highest hotel in New Zealand but because of its location in Whakapapa Village, you’ll have access to many hiking trails around the foot of Mount Ruapehu…

Information in and around Skotel Alpine Resort

Mount Ruapehu as seen from trail off Skotel Alpine Resort

About Skotel Alpine Resort

Besides being the highest hotel in New Zealand, Skotel Alpine Resort (as the name suggests), is also famous for its ski fields around Mount Ruapehu. There are on site facilities such as a bar, a restaurant, a ski and hiking shop as well as an area for hot tub. Moreover, there are choices for all budget ranging from backpackers to single rooms with views of the three peaks in the area – Ngauruhoe, Tongariro and Ruapehu.

This time, we chose the standard Queen room with attached toilet for $100 per night. Visiting in January just after the peak season does have its benefits, including lower prices. This is how the room looks like…

Standard Queen Room Skotel Alpine Resort Review

TV and ensuite bathroom in Standard Queen Room Skotel Alpine Resort

Skotel Alpine Resort Standard Queen Room Review - Attached Bathroom — Skotel Alpine Resort Standard Queen Room Review – Attached Bathroom

Skotel Alpine Resort Standard Queen Room Review - Attached Shower — Skotel Alpine Resort Standard Queen Room Review – Attached Shower

Skotel Alpine Resort Standard Queen Room Review - Fridge, kettle, cups and ironing board — Skotel Alpine Resort Standard Queen Room Review – Fridge, kettle, cups and ironing board

Map around Skotel Alpine Resort New Zealand

Information regarding staying at Skotel Alpine Resort New Zealand

Our room was located at the first level, away from the reception but close to the kitchenette. Within, we had all we needed. An attached shower to rinse off after a day’s of trekking and hiking. A comfortable bed and TV catch up on our favourite history and HGTV channels in the evenings. Here are the other facilities around Skotel Alpine Resort…

Skotel Alpine Resort Facilities

Skotel Alpine Resort Facilities Review - Restaurant and Bar Dining Area — Skotel Alpine Resort Facilities Review – Restaurant and Bar Dining Area

Skotel Alpine Resort Facilities Review - Restaurant and Bar Dining Area (Couple Seats with a view) — Skotel Alpine Resort Facilities Review – Restaurant and Bar Dining Area (Couple Seats with a view)

Skotel Alpine Resort Facilities Review - Restaurant and Bar Amazing Views — Skotel Alpine Resort Facilities Review – Restaurant and Bar Amazing Views

Skotel Alpine Resort Facilities Review - Restaurant and Bar - Bar Area — Skotel Alpine Resort Facilities Review – Restaurant and Bar – Bar Area

Skotel Alpine Resort Facilities Review - Restaurant and Bar Comfortable Seats — Skotel Alpine Resort Facilities Review – Restaurant and Bar Comfortable Seats

Skotel Alpine Resort Facilities Review - Restaurant and Bar Amazing Views of the Plains — Skotel Alpine Resort Facilities Review – Restaurant and Bar Amazing Views of the Plains

Skotel Alpine Resort Facilities Review - Spa and Hot Tub — Skotel Alpine Resort Facilities Review – Spa and Hot Tub

Mezzanine Lounge at Skotel Alpine Resort - Play area for the kids — Mezzanine Lounge at Skotel Alpine Resort – Play area for the kids

Within Skotel Alpine Resort, you’ll be able to find great hang out areas such as the communal lounge, restaurant and bar with an excellent outdoor patio. There’s also a gym (if you don’t find the hiking trails challenging enough), a games room as well as a spa/hot tub area to relax those muscles after a day out venturing the trails around Mount Ruapehu.

What We Did in and around Skotel Alpine Resort

Day 1 at Skotel Alpine Resort

Prior to our arrival at Skotel Alpine Resort, we stopped by Tawhai Falls (aka Gollums Pool). We’re thankful that the drizzle subsided and we were able to enjoy some great views of the falls…

Entrance of Tawhai Falls Walk New Zealand

Path to Tawhai Falls about 5 minutes walk from entrance

2bearbear at Tawhai Falls (aka Gollums Pool) Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand

Another view of Tawhai Falls (aka Gollums Pool) Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand

Besides the stairs, the walk to Tawhai Falls is actually quite manageable, about 5 minutes away from the entrance of the Tawhai walking trail. Also known as Gollums Pool, Tawhai Falls has a depression that forms a little pool at the foot of the waterfall. This time, we saw some kids taking the plunge – please don’t try this as it is actually quite a great height for the jump. As the NZ advertisement recommends, “have a hmm” moment before you decide to do so. As for these kids, they did make it up as we saw them again on our way out…

Kids taking the plunge at Tawhai Falls (aka Gollums Pool) NZ

Just before taking the plunge at Tawhai Falls (aka Gollums Pool) New Zealand

After a short visit to the falls, we headed back to the resort and had some nachos ($21) along with a dark beer (Monteith’s Black – $11) with amazing views from the bar…

Skotel Alpine Resort Restaurant and Bar Menu

Skotel Alpine Resort Bar / Pub with draft beers

Skotel Alpine Resort Bar / Pub Nachos ($21) and Dark Draft Beer (Monteith's Black - $11) — Skotel Alpine Resort Bar / Pub Nachos ($21) and Dark Draft Beer (Monteith’s Black – $11)

The nachos was actually very good. There were ALOT of ingredients including a flavourful beef chili, sour cream, guacamole, kidney beans and cheese. Monteith’s Black tasted like a dark wheat beer with a woody fragrance. During our visit, we also met a nice Danish couple who was playing card games (which the lady won) and we could connect on many common world affairs which was quite cool.

In the evening, we decided to head a slight distance away from our hotel and we found a beautiful green field to enjoy some wine…

2bearbear and wine at the boot of the car from Skotel Alpine Resort NZ

Then, the most amazing thing happened! Not only did the rains cleared up, we were able to enjoy the sunset and a beautiful FULL rainbow formed which we were totally thankful for…

2bearbear witnessing rainbow off Skotel Alpine Resort

Complete rainbow in the fields off Skotel Alpine Resort NZ

Thankful for the rainbow of God and His covenant

Another view of the rainbows from Skotel Alpine Resort

The end of the rainbow as seen from Skotel Alpine Resort

Sunset as seen from Skotel Alpine Resort before returning back

The rainbow is a covenant between God and man that a world-wide flood will never be sent again to destroy the earth. If you take a look across the world, in almost all cultures, there would be a flood story because they attest that a flood that occurred around the world did happen. God through the rainbow has kept that promise. Hence, everytime we see a rainbow, we remember His love, not to destroy mankind but to redeem it through His own son – Jesus Christ.

Day 2 at Skotel Alpine Resort

On day 2, we bought a cup of flat white for $5.5 (not fantastic but was a large cup) at 7am when breakfast started and left for our walk to Mount Ngauruhoe and Upper / Lower Tama Lake at about 8am…

Entrance of Taranaki Falls Track, Tama Lakes Track and Tongariro Northern Circuit

Sheltered paths at the start of track to Tama Lakes

Treacherous route, crossing narrow paths and streams to Tama Lake NZ

Directions during our trail to Tama Lake

We eventually arrived at Taranaki Falls at 9am – about 1.5 hours after we set off from Skotel Alpine Resort. There were clear blue skies and clear views of the peak of Mount Ruapehu. God’s creation is simply beautiful. From there, it was not until 2 hours later that we eventually arrived at Tama Lakes. The walk was TREACHEROUS! Ok, we’re exaggerating it a little – but it is definitely not an easy walk for us. Although we did find many folks older than us, completing the entire journey with much ease.

View of Mount Ruapehu enroute to Tama Lakes

Climbs that go up and down on Tama Lakes Trail

Constructed board walk with Mount Ruapehu in the background

Crossing a field of stones , rocks and pebbles enroute to Tama Lake

Mats on the other side of the stone, rock, pebble field that shows you where to head to on Tama Lake Trail

More board walks constructed enroute to Tama Lake New Zealand

Probably the only toilet we saw on the way to Tama Lake - which was actually quite clean — Probably the only toilet we saw on the way to Tama Lake – which was actually quite clean

We eventually reached Tama Lakes at about 1030am in the morning. The upper and lower lakes formed around Mount Ngauruhoe. This time, we only visited the lower lakes. If you see the toilet above, it means that you are actually pretty close to Tama Lakes already. A group of hikers also left their bags here so that they wouldn’t have to bring their bags to and from Lower Tama Lake.

2bearbear at Lower Tama Lake Waikato New Zealand

At Lower Tama Lake, it was actually SUPER windy! However, one of the other hikers told us about a small mound that provides protection from the wind. We found it and took a seat, protected from the wind while we had some tea to warm ourselves up a little. At this point, we also decided that we couldn’t continue to Upper Tama Lake as we were quite tired already. If you continued from Lower Tama Lake to Upper Tama Lake, do share with our readers in the comments section below how long it took and whether it was worth it.

Enroute back, the walk was easier as it was mostly downslope. When we reached back to the Taranaki Falls, we took the scenic lower falls route back to Skotel Alpine Resort. This time, we passed by lots of trees, with shade, greenery along a river. It was nice. There, Kate also dipped her legs to cool off a little…

Seeing the crowds at Taranaki Falls in the distance

Top of Taranaki Falls where we didn't dare to venture further for the top down shot - Yikes! — Top of Taranaki Falls where we didn’t dare to venture further for the top down shot – Yikes!

Another view of Taranaki Falls enroute back from Tama Lake

Greenery and shade along scenic route back from Taranaki Falls

Another shot of river enroute from Taranaki Falls

Kate taking a dip in river enroute back from Taranaki Falls

Finally reaching the wide open fields with Mount Ruapehu in the background - signaling that we're close to Skotel Alpine Resort — Finally reaching the wide open fields with Mount Ruapehu in the background – signaling that we’re close to Skotel Alpine Resort

The scenic route that you would take if you're starting from Chateau Tongariro Hotel nearby — The scenic route that you would take if you’re starting from Chateau Tongariro Hotel nearby

Finally reaching back to Skotel Alpine Hotel at about 1pm after setting off for Tama Lake Trails at 730am in the morning

We were actually glad that we started the day early at 730am. When we returned at about 1pm, it was getting really hot – definitely not good for the skin nor for the walk. In the morning, the clouds also provided some shade enroute but when we returned, it was much hotter with the clear blue skies. We rested for the afternoon and went for a hearty dinner at Skotel Alpine Resort’s in-house restaurant…

Skotel Alpine Resort Dinner Menu - Mains and Sides — Skotel Alpine Resort Dinner Menu – Mains and Sides

Skotel Alpine Resort Restaurant Drinks Menu

Dinner at Skotel Alpine Resort Restaurant and Bar

This evening, we ordered the Kiwi Steak ($39), Beef Burger with an add-on of smashed avocados ($26+3.5) along with the Tuatara Hazy Pale Ale ($12) and the Hawkes Bay Peach Bomb Cider ($11). Both choices were excellent. Kate loved the delicious peachy taste of the Hawkes Bay Peach Bomb Cider while I enjoyed the afternote of the woodiness and firm citrusy front notes of the Tuatara Hazy Pale Ale.

For dinners at Skotel Alpine Resort, remember to make reservations. If you’re a party of 2 and would like to reserve the window seat views, remember to request upfront during the reservation as it is a really popular reservation spot. Although we didn’t manage to reserve the seat, the restaurant staff were really nice to rotate us to the window seat but told us that we had to leave in 45 minutes – which was ample time for us. As we moved off from the seats to the outdoor patio, the staff helped us to shift our drinks and fries along as well.

Beef burger and avocado smash ($26 + $3.5) from Skotel Alpine Resort Restaurant and Bar

Kiwi Steak ($39) from Skotel Alpine Resort Restaurant and Bar

Tuatara Hazy Pale Ale ($12) and Hawkes Bay Peach Bomb Cider ($11) from Skotel Alpine Resort Restaurant and Bar

As for the dinner itself, it was AMAZING! The beef burger was juicy, tender and had a nice twist with the beetroot/cheese combination. The meat itself was well marinated and cooked to perfection. Smashed avocado was a great add-on that complemented the burger really well. As for the steak – IT WAS HUGE! It had the chunky, meaty, beefy taste that we enjoyed. The grill lines showed the expertise in the grill master, sealing the juices within. This time, we ordered medium rare and it was tender on the bite – without the need for steak knives even. The portion of aioli fries was also a large one that provided us another round of snacks outdoors as we chilled and unwind at the patio…

Chilling at the outdoor patio of Skotel Alpine Resort after dinner

Sunset on day 2 of stay at Skotel Alpine Resort New Zealand

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We left Skotel Alpine Resort on the third morning. Visiting the Mounds Walk (about 20 minutes return) before we left…

Mounds Walk near Skotel Alpine Resort NZ

Description of Mounds Walk near Skotel Alpine Resort

Short climb up a flight of stairs at Mounds Walk near Skotel Alpine Resort

View of Mount Ruapehu from Mounds Walk near Skotel Alpine Resort

All in all, we had an amazing time at Skotel Alpine Resort. The views of Mount Ruapehu, Taranaki Falls and Tama Lake was breath-taking. We were thankful for the full rainbow that we saw and the food/drinks at Skotel Alpine Resort Restaurant and Bar were amazing as well. The room had all that we need and the premise in and around Skotel Alpine Resort provided several options to chill at. Whether you’re at the bar, the outdoor patio or simply taking a walk around Skotel Alpine Resort – amazing views and experiences await. Enjoy your next stay at Skotel Alpine Resort while you’re travelling in the North Island of New Zealand!

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New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 3: Visiting Hobbiton, Lake Rotorua and Eat Streat in Rotorua

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