Beechtree Motel

Look, I’ll be honest – when I first pulled up to the Beechtree Motel on Rifle Range Road, I wasn’t expecting much. The name screams vintage roadside stop, and well, it sort of is. But here’s the thing that surprised me: this place actually gets it right in ways that matter.

The location is one of those happy accidents that works way better than it should on paper. You’re technically on the outskirts of Taupo, but honestly? That’s perfect. You miss all the tourist chaos around the lake center, yet you can still walk to the thermal pools at AC Baths in about fifteen minutes if you don’t mind a pleasant stroll. I mean, you’ll want a car for most things, but parking here is dead simple – none of that circling-the-block nonsense you get closer to town. The rooms themselves have this clean, no-frills vibe that I actually found refreshing after staying in places that try too hard with unnecessary throw pillows and weird art. Everything works – the shower has proper pressure (thank god), the beds are surprisingly comfortable, and the heating kicks in fast, which you’ll appreciate during those chilly Taupo evenings. What really won me over was the little details: proper blackout curtains that actually block light, decent WiFi that doesn’t cut out every five minutes, and – this might sound silly – but really good coffee in the room. Not that instant stuff that tastes like burnt water.

The whole operation runs smoothly without being fussy about it. Check-in was quick, the staff knew their stuff about local spots (they steered me toward a fantastic little café on Horomatangi Street that I never would’ve found otherwise), and honestly, the place just feels well-managed. You know what I mean? Like someone actually cares about the details. It’s quiet too – even though you’re on a main road, the rooms are set back enough that traffic noise isn’t an issue. I slept better here than I did at some fancy place in Auckland the week before. The 8.3 rating makes total sense once you stay here – it’s not trying to be the Ritz, but it delivers exactly what you want from a solid motel experience. Perfect for exploring the Taupo area without paying lake-view prices, and honestly, after a day of hiking or thermal pooling, all you really need is a clean, comfortable place to crash. The Beechtree nails that brief completely.