Nice Hotel

So, I'm a miserable bugger, hyper critical and a cynical old git all round. I travel all over NZ and the Islands for work on a weekly basis. The reviews I leave are usually only in spite because the service/rooms/parking/iron in the room wasn't up to scratch. HOWEVER, I'm now lost. Completely jaw droppingly aghast. I walked in - late - to check in. Was met by a smile and guided to my room, shown around the hotel personally, including the library and courtesy sherry and port. The walls are adorned with superb eclectic art works as it transports you into a head swiveling wonderland. On getting to my room, the lights had been dimmed and classical music was playing. It was romantic as it gets. I even felt a slight smile appear on my grizzled features. Complementary Nespresso coffee, wifi, Netflix, magazines. I could go on. The room was eclectic with a lovely seating area separate from the bed, which was, as an aside as good as I've slept on around the country, only coming second to the Heard beds used at Rydges hotels. I love a cold room, and the air con was able to blow me a proverbial blizzard which allowed me to settle down with a Port and snuggle into the ample blankets and pillows. OK, bad points. I looked and looked... and looked. I fi ally found something. There was some dust on the lightbulb in the lamp at the side of my bed. So I wiped that off. There. Victory.... I felt better. In the morning the same amount of dust was back, so, um, unless thenlightbulbs were cleaned every 12 hours I couldn't even fault that. I didn't dine but the food looked exceptional and ambience beautiful for an evening meal with a lively lit garden area. The bar had a great drinks selection and bar area - in which I am currently sat took me back to 5 star English pubs in the cotswold with a contemporary touch. I was looked after by the restaurant manager - as yet to get her name - who somehow manged to smile, provide an excellent service AND juggle 20 odd patrons with class befitting of this establishment. There is rarely a hotel experience I come across that would bring me back purely to enjoy the experience of staying there rather than just being someone to rest my head. The Nice Hotel is the exception and should be a bone fide tourist attraction for New Plymouth . Il leave tomorrow and head to some charachterless Hilton pining for the first hotel in NZ that's left me wanting to come back.

The ambience is beautiful. The food was divine. Sadly we were let down by service. We would have loved to have had dessert but there was no service. I went to the bar to order and there was no one there to take an order. We wanted a chocolate martini but could not find anyone to serve us. We would have finished with a port but no one was interested following our main. This sadly let down the whole experience. Otherwise this place is beautiful and if service was better we would be back.

Dark room, saggy mattress, multiple decorative cushions, random artwork and odd collectables filled the hotel bedroom. We had little room to put suitcases and clothes needed for our stay. The standard of cleanliness was poor, as the duvet cover was dirty and discoloured at top. The multiple cushions were well used. It is a unique old character hotel, but without attention to detail and cleaning it is not a nice hotel.

Such a find. This has to be one of the most gorgeous places we’ve stayed in. It’s small it’s, extremely well run, it’s quirky but beautifully furnished. So comfortable that you want to stay longer. Food was 5star can’t say enough about the “Nice Hotel”

Had a lovely experience at the Nice hotel. Perfect location, very clean and had everything you need. Loved the quirky decor. The Halamoana room had a gorgeous little deck and spa bath. Wonderful service. The Table restaurant was closed the night we stayed because it was a Sunday, but our host gave us great recommendations for food and drinks. Would recommend this place highly.

Just LOVED this opulent little place of elegance and class! If I could pick it up and place it in AKLD I would - nothing quite as special here. Perfect for an intimate getaway or if you just want some elegant and dramatic surroundings, delicious food and excellent service. The finely tuned decor and ambience makes this someplace special.

I’d like to say a big thank you to Terry! I sent photos of the rooms to everyone and they all loved how luxurious the rooms looked. Every detail was looked after, and I especially loved the bay window in my room. Thanks again for an amazing stay :)

Staying at Nice is a journey into another world with amazing surroundings, interesting people and a team that treats everyone as special

We booked this place as part of our tiki tour through the lower North Island. The room was not particularly clean, the bedding stained in parts and the coverings were musty. We felt somewhat uncomfortable staying here. We tried to book elsewhere after viewing the room. It was too late at night so we had no choice but to stay. The room was somewhat tired looking and the bathroom not to our taste. The bathroom had a spa bath but unfortunately this doubled as a shower and consequently water spilled all over the floor whenever you had shower due to their being no curtain or shower doors. As this is a boutique hotel each room has its own individual flavour. The overall look and feel is one of old english combined with new. However, as with all hotels and particularly ones that lean towards that English country setting you need to keep on top of the cleaning and maintenance otherwise it gets musty and dusty suer quick which is what happened here. Overall it came across as a bit dark and dreary. I am sure in its day it would have been amazing. Time for a mini revamp. We wouldn’t stay again.