I’ve blogged a LOT about New Zealand at this point, and while I find it too hard to pick a favourite part of the country when asked, Hawkes Bay is way up there for me, mostly for sentimental reasons. I’ve written short visitor guides for both Hastings and Napier before.
Scenic Hotel Te Pania, Napier
Rather than staying with family I booked a last minute twin room over Queens Birthday Weekend at the Scenic Hotel Te Pania in Napier. It’s rare for mum and I to share a room – the few times I recall it was due to my brother and I fighting and being separated in limited holiday accommodation.
Te Pania is a Qualmark rated 4-star hotel, but being in Napier rather than a large city, the comparatively low price blew me away even before I found a significant discount through being an Entertainment Book holder.
When we checked in there was a bowl of crisp Hawkes Bay apples on the reception desk which was a nice touch. The accommodation was charged upon check out so only a $50 bond was taken from my Credit Card.
All the rooms are Ocean facing and still open with a key rather than the modern swipe cards I’ve become accustomed to. The view across Marine Parade which took in the famous Norfolk Pines and the sparkling early-winter ocean and out to Cape Kidnappers was glorious!
The bathroom products were by Earths Botanics and included shoe polish as well as the classic shampoo, conditioner, soap, shower gel and moisturiser. I loved the cucumber and mint flavour and pocketed most of them for my gym bag.
Nearby
One of the greatest things about Scenic Hotel Te Pania though is it’s location – the relaxing Ocean Spa is just across the street, the beach is right there for strolling, Ujazi (already a fav but recently on a Buzzfeed article titled ’23 Brunch Places to try in New Zealand before you die’) is just around the corner as well as a Mister D which has the best doughnuts that you inject with your choice of jam, custard or chocolate.
Mmm.. Doughnuts pic.twitter.com/HmFfsKJG3e
— Sarah (@sarahseestworld) May 30, 2015
Overnight there was a little road noise, not enough to bother me (and I think I have a low tolerance). I made the most of the free wifi, teas and Kiaora magazine in the small amount of time I spent in the room. It was pretty much the perfect hotel for a small city break.
Where’s your favourite small city for a hotel break? Be sure to check out other #bloggreatness posts from #nzbloggers.
What a lovely stay! And man that donut is serious stuff lol. I’ve never seen pastry with its own syringe before lol. What did you inject yours with?
I hadn’t seen one before either. And half the size of that doughnut would have been enough for one person! It was a tough decision to make but I went with custard.
I haven’t been to Napier for SO LONG! I think I might have to plan a few days away…
Yes do! It’s a great way to see and experience different parts of New Zealand slotting in a few days off here and there.
I love Napier and it features in my post about my favourite place in NZ as well, isn’t it so hard to choose one place?!
Haha it was too hard to choose one place so I kinda cheated on that linkup 😉 Popping over to check it out your post now!
I love Napier, but I’ve never stayed in any hotels or motels there because I have some family there and just stay with them. But this looks like an incredible place to check out some time!
Yes I was the same! Like staying at a hotel in your home town it was a really cool thing to do for a change.
Napier is one of the places in New Zealand that I have hardly ever spent anytime in.
But its a place I would love to go to again, as everyone says such great things about it.
Any tips for Teenage things to do there?
Would have to check out those donuts though 🙂
WCx
It is a lovely place to visit for all ages and stages! The Farmer’s Market would be a good place to start, an Art Deco Tour could be cool and there’s Mini Golf not far from Ocean Spa which I visited once or twice as a teenager myself! There’s also the aquarium and museum if the weather’s not great.
Ooooh this looks like a great spot. Me and my partner are thinking about a break in Napier during September (it is when both of our birthdays are). I really like the sound of the location, those spas on marine parade are so good. Well they were when I was there 6 years ago!
6 years is definitely too long between visits! September would be a great time to sit in those spa pools…