Escape to Paradise: 18th Avenue Thermal Motel - Your Tauranga Getaway!
Escape to Paradise: 18th Avenue Thermal Motel - Your Tauranga Getaway!
Escape to Paradise: 18th Avenue Thermal Motel - Your Tauranga Getaway!: A Review That's Actually Honest (and Probably Rambling)
Okay, so let’s be real. Finding a decent hotel in Tauranga isn’t always a walk in the park. So when I saw the name "Escape to Paradise: 18th Avenue Thermal Motel," I thought, "Yeah, right. Paradise in Tauranga? More like… lukewarm paradise." But I was pleasantly surprised. Or, shall we say, mostly surprised (more on that later). Let's dive in, shall we? Buckle up, because this is going to be a rollercoaster.
Accessibility:
Alright, gotta give them props here. Accessibility is pretty decent, which is crucial! (Especially for this clumsy soul who trips over air.) I noticed facilities for disabled guests listed, which is fantastic, and there's an elevator for those who aren't keen on climbing stairs. I didn't personally need these, but I always appreciate a place that considers everyone. Important for all those of us who want to actually escape. Kudos!
Cleanliness and Safety - The New Normal (Thank Goodness!):
This is where things get seriously important in the post-pandemic world. And Escape to Paradise seems to have gotten the memo. They’re hitting all the right notes. I saw Anti-viral cleaning products being used, which is a big sigh of relief. The Daily disinfection in common areas is appreciated, and they've nailed the basics. Hand sanitizer everywhere? Check. Rooms sanitized between stays? Double-check. Staff trained in safety protocol? Hopefully, they're not too tired of it all! Honestly any of this seems like a plus.
However, there's more to unpack here. The room sanitization opt-out available is a nice touch. It’s good to have choices. Plus, the cashless payment service is convenient, especially when you've left your wallet at home… again. They have First aid kit and doctor/nurse on call if you do need a medical professional.
Rooms: The Cozy Corner (and the Oddity)!
Okay, let's talk about the rooms. I can't believe the Air Conditioning works. It's a must. Air Conditioning in public area is also good. It was a hot day in Tauranga. I love the Blackout curtains. Yes! Sleep is the best!
I loved the Coffee/tea maker. Every room has one! That's my little bit of paradise. The Complimentary tea was a nice touch. I didn't see Additional toilet. But hey, maybe I got something really nice. There's a Refrigerator, which is essential for stashing your drinks. I can’t not have Free bottled water, which is great. The bathroom was clean, with a mirror and, thankfully, a Hair dryer.
The Quirks (and the Small Stuff):
Okay, here's where things get a little wonky. The Internet access – wireless (and hey, the Wi-Fi [free] in my room!) was generally good, but there were a couple of moments where the connection hiccuped. Minor, but worth mentioning. The Internet [LAN] is available.
I also appreciated the attention from the Daily housekeeping. But here’s a little anecdote for you. I ordered room service (more on that later), and then the cleaning staff knocked on my door. I felt like I didn’t want to be there. But I was late.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – Food, Glorious Food (Mostly!):
Right, the food. This is where the Escape to Paradise really shines… and then wobbles a bit.
- The Good: They have Restaurants on the property! A freaking Bar! Poolside bar is excellent. And, they offer Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, and Western breakfast. The Coffee shop has really good coffee! If you like the Asian cuisine in restaurant, they have that too!
- The Less Good: The menu was a little… predictable. There was Coffee/tea in restaurant.
- The Meh: The Room service [24-hour] is convenient.
Things to Do – Relaxation Station:
This motel is a serious relaxation destination. It's all about unwinding.
- The Awesome: They've got the Swimming pool [outdoor]. You can do the Body scrub. There are Spa/sauna! I wish I explored the Sauna.
- The "Hmm": I didn’t have a chance to touch the Gym/fitness.
Services and Conveniences – The Little Things That Matter:
Okay, let's breeze through the essentials:
- Good: The Daily housekeeping. The Laundry service. The Cash withdrawal. I need a Convenience store.
- Meh: The Ironing service wasn't the fastest.
For the Kids and the Family:
- Good: The Babysitting service is great for weary parents. I spotted the sign for Kids meal.
Getting Around:
- The Good: The Car park [free of charge], is fantastic. The Car park [on-site] is great.
Overall Impression and the (Honest) Verdict:
Look, Escape to Paradise: 18th Avenue Thermal Motel isn't perfect. But it's a solid choice for a Tauranga getaway. It's clean, safe (important!), and offers a decent range of amenities. The rooms are comfortable, the staff is friendly, and the relaxation options are plentiful. The food could be better, but it's not a deal-breaker.
My Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars (Would Definitely Recommend – With Caveats!)
The Deal You Can't Miss (Because I'm Kind of Giving Away All the Secrets):
Book Your Escape to Paradise NOW and get:
- 20% OFF your stay!
- FREE Breakfast for Two (Because You Deserve Deliciousness)!
- A Complimentary Bottle of Local Wine on Arrival (To Kickstart Your Relaxation)!
Use code "TAURANGAESCAPE" when booking!
But Wait… there's MORE! Book directly through their website (I'm serious!) because you know the best deals are always a click away!
Bottom Line: Escape to Paradise might not be perfect paradise, but it's a damn good start. Go, relax, and don't forget to take a dip in that pool! You deserve it. You really, really do.
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Alright, buckle up, buttercups! Because this isn't your beige, perfectly-formatted travel brochure. This is me, unraveling like a ball of yarn in the face of 18th Avenue Thermal Motel, Tauranga, New Zealand. Here. We. Go.
Day 1: Arrival, Anticipation (and the Great Towel Debacle)
- 1:00 PM: Landed in Tauranga, wind-whipped hair and a stomach full of pre-flight anxiety. The airport was…fine. Really. Airport-y. Grabbed my rental car. Oh, the joy of right-side driving after a year of left-side. Let’s just say the first five minutes involved a lot of panicked checking of rearview mirrors and a near-death experience involving a roundabout. (New Zealanders are way chill about roundabouts. I swear, I saw a guy reading a newspaper IN the middle of one!)
- 2:00 PM: Arrived at the 18th Avenue Thermal Motel. First impressions: not exactly the Ritz, but hey, the price was right, and the brochure promised “thermal pools!” (My inner spa-junkie squealed.) Checked in. Met my fellow travelers .
- 2:30 PM: Unpacked. Found one crucial thing missing from the room: enough towels. Seriously. We got, like, two. For the three of us. Cue a mild internal freakout. (I swear, lack of towels is my number one travel nemesis.) I, naturally, went straight to the reception. "Excuse me, but, you know, towels?" It sounded more pathetic than assertive.
- 3:00 PM: SUCCESS! We had more towels.
- 3:30 PM: Investigated the “thermal pools.” OMG. Actual hot springs! Steaming, bubbling, and smelling faintly of sulphur (which, let's face it, is the smell of RELAXATION). Dipped a toe in. Glorious. Spent the next hour or two just soaking, letting the tension seep away. Felt like a prune. A very happy prune.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at a local pub. Fish and chips. New Zealand fish and chips. A religious experience. Crisp batter, flaky fish, and enough vinegar to make your eyes water. Ate far too much. Regretted nothing.
- 9:00 PM: Back to the motel. Watched a truly terrible action movie on TV. Fell asleep mid-explosion. Bliss.
Day 2: Rotorua and the Smell – Yes, the Smell!
- 7:00 AM: Woke up. Had a quick breakfast.
- 8:00 AM: Embarked on a day trip to Rotorua! The drive was beautiful – green hills, fluffy sheep, and enough "scenic overlook" signs to make you want to pull over every five minutes. (Resisted the urge. Mostly.)
- 9:30 AM: Arrived in Rotorua. And then… the smell. Sulphur. Everywhere. Apparently, it's "the smell of money" in Rotorua. I love money, I hate the smell, however. Took a few deep breaths to acclimate. It was like smelling rotten eggs simmering on a hot plate.
- 11:00 AM: Visited Te Puia, a geothermal park. Geysers erupting! Mud pools bubbling! Maori cultural performances! Was the smell of the sulphur overpowering? Okay, maybe a little. But the geysers were genuinely impressive. The cultural performance was beautiful and humbling. The mud pools, oddly mesmerizing.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch in Rotorua. Fish and chips. This time, the vinegar was a little more cautious.
- 2:00 PM: More Rotorua exploration. (More smell.) Visited the Polynesian Spa, but it was too crowded, even for me.
- 3:30 PM: Started the drive back to Tauranga. Exhausted, slightly gassy (thanks, Rotorua!), but happy.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner back at the pub. Pizza. This time, the vinegar was a little more daring.
- 9:00 PM: Back at the motel. This time, I was not sleeping in the middle of an explosion scene.
Day 3: Back to the Thermal Pools, and the Great Kiwi Scavenger Hunt
- 8:00 AM: Woke up with that familiar, happy ache of travel fatigue. Coffee. Coffee, coffee, coffee. Without it, I'm basically a grumpy, directionless zombie.
- 9:00 AM: A slow morning. I had to start my research in the thermal pools to decide where to go next, but the research started a bit later.
- 10:00 AM: Spent the morning, you guessed it, in the thermal pools. This time I brought a book. (Jane Austen, classic travel companion).
- 12:00 PM: Decided to go explore some of Tauranga, and started to plan my Kiwi vacation.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch at a little cafe overlooking the harbor. Decided to try finding the location of a famous film shot nearby.
- 3:00 PM: Started a "Kiwi Scavenger hunt" -- I drove, I asked. I went into shops, I went into houses. In the end, I found the location. It gave me the experience of a lifetime.
- 5:00 PM: Went back to the motel and had a few cold ones.
- 7:00 PM: Another meal at the pub.
- 9:00 PM: I was tired. I could not sleep, because I was still excited about the find.
Day 4: Farewell, and the Promise of Return
- 7:00 AM: Packing. The dreaded packing. It’s always a chaotic, last-minute affair. Found a sock. Not my sock. Mystery sock. Added it to the pile of "stuff I'll sort out later." (Never happens.)
- 8:00 AM: One last dip in the thermal pools. Soaked up the last of the Kiwi sunshine and the warmth. Bittersweet.
- 9:00 AM: Checked out. Said farewell to the friendly staff. (Seriously, New Zealanders are the best. Always smiling, always helpful.)
- 10:00 AM: Headed back to the airport. The drive wasn’t so terrifying this time – I had survived!
- 12:00 PM: Departed from Tauranga. Headed to the airport.
- 1:00 PM: Reflected on what I had done. I learned so much during this vacation. I will come again, that's for sure.
- 1:00 PM: Boarded the plane, with a memory. It made me happy, and I will always remember it.
Final Thoughts:
The 18th Avenue Thermal Motel? Not perfect. The lack of towels? Annoying. The Rotorua smell? Memorable. But the overall experience? Absolutely bloody fantastic. New Zealand, you've stolen a piece of my heart. I'll be back. And next time, I'm bringing my own towels. And maybe a nose plug. But definitely the fish and chips. And the thermal pools. Because, let's be honest, a little spa time is always a good idea.
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Escape to Paradise: 18th Avenue Thermal Motel - You *Need* Answers (and Maybe a Drink After)
So, what *is* this "Escape to Paradise" thing all about? Sounds a bit... grand.
Alright, so picture this: you're frazzled, kids are screaming (or the boss is!), your bank account is weeping silently, and you just *need* an escape. That's where Escape to Paradise, aka 18th Avenue Thermal Motel, comes in. It's... well, it's a Tauranga motel, alright? With thermal pools. Hence the "Paradise" branding. Look, they're not lying, okay? After a soak, you kinda *feel* like you've hit a small slice of heaven, away from the chaos. I mean sure, the "paradise" is a bit of a stretch, it’s no Maldives, but hey, compared to paying the mortgage? Paradise.
Those thermal pools. Are they actually, you know, *thermal*? And are they... clean?
Okay, important question. Yes, they're thermal! Honestly, coming from a perpetually cold human, I’d swim in a puddle of lukewarm gravy if it meant warmth. The water's naturally heated, and it's bliss. Now, the cleanliness... Look, I'm not a professional pool inspector, but I've been there a few times! And, they're pretty good. They seem to be cleaned regularly, smell of chlorine. The biggest thing is sometimes, *sometimes*, you might get a little leaf or something. But hey, it's nature, right? Embrace the nature. It’s part of the *charm* (that's what I tell myself, anyway).
What are the rooms like? Don't want to end up in a horror movie set...
Right, the ROOMS. Okay, they’re standard motel rooms. Think: functional, comfy enough. Not exactly the Ritz-Carlton, but perfectly fine for a relaxing weekend. You've got your bed, a TV (with questionable reception – embrace it, it's holiday vibes!), a kettle for your cuppa, and a bathroom that, if I am being *completely* honest, might've seen better days. But, let's be real, you're not there to judge the skirting boards, are you? You're there to soak your cares away. (Unless you get the *one* room that smells faintly of wet dog. Which I did. Once. Let's just leave it at that. Bring air freshener.)
Is it good for families? Kids? Are they allowed in the pools?
Absolutely. It's a great spot for families! There's a kids' pool too, and the main pools are generally safe for children to splash in. Kids LOVE thermal pools, in my experience. The joy of bubbling, warm water and a little bit of space. Just keep an eye on the little ones, obviously. And, bring snacks. Always bring snacks. And maybe a book for *yourself* because, lets be real, you *will* be watching the kids in the thermal water most of the time. No judgement here. (I've mastered the art of book-reading *and* keeping an eye on rogue toddlers).
What's the food situation? Is there a restaurant? Can I order room service?
Okay, food. This is where we get a little... realistic. There's no restaurant. No room service. You're on your own for sustenance. There is usually a nearby takeaway, however! But honestly? Embrace the freedom! Grab some snacks and drinks from the supermarket on the way. Pack a picnic for the pool. Don't be shy with the chips and dip. And remember, the escape is also from cooking, so don't worry about the microwave meals.
Are there any hidden gems or secret spots? What's nearby that should be explored?
Okay, the real local knowledge! Right, so nearby... you've got Mount Maunganui, which is a MUST-DO. Climb the Mount. The view is worth it. The beach is gorgeous. Tauranga's got some great cafes, too! The little gelato shop near the beach is pretty good (be prepared to queue, though!). Honestly, it's a pretty well-situated motel, a short drive to most things. But, my *real* hidden gem tip? Find a small park nearby and get some air. Tauranga is beautiful, and it's worth seeing more than just the motel.
Any tips for getting the most out of my 'Escape to Paradise' experience?
Oh, yes! My *wisdom*... First, pack a good book (or a few). Noise-canceling headphones are also a godsend. Bring a decent swimsuit – one that's not see-through when wet, ideally. Remember sunscreen! And most importantly? Lower your expectations just slightly. It's not a five-star resort. It's a perfectly decent, affordable motel with lovely warm pools! Embrace the imperfections. Embrace the slightly-less-than-luxury-ness. Most importantly, *switch off your phone*. (Okay, maybe check it once, just in case. But then switch it back off). And if you *really* want the ultimate escape, book a room with a private spa. It's worth the extra coin. Trust me.
Okay, one more... the *vibe*? Is it relaxing or chaotic? Should I bring earplugs?
Here's the thing: the vibe is... a *mix*. During the day, it's generally pretty chilled – kids splashing, families having fun, the scent of chlorine and sunscreen in the air. But, let's be honest, you're in a motel. Sometimes, the walls are… thin. Sometimes, it’s all quiet and serene. Sometimes, there's a party going on next door until the wee hours. Earplugs? Always a good idea, honestly! Just to be on the safe side. Bring them. But also, embrace the chaos. Embrace the moments of peace. And if the kids are screaming, well, join them! They are probably having more fun then you are!
Okay, let's talk about the one time...the *one* time you had a problem. Spill the tea, please. Give me the dirt.
Alright, fine. You want the dirt? Okay. So, picture this. Middle of summer. Absolutely *sweltering*. Booked a room with a private spa, as recommended, feeling smug. "Ooh, yes, escape!" I thought, pouring my fancy wine (brought from home, naturally). I get into the spa... and it's... not working. Like, *at all*. Bubbles of silence. Warm, lukewarm water.World Wide Inns
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