Nice Hotel

This is a boutique hotel done well. It has unusual style and flamboyance that is charming rather than overwhelming. Excellent quality right through out. Caring staff who try their best and are attentive. We would certainly make this our base for any visits to New Plymouth. Charming, different and with all the features one would expect of a high quality hotel

The Nice Hotel is more than 100 years old and diagonally across the road from the oldest stone church in NZ. So some pretty good history to get in to. We were in the St Mary’s room on the front corner looking across to the church . The room sloped downwards somewhat disconcertingly but we were assure by Terry the owner it hadn’t moved in the 40 years he’s been there. Well appointed , large comfortable bed, good bathroom , a stack of art books to browse and a little library nook outside the room should more be needed. We dined in the restaurant one night , great service and a good meal. We also took the breakfast option which was served ( and cooked ) by Terry. A touch of theatre which was accidental i suspect but added to the quirky vibe. There are only a few rooms, the bar and lounge are stacked with collectibles and antiques and staying in The Nice Hotel is an experience beyond accommodation.

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.

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.