A bit of research threw up the option that The Bayview have some self catering apartments out the back which give you access to all the hotel's facilites without any of the price tag. The apartments are great value and also suited us far better as we were travelling with a baby. We had one bedroom, a large lounge/kitchen and... more

Stayed in one of the 2BR Ferguson Apartments located behind the hotel. Based upon the mixed reviews posted for rooms in the Chateau it appears that we made the right choice. The Ferguson units were as advertised - good quality self-catering accommodation in a spectacular setting. We never really explored the hotel although as guests in the villas we were... more

What a beautiful location ! We loved the chateau and our alpine crossing tramp ! more

Wasnt sure about coming here. But WOW - couldnt believe it comming up the hill towards the hotel. It jumps out of the landscape. The weather is a bit unpredicable, however after a fantastic dinner in the Ruapehu Room we got up to some spectaticular scenes. Bit chilly bring a jacket and some good walking shoes there are loads of... more

We had a lovely two night stay in the new wing. Everything was great - the staff, the room, the lobby and the surroundings. We walked the spectacular Tongariro Crossing on a beautiful day and the following day walked some of the shorter (less than half day walks) from the Chateau. We would thoroughly recommend staying at the Chateau and... more

Not much to add to the reviews already here -- it's in a beautiful location, of course, and the hotel looks gorgeous from the outside, but inside it needs serious work. We decided to stay here partly because it looked like the grand lodges in U.S. national parks, but it wasn't up to those standards. It felt like a mid-range,... more

Pros: -Amazing location & setting! -we enjoyed the grand ambiance that made it feel like the shining. -service & staff were pleasant and friendly. -breakfast was included and we enjoyed eating in the dining room. -They let us check out a day early when our plans had to be changed due to bad weather. -overall we enjoyed our time there.... more

The Bayview Chateau is deep in some of New Zealand’s most dramatic scenery. Unfortunately, it was the only seriously poor hotel we stayed at on our tour around the country. It is a handsome building, loosely modelled on a hotel that sits overlooking Lake Louise in the Canadian Rockies. It has had a rather mixed history and now it is... more

From 2 kms. away the Bayview Chateau looks mightily impressive against the magnificent mountain skyline. One's hopes optimistically but foolishly rise in anticipation. "Surely all the damning reports one has read on Tripadvisor & elsewhere can't be true" goes through your mind. Once you set foot in the place your heart sinks as you are abruptly transported back in time... more