Escape to Paradise: Village Lake Apartments Await in Hanmer Springs!
Escape to Paradise: Village Lake Apartments Await in Hanmer Springs!
Escape to Paradise? More Like a Hanmer Springs Hangover! (My Honestly Chaotic Review of Village Lake Apartments)
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea (or maybe the Sauvignon Blanc, depending on how the Wi-Fi held up) on the Village Lake Apartments in glorious, gorgeous Hanmer Springs. I'm talking the full messy, glorious truth, the kind of review that probably makes the actual marketing team weep. Let’s get this over with, because honestly, writing a full review is exhausting!
First Impressions (or, the Airport Shuttle Scramble):
Getting there? Well, "getting there" is a whole other adventure. They do offer airport transfer, which is fantastic, but let me tell you, after a long flight and a screaming toddler, that little van ride felt like an eternity. I’m pretty sure my sanity points were depleted before we even hit the front desk [24-hour]. At least, the contactless check-in/out was actually a lifesaver. No time for forced smiles and small talk when you’re running on fumes!
Accessibility (or, Can This Place Handle My Stumbling?)
Okay, so I’m not in a wheelchair, BUT I do tend to trip over air. Seriously. So, I was keen to assess this. They’re claiming Facilities for disabled guests, with an elevator to get up to the rooms. And they've got that covered, which is great. I didn’t see a ton of ramps, but I wasn’t looking specifically for them. More on that later when I talk about the spa. Accessibility gets a tentative thumbs up. But again, I’m not a person who NEEDS it to get through life, so take it with a grain of walking salt.
Rooms (or, Where Dreams… and Dirty Socks… Are Made):
The rooms themselves were, well, they were there. The Air conditioning was a blessing in disguise. The Interconnecting room(s) available would be great for a family, though I was solo, so I could enjoy the non-smoking environment. The Linens? Clean. The Bathrobes? Soft enough, I'm guessing, though I barely used them. I was too busy navigating the tricky layout. The desk was actually useful for hammering out work. And a Laptop workspace, though let's be honest, the Wi-Fi [free], wasn't always up to the job.
And speaking of rooms, let's talk about… the little things.
- Air conditioning: Yes. A lifesaver. This is New Zealand; it can get chilly even in the middle of the summer.
- Alarm clock: Useful. For when you need to be up early to hit the spa, even if you're not going to do it.
- Blackout curtains: Needed, especially after a wine-fueled happy hour.
- Complimentary tea: I liked this, though getting someone to refill my tea stash was a pain.
- Free bottled water: Also cool, but the 'free' part seemed to be the catch.
- Hair dryer: Okay, maybe I missed using it.
- Ironing facilities: I managed to get my outfit ready without wrinkles, so I'm assuming they worked?
- On-demand movies: I could not make this work.
- Private bathroom: Always a plus!
- Refrigerator: I love a fridge, especially for a lone traveler!
- Satellite/cable channels
- Seating area: This was okay.
- Separate shower/bathtub: I'm a shower person, but the bathtub was nice to see.
- Slippers: I missed this!
- Smoke detector: Good!
- Wake-up service: This I could not make work, so there was a time when I almost missed the spa.
Cleanliness and Safety (or, Did They Really Sanitize THAT?):
This is where Village Lake Apartments actually scored some major brownie points. I was seriously impressed by most of the Cleanliness and safety measures they had in place. They were using Anti-viral cleaning products, and it actually smelled clean! The Rooms sanitized between stays gave me some peace of mind. They also had Hand sanitizer everywhere, like a freaking obsession, but I’m here for it. And the staff? They were all wearing masks and following the whole spiel. Plus, the Safe dining setup let me actually enjoy breakfast. The Daily disinfection in common areas was a relief. I felt relatively safe, which is saying something.
And yes, the room came with a Safe/Security. I never use it!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (or, Send Wine, Stat!):
Okay, let's be real. This is where things got a little… uneven. There's an A la carte in restaurant and I had some okay meals but some really bland meals. The Breakfast [buffet] was pretty standard, with some decent pastries. Their coffee/tea in restaurant was meh. The Poolside bar was a nice touch for the glorious, beautiful, wonderful pool, though I would have paid extra for someone to deliver me a margarita on a tiny raft. Room service [24-hour]? I used this. Not sure it was the best idea. The Snack bar was cool. The Restaurants themselves were somewhat inconsistent. There was a Vegetarian restaurant. The Happy hour was what was great.
Things to Do (or, Did I Actually Relax? The Verdict's Out):
Okay, listen. The Pool with view was a slice of heaven. Pure, unadulterated, Instagram-worthy heaven. I could have just… well, I almost did spend my entire stay in that pool. It was glorious. (I also needed to get out of the Swimming pool [outdoor] to eat and go to the spa.)
And this is where my heart breaks. The spa. The Spa/sauna. The Sauna. The Steamroom. The Massage. All… amazing. This is the real reason to go to Hanmer Springs. The Body scrub was so good I think I actually shed a layer of stress. I had a Body wrap, which was nice. I'm still not sure what a Foot bath is, but I'm guessing I'll try it out sometime. They have a Gym/fitness, though I didn't use it. If you go to the spa, you won’t regret it.
I will say there was a moment when I almost ended up spending the entire afternoon in the spa. It was hard to get out. I remember the little old lady in the steam room who ended up staring at me. Weird times.
Services and Conveniences (or, Where’s the Damn Toiletries?!):
This is another mixed bag. The Daily housekeeping was appreciated, especially after my epic spa session. The Concierge was helpful with booking tours, though they didn’t have the answer to every question (like, where can I get a really good coffee?). They have a Convenience store, which is handy for snacks. They didn't have the toiletries I was used to, so I did, again, have to call housekeeping.
Internet (or, The Wi-Fi Woe):
Ah, the bane of my existence. Internet access, supposedly with Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!… but it was spotty at best. I spent more time staring at loading circles than actually enjoying the internet. The Wi-Fi in public areas was a bit better, but still not amazing. The Internet [LAN] never worked for me, which bummed me out. If you need reliable internet for work, maybe look elsewhere. Otherwise? Just embrace the digital detox.
For the Kids (or, Are the Little Rascals Welcome?)
I didn't take any kids, but I could tell from the Family/child friendly vibes and the Kids facilities mentioned.
Getting Around (or, Where's the Car Park?)
They have Car park [free of charge]! Yay! I really needed this since parking in Hanmer Springs can be a nightmare, especially near the hot pools. Taxi service is available. Airport transfer is available, which is awesome.
The Verdict:
Escape to Paradise? Hmm… More like "Escape to Mostly Paradise, with a Side of Wi-Fi Frustration and a Dash of Mild Confusion." The Village Lake Apartments have potential. The spa alone makes the whole trip worthwhile. The safety precautions were top-notch. The staff, generally, were lovely. But the inconsistent internet and the hit-or-miss dining held it back from perfection.
Would I go back? Absolutely. Just for the spa. And next time, I'm bringing my own damn router.
Metadata/SEO Keywords:
- Hanmer Springs Accommodation Review
- Village Lake Apartments Review
- Hanmer Springs Hotels
- New Zealand Travel Review
- **
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn’t just a travel itinerary, it’s a goddamn adventure. We're talking Hanmer Springs, New Zealand, and your humble narrator, a slightly-caffeinated mess of a human being, will be your guide. Prepare for things to go off the rails, because honestly, that's where the real fun is.
Operation: Hanmer Springs - Survive & Possibly Thrive (Emphasis on Possibly)
Day 1: Arrival, Assessment, and Awkward Encounters
- 10:00 AM: Touchdown in Christchurch. Oh, the joy of airports. The smell of stale coffee, the triumphant wail of a baby (bless them), and the crushing realization you've forgotten your charger. Cue internal screaming.
- 11:30 AM: Pick up the rental car. Pray to the car gods it's not a death trap disguised as a sensible hatchback. I'm terrible at manuals, so automatic better be the name of the game. Also, check the tire pressure. I'm still scarred by a flat tire incident in rural France. (Don't ask.)
- 12:30 PM: Road trip to Hanmer Springs! The drive itself is supposed to be scenic, right? (I’ve seen the pictures, anyway.) Let’s hope the GPS isn't feeling particularly malicious today. I do enjoy a good scenic route though.
- 2:30 PM (ish): Arrive at Village Lake Apartments. Finding the bloody place is always the first hurdle. Pray for good signage (and less sheep than Google Maps promised). Check-in. Unpack. Immediately judge the décor choices. (Will definitely update as I go, with snide commentary.)
- 3:30 PM: Grocery shopping! Gotta stock up on sustenance. Wine is essential. Coffee, obviously. Chips, because mental health is important. And maybe, maybe some vegetables. We'll see.
- 4:30 PM: "Explore the immediate area." Translation: Wander aimlessly, get mildly lost, and probably end up talking to a particularly friendly (or not so friendly) sheep.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at The Powerhouse Cafe. Reviews are…mixed. Crossing fingers it's not a culinary catastrophe. If it's terrible, I'm blaming the weather.
- 7:30 PM: Unpack. Unpack again. Try to remember where I put the bloody charger. Panic, probably.
Day 2: Hydrotherapy, Hiccups, and Hubris
- 9:00 AM: Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa. This is the money shot. Supposedly. I'm picturing myself, lounging languidly in thermal bliss, radiating zen. Realistically, I'll be wrestling with rogue inflatable pool noodles, dodging screaming children, and desperately trying not to get water up my nose.
- 11:00 AM: Attempt a massage. I’m a sucker for this stuff. Pray the masseuse doesn't ask too probing questions about my life choices while kneading out the knots of everyday existence.
- 12:30 PM: Lunch at the cafe. More food. This is a pattern, isn't it?
- 2:00 PM: The Bungy Jump. (This is the part where the itinerary might get a little…rambly.) Okay, so, I said I wanted to do this. I signed up for it. Paid the money. And now I’m looking at the goddamn bridge, and I'm filled with existential dread. This isn't just a physical thing; it's a metaphor. Jumping off a perfectly good bridge? It's my fears, my insecurities, my crippling fear of heights, all condensed into one terrifying leap. Will I actually do it? Probably. Will I scream like a banshee? Almost certainly. Will I regret it? Maybe. But there's a tiny, insane part of me that thinks I might…like it. We’ll see. (I’m writing this before, so I’m still in denial.)
- *Update: The jump. God. Okay. Yes, I jumped. Screamed. Felt like my stomach became my throat. The rush! Then, the joy. The sheer, unadulterated *relief. I might actually hug the person who invented bungy jumping. Well, maybe not. The way down was quite frankly mortifying, but the sensation of freefall was something I’ll never forget. It was awful, and exhilarated. 10/10, would do it again (maybe in a year or two after a lot of Therapy).
- 4:00 PM: Post-Bungy Recovery. Wine. Lots of wine. And maybe a nap.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. Fueling the body.
Day 3: Nature, Nerves, and Nostalgia (and hopefully not more sheep)
- 9:00 AM: Hiking. I love hiking. Unless it’s uphill. And muddy. And involves too many bugs. But the scenery! The fresh air! (Hopefully, less sheep this time.)
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. Pack a picnic, because I’m on a budget!
- 1:00 PM: Scenic Drive. Check out the views. Try to avoid getting stuck on a gravel road.
- 3:00 PM: More Thermal Pools (because I’m officially addicted now).
- 5:00 PM: Pack.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. One last hurrah! (Where will it be? Will it be edible?).
- 8:00 PM: Attempt at a good night's sleep. Because tomorrow, it's back to reality.
Day 4: Departure and Debrief
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast.
- 9:00 AM: One last check of the Apartment - no rogue bungy cords or weird stains to hide.
- 10:00 AM: Head back to Christchurch.
- 12:00 PM: Drop off car. (Please don't have any surprises).
- 1:00 PM: Head to the airport.
- … (The big finish!) Okay, this is how I summarize the entire trip: In short, Hanmer Springs was weird. Wonderful. Exhausting. And I loved it (mostly). There were moments of sheer, unadulterated bliss. Moments of abject terror. Moments of profound boredom. I drank too much wine. I might have accidentally talked to a sheep. And I definitely gained a few pounds. But hey, that's life, isn't it? A messy, beautiful, slightly ridiculous adventure.
- I found some amazing people, and saw some fantastic views. It was one of the greatest weeks of my life.
- I'd bloody do it again!
Escape to Paradise: Village Lake Apartments Await in Hanmer Springs! (Or Do They...?) - FAQs
Alright, alright, alright... so you're thinking about Hanmer Springs? Village Lake Apartments? Let's dive in, shall we? Because honestly, figuring this stuff out is like trying to assemble IKEA furniture after a few too many craft beers. Here's what I've learned – and let me tell you, it's been a journey.
1. So, what *exactly* are these Village Lake Apartments? Are they, like, actual castles, or...?
Okay, picture this: pretty decent apartments. Not palace-y. Not hovels. Think... comfortably-furnished, self-contained holiday homes. Some have lake views (hence the name!), some don't. And the decor? Well, let's just say it's "classic Hanmer Springs". Think warm hues, maybe a slightly dated floral print couch. Nothing offensively bad, mind you, just... familiar. My first thought? "Aunt Mildred would *love* this place." (Bless Aunt Mildred). They’re generally well-equipped with the kitchen stuff, the usual. Expectations matter, right? I went in picturing a luxury spa retreat, and I got... a perfectly acceptable, clean apartment. Which, honestly, after driving for hours with whiny kids, was a MASSIVE win.
2. Are the lake views any good? Because, y'know, "Village Lake" implies... lake views.
Okay, this is where it gets tricky. "Lake views" is like, a spectrum. Some apartments have STUNNING, breathtaking, "wow, I could paint this" views. Others? Well, you might catch a sliver of the lake if you squint, stand on a chair, and lean out the window. We, unfortunately, got the slightly-less-than-spectacular view. But honestly, the sunsets over the mountains were still beautiful, even if I had to basically contort myself into a pretzel to see them properly. My advice? REQUEST a lake view, and specify "UNOBSTRUCTED" in ALL CAPS. Because, trust me, the difference is worth it.
3. How close are they to the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa? Because that's the *point*, right?
PERFECTLY positioned, my friends! Like, a casual stroll away. Seriously, you could practically roll out of bed, grab your towel (don't forget the towel!), and be wallowing in thermal goodness within minutes. This is a MAJOR selling point. We walked there in our swimwear and robes (we are those people now, deal with it). No driving, no parking nightmares. Just blissful soakage. Speaking of which… I have a *story*. This woman, right? She's got a fabulous hat. She took a little spill because of the wet tiles, it was quite a moment and brought us closer as a people.
4. Are there any downsides? Gotta be SOMETHING, right?
Oh, honey, there are ALWAYS downsides. No place is perfect, unless they offer unlimited chocolate fountains. Let’s see… The Wi-Fi wasn't the fastest, which was a minor tragedy for my teenager (who, as a result, almost entered a full-blown crisis). The 'welcome pack'… Let's just say it's not a gourmet hamper. And, okay, here's a confession: the noise levels. Kids, generally. And not the *my* kids, the *other* kids. They'll be running and yelling. But! Hanmer Springs is a holiday spot, so you gotta expect that. Earplugs are your friends. Or, you know, join the chaos. Embrace the kid energy. Become a kid again! (Or, you know what I'm saying?)
5. Okay, but is it *really* an "escape to paradise?" Don't give me the marketing BS.
Look, "paradise" is subjective, alright? Did I find nirvana? Maybe not. Did I almost lose my mind with the Wi-Fi woes? Maaaybe. But… laying in those thermal pools under the stars, with snow-capped mountains in the distance, sipping something fizzy? Yeah, that was pretty darn close. The kids, eventually, stopped whining (mostly). Hanmer is beautiful, it really is. And the Village Lake Apartments? They're a solid basecamp for your Hanmer adventures. It's not flawless, but it's comfortable, convenient, and gets you close to the good stuff. I'd go back. Just… with a faster Wi-Fi plan and industrial-strength earplugs this time.
6. Got any tips for a first-timer?
YES! Firstly, book your spa treatments *in advance*, especially if you want something specific or are going during peak season. Secondly, pack warm clothes. Hanmer Springs is *cold* in winter. Seriously cold. And waterproofs. Because weather's unpredictable. Thirdly, grocery shop before you arrive. The local supermarket is a bit limited and can get very busy. Fourthly, be prepared for crowds, especially in the pools. And finally… relax! Embrace the chaos, the imperfect moments, and the slightly-off-putting decor. You're on holiday. Just breathe, and enjoy the soak!
7. What's the parking situation like?
Pretty good, actually. Dedicated parking is usually available at each apartment, which is super convenient. No frantic circling the block at midnight, searching for a spot. Bonus points for that! However... if you're going during a busy holiday period (and, honestly, Hanmer's ALWAYS busy during school holidays), parking outside the apartment might become a free-for-all. So, arrive early, claim your spot, and defend it with your life (okay, maybe not. But you get the idea!). Honestly, the parking was a tiny blip on the radar. Easy peasy.
8. Are there dining options nearby? Because cooking every meal on vacation? No, thanks.
Yes! Plenty! Hanmer Springs has a decent selection of restaurants and cafes, from casual pubs to slightly more upscale dining. It's not quite the culinary capitalKyoto's Hidden Gem: RESI STAY Nishiki - Unforgettable Japan Experience!
Post a Comment for "Escape to Paradise: Village Lake Apartments Await in Hanmer Springs!"