8.5

371 reviews

FatOwl Motel, Bar & Eatery

FatOwl Motel, Bar & Eatery

12 Ruru St, Piopio, Piopio, 3912, New Zealand

Choose dates to view prices

Pet Friendly

Restaurant

Free Private Parking

Free wifi

Bar

Parking On Site

24-hour front desk

Non-smoking rooms

FatOwl Motel, Bar & Eatery

FatOwl Motel, Bar & Eatery is a cozy motel in Piopio, New Zealand, just 0.1mi from the town center. Located at 12 Ruru St, Piopio, it offers a simple, traveler-friendly base with a strong track record—371 reviews and counting.

Highlights include free pet-friendly policy, an on-site restaurant and a bar, free Wifi, and free private parking. For events or meetings, meeting/banquet facilities are available for an extra charge, and a nearby golf course is offered for those who want a round at additional cost. The property also features a 24-hour front desk, non-smoking rooms, garden views, a garden, a picnic area, and free toiletries.

From a sunlit breakfast at the restaurant to after-dusk chats at the bar, this Piopio base brings practical comfort to every traveler’s itinerary, and the 0.1mi stroll to town keeps adventures within arm’s reach.

FatOwl Motel, Bar & Eatery blends practical comfort with a traveler-friendly vibe. Free Wifi and free private parking help plans stay simple, while a 24-hour front desk keeps assistance handy at any hour. Non-smoking rooms, garden views, a garden, and a picnic area offer relaxed spaces to unwind, and free toiletries add a touch of convenience. Pets are allowed on request and can stay for free, with no extra charges.

On-site Fat Owl Bar & Eatery serves meals and drinks in a casual setting, perfect for fueling adventures after a day in Piopio. For gatherings, meeting/banquet facilities are available for an extra charge, and a nearby golf course can be booked for a round at additional cost. The residence is just a short stroll from the town center—about 0.1mi—putting shops, cafes, and local flavor within easy reach.

With a friendly, no-fuss base that welcomes four-legged travelers and provides simple comforts, this Piopio stop suits solo explorers, couples, and small groups alike. The package of on-site dining, a pet-friendly policy, and handy amenities makes for an easy stay, whether preferring a morning coffee at the Fat Owl Bar & Eatery or winding down in the garden after a busy day.

Closest airports

Hamilton International Airport

45.1mi

New Plymouth Airport

58.6mi

Taupo Airport

60.5mi

Most popular amenities

Pet Friendly

Restaurant

Free Private Parking

Free wifi

Bar

Parking On Site

24-hour front desk

Non-smoking rooms

Garden view

Picnic area

Garden

Free toiletries

Rooms

Show 6 photos

Queen Room

1 Queen Size Bed

Flat-screen TV

x4

+

x3

More details

Show 4 photos

Room - 2 Queen

2 Queen Size Beds

Flat-screen TV

x4

+

x3

More details

Twin Room in FatOwl Motel, Bar & Eatery

Show 4 photos

Room - 2 Twin

2 Twin Beds

55 sqft

Garden view

Private Bathroom

Flat-screen TV

Shower

x4

+

x3

More details

Family Room in FatOwl Motel, Bar & Eatery

Show 3 photos

Family

1 Twin Bed

1 Queen Size Bed

55 sqft

Garden view

Private Bathroom

Flat-screen TV

Shower

x8

+

x4

More details

Show 5 photos

Queen Room, Single Use

1 Queen Size Bed

More details

King Room in FatOwl Motel, Bar & Eatery

Show 4 photos

King Room

1 King Size Bed

+

More details

Superior, Doubleortwin

1 Double Bed

+

More details

Superior

1 Double Bed

+

More details

Deluxe Queen Room in FatOwl Motel, Bar & Eatery

Deluxe, Queen Size

1 Twin Bed

1 Queen Size Bed

+

More details

King Room, Sofa

1 King Size Bed

1 Sofa Bed

More details

Superior, King Size

1 King Size Bed

1 Sofa Bed

x3

More details

Triple Room

x3

+

x4

More details

Guest reviews

8.5

371 reviews

Categories of assessments

Cleanliness

Comfort

Location

Facilities

Staff

Value for money

WiFi quality

Featured reviews:

🇳🇿

Marlene

8.2

April 2025

Gorgeous quiet and peaceful accomodation. With wonderful comfy big bed and aimple room with basic neccesities. Will certainly stay again and keen to try the restaurant next door next time. Greatful to the receptionist for answering late night ph calls to be able to stay another night.

Only the TV in the room didnt have Chromecast or Satelite or dish tv. So TV in room couldnt be used. Which was a shame as the bed was so comfy and huge, I would of loved to have been able to snuggle into bed after a hot shower with a good ol romcom movie. Settled in watching on my ph using Motel free wifi.

🇬🇧

Dulcie

10

January 2025

We were really pleased with our little ensuite room. Nicely decorated in a shabby chic style. The shower was great, the bed was comfortable and it was all spotlessly clean. Outside the window were lavender plants so we had a lovely scent coming in. Stored our ice blocks in the communal kitchen freezer and ate at the pub/restaurant next door which was really good food. Delighted with the tiny town, ate breakfast at Fat Pigeon which was also lovely food.

Electric sockets a little awkward for using the kettle. Nowhere to cook other than a microwave in the communal kitchen if the restaurant is closed.

🇺🇸

Julia

10

December 2024

I was a little leery about booking this accommodation, but I am so glad we did. If you are booking here, just know that you’re booking in a very rural area with not much around. We just needed a place to sleep for the night and this fit the bill exactly. it was a perfectly clean room with the cutest atmosphere. They very much use the trust system as there was no one at the desk, but they just left our keys for us so we never really saw any staff which was fine. They have a small kitchen that you can help yourself to a simple little breakfast. The room was spotless clean and so cute. I was more than satisfied with this lodging and it far exceeded my expectations. Thank you for a wonderful stay.

Nothing

🇳🇿

Cherie

10

November 2024

Friendly, helpful welcome when checking in.😀Much appreciated! Everything was super clean in my room and the guest kitchen and lounge. Bed was very comfortable! Great shower. Generous continental breakfast included in price! Tea and coffee freely available. I loved the personal touches and attention to detail. Stylish but homely. Lovely outdoor space and good onsite parking.This place is an absolute gem. Perfect peaceful sanctuary to recharge and refresh after travelling from Auckland on route to New Plymouth. Strongly recommend a stopover here on way to New Plymouth especially as ongoing roadwork holdups can lengthen an already long drive from Auckland. I will be back for sure. Good value for money.

Nothing.It exceeded my ecpectations!

🇬🇧

Jennifer

10

January 2025

It was exactly as described. The room was clean and comfy. The family room was great. Very well equipped with milk, tea, coffee and breakfast foods. The outdoor area was lovely. The restaurant food was delicious.

A couple of things… The windows in the room were hard to shut. As I was on my own in the room I was determined to get them shut. Make sure to bring shampoo, body soap is provided. There are just the basic TV Chanel’s. TV reception is okay.

🇳🇿

Lee

9.1

November 2024

The staff were very friendly and helpful. The room ticked all the boxes for me as I have a disability. Plenty of safe space for the children. Then omg the fat owl Cafe went over and above my expectations. The staff very friendly and helpful. The food was awesome tasted soo good a beautiful layed out table for the family.

To be honest I can't think of anything. I will be recommending this accommodation and Cafe to all I know

🇳🇿

Cluett

8.2

May 2024

We arrived on a wet cold afternoon. The room is a small bedroom with a double and single bed, toilet with shower, electric blankets and electric fan heater on wall. We thought, oh dear this could be cold. But no, the electric blankets were perfect and after an hour the room was toasty and the nanageress put on the corridor heaters. Because the top mattress was wonderful and we did not need the wall heater on overnight we had a perfect sleep. Mind you a beautiful meal next door at restaurant did help.

Nothing.

🇦🇺

Jamie

8.2

November 2023

We really enjoyed the atmosphere in the restaurant and the staff and their customer service. We were there for my daughters wedding and the staff went out of their way to make the function amazing. They were all friendly and really made the wedding that much better with their service. Thank you everyone.

I did not like the cleaner and the way she spoke about my daughter and she complained about having more work to do, when the work she was doing was exactly what she would have been doing anyway. She was rude and called my daughter an idiot for choosing to place people in certain rooms that she had paid for. She just wasn’t nice. She then changed her tune and was ok at the function, but initially, not good customer service. She also didn’t clean the rooms properly. We had a dirty spoon and the shower had bugs in it.

🇳🇿

Lynn

9.1

August 2025

An older style motel but nicely presented, very clean and close to anything around Piopio.A good stopover if traveling south to New Plymouth. SADLY the eatery was not operating this night but it looked good for a meal.The kitchen facility was very.good.

The wall heater was not quite adequate for the cold temps & was quite noisy,rattling.

🇳🇿

Rayeena

10

October 2024

The staff are very welcoming and accommodating with their rural charm. You feel like a local. Lovely meal from the Fat Owl restaurant that was hosting a private function, bur allowed us to purchase from the function menu at a reasonable price. Very comfortable stay with a complimentary continental breakfast. Highly recommended staying in Piopio if your travelling through.

The shower door didn't close entirely.

Points of Interest Around FatOwl Motel, Bar & Eatery

Attractions

Waitomo Caves

15.3mi

Restaurants

Amenities of FatOwl Motel, Bar & Eatery

Pet Friendly

Restaurant

Free Private Parking

Free wifi

Bar

Parking On Site

24-hour front desk

Non-smoking rooms

Garden view

Picnic area

Garden

Free toiletries

Stay rules - FatOwl Motel, Bar & Eatery

  • Check-in / Check-out

  • Pets

  • Internet

  • Age restrictions

  • Parking

  • Children and beds

  • Cards accepted at this property