Taupo DeBretts

Taupo DeBretts used to be “the place to stay” for campers, and is still very popular.  Especially with the added attraction of the Hot Pools.  Campers get a half price deal to the pools, and being golden oldies, our price is very reasonable indeed.  Hope we have time for a dip while we are staying here.

The only downside is that, like a lot of camps, the sites are rather small for a big caravan plus tow car – it seems that camps these days like to cater for the smaller rental motorhomes.  We are perched on the hillside as the busy traffic on SH5 (Napier-Taupo Road) whizzes by behind us.  There is only just room to park the 4WD in front of the caravan.

On site at DeBretts, Taupo

Robin and Geoff took off bright and early for a “Boys Own Adventure” and is under instruction that he must write a blog all about it when he returns.  So I had plenty of time to check out the facilities.  The new ablution block now features unisex toilets and showers and has “underfloor heating for our comfort”.  Very nicely done indeed, and lovely and clean too, of course.

Unisex ablution block

And since I had the morning to myself, I might as well get the washing done.  Holiday or not, the laundry still mounts up.

Fresh from the drier

Who can remember the iconic Terraces Hotel?  This was a historic landmark that first opened its doors in 1889.  Known as "the only hotel with hot water on premises," the 20-bedroom hotel boasted two lounges and later a dining room able to seat 40 guests.

Hilton Lake Taupo, as it is now known, was extended and refurbished about 10 years ago.  I walked the short distance from the camp to have a coffee inside and see how much it had changed.

Hilton Lake Taupo

Yes, it certainly had changed since our last visit here.    I sipped my coffee sitting on a comfy leather settee in front of the fire.

 

Coffee time

We had previously enjoyed many meals in the old dining room in earlier years, but not now with these menu prices.  Never mind, I enjoyed my coffee, and feeling rather like a poor relation, walked back to camp. 

Views of Lake Taupo from the camp