Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery

3.0 star property
Motel in Piopio with 24-hour front desk and restaurant

Room options

View all photos for Queen Room

Queen Room

Queen Room

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
(4 reviews)

Highlights

Heating
Flat-screen TV
Private bathroom
Coffee/tea maker
Satellite channels
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Twin Room

Twin Room

Twin Room

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(17 reviews)

Highlights

Heating
Flat-screen TV
Private bathroom
Coffee/tea maker
Satellite channels
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Single Beds

View all photos for Queen & Single Room

Queen & Single Room

Queen & Single Room

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(5 reviews)

Highlights

Heating
Flat-screen TV
Private bathroom
Coffee/tea maker
Satellite channels
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed and 1 Single Bed

View all photos for Family Room

Free WiFi, bed sheets

Family Room

Highlights

Heating
Flat-screen TV
Private bathroom
Coffee/tea maker
Satellite channels
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 5
  • 1 Queen Bed and 3 Single Beds

View all photos for Room

Room

Room

Highlights

Heating
Flat-screen TV
Private bathroom
Coffee/tea maker
Satellite channels
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for King + Sofa Bed

King + Sofa Bed

King + Sofa Bed

Highlights

Heating
Flat-screen TV
Private bathroom
Coffee/tea maker
Satellite channels
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Single Sofa Bed

About the area

Piopio

At Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery, you'll be 12.8 km (8 mi) from Tainui Historical Society Museum and 23.3 km (14.5 mi) from Big Shearer. Highlights at this motel include a restaurant, free self-parking and a bar/lounge. .This smoke-free motel offers free WiFi in public areas, a 24-hour front desk and a garden. Other amenities include laundry facilities, barbecues and a picnic area. Continental breakfast is available daily. .In proximity to this 3-property class Piopio motel you'll find Waitomo Glowworm Caves.
View more Motels in PiopioOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Te Kuititanga-O-Nga-Whakaaro - 16 min drive - 27.6 km
  • Big Shearer - 16 min drive - 27.6 km
  • Altura Gardens & Wildlife Park - 30 min drive - 49.8 km
  • Waitomo Glowworm Caves - 31 min drive - 50.4 km
  • Aranui Cave - 34 min drive - 52.9 km

Getting around

  • Auckland (AKL-Auckland Intl.) - 159 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Fat Pigeon Cafe - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Pio Pio Orchard - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Clover Leaf Cafe - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Piopio Cosmopolitan Club - ‬4 min walk

About this property

Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery

Motel in Piopio with 24-hour front desk and restaurant
There's a restaurant on site. You can enjoy a drink at the bar/lounge. WiFi is free in public spaces. Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery also features barbecue grills, a garden, and a picnic area. Self parking is free.

This 3-star Piopio motel is smoke free.

  • 10 guestrooms or units
  • Charging station for electric cars
  • Breakfast available (surcharge)
  • Self-service laundry
  • Front desk (24 hours)
  • Express check-in
  • Express check-out
  • Storage area for luggage
  • Garden
  • BBQ grill(s)
  • Outdoor picnic space
  • No smoking on site
  • Bar or lounge
  • 1 conference room
  • Dining venue
Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery offers 10 accommodations with coffee/tea makers and free toiletries. Flat-screen televisions come with satellite channels.

Bathrooms include a shower. Guests can surf the web using complimentary wireless Internet access. Housekeeping is provided on a daily basis.

Similar properties

Front of property – evening/night
Caves Motor Inn
  • Parking included
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Restaurant
  • Breakfast available
4.0 out of 5, Very good, 229 reviews
The price is NZ$154
includes taxes & fees
13 Jan - 14 Jan
Caves Motor Inn

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Electric car charging station on site
  • Free self parking on site
  • Limited on-site self parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking available

Food and drink

  • Daily continental breakfast available for a fee: NZD 10 per person
  • A bar/lounge
  • A restaurant

Family friendly

  • Laundry facilities

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Laundry facilities
  • Luggage storage

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)

Business services

  • Meeting room

Outdoors

  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Picnic area

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking

More

  • Banquet hall
  • Smoke-free property

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Private bathroom
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • Flat-screen TV with satellite channels

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker

More

  • Heating

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 2:00 PM
Express check-in available
Minimum check-in age - 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM
Express check-out available

Special check-in instructions

Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

  • No pets allowed, but service animals are welcome

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Payment types

Important information

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Fee for continental breakfast: from approximately NZD 10.00 per person

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession. This property accepts Visa and Mastercard.

National rating

Property class, provided by our rating system, is based on property type, amenities and services.

Property is also known as

Owls Nest Motel Piopio
Owls Nest Motel
Owls Nest Piopio
Owls Nest Motel
Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery Motel
Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery Piopio
Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery Motel Piopio

Frequently asked questions

What is the cancellation policy at Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery?

Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery offers free cancellation on select room rates. Check out the cancellation policy for more info.

How much does it cost to stay at Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery?

As of 12 Jan 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery on 27 Jan 2026 start from NZ$115.0, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

Is parking available at Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery?

Yep, Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery has a free self car park.

Are there any beaches close to Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery?

The closest beach to Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery is Marokopa Beach (31.6 km).

Does Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery serve breakfast?

You bet, continental brekkie is on offer daily.

Is there a free airport shuttle available at Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery?

No, Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery does not offer an airport shuttle service.

Is there a bar or restaurant at Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery?

Yep, they've got a lounge bar and an onsite restaurant.

What time are check-in & check-out at Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery?

Check-in begins at 2:00 PM. Check-out time is 10:00 AM.

Are pets allowed at Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery?

No, only service animals are allowed.

Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery Reviews

Reviews

8.8

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 105 out of 199 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 73 out of 199 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 15 out of 199 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 5 out of 199 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 199 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

9.2/10

Staff & service

8.8/10

Amenities

8.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.8/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Daniel

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
We were here for maybe 10 hours but very surprising at the quality of room with this stay. One of the best roadside motels ive ever been to in terms of comfort. Large new bed, good qater pressure, clean, and nice soap. Easy check in/out and even though we showed up too late, a nice looking, lively, pub on site. Great stop on our road trip.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sue

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very friendly check-in, and pet friendly. Clean and quiet
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

Shruti

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Perfect for our 1 night stopover to New Plymouth.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Emma

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Nice tidy rooms, friendly staff. Great proximity to the pub!
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Nicola

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Nice room, good restaurant on site, friendly staff,
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

ian

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
clean tidy friendly rural type setting
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kath

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Good little room for a night.. clean and tidy..
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ross

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very quiet. Staff very helpful and friendly. Restaurant next was excellent.(
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Garry

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great stay but would be nice to have hooks to hang towels and clothes Shower drained away very slow
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Marianne

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
This place is a great place to stay. It is comfortable and super clean. They were so lovely and accomodating to my needs and even offered me free breakfast! I was very impressed with the place and would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kristina

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

8/10 Good

Pauline

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Excellent place for an overnight stay. Meals in restaurant were delicious with good portion sizes. Twin room small but adequate. Beds comfortable. TV not working. Free continental breakfast was a lovely surprise. Will definitely stay again.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

Isaia

Travelled with partner
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Toilet door straight into bedroomand no place to hang towel when in the shower and no place to put soap and gel in the shower
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Louise

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kelly

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Vivienne

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Staff are very accommodating
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kamalu

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very clean and staff was accommodating.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

Emmett

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
We loved staying here. The staff were super friendly and accommodating. The beds, especially the pillows, were a bit on the stiffer side, but everything else was super nice.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

Caroline

Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lisa

Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lorraine

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Welcoming, clean and comfortable. Great for an easy overnight stop
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

Phil

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Close to places we were looking for
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Scott

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Perfect Little Motel

Comfortable, friendly, convenient, and inexpensive.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Robin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Derek

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Good bed good food good people
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025