The Duke Motel in Russell has been decked out with old Tourism NZ posters, ornamental paddles and shelving made from painted beer crates. Photo / Supplied
The Duke Motel in Russell has been decked out with old Tourism NZ posters, ornamental paddles and shelving made from painted beer crates. Photo / Supplied
Elisabeth Easther checks into Northland motel that's heavy on Kiwiana charm
How to get there: Russell is four hours' drive north of Auckland, including the ferry from Opua.
Check-in experience: Warm, friendly and informative.
The room: Two bedrooms, a decent-sized living room and balcony. A queen in one room, bunks and a single in the other.
The bed: Dreamy soft beds, cloud-like linen, plenty of pillows. When it was time to sleep, the tick tock tick of the alarm clock had to stop. I took the battery out.
The decor: Kiwiana charm, old Tourism NZ posters, ornamental paddles and shelving made from painted beer crates. Super-groovy pendant lighting and a little record-album coffee table - Kim Carnes' Voyeur in mine. And the sheepskin rugs felt very nice underfoot.
Kitchen: If you fancy cooking you've got all the equipment, a sink, a couple of hobs and a microwave. But with so many good restaurants around, where's the fun in that?
Minibar: Quality plunger coffee and a range of teabags from Earl Grey to green, peppermint to English breakfast and a decent half-litre of milk.
Bathroom: The shower was amazing and the spa bath was the size of a small-ish swimming pool. Plenty of fluffy white towels.
Toiletries: The very appropriate South Pacific Soap Co's shampoo, conditioner, soap and moisturiser. It's coconut-based and smelt and felt really good — so you actually want to use the stuff, which is novel.
A bedroom at The Duke Motel. Photo / Supplied
Who runs the place? The lovely people who revitalised the Duke of Marlborough Hotel have put all their hospo knowledge to good use.
Also on site: A pizza oven, barbecues and a small swimming pool, although the bath is so big you could do laps in that.
Getting around: Walk everywhere in Russell, or take the passenger ferry to Paihia and stroll around over there.
The swimming pool at The Duke Motel. Photo / Supplied
Entertainment: Sky TV and speakers for your device. Plus a selection of games including Trivial Pursuit, magazines and books including a Woody Allen and a Tony Parsons, not to mention a well-thumbed copy of The Godfather.
Stay connected: Free Wi-Fi at a decent speed.
The verdict: Groovy Kiwiana kitsch. And it's comfy too.
