Staying at The Lodge, at National Park

Photo / Winston Aldworth

Winston Aldworth checks into The Lodge, at National Park.

Getting there: Going via State Highway 3, National Park village is about a 4-hour, 15-minute drive from my office in central Auckland. Or you could do it the way we did and get stuck in the traffic leaving Auckland on the Friday of a long weekend. It took us a sniff more than six hours to get there.

They'll also do railway station pick-ups for anyone smart enough to take the train. It's a good option (I was shattered after the drive), with plentiful shuttles servicing the ski areas and the Tongariro Crossing.

Check-in experience: Swift.

Room: We were in a Quad Mezzanine, with myself and a mate in single beds in the downstairs area, and the kids in singles at the top. It's a pretty compact scenario — downstairs is 6m x 3m, and upstairs 2.2m x 3m — but four adult mates with few secrets to hide could use this room for a skiing getaway.

Top tip: Choose the bed that's not positioned immediately beneath the stairs. My mate Tristram was woken each morning of our stay by my daughter (his god-daughter) dropping dirty socks on him through the slots in the stairs. It looked pretty funny from where I was lying.

Price: Rates vary by season, but you can get this room for $125 midweek.

What's in the neighbourhood? It's a 20-minute drive to Whakapapa (to check conditions or book lift passes, go to mtruapehu.com/whakapapa).

Food and drink: Breakfast is served downstairs and the Spiral Restaurant and Bar has a roaring fire in the evenings and a good restorative menu. Go for the lamb.

The bed: If I wasn't so knackered each night I'd probably observe that it could have been firmer. You'll sleep well.

Entertainment: There are two magnificent spa pools. There's also a 40-inch TV in the downstairs room as well, but we were in the room to snore and get dressed in preparation for skiing on Ruapehu each day.

Bathroom: Functional.

Free Wi-Fi? Yup.

Noise: I was too exhausted from the long drive and the skiing to notice anything.

Contact: the-park.co.nz

Perfect for: Families or mates looking for an affordable place to rest up on a ski trip.