Where to stay in the Coromandel: Grand Mercure Puka Park Resort

Spectacular scenery and unique chalet accommodation make Grand Mercure Puka Park Resort the ideal base for your Coromandel adventures. Located in picture-perfect Pauanui, this beautiful spot combines the treehouse dreams of childhood with the modern comforts and luxurious touches of adulthood. Here’s a look at the Grand Mercure Puka Park Resort and why it’s worth the drive.

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Where is the resort located?

You’ll find the Grand Mercure Puka Park Resort located in Pauanui, on the east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula in New Zealand’s north island. A laid-back holiday town, Pauanui allows access to beautiful beaches, a tranquil harbour and spectacular scenery. It is around 2 hours, 14 minutes drive from Auckland, 50 minutes drive from Hahei where Cathedral Cove is and 47 minutes drive from Hot Water Beach and 45 minutes drive from Thames.

I’ll reference it a few times throughout this post but the Coromandel is a vast region so choosing a spot to stay that’s close to everything to see and do is impossible. Instead, it’s best to find a spot you really want to stay and be prepared to enjoy the scenic drives between destinations dotted across the landscape.

How to get to the Coromandel

Located in the North Island of New Zealand, the Coromandel is around 2 1/2 hours drive from Auckland. It is the perfect addition to a New Zealand road trip itinerary or a great extension to a visit to Auckland (Read: How to spend 2 days in Auckland here).

Overseas visitors will most likely want to fly into Auckland. Visiting from Australia, I flew direct from Brisbane Airport to Auckland Airport with a flight time of around three hours. Qantas is a solid option for this route, allowing 30kg of checked luggage and an in-flight meal.

On arrival at Auckland Airport, I picked up a hire car. The Coromandel Peninsula extends 85 kilometres north from the western Bay of Plenty and with that much space to explore, a car is essential. A small SUV gives you added confidence on the winding roads, though a small hatchback will do the job fine. I’d recommend checking Discover Cars for the best rental rates across multiple suppliers before you book.

Pro Tip: Stay connected with a local sim card from SimsDirect. Get your sim card before leaving home, ensuring you’re able to ‘check-in,’ navigate and find great things to do on the go!

What are the chalets like?

Traditional hotels usually feature one main building, with rooms spread out across a number of floors. Grand Mercure Puka Park Resort embraces its idyllic position, nestled into the foothills of Mount Pauanui, with chalet accomodation spread out across the grounds.

Chalets are semi-detached in blocks of two with each standalone set positioned perfectly in the bushland. After checking-in at the main building, which houses reception, dining and a range of other facilities, guests can opt to park their car and have the buggy help them to their chalet or drop their bags at the chalet themselves then park. Some of the chalets are on steep slopes so I’d recommend contacting the hotel prior to booking as they’ll be able to point out the most accessible and appropriate chalets for you.

I stayed in chalet 39, one of the resort’s Rimu Chalets. The boardwalk leading to each chalet sets the tone for a stay among the treetops, making you feel as though you’re on your way to a luxury treehouse. Inside, raked timber ceilings create an open and earthy space with a cosy sofa and additional armchair to sink into.

The king sized bed sits in the middle of the room, adorned with comfortable pillows and warm bedding to keep you toasty in the cooler months. Sliding doors allow the generous-sized bathroom to open into the space or closed off for privacy. Under floor heating, a heated towel rack and large bathtub perfect for two, combined with a seperate shower, are luxurious and functional touches.

A private deck with a timber table and chairs makes for the ideal spot to sit and unwind. My itinerary kept me out and busy during the day so, sadly, I didn’t get to enjoy the deck as much as I’d have liked. I’d have loved to sit out there listening to water trickling by and wildlife chattering away, with a cup of tea and something sweet to snack on.

What facilities does the hotel have?

The most unexpected thing about a stay at Grand Mercure Puka Park Resort is the onsite restaurant, Miha. I’ll be honest, hotel restaurants can be hit and miss, and if you find yourself needing a meal of an evening only to discover the food doesn’t match the setting, it’s frustrating. Miha is worth knowing about before you arrive.

Miha serves Pacific Rim cuisine with a modern European twist, with menus changing seasonally to make use of the freshest local produce. The deck dining, with views across Pauanui Beach and the Coromandel Ranges, is a genuinely lovely experience. The food I had was well above what you’d expect from a resort restaurant, and the steak in particular was outstanding. Worth heading up for dinner whether you’re staying at the resort or not, though it pays to book ahead.

In addition to a solid restaurant, the resort offers a heated swimming pool, spa and sauna, tennis court, gym, laundry facilities, bicycles for hire and more. The staff are friendly and genuinely helpful, so don’t hesitate to reach out for advice on planning your time in the Coromandel or organising activities. They can also sort you out with a shovel and tide time information if you’re heading to Hot Water Beach.

Best things to do in the Coromandel

I spent two days and two nights in the Coromandel and, honestly, I’d recommend adding at least one more full day if you can. There’s an abundance of beautiful scenery and great activities spread throughout the region, and you’ll find yourself doing a fair amount of driving to get between them. Three full days is a better minimum to let the pace breathe a little.

The days filled themselves with a mix of activities combining spectacular natural scenery, great food, local culture, talented artisans and experiences you can’t have anywhere else. For more inspiration on what to see and do, read: Your ultimate guide to the Coromandel.

The verdict…

The thing I love most about the Coromandel is the scenery. The jagged coastline, white sand beaches and sparkling blue water. The dense greenery, winding mountain roads and wild terrain. It would be such a shame to visit somewhere so beautiful and find yourself stuck inside a cookie-cutter hotel room that disconnects you from it all.

Grand Mercure Puka Park Resort works in harmony with its surroundings, ensuring you never feel disconnected from it all. Whether you’re eating breakfast at the restaurant overlooking the Pacific Ocean, relaxing on the private deck with a good book or simply walking to your chalet through the bush, you’re always surrounded by something worth looking at.

I mentioned at the start of this post the importance of choosing a spot you actually want to stay rather than trying to find one that’s central to everything. For me, Puka Park Resort was just that. It’s a perfect romantic escape for a couple looking to enjoy the region together, and a place I reckon most families would enjoy too. Book Grand Mercure Puka Park here.

My two-night stay was generously hosted by Destination Coromandel. All opinions are, as always, authentically my own. 

FAQ’s about Grand Mercure Puka Park Resort

Is Grand Mercure Puka Park Resort good for couples?

It’s one of the better couples retreats in the Coromandel. The private chalets, secluded bush setting, heated pool and spa, and deck dining all lend themselves to a relaxed, romantic getaway.

How far is Puka Park Resort from Auckland?

The resort is around a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Auckland, making it a manageable road trip from the city. You’ll need a hire car as there’s no direct public transport to Pauanui.

How far is Puka Park from Hot Water Beach and Cathedral Cove?

Hot Water Beach is around 47 minutes drive and Cathedral Cove (via Hahei) is around 50 minutes. Both are worth the drive and easy to do as day trips from the resort.

Does Puka Park Resort have a restaurant?

Yes. Miha is the onsite restaurant, serving Pacific Rim cuisine with a modern European influence. It offers breakfast, lunch and dinner, with al fresco deck dining and views across Pauanui Beach.

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