Hotels near Palmerston North International Airport - PMR, Palmerston North

Check google maps, once you work out the way the main streets are laid out it is easy to navigate. Shopping experience along with ample restuarants. The countryside around Palmerston North is well worth a look as are nearby cities about 1 hour or so away like Napier or Wanganui.

Palmerston North has pretty countryside surroundings and lovely wide streets but the town square is very tricky to navigate and gets busy but that's where the shops are mostly. Very little to do there for apart from walks, gardens and cafes. That's all the brochures offered. We went op shopping which was really good. Too many fast food eateries but very few good restaurants. We went to the turkish cafe, really good. We went up the Wind farm to view the turbines, no where to stop and take decent photos!! And everyone drives too fast up there. No activities in town for indoor wet weather entertainment. I've travelled all around NZ and found this town pretty boring in comparison.. We were there for a tournament, luckily we were at that venue mostly (Heads up to Hockey Manawatu). Only ate out once for dinner. ! So many missed opportunities!!

Kmart open until midnight - crazy!. The park in the centre of city is beautiful and big. There is lots of completely different features including massive deck chairs that can sit an entire family or plenty of spaces for picnics. Short walking distance to every place you would want to go, free parking if you are willing to walk a couple of blocks to get to the malls/plaza. Food is AMAZING, especially the Korean restaurant we went to, and the bubble tea in plaza is yummy - they have fruit balls if you don't like tapioca like us. Plenty of shopping, only wish some of the stores stayed open a bit later, so much to do, so little time.

The motel was easy to find, very clean and had a very comfortable bed. The staff were very nice. It was very reasonably priced. It has limited kitchen facilities, but is fine to make yourself a simple breakfast.

The shopping is Fantastic especially Kmart and the Plaza, and also the OPP Shops. LOL I walked around a bit more this time and discovered some great shops which we don't have in Wanganui where I live. I mainly went for a Buddhist Retreat but extended my stay to do some great shopping. Favorite shops, Kmart, Salvation Army Shop, St Vinnies Opp shop and St John Opp shop. Food shops Ocggi Sushi at the Plaza mall, Noodles N Dumplings, McDonalds at the Plaza. I also shopped at Downtown Souvenirs and Gifts, Whitcoulls the Plaza, Aquisition's, Hello Banana, Inspire me and a few other shops. I had to use taxis because I have a mobility problem, but they were cheap because I used my mobility card for a great discount. I don't think I would avoid anything;

Palmerston North is not a place I'd generally choose to go. But I came for a show for the night at the Regent. Fantastic show. I was also pleasantly surprised by local cafe Joe's Garage. Excellent coffee and food. Walking distance everywhere, great Asian restaurants too.