About Sport of Kings

Sport of Kings Motel Apartments has a long history of providing a peaceful home away from home for travellers from all over the world. This history includes being rated in the Top 10 of Motels in Rotorua earlier in its history.

It has been an exciting new era for Sport of Kings since November 2009 with owners Ian and Jyl Morrison stepping in to take over operating and running this unique property, and have brought it back once again into the Top Ten of Motels in Rotorua – CHECK OUT TRIP ADVISOR.

Since that time the motel has developed greatly with all apartments, the pools and hot water system and the exterior being totally refurbished to Qualmark 4 Star standard in the winter of 2010. Further to this Ian and Jyl are committed to an ongoing maintenance program of the highest standard, assuring their guests of a continued high standard of accommodation at reasonable prices.

Sport of Kings welcome guests from all parts of the world, they have a pet friendly policy,  free secure storage for bikes, fishing and golf equipment and they provide advice on what to do and where to go. In short, Sport of Kings is your "one stop shop" for everything Rotorua.

The name Sport of Kings refers to the traditional sport of Kings; Horse Racing, Polo, Dressage and Hunting. When the Motel was built in the mid 1980’s it was the closest Motel to the Rotorua Race Course and so was named accordingly. Rather than change this unique and memorable name, the owners are changing the focus to the 'King'. Their aim is to treat guests like ROYALTY, like Princes and Princesses!

 

About Us, Your Hosts

We, your hosts Ian and Jyl Morrison, have had many years of creative and business experiences from re-developing a 520 acre farm to pioneering the commercial use of the famous swamp kauri timber.  We were involved with exhibitions all around New Zealand before opening the popular Redbluff Gallery on our property in Warkworth in 1979.  Creativity is an extremely important part of our lives and this is evident everywhere in the restoration of the Sport of Kings. Jyl’s bird art that decorates the Office and walls of the apartments is an eye catching touch that gives them a stamp of uniqueness.

Our determination is to provide a haven of comfort, peace and quiet, with a touch of luxury for our guests,  that exceeds their expectations.  Also to provide a service that is second to none, always endeavouring to go the extra mile to enable folk to make the most of their time here in Rotorua. Connecting with our guests and treating them with friendship and respect is a priority.

Our home was considered a railway station for folk needing a little bit of TLC and our ten years of mission work experience in Eastern Europe has set us in good stead to cope with whatever comes our way in the day to day running of the Sport of Kings Motel which, for now, has become our home away from home.