We're planning to hike the Tongariro Crossing during our time on the North Island, and am looking for recommendations on where to stay the night before and the night after. Found a cool place in Taupo (Tiki Lodge) and another good looking place in Turangi (Creel Lodge). Just wondering if anyone had strong feeling on either or other places and if staying in Turangi vs Taupo made much difference in terms of the experience.

Don't really have plans to do anything else in the immediate area, but if the weather is bad on the first day, we may need to entertain ourselves until the next day.

Unless you have two cars, you're going to need transport to the beginning of the track. Have you looked at the shuttle schedules? Staying in Taupo over Turangi adds to the transportation time both ways (and it is a long hiking day). Here's the company we used and their shuttle schedule.

http://www.thetongarirocrossing.co.n...riro.htm#rates

Its about 40 extra minutes on the shuttle in the morning if you take it from Taupo instead of Turangi. (You can also drive to the end of the track and take the shuttle to the beginning of the track but you'll need to be there by 8AM if you use this shuttle.) We stayed in the Whakapapa both nights and others have stayed in National Park which is near by.

We far preferred staying near Turangi, rather than Taupo. Our homestay was www.omorilakehouse.co.nz. Lovely hosts, beautiful accommodations. They will arrange the shuttle for you and make sure you have a hearty breakfast before. If you go, tell Neal and Raewyn that Marty and PJ say "hi."

I have no idea why you would contemplate staying in Turangi or Taupo for doing the Tongariro Alpine Crossing as you can stay on the mountain at only a 10 minute drive from the Crossing.
From Turangi it is still a 40 minute drive to the start of the walk as from Taupo an hour and 15! Also from Turangi and Taupo you will not have any mountain views.

We decided to stay at Discovery as they are the closest to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, only a 10 minute drive. We stayed in a brand new chalet which is very luxurious inside and it also has incredible views from the room. But if you like cheaper accommodation then they also have motel rooms and a campsite with cabins.
They provide a really good tongariro crossing bus service too. They leave early in the morning to make sure that you are one of the first on the mountain, before it gets really busy. And in the afternoon there are 5 pick ups so you don't have to wait for hours (like many other people) at the end to go back to your accommodation.
Apart from all that the people there are really friendly as well.


Have a look at their website: http://www.discovery.net.nz