Location is excellent.
Service needs to improve
1. Standard hotel will provide a box/pack of tissue for the guest - I need to request for it
2. In NZ, provide hot chocolate is quite standard, I requested 1st time not done, 2nd time I wrote a note on the desk and ONLY ONE packet of chocolate provided
3. The toilet is so small, for big people will be problem. There was a light non stop blinking, till now no answer and don't know the reason
4. No cupboard for clothes and the only fixed hanger on the wall and right above the table and next to the kettle which you will not able to hang your jacket or jeans properly. I requested for hanger in order to hand my clothes outside the bathroom bar.
The hotel is not very old so it's quite fresh and clean, it's in a great spot and staff are pleasant enough. The pool is very small and got busy but you're staying in kaikoura - get in the sea. Beds are comfortable. We didn't have time to try out the restaurant or bar as we went into town (a favourite of ours on the south island). Parking was easy - we parked on the street outside.
we had a pleasant stay. nice and warm place. however, some rooms need to take some stairs/steps which is a bit inconvenient when you have heavy luggages.
The hotel is fairly centrally located (about a 15 minute walk), but at the same time in a quiet area. The room was huge, for lack of a better term - it's basically a lounge, a twin room and a double room. Not sure if that's actually the room I booked or an upgrade. At any rate, it was clean and had all the necessary amenities. The outer design is also very nice. There's also afternoon tea for free from 15:30 till 16:30. The price is not particularly low, but all things considered it's value for money (only 25-30% more expensive than a private room in a hostel), especially if more than one person is staying. All in all, a great option, if your budget allows it.
LLouis ConnorWe were running late and were going to miss the advertised check-in time, so I called ahead to find out what to do. Although no-one answered the phone, we were informed by the automated answerphone that if you missed check-in, they would leave your keys to your room in a lock-box outside reception. This is a major plus for travellers as it can be so hard to execute your travel plans to schedule!
The facilities in The Lodge, where we were staying were mostly communal and hostel-like - people seemed to hang around in hallways. For some this could be a great way to socialise or otherwise intimidating. These communal areas were slightly untidy and unclean. We stayed in a room with en-suite facilities. It was very basic with two large twin beds pushed together to make a King-sized bed. The shower temperature fluctuated massively but we had a comfortable stay.
We did not eat on-site as we found it to be overpriced but we did notice that there was a wide range of social events such as a pub quiz which would have been super fun if we had more time!
BBaskerTotally love my 2 nights. Lovely staff. Well set up room w a superb view in a fantastic locale. Will surely stay here again when I am back in Christchurch.