This is just recently under new management (2 weeks as of the date of this review) so I can't speak…read moreto what it was like before but the new family managing it seems very friendly. Just a caution that the room I stayed in doesn't have continuous electricity - make sure you request a room that does.

On a quick trip to NZ in the way to Australia we stopped here for a stay. My traveling partners…read morebooked it. Clean rooms, well laid out. Easy to find. However, not enough parking for all the guests. When we returned from dinner, the entire car park was full. No room for us. In a pouring rain, we had to park out on the street and run to our room. No one available at the desk to provide assistance -- the lobby closes at night and there's no one to help.

From the owner: Fully serviced motel units, affordable and comfortable accommodation for families, domestic,…read moreinternational and corporate travellers.

EXCELLENT! The hosts…read morerunning it are warm and wonderful, helpful with reservations and very knowledgeable about the area. We stayed in the larger rooms in the main building, which are clearly larger and better equipped than the single studio rooms on the outside perimeter. Breakfast options were not as extensive as we would have hoped and the rooms lack HVAC (which rarely would be an issue, except we happened to be in town during the recent heat wave...) but otherwise it appears to CLEARLY be the best option when staying in Kaikoura. Don't hesitate to stay here, it's the best thing going in the area!

This hotel is such a gem! We loved that it was located on the Esplanade, yet away from the noise…read moreand hustle of the 'hip' bar area of town (by only a few short blocks). I found this hotel on the internet, and was pleased that the pictures posted totally did justice to the reality. Located in an historic building that had been completely renovated, the effect is absolutely quaint and charming. Robin and Peter, the hosts, were extremely helpful as well as being very friendly. Hubby and I felt we would have liked get to know them each better. When we tried to book at a local restaurant, but had difficulties over the internet, Robin stepped in and called the restaurant direct and arranged a reservation at the exact time we wanted at a table with a perfect view. We had a room on the courtyard, off the back of the main building, and my only complaint, if any, was that the rooms were quite small. The rooms inside the main hotel itself, have the panoramic view of the Esplanade and the coastline, if you are willing to pay the extra. The courtyard, however, was quite lovely and charming, and once the hedges grow to full height, will be private for guests, as well. It was very chilly the night we stayed, and it would have also been nice to have an outdoor fireplace or fire pit to huddle around with our wine. Other things we appreciated were the use of common areas, as well as the free WIFI for guests. We were only sorry we couldn't stay longer. Next time...

We got caught in the road closure due to wild fires (so sad that homes were lost, my heart goes out…read moreto those people) so we didn't get to the hotel at our planned time. I wish we could have enjoyed this place a bit longer. We called from the highway during our 6 hour delay and told the front desk we were on our way. They said no prob, they would be closed, but they would leave instructions for getting into our room. When we finally arrived, the instructions were there and we found our room. It was spacious. Loved that it had lotion in the bathroom. Our view was stunning, which we saw in the morning. Loved hanging out on the patio before we left. Beds and pillows were comfy. Shower was hot with great pressure. We walked along the ocean to a breakfast spot. Great stay. Wish it could have been a bit longer.