Claudelands Motel — Hotel in Hamilton

I've traveled all over the world and this is honestly the worst place I've ever stayed in. I booked for Disney on Ice - 6 months out from our stay - I booked a 2 bedroom "apartment" as we have 3 pre-schoolers. On the booking confirmation it said my credit card had been charged and the deposit was paid. ||When I arrived, they had cancelled our room - said that they had tried to charge my credit card the week before my stay and it was declined (as I had a new credit card by then) - I said I had a new credit card - they said it was there policy to cancel bookings if the credit card declines, I do not understand why they would charge my credit card the week before my stay - and not at either booking or arrival. ||Despite this they said they could offer me an "upgrade" of two one bedroom rooms and it was implied they were being very kind of this because of their policy to cancel. I said this was not suitable as we had 3 small children and they could not stay in a different unit - he did not understand the problem and again told me it was my fault. When I queried why I had not been contacted - phoned, or emailed, since there was a problem - he said it was because it was an internet booking??? Confusing since they had all my details anyway. ||With nowhere else to stay, I took one of the one bedroom rooms and asked for a fold out bed since there weren't enough for us to sleep in. I asked for a "discount" since I wasn't having the 2 bed room unit - he still charged me $190 (I've since learned that the normal rate for this room is around $110) - so prices ridiculously hiked up for the show.||The room was old, outdated and badly in need of redecorating. We couldn't find a heater. There were scorch marks and rips in the curtains, stains on the walls and the bathroom door appeared to be rotten.||The fold out bed never arrived and we had to go and ask for it again - at the kids bedtime. We also had to go and get more towels the next morning - as we were only given 3 - for 5 people.||It was a convenient location for Claudelands Arena - but honestly, next time I'd rather walk further. Would never...

Friendly and polite mgt, the rooms were clean and the temp in the rooms were nice and warm. They provided clean towels if we wanted and restocked our coffee, tea and sugar supply daily. Short walk to restaurants and some shops and just a 10 min walk to the city center where there are even more shops, restaurants, the Waikato river trails, Waikato museum and more. WiFi is intermittent in the rooms, stronger on the main road in the city center. Kitchenette was stocked with all you need - plates, utensils, microwave, electric kettle, pots, glasses, etc. Especially loved the elctric blankets in all the beds. Only thing I didn't like was the faucets. Cold and warm water pipes were separate so we had to use a pot to have warm water to use. Also need to get used to how to flush their toilet. Turn the handle 180 degrees and that should give you a full, strong flush. 😅...

If I could give this place 0 stars, I would!! Horrible place. Horrible & Mean owners. Not friendly AT ALL. Don't allow visitors or talking to others at the motel. DIRTY ROOMS and mattresses. Was put into a room that had mouldy dishes in the oven, wet cigarettes in the bin. Bed bugs in the mattresses that they REFUSED to do anything about. Also the wifi IS NOT FREE. you get 1gb per day to use per how ever many people in the room. So if 4 people in the room they then have to share that 1GB, false advertising at its finest. Just all around horrible place. 10/10 WOULD NOT RECOMMEND. I wouldnt even recommend this place to...