Donegal House — Hotel in Kaikōura

The scenery and garden is nice, location is ok but is a drive out of Kaikoura. Staff are friendly. What drags this place down is the value for what you pay form we payed around 100 euros per night, stayed 2 nights. Dirty and shaggy floor carpets in the room and in the hall. Decor seriously dated all over. Dried and dead flies and spider cobwebs in the ceiling. Old nasty stuffed geese in the dining room. On the shelf where the TV was there was a layer of dust, probably dating back to the stone age. Shame. The bathroom and room had a funky smell reminiscent of a nursing home.

Breakfast was basically cereals out of the box, white toast and prepackaged jams. Nothing local, as would be expected considering the location. Just down the road there was a farm offering local free range eggs - why not include these?

Upon departure we did let the checkout manager know our thoughts of the dirt issues in our room, the reply was that 'they have had problems with cleaning staff lately'. As noted above, the dust layer is at least 1-2 years old - no excuse!

If price would have been around 50 euros/night the above issues would have been more acceptable. It is a shame, this place could be so much more with a minor face lift and...

Charm and magic in New Zealand Ireland Warm Hospitality: The first thing that struck me upon arriving at Donegal House was the warm and welcoming atmosphere. The staff went out of their way to make us feel at home, providing helpful recommendations and ensuring the stay was comfortable and enjoyable. Cozy Accommodation: The rooms at Donegal House are cozy and well-appointed. There is even a feline visiter who blesses travelers Delicious Dining: The on-site restaurant and bar are culinary treasures. I couldn't get enough of the mouthwatering kaimoana and the excellent selection of drinks. Beautiful Garden: The lush garden surrounding the property is a hidden gem. Convenient Location: Donegal House is conveniently located, making it easy to explore Kaikoura's attractions. Live rural locals: One of the highlights of my stay was the locals in the evenings. The cozy pub atmosphere came alive with talented local farmers who can drink and spin a good yarn, providing a great way to unwind with the local populace, and meet fellow travelers. Great Value: Given the quality of the accommodations, dining, and overall experience, Donegal House offers exceptional value for the price. I felt like I got more than I paid for...

I've been through Kaikoura many, many times, and stayed there on several occasions, but had never known of this Irish treasure just off the beaten path - until now.|My partner and I spent a charming night at Donegal House. ||We arrived in the evening but with enough time to stroll around the gardens and lake, then had drinks outside watching the sun set behind the Kaikoura ranges (and the inappropriately named Mount Horrible!). Next it was inside for more drinks. I tried the Shankey's Whip - a delicious Irish non-creamy vanilla/caramel liqeur and whiskey, but a bit sweet for my taste, so I had a Murphy's Irish Stout which was great (although not as good as Cassels Milk Stout in my opinion!). ||We both had the Irish stew which was mouth-watering and came with chunky veg, a pastry topping, and creamy mashed potato. We ordered one dessert between us, which was wise as there was enough sticky-date pudding (with salt-caramel sauce and ice-cream) for three! ||The staff are great, and the whole atmosphere is charming and friendly. |The room was not flash but perfectly suitable and very reasonably priced. We had a good night's sleep and a lovely stay. I recommend this hidden gem to locals and...