Kaikoura Waterfront Apartments — Hotel in Kaikōura

Most unprofessional and un-accomodating operator Michelle. Poorly presented furnished rooms and shabby. Just incredibly disappointing stay. 5 star cost for 2 star rooms and 1star service. I travelled 3 nights a week for work for 10 years and stayed all over. Fair to say I have stayed in a fair few places. Some great, some not so. But the Kaikoura water Front Apartments and it’s newly acquired Beach Front Motel take the cake for the worst overall everything. We booked a room at the start of June for Kaikoura Hop. Our car club had been given special rates if booked direct through Michelle. We jumped on the good rates and booked within 3 days. The club had been quoted $310 for a 2 fully renovated unit. Michelle the manager offered this rate to the club. I confirmed the dates with her and she said she would email through confirmation and I gave her my credit card info. All within 3 days. 4 weeks later I had received no email from her and I rang her to get an update. She again confirmed our Friday to Sunday booking was locked in at the clubs rate. She said she would try and email again, but I received nothing. We drove up from Otago ready for a good Kaikoura Hop 3 months after the initial booking. Upon check in Michelle the manager went to charge us over $830. I said this must be some sort of mistake and pulled up the info stating $310 a night. She said those prices were a special and no longer applied. I said back, so what are you saying is that the prices went up within 3 days of offering them to us and I booked immediately . I said I had not been given any info or communication regarding price rate changes. Michelle not even looking up from her computer. “It’s like airline tickets, they are subject to change within short notice. I emailed you this morning. (Which she hadn’t)

All 3 off us were stunned at this woman and didn’t know what to say, we were all caught off guard an we’re fuming. We got the key and went to our newly renovated room (next door) at the Kaikoura Beach Motel. We opened the door and we all burst out in frustrated laughter. Room one = A king bed and nothing else. There was no side table, no lamps, no wardrobe, nothing. Just a bed. Room two = 2 single beds, no lamps, no wardrobe, no side stables absolutely nothing. Lounge = one second hand faded sofa, one second hand permanently stained and scratched up coffee table. One second hand stained and scratched up table and chairs. And a small TV. Kitchen had a jug, microwave and fridge. The main bedrooms roller door wouldn’t even close leaving a 2 inch gap. The fire hose at the end doesn’t even operate breaching OH&S fire safety standards.

The freshly renovated 2 bedroom unit had a slap of new paint, and some new carpet and tiles. Everything else you would expect either wasn’t there or was bought $1 reserve off trade me. It was a joke and we had been price gouged at 5 star rates!!!

One of my friend then said, Look at this!!! The exact room was on booking.com for $516 for the same 2 nights. He shot up to see Michelle and came back 5 minutes later, commenting what a rude arrogant “operator”. He asked weather she had made a mistake as we were told $620 and the same room we could book right now was $516. He was told there was no mistake but we could pay a cancellation fee and book elsewhere if we weren’t happy. I said this just isn’t right. So I went up to see her again. I walked in and she glanced up and looked straight back to her computer. We had special rates at $310 per night. I spoke to yourself directly and made those bookings within 3 days, you never sent through any confirmations. I rang back and confirmed 4 weeks later as I hadn’t heard and you did it was all locked in at the club rate.What’s the cancellation fee. 100% she said. So basically you have us by the scruff of the neck I said. Sorry it didn’t work out like you planned she said snidely. So I just walked out in disbelief. DO NOT stay at the Kaikoura waterfront apartments or...

We paid $325.00 for the one room apartment - Unit 17! At half the price it would have been overpriced. WIFI speed never got above 2MBytes/sec! We had to sit diagonally on the toilet, there was no vanity unit in the bathroom, there were no towel rails, there were no soap holders in the shower. The TV was no more than 18inches, Sky channels basic only, it was advertised as an apartment, there were no cooking facilities, not even a micro-wave, and in any event if you brought back take aways, no table to dine from? The view was a back yard - we purchased online under the basis of total misrepresentation! We complained in detail to one of the junior employees on departure - thereby giving the owner several hours to contact us to discuss the issues we have identified - we have not been contacted - therefore don’t expect a half decent level of service. Over the past several days we have travelled the South Island, this accomodation at the cost was a disgrace - my wife never wants to return to Kaikoura as a result ! We have made every effort to support tourism in the South Island on our journey, however this accommodation and its commensurate non-service does no justice to all of our other positive experiences elsewhere. To close, one positive aspect was that the unit was very clean. To conclude and in comparison with all our other accommodation in the South Island do not pay one dollar more for than $160.00 for the one bedroom at this place. Regards...

This hotel stay was an absolute delight, offering the perfect blend of convenience, stunning views, and high-quality amenities. The location right by the waterfront was simply breathtaking, and the proximity to the whale watching center was an added bonus.While the unit was on the second floor, which required carrying our luggage upstairs, the view from the elevated position was well worth it. There was also the option of requesting a ground floor unit if stairs are a concern.The check-in and check-out process was a breeze, with clear instructions provided and a designated key return box for added convenience. Having an assigned parking space just outside the unit was also a thoughtful touch.But the true highlight of this hotel stay was the shower. The water pressure and temperature control were absolutely perfect, making for a luxurious and refreshing experience. And being able to watch the sunrise from the unit was the icing on the cake.Overall, I would highly recommend this hotel to anyone seeking a tranquil, waterfront retreat with top-notch amenities and stunning views. The combination of the convenient location, well-appointed unit, and exceptional shower made this an...