Birchwood Spa Motel — Hotel in North Island

I reiterate what the recent reviews have said, if you can book somewhere else (anywhere else) you'll save yourself alot of grief! The pictures attached only show the state of the room, the actual communication with the owners was appalling. The manager (Li) and his wife don't speak English and use Google translate which is fine, except they don't actually listen to or action anything you say.

We've stayed here a year ago in unit 6 which is 2-storey and had no issues, this time in unit 2. As you can see it's in dire need of repair...the worst being a smoke alarm with no battery installed (who knows how long this has been like that!). We've reported this to the NZ fire service and Worksafe as it's a legal requirement to operate a motel. We called Li twice to ask to remediate this, it was only fixed when I walked over to the office and waited for him to get a new battery. We asked for an extra towel and blanket and were told we had to pay more as we only paid for 3 people in the booking - even though we had 4 people staying (1 of them was our 2 year old who is meant to be free), so our 2 year old wasn't allowed a towel. We showed them our booking.com confirmation which they said they didn't recognize/agree with and had a go at my wife saying we would be required to park extra as we used the pull out couch for the kids (apparently they now have to change the linen)... Not sure when it was last changed then!

Too many things that made our stay uncomfortable which was not the case the last time we stayed here. One star is a generous rating of this place and the...

Disliked · Communication: Very poor communication. Have to google translate or the man at the reception have to call someone over the phone all the time to translate. Heating: Outdated heating system. Built in heaters not working. Was provided with portable heating. Very cold room on arrival. When turned on the portable heaters not working. Had to request at the reception to change and then overnight 1 stopped working and another not heating properly. Requested to change 2 more heaters next day. Maintenance: Hair dryer in the top floor bedroom had a scorched cable which poses a hazard risk. Black spots around the power point. Mould on the bathroom ceiling. Rusty sink tap and loose kitchen tap. When turning on hot water jug and using the microwave at the same time had power surge. Spider webs on the ceiling. 2 bedroom apartment is not friendly for the disabled. I contacted the property after booking, someone translated over the phone, advised me that everything is downstairs and only 1 bedroom upstairs however on the day of check in I found that no toilet bathroom downstairs. All upstairs. Was not happy, requested for alternative and there was none available and requested for cancellation, property declined. Had to liaise with another family to swap room to accomodate disabled senior and which was not great idea as their privacy was affected. Water: Shower in the 2 bedroom apartment was warm and was getting cold easily. No hot water. I will not ever choose this property and the rating does not reflect to what we...

My stay at the Birchwood Motel was truly delightful, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a comfortable, charming, and affordable place to stay. From the moment I arrived, I was impressed by the friendly and welcoming staff, who went above and beyond to make my stay enjoyable. They were incredibly helpful with recommendations for local restaurants and attractions, adding a personal touch that you don’t often find.The rooms were clean, well-maintained, and had a cozy, rustic feel that matched the natural surroundings perfectly. The beds were very comfortable, with soft linens that made it easy to get a good night's rest. I especially appreciated the little touches, like the complimentary coffee and tea, which added to the overall homey vibe of the place.One of the best things about the Birchwood Motel is its location. Nestled near beautiful nature spots, it’s an ideal choice for travelers who enjoy outdoor activities, and there are some great hiking trails nearby. Despite being close to nature, it’s also conveniently located near town, so I had easy access to shops and restaurants without sacrificing the peaceful, scenic atmosphere.Overall, my experience at the Birchwood Motel was outstanding. If you’re looking for a quaint, comfortable, and welcoming place to stay, this motel is an excellent choice. It offers great value, exceptional service, and a warm, inviting atmosphere that makes you feel...