Lottin Point Motel — Hotel in North Island

OVERPRICED, OVERCHARGED, NO REFUND. Initially we enjoyed the location & hospitality..But then realized that we had been charged an additional $4 pp for continental breakfast. We had paid an extra $10 for 2 juices, all up cost an exorbitant $54. When we queried the owner she responded with a long list of reasons why from extra dishes, extra condiments (because guests take them!) & it was room service. We pointed out that on their website it clearly states "cooked breakfast served in dining room, continental breakfast served in units." The price quoted in our unit was $18pp, no verbal or written advice that we would be charged extra. Marija, (owner) had an opportunity to advise us on our first afternoon when we asked her if breakfast was served in the unit or dining room, she responded that "whatever suited us". Later, after dinner, we suggested to the owners daughter that perhaps it would be easier to deliver the breakfast that evening then that would free up their time in the morning as we knew we were the only guests having breakfast. Once again another opportunity to advise us that there was an additional charge not utilised. We emailed our concerns & were told by Marija that she had already processed the refund that evening so should expect to receive it in the next day or so, nothing was received after 2 days so we emailed again asking what bank account she used, no response from her, followed up after another week had passed, still no response & NO REFUND forthcoming. She implied that $8 was a petty amount but our argument was that while it may seem petty to her the point was that we had not been advised, in any form, that there was an extra "room service" charge & that under the Fair Trading Act of NZ it would be questionable that this charge was unfair & unwarranted. Had we known that our basic continental breakfast was going to cost $22pp plus $5 for each glass of juice we would have chosen NOT to order it. If $4pp extra on every breakfast has been collected from previous guests then it adds up to a considerable amount, not petty at all. We spent nearly $700 over 2 days at this establishment & feel the request for a refund was completely justified, unfortunately Marija has chosen to ignore/not read our subsequent email communications over the past 2 weeks so we are left with no other option but to express our thoughts on this platform so others are aware of additional hidden costs charged. We note that other reviews, however slightly negative are responded to by Marija in a very sarcastic manner so we are expecting the same here, unless she choses not to read this as well! In conclusion we have been involved in the hospitality industry for the past 40 years & understand how hard owners have to work for relatively small returns but Marija's responses to constructive comments is not helpful & being dishonest about processing a refund, when after 2 weeks it is obvious, that was not the case is petty on her account. Gae &...

Coming down the narrow, farm road I was a little anxious about what I had booked.... but at one point we came around a corner, saw the view and our sense of excitement was awoken! When we checked in, the service was wonderful, friendly and helpful. Our room was clean, pleasant and everything we hoped for. The setting is extremely secluded, we had no data or phone coverage, which felt exclusive but the room had wifi so we didn't go without anything. The menu at the restaurant looked amazing, but we were ready for a quiet night in, so made use of our kitchenette. Afterward, we headed down the beautiful lawn and sat in the comfortable chairs near the cliff, listening to the waves crash, watching shooting stars and counting endless satellites.

Just a short drive down the road was the most beautiful spot by the water where everyone obviously comes to fish and explore the water, wish we allowed another night or 2 to explore more. This is the perfect place to get away and unwind. We will definitely return.

Thanks for...

After initially messaging the motel requesting what restaurant facilities and menus were offered and what other facilities there were near the motel and not getting a response I phoned the motel and spoke to Maria who acknowledged the receipt of the message and was rather rude and abrupt in her response to my questions and concluded that lottin point was not suitable for us. With this response I canceled my booking through Booking .com and requested the booking would not be charge. I was disgusted to discover that she had charged my card with the full amount of the stay. Also they were not answering the phone to me or the booking.com customer service having discovered this. They also messaged the motel and finally got a response saying the charge was in their cancelation policy. That may be but under the circumstances that they told me their establishment was not suitable I expected no charge and will be expecting a refund. Also after the conversation it made us feel unwelcomed and unsafe...