Peninsula Motel — Hotel in North Island

Things didn't start off well when we arrived and there was nobody at reception, just a piece of paper with all the guests names and room numbers. The room was open with the key on the counter which certainly wasn't a problem but as we were walking to the room some seemingly random guy on a veranda yelled out asking if I wanted milk for coffee, I assume this is Fred the owner but he never introduced himself through the whole stay. When I did say yes to milk he seemed taken back by that and a little reluctant to get it. He did and told me to move my car to the spot outside the room. Room wise it was tidy but there were so many bugs and we had to make the decision, keep every door and window open and be attacked by mosquitoes all night or close the room up and sleep in a sauna. They really need fly screens or something so the doors could be open and not have the bugs attack or an air conditioner. Because of this heat it was a terrible sleep. To top it off in the morning the power went out which certainly isnt the motels fault but the owner didnt check up on us to let us know what was going on and I couldnt find them. There was a phone in the reception area that had do not use on it so we couldn't call him. Also we paid for a continental breakfast that didn't arrive. All in all I would not recommend it, you could tell it was cheap when you open the compendium and it says you will be charged extra if you sleep on the top sheets because they would need to...

Pros Friendly staff and extremely helpful, they lent us 2 shovels and beach towel even though we didn't ask for it Tidy rooms and toilet Has push shampoo and bath soap dispenser Allowed cooking and with cooking utensils They have paper towel, very handy Great place and good value for money 1 Car park is allocated per room, but plenty of offstreet parking

Cons Dated rooms Room is a bit dark (would be nice to have it installed LED light) Should be cold in winter, specially the toilet

Distance 5 mins walk to the center Good running distance to whitianga warf 850m away, 1.1k to simpson beach, 3k to buffalo beach, 3.6k to Ohaku beach and 4k to whiti water sports About 300 to 400 m away from new world and count down Z station is 1 block away

Note: There are plenty of seagulls so it is best to avoid wearing bright colored hat. Lesson...

What a lovely place. My husband and I are cycle touring and wanted to stay in town for a rest day & to miss the rain! We were walk-in customers, and luckily for us, Fred had an available room. The room was clean, tidy, and very comfortable, and Fred was very welcoming, offering to help with anything we may need. Close to town to town so shops and cafes are easy to walk to. Nice trail round the town and museum is an interesting place on a rainy day. Highly recommend this Motel.

A further note to say a massive thank you to Fred and his family for reuniting us with our passports. They had accidentally fallen from our bag before leaving, and we didn't realise until late the following afternoon. All worked out well, and we are very...