Castle Newhaven — Local services in Howick

The reception process was shocking. Only a two hour window for checking in, and when we asked about late check in, we were told to print out a registration form, and scan it to return it! Somehow our holiday packing list missed a printer and scanner off.||||So we cancelled a family lunch to get there by the stated time, only to find reception unstaffed, and our instructions left in an envelope out in the open. Key was in a key safe we could have accessed any time that night. Of course, I am ignoring the issue of finding reception. There is no signage, but by luck we found an estate office (open 8 to 4 on weekdays, which did not match the reception opening hours we were given, suggesting it was not reception).||||After this kerfuffle, we located our three bedroom deluxe appartment....only to find it had two bedrooms. No-one to ask or query, and the phone number on the booking lead to a serious of automated switchboard choices that eventually got the Waldorf duty manager for the whole of Northland who couldn't help.||||Looking forward to a refund from my credit card company as in the UK you buy from them, and as they sold me a two bedroom appartment for the price of a three bedroom, they are going to refund and cancel the transaction (I gave Waldorf a chance to do a partial refund, but they ignored me). Glad I made a video survey...

We stayed here for a couple of weeks and it suited us well as an apart’hotel. It was pleasantly spacious and had all the equipment needed for preparing meals: fridge/freezer, a 4 ring hob, cooker, microwave, utensils, crockery, cutlery. There’s also a washing machine and tumble dryer, laundry rack, iron and ironing board (but you shouldn’t put the laundry rack on the terrace). Its location, 5 minutes walk across from the Botany shopping centre (and bus interchange), is great if you don’t have a car, but there’s also a dedicated parking place (and we were able to plug in our EV through the window). The swimming pool was nice as we were there during a hot spell, but unfortunately it wasn’t open some days because of technical issues. The complex also has a gym, tennis court and barbecue and playground: basically it covers every wish for short or long term residents – and compared to other accommodation in Auckland it wasn’t crazily expensive compared to other places for the dates we booked. I appreciated the comfortable king size bed. The manageress was very friendly and helpful with a few little...

We stayed here for a couple of weeks and it suited us well as an apart’hotel. It was pleasantly spacious and had all the equipment needed for preparing meals: fridge/freezer, a 4 ring hob, cooker, microwave, utensils, crockery, cutlery. There’s also a washing machine and tumble dryer, laundry rack, iron and ironing board (but you shouldn’t put the laundry rack on the terrace). Its location, 5 minutes walk across from the Botany shopping centre (and bus interchange), is great if you don’t have a car, but there’s also a dedicated parking place (and we were able to plug in our EV through the window). The swimming pool was nice as we were there during a hot spell, but unfortunately it wasn’t open some days because of technical issues. The complex also has a gym, tennis court and barbecue and playground: basically it covers every wish for short or long term residents – and compared to other accommodation in Auckland it wasn’t crazily expensive compared to other places for the dates we booked. I appreciated the comfortable king size bed. The manageress was very friendly and helpful with a few little...