Punakaiki Rocks Hotel & Garden Bar — Restaurant in West Coast

HIGHLY DISGUSTED... and to be honest, my friend and I felt COMPLETELY disrespected by the two women who worked today (one being the owner). We had just came into punakaiki after walking for two hours, walked into the tavern for an iceblock and could never have expected to receive service like that. The women didn't even bother to greet us as we walked in... surprising, as the place was completely empty. As a kiwi, I am proud of our friendly culture but this place gave us a bad name and made me feel ashamed for this beautiful little town. We walked over to get ice blocks and the ladies rudely demanded where our masks were and if we were vaccinated (I have a mask exemption). No welcome or greeting, just a rudely toned demand. The lady herself didn't even have her mask on and we watched as she slowly put it on during the short conversation. Ironic? They then said they didn't want to see us back unless we had our masks, vaccination passes and ID's. We understand the mandates but this is NO WAY to treat customers... the least you could do is greet us and ask nicely. We would have happy complied.

We left promptly as we are not the type to waste our money on businesses who blatantly disrespect customers like that. Soon after the owner wandered into the backpackers where we are staying... and we shared our disappointment with the service we received. She became VERY heated, saying that she is 'Sick and tired of asking people to put on their f*cking masks and that instead of going to get an iceblock we should have come up to them first'. It was horrible... angry and harsh swearing the whole time. We explained that we have mask exemptions and she laughed in our faces, writing it off!! Unbelievable.

I have traveled the whole world and have never felt as disrespected as this. I feel for any tourists stopping by expecting the typical kiwi welcome, only to be treated as second rate citizens.

We DO NOT support this place and will spread the word of our experience.

By reading the other reviews here it looks as though there is a common theme. Time to face up team and start taking some responsibility for this terrible service. Your excuses aren't warranted anymore ladies. A smile and 'hello'...

This was an unpleasant experience. As soon as we walked in, we felt that we were not welcome. The staff didn't engage with us at all and it felt as though it was an inconvenience that we were in the Tavern. We had to pick up our food from the kitchen and the return it to the kitchen(they said it was a seagull issue but we were sitting inside and they weren't busy enough; the staff were sitting down and standing around).

We also watched as the female staffer placed takeway food on the seat outside instead of handing it to the couple that were waiting outside for their food (after she made the mistake of serving it even though they asked for takeaway).

We noticed that the owner was responding to negative reviews with exagerated stories that made the customer look bad but could imagine the reviews being true after being here. Would've been far less likely to write a bad review if the owner just admitted that things are as the reviews and said they were trying to improve.

Lastly, the fries and beers were all good but definitely would not recommend...

Christmas themed cart and horses outside. This time round I enjoyed my meal. I sat outside and was warned about the birds and could I bring my plates inside. I had soup of the day. On point and tastey. Bread roll was a bit small. The main I had the peppered steak and a garlic bread. Hence when I went to collect my meal. I took the steak outside to go back in and collect the garlic bread to see a bunch of thieves stealing chips - the birds. Steak was cooked medium rare and had a good taste. Pepper sauce was plentiful. Salad was green leaves with some carrot over the top and dressed well. Good outlook in the garden area. A little river with koi carp and a bridge gave a very sort of bali feel.Inside typical pub interior. This trip it was a hit. No phone reception for me. You can use wifi at a cost. All day bar snacks, but also breakfast, lunch and dinner menu. Plenty of parking. Plenty to do around the area. The waitress on the day - didnt know what a raspberry and coke was - a national drink. It was pretty full inside at...