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If you’re looking for stunning beach views, space for families, groups or a private getaway motel in Dunedin, look no further than Esplanade Motel & Apartments. Your Dunedin ocean view motel accommodation, Esplanade Motels are situated on Dunedin's esplanade, just minutes from the city centre. Overlooking St Clair's sweeping surf beach, we offer apartment accommodation with one and two bedroom units, sleeping one to seven people. Our 4 one bedroom apartments lead onto private balconies overlooking the million dollar beach views , whilst the Heritage Character House offer 3 two-bedroom apartments ideal for groups or families, one with a partial ocean view. Keen to try surfing? Check out the Surf School, situated right on the beach! Or maybe you would prefer a more leisurely activity, Esplanade Motels' location makes it the perfect Dunedin motel accommodation to just laze, go for a walk or swim, or indulge in a gorgeous lunch. At the southern end of the beach is St Clair hot salt water heated swimming pool, a must for visitors, open annually from October to March Dunedin Spring /Summer months. This unique pool is nestled within rocks just metres from the ocean. In 2004 the sea wall was refurbished to provide a modern, wide esplanade, with steps leading down to the beautiful sandy beach. Explore the esplanade and choose from the great range of restaurants and bars catering for every occasion, from a quiet morning coffee taking in views of the Southern Ocean, to a lively night out in a fantastic seaside setting. There is also a re-modelled playground for children. St Clair Beach is a ten minute drive from the Dunedin city centre, or hop on one of the local buses that run regularly from the beach to the city. Esplanade Motel & Apartments makes check in easy with our contact-less entry system. An ideal beachfront experience each one bedroom beachfront apartment accommodates up to 3 guests offering a flat screen TV, a refrigerator, and a kitchenette in the rooms, making it easy to stay connected during your stay as free internet access . Our 2 bedroom heritage house apartments are something very unique for families or groups accommodating up to 6-7 people, with king , single and bunk bed facilities. Full kitchen and lounge dining areas offer fantastic space for families and groups ideal for sports and leisure gatherings For guests with a vehicle, free parking is available.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Bay View
Quaint
Languages Spoken
English
Location
14 Esplanade Saint Clair, Dunedin 9012 New Zealand
Esplanade Motel & Apartments
156 reviews
Getting there
Somewhat walkable
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My wife and I recently stayed here for two nights on our visit to Dunedin, New Zealand. The place we originally booked “lost” our reservation and they were full and so we had to find a place after arriving in town about 5:00 PM. This place turned out to be 100 times better than what we had booked originally. It was an apartment right on the ocean. I can’t believe it was still available at such short notice. I think it may be because some people may have been confused as to whether it was an apartment or a hotel. You could book it weekly if you wanted to or maybe even longer. You had to walk up about 20 steps to get there but it was well worth the climb even though my wife has trouble with steps, she absolutely loved the place. It was huge. A full kitchen, three bedrooms, two bathrooms. A huge living room with a nice couch, television, and pool table. It even had it’s own designated parking garage spot. The morning we left someone had parked in front of our door so we could not get out while visiting a restaurant but he eventually came after 30 minutes and yelled at us for complaining. There are really nice park benches in front of the apartment where you can sit and enjoy the ocean and the pounding of the waves. Several restaurants very close by. I would give the place a 10 out of 10 and I only wish we could have stayed there longer, I thought it was also quite reasonably priced. Quiet and the bed was wonderful as well.
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Date of stay: November 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beachfront views to die for. We love coming here and are regulars. So lovely to be right on the beach, with the esplanade at your front door, a hop skip and a jump to the beach and great local cafes and dining - recommend the Pool Cafe (Lazy Dog) for snacks/lunch. You can also self cater with the full kitchen. Definitely the best value on St Clairs beach. We have stayed at The Hydro and at the Hotel but this is our favourite!
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Date of stay: October 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:You are on the beach with waves so have earplugs if you are a light sleeper like me
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
You will slumber well with the roll of the surf as we had a beachfront room. Very comfy bed which is important after a lifetime of dodgy beds working offshore and in the construction world. Great coffee cafes to the left as you exit apartments. Restaurant at the corner near playground and surf club very good. Take a easy walk along beach to St Kilda Cliff and back to St Clair about 6 KMs easy beach walk. Never did get a room clean after two days but the owner provided fresh towels on request. Bring a brick or rock as we were in Seabreeze carport and the old rickety door swings out from the wall and hits side of car as wind blows in. Overall great comfy stay.
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Date of stay: January 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Our accommodation unfortunately wasn't on the beach front with views, but at the back in an old run down 1860's unit. Yes, it has character from the outside, however, inside it is a nightmare for anybody who suffers from allergies from dust mite and dust. 2 members of our family had to take anti histamine to get a night's rest. Although the unit seemed clean, there is a musky smell of moth balls and dust that just irritate the eyes and nose of those who suffer allergy. The bunk bed had no rail on them, and seemed more suitable for an army barracks than a hotel. The bathroom is old, rundown and leaking water when raining. There was even one of those old separate cold and hot water taps where you need to fill both taps in the basin to mix the two waters to get your desired temperature. Haven't seen one of those since 1986. Staff seemed nice and friendly. Owners should rip out the whole interior and redo the bathrooms, kitchen and give the whole place a huge industrial clean. Suitable for back packers paying hostel accommodation prices.....at $430 a night, sorry to say it is robbery.
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amazing location. We stayed in the apartment Surfside with wonderful views of the beach and the surfers. The sunrise everyday was incredible. Service was excellent from Loryn. We tried the nearby Long Dog cafe. Lovely to chill out with great views and snacks/coffee. It’s got to be one of the best places to stay in Dunedin. Our first time to Dunedin. Warm, friendly folks. The weather was a bit colder but today the max is hitting 29C! We did the walk on St.Clair beach, Tunnel Beach, visited the Peninsula (picturesque ride), the Baroque inspired Railway Station, the Botanical Gardens, The Chinese Garden and the Larnach Castle. 4 nights seem to go quick. Enjoyed very much ps: bonus sighting of a sea lion near the apartment
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Date of stay: February 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Definitely book one of the four ocean facing apartments
The garages are tight. Good for a...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Perfectly positioned apartments, overlooking the esplanade and beach, these have stunning views and easy walking to some fabulous eateries. This was modern, beautifully furnished, with a lovely bathroom and a very comfortable bed. We would absolutely choose to stay here again.
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Date of stay: October 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Garages best for smaller cars. Make sure you get a beach view.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Right on the water! Sent off to sleep listening to the sound of the ocean. Clean, cosy...we were really surprised. We both agreed we would love to come back. Apparently under new management, would highly recommend to anyone wanting to chill and enjoy the ocean
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Date of stay: December 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fair weather or foul (and I had both!!) the Seabreeze apartment with a “front row seat” was perfect. Beautifully presented and super welcoming and comfortable. I remember these apartments from my teenage years and it is such a pleasure to see them so well renovated now. I will definitely be back
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Date of stay: March 2023Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Recently had the pleasure of staying in an oceanview apartment. The service was excellent. The apartment was spacious enough for the three of us and the location could not have been better. Sitting on our balcony enjoying a wine watching the surfers and busy esplanade. The cafes and restaurants were amazing and all within walking distance. Highly recommend and look forward to revisiting. Many thanks for your wonderful hospitality Rosann.
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Date of stay: February 2021
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Ocean views
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Rosann ConnollyGeorge, General Manager at Esplanade Motel & Apartments
Responded 27 Apr 2021
So pleased you loved your stay. It certainly is a special place , thank you for staying and leaving your review . We certainly look forward to hosting your return in the future - Rosann :)
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The is the best ever location for lovers of sea and sky. For me it is liquid heaven to see through every window of the motel and to be in just a hop skip and a jump from motel terrace. The clarity of the sea rivals the world’s most crystalline lagoons and only this morning saw seals cruising the wave curves. 🙏🏻🙏🏾🙏🏻🧜🏻🧜🏽♂️🧜🏼♀️
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Date of stay: December 2020Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are more places to choose from in the Dunedin area.
PRICE RANGE
$290 - $413 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
esplanade motel & apartments hotel dunedin, esplanade motel and apartments, esplanade hotel and apartments, esplanade hotel dunedin
LOCATION
New ZealandSouth IslandOtago RegionDunedin
NUMBER OF ROOMS
7
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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