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538 Great King Motel
538 Great King St North North Dunedin, Dunedin 9016 New Zealand
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Avg. $205 /night, 1/17 - 1/18
$207
per night
$194
per night
$180
per night
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About
#3 of 31 motels in Dunedin
Location
Rooms
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Welcome to 538 Great King Motel, simply the best 4 star motel in Dunedin! Ideally located, we are the closest motel to the University of Otago and just a short walk to the CBD, the Museum, Dunedin Hospital, the stadium and the Botanic Gardens. We offer a range of stylish rooms to suit all requirements, from small cosy studios to family-sized two bedroom apartments. Excellent service, a super comfortable bed, a terrific shower, unlimited internet access (wifi & wired), 50+ Sky channels - all this in a tranquil garden setting with an onsite cafe – what more could you want? 538 - It all adds up!
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Coffee shop
Children's television networks
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Baggage storage
Newspaper
Express check-in / check-out
Car park
Wifi
Breakfast in the room
Complimentary Instant Coffee
Complimentary tea
Outdoor dining area
Non-smoking hotel
Outdoor furniture
Sun deck
Umbrella
Dry cleaning
Laundry service
Self-serve laundry
Room features
Blackout curtains
Air conditioning
Housekeeping
Seating area
Separate living room
Coffee / tea maker
Cable / satellite TV
Walk-in shower
Telephone
Iron
Private bathrooms
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Kitchenette
Dishwasher
Microwave
Oven
Refrigerator
Stovetop
Electric kettle
Kitchenware
Flatscreen TV
Complimentary toiletries
Hair dryer
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Qualmark.
HOTEL STYLE
Trendy
Mid-range
Languages Spoken
English
Location
538 Great King St North North Dunedin, Dunedin 9016 New Zealand
Getting there
Somewhat walkable
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Grade: 76 out of 100
76
Dunedin Airport
25.1 km•
See all flights
Car Hire
27 Restaurants
within 0.5 kilometers
ReviewsWe perform checks on reviews.Tripadvisor’s approach to reviewsBefore posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
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We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
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Detailed Reviews
I have been studying in Dunedin for the last 5 years and every time I have family visiting I have them stay here! Pete and Morag are some of the loveliest people I have ever met and they always go out of their way to ensure we have the best stay possible.
The rooms are very lovely and well maintained. The double-glazed windows are incredible (I'm a light sleeper and never been woken by traffic noise), the beds are super comfortable and the bathrooms are perfect (excellent shower pressure and underfloor heating are a big plus here). They also provide fans in the hot summer days and the rooms all have heaters so you're never cold on those Dunedin nights.
Having a cafe and restaurant literally next door is amazing as well. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are sorted!
I honestly cannot rate this place any higher. I'm quite sad that I'm nearing the end of my studies and will be leaving because Pete and Morag have been some of the kindest people I have had the pleasure of meeting. If you decide to stay here you absolutely won't regret it.
I would really recommend 538 Great King for families with students as it's super close to the university and to lots of student accommodation.
The rooms are very lovely and well maintained. The double-glazed windows are incredible (I'm a light sleeper and never been woken by traffic noise), the beds are super comfortable and the bathrooms are perfect (excellent shower pressure and underfloor heating are a big plus here). They also provide fans in the hot summer days and the rooms all have heaters so you're never cold on those Dunedin nights.
Having a cafe and restaurant literally next door is amazing as well. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are sorted!
I honestly cannot rate this place any higher. I'm quite sad that I'm nearing the end of my studies and will be leaving because Pete and Morag have been some of the kindest people I have had the pleasure of meeting. If you decide to stay here you absolutely won't regret it.
I would really recommend 538 Great King for families with students as it's super close to the university and to lots of student accommodation.
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Date of stay: September 2020
Value
Cleanliness
Service
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 Pete and Morag Firns, Owner at 538 Great King Motel
Responded 20 Sept 2020
Thank you Angela. It is always a pleasure to have you and your family stay with us and it is lovely to know that you enjoy your time here so much. We do wish you all the best for whatever comes next and we will miss seeing you all when the time comes. Pete & Morag
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
What a great place to stay! We loved the tasteful decor, the friendly staff, and the convenient location...within 15-20 minutes of the Botanic Garden and Otago University in one direction and the Octagon in the other direction. We were two weeks into our New Zealand vacation when we arrived, and we took full advantage of their laundry service, which was quick and easy. During our stay, our son sent an email to Pete inquiring about our well-being. Pete delivered the message with a compliment about having a child who cared enough to ask. His genuine warmth and caring nature made our stay all the more memorable. I hope we can return some day soon.
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Date of stay: January 2020
Location
Cleanliness
Service
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 Pete and Morag Firns, Owner at 538 Great King Motel
Responded 18 May 2020
Thank you Kathy. We are pleased that you had a great stay here and that you loved the decor. Yes, it was a surprise to receive an email from your adult son inquiring about your well-being and also, as I recall, to hear that he had shouted your trip to New Zealand. It is always a pleasure to see our guests enjoying the delights of Dunedin as you did. We agree, this is a great location with the University just one short block away and yes, it is a lovely walk through the University campus to the Botanic Gardens. Hopefully the rest of your time in New Zealand was as enjoyable and we hope that you do get back here some day. Pete & Morag
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Our trip to Dunedin is an annual event to see our kids and we always look forward to staying at 538 Great King Motel. Pete and Morag are wonderful hosts, so accommodating and nothing is a problem. The housekeeping staff are so friendly and the units are always impeccably clean. The units are so spacious and comfortable with great decor and the underfloor heating in the bathroom in winter is a delight! The location is fantastic, so central to shopping and restaurants. We look forward to returning next year!
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Date of stay: July 2020
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip: We stay in a large studio and it is big enough for our 2 adult children to visit comfortably.
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 Pete and Morag Firns, Owner at 538 Great King Motel
Responded 23 Jul 2020
Thanks for your comments Debbie. We know how much you and your family enjoy your time together in Dunedin and it is lovely to know that staying with us at 538 Great King adds to your overall experience. We're pleased that you notice the awesome work of our house-keeping team too. It is always a pleasure to have you here and we look forward to your next stay. Pete & Morag
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I’ve been travelling to Dunedin for over 2 yrs for work. The only place I’ve ever stayed has been 538 Great King Motel. The rooms are beautifully appointed, you have everything you need, you wake up refreshed and Peter and Morag are the most delightful hosts wanting to make sure your stay is comfortable and warm (in winter anyway). I’ve had absolutely no need to look for an alternative accommodation provider as the consistency with this place is absolutely on point and slots into my work needs perfectly.
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Date of stay: July 2020Trip type: Travelled on business
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 Pete and Morag Firns, Owner at 538 Great King Motel
Responded 22 Jul 2020
Thanks Dan. It is always a pleasure to welcome you to 538 Great King. We are very pleased that 538 adds up for you and we look forward to your next visit, as always. Pete & Morag
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I’ve been staying here for the last 6 months when I come to town for work. Prior to that, my predecessor had stayed here every month for over 5 years.
The rooms are immaculately presented with a clean, modern styling. The kitchenette is convenient and easy to use. The bathrooms are stunning in full tile, and the shower pressure is the best out of any motel/hotel I’ve ever stayed in.
Beyond the room, Pete and Morag who own the motel are really lovely people. They’ve made my stays super easy, coordinated late check ins, helped me out when I needed something posted to me, and just been wonderful overall. They are the reason I kept staying here. There’s a lot of places in Dunedin that looked nice that I would have liked to stay at, but ultimately I couldn’t go past their service.
I would highly recommend staying here if you want an easy stay in a nice, modern place, with fantastic service from great people, all at a very reasonable price.
The rooms are immaculately presented with a clean, modern styling. The kitchenette is convenient and easy to use. The bathrooms are stunning in full tile, and the shower pressure is the best out of any motel/hotel I’ve ever stayed in.
Beyond the room, Pete and Morag who own the motel are really lovely people. They’ve made my stays super easy, coordinated late check ins, helped me out when I needed something posted to me, and just been wonderful overall. They are the reason I kept staying here. There’s a lot of places in Dunedin that looked nice that I would have liked to stay at, but ultimately I couldn’t go past their service.
I would highly recommend staying here if you want an easy stay in a nice, modern place, with fantastic service from great people, all at a very reasonable price.
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Date of stay: November 2021Trip type: Travelled on business
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 Pete and Morag Firns, Owner at 538 Great King Motel
Responded 17 Nov 2021
Thanks Conrad. It is always a pleasure to welcome you to the motel. We know you are moving onto a new phase in your life and we wish you and your partner all the best for the future. Very exciting times indeed! We do hope to see you again. Pete & Morag
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Stayed in the apartment ‘penthouse’ for 4 nights with a colleague, whilst in Dunedin for a conference. Arrived late due to delayed flights. They were in contact with me via email and kept check in open for us for over an hour! Very warm in the apartment when we arrived.
Lovely bathroom, clean, tidy, new.
Hot water bottles in the cupboard - lovely thought!
Teas and coffees were always replenished during the day, they even washed up our cups!
Wasn’t in the apartment too much during the day as we left early and arrived back late in the evening, but they put the heat pump on for us a few hours before we got back so it was nice and warm.
Gentleman on the front desk was very friendly and happy to make our stay comfortable. Gave us information and provided us with resources to make it easier to get around or be where we needed to be (first visit to Dunedin).
Coffee shop right next door!
Would certainly recommend to anyone wanting to stay in Dunedin :)
Lovely bathroom, clean, tidy, new.
Hot water bottles in the cupboard - lovely thought!
Teas and coffees were always replenished during the day, they even washed up our cups!
Wasn’t in the apartment too much during the day as we left early and arrived back late in the evening, but they put the heat pump on for us a few hours before we got back so it was nice and warm.
Gentleman on the front desk was very friendly and happy to make our stay comfortable. Gave us information and provided us with resources to make it easier to get around or be where we needed to be (first visit to Dunedin).
Coffee shop right next door!
Would certainly recommend to anyone wanting to stay in Dunedin :)
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Date of stay: July 2022Trip type: Travelled on business
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 Pete and Morag Firns, Owner at 538 Great King Motel
Responded 13 Jul 2022
Thank you Emma. It was a pleasure to have you and your colleague as guests, and we are pleased you had an enjoyable stay. We always like to have our rooms warm and cosy for guests during winter, so we are pleased that you appreciated that and the great work of our housekeeping team. Hope to see you again. Pete and Morag
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We were lucky enough to stay here for 2 nights while we were in Dunedin for a concert. The hosts were so helpful, the rooms are amazingly tidy and well maintained and the whole premises was quiet, with no street noise heard in the rooms. Its location means that you are a short walk from the octagon, the university and the stadium which makes it perfect for any purpose.. There’s even an amazing cafe next to the car park which is perfect for breakfast in the morning.
I wouldn’t hesitate to stay here again.
I wouldn’t hesitate to stay here again.
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Date of stay: March 2024Trip 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.
Response from Pete and Morag Firns, Owner at 538 Great King Motel
Responded 9 Mar 2024
Thank you Tourist64314166307, we are pleased that we were able to fit you in and that you had a great stay. It was a pleasure to have you all here and we really did appreciate the gorgeous bunch of flowers you gave us, which are still looking and smelling lovely after almost a week on the reception desk. Thanks again. Pete and Morag
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The location near the University on the one way system is excellent. Good feeling to the place and the owners are decent people. Good parking and reasonable facilities. The unit had no hotplates so you can forget the scrambled eggs. The bedding is good average quality. No duvets or feather pillows. Otherwise the shower is good but the bathroom has no heating and heating in the unit was a single wall panel which took ages to warm up but when it did was OK. No heat pumps. Most of the rooms seem to be well away from the busy street as noise was not an issue
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Date of stay: April 2021
Value
Cleanliness
Service
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 Pete and Morag Firns, Owner at 538 Great King Motel
Responded 25 May 2021
Thanks very much for your feedback gemido. We'll take the opportunity to respond to some of your points. First, your options for cooking scrambled eggs were limited only by your choice of room. Whilst every room has a microwave and scrambled eggs can be cooked in a micro-wave, most rooms also have benchtop hobs and some have full kitchens - it's just our smallest room types that have the microwave only. This information is included in descriptions of the various room types on our web site and on all major booking sites - also, we would have been more than happy to answer questions about cooking facilities before you booked. Second, you are correct - we have no duvets or feather pillows. Guest feedback on the comfort of our beds is generally very positive. Third, the heating (including the bathroom underfloor heating) is very effective. We're not sure what you mean by "ages to warm up". Our experience is that the panel heaters take about 15 minutes to heat a Large Studio to a comfortable temperature on a winter's day. In cold weather, we turn heaters on well before guest check-in time and we love to show our guests into warm, cosy rooms during winter. Fourth, our facilities are better than "reasonable" - we reckon they are great, as do most travellers who take the time to give feedback. Our 4-star rating from Qualmark New Zealand would seem to support that view. Finally, we are pleased that you had an enjoyable stay overall.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We had a fantastic experience at this motel. Its convenient location, within walking distance to the main shopping centre and the university, made getting around easy. The café at the front of the motel makes good coffee and serves breakfast and lunch. There are plenty of great restaurants nearby for dinner options.
The room itself was extremely comfortable. Highlights included heated floor tiles in the bathroom and good quality carpet giving it a cosy feel. The kitchenette was well-equipped and included a cooking hob, ideal for preparing light meals.
Housekeeping was excellent - the room was serviced daily, and we appreciated the tea, coffee and Milo renewed each day.
Overall, it was a great pleasure to stay here, and we’d highly recommend it!
The room itself was extremely comfortable. Highlights included heated floor tiles in the bathroom and good quality carpet giving it a cosy feel. The kitchenette was well-equipped and included a cooking hob, ideal for preparing light meals.
Housekeeping was excellent - the room was serviced daily, and we appreciated the tea, coffee and Milo renewed each day.
Overall, it was a great pleasure to stay here, and we’d highly recommend it!
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Date of stay: November 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
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 Pete and Morag Firns, Owner at 538 Great King Motel
Responded 27 Nov 2024
Thank you Fran. We are pleased you and Michael had a great stay here and that you found a lot to like about the motel and the location. It was lovely to have you here. Pete and Morag
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I’m pleasantly surprised with my recent 538 Great King Motel experience from booking. The online reservation was easy and I received the booking confirmation/hotel information from host Pete. Not only to let me extend my stay for one more night during the busy preschool opening season, I have also got an upgrade to the one bed room studio. The room is clean, spacious, and comfortable. It also has a well-equipped kitchenette. The room’s simple white, black, grey, and red colour mixture effectively created a modern ambiance. The location is very convenient for anyone visiting the university or town center. What also worth mentioning it the morel’s commitment to ESG. All toiletry offerings are with sustainable packaging. The coffee sachet is from fair-trade supplier. Host Pete is super friendly and helpful. Slightly noisy because it’s right on the busy road side. But it’s hard not to like this place for the whole package this accommodating place offers. Thumbs up to Pete and Morag.
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Date of stay: January 2023Trip type: Travelled solo
Value
Location
Service
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 Pete and Morag Firns, Owner at 538 Great King Motel
Responded 8 Feb 2023
Thank you MinibearX. We are pleased you such an enjoyable stay here and that you found so much to like about 538 Great King, and it is nice that you have picked up on the things that we take pride in, like the cleanliness, the decor and our customer service. It was a pleasure to have you here and we wish you all the best. Thanks again for staying here and for your review. Pete & Morag
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hello Global537, we do not have spa baths.
538 Great King Motel.
"Walking distance from all Dunedin down town amenities. Transport easily available - can even catch a bus out to Port Chalmers."Read full review
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PRICE RANGE
$180 - $196 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
New ZealandSouth IslandOtago RegionDunedin
NUMBER OF ROOMS
21
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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Frequently Asked Questions about 538 Great King Motel
Which popular attractions are close to 538 Great King Motel?
Nearby attractions include Tūhura Otago Museum (0.3 km), University of Otago (0.4 km), and Discovery World Tropical Forest (0.4 km).
What are some of the property amenities at 538 Great King Motel?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free parking, and kids activities.
Which room amenities are available at 538 Great King Motel?
Top room amenities include a kitchenette, air conditioning, and a flat screen TV.
What food & drink options are available at 538 Great King Motel?
Guests can enjoy complimentary tea, free instant coffee, and an outdoor dining area during their stay.
Is parking available at 538 Great King Motel?
Yes, free parking and a parking garage are available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to 538 Great King Motel?
Conveniently located restaurants include The Good Earth Cafe, Lone Star Cafe & Bar, and Buddha Stix Restaurant & Bar.
Are any cleaning services offered at 538 Great King Motel?
Yes, dry cleaning and laundry service are offered to guests.
Are there any historical sites close to 538 Great King Motel?
Many travellers enjoy visiting Olveston Historic Home (0.8 km), Speight’s Brewery (1.7 km), and Northern Cemetery (1.0 km).
Is 538 Great King Motel accessible?
Yes, it offers wheelchair access, reduced mobility rooms, and facilities for disabled guests. For specific enquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.