About

3.5

#16 of 17 motels in Whangarei

Location

Cleanliness

Service

Value

Affordable 3+ star self contained/serviced accommodation. Lots of room for parking large vehicles and rooms are a reasonable size. RV parks & dump station for stay over guests. Conference room facilities available. 3 minutes walk to restaurant, corner dairy/shop, Chinese takeaway & fish & chips & ATM machine. 10 minutes by car to virtually anywhere in Whangarei. 45 minutes to Bay of Islands. Base your self with us and see the North

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Property amenities

Free parking

Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)

Pool

Game room

Golf course

Conference facilities

Meeting rooms

Spa

Wifi

Outdoor pool

Billiards

Table tennis

BBQ facilities

Baggage storage

Non-smoking hotel

Outdoor furniture

Dry cleaning

Self-serve laundry

Room features

Kitchenette

Microwave

Refrigerator

Room types

Non-smoking rooms

Suites

Family rooms

Good to know

HOTEL CLASS

Location

26 Western Hills Drive, Whangarei 0112 New Zealand

Getting there

Whangarei Airport9 kmSee all flights

Kerikeri Airport63 kmSee all flights

Car HireSee all Whangarei car hire

See all nearby hotels

Nearby restaurants

Suk Jai Thai Restaurant

Khane Bahar Indian Restaurant and Bar

See all nearby restaurants

Nearby attractions

Hundertwasser Art Centre with Wairau Māori Art Gallery

143 reviews

2.7 kmArchitectural Buildings

Kiwi North - Kiwi House, Museum & Heritage Park

302 reviews

6.1 kmHistory Museums

Whangarei Quarry Gardens

456 reviews

17 minVisitor Centres

Whangarei Falls

1,268 reviews

2.8 kmWaterfalls

See all nearby attractions

45Reviews0Q+A6Room tips

Reviews
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Mike E wrote a review Dec 2022

Porirua, New Zealand2 contributions

not an enjoyable place to stay

Although the unit was clean and comfrtable, the owner (woman at the desk) was rude and made us feel unwelcome. Almost as if we were intruding by staying there. Would not recommend. The motel is on a very busy road which made access difficult. The pool and spa were not available but were advertised as being available.

Date of stay: December 2022

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.

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Response from Kath and Nigel Organ, Owner at Motel Sierra

Responded 18 Dec 2022

Hi Mike, Thank you for your review. Not all the information provided by you is correct. The spa is closed. The cold pool is open and has been since labour weekend. I suggest honesty upon check-in is a great starter for a holiday.

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Djbatr wrote a review May 2022

1 contribution

Not the greatest experience

Can not fault the precautions used regarding covid and the safety measures put in place great initiative but not so great the receptionist possibly the owner requires people skills she was rude and nosey

Date of stay: May 2022Trip 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.

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Roneel wrote a review Apr 2021

Hamilton & Waikato Region, New Zealand2 contributions1 helpful vote

Refused check-in and refund despite checking in within Agoda stated timing

Regretted not looking at some of the reviews here before booking. We tried to check in 7 mins past 8pm. No one at reception, even though our booking Agoda stated check-in available till 10.30pm. Called the number on the reception door, no one picked up. Waited for a while, and motel owner came out of his room (apparently he stays there and proudly admitted he's the owner) and said he's been watching us on CCTV. We politely asked for a check-in but he refused and said we were disturbing him. Seeing we're Asians, he tried his best racist remark by questioning our understanding of his "no check-in after 8pm door sign". Apparently he doesn't understand his own door sign vs Agoda check-in timing? Refused to refund us too. Fortunately Agoda hasn't paid him yet, so we didn't lost a cent. No choice but left the motel and had to search for another accommodation. Traumatic experience, unreliable motel, rude owner and what a scam! Book at your risk. Worst ever experience in all the accommodations we've stayed in NZ.…

Date of stay: April 2021Trip 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.

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Response from Kath Organ, Owner at Motel Sierra

Responded 1 May 2021

Unfortunately your time that you arrived was 8.45. We do not use Agoda as a booking engine only expedia and booking.com. The owner did not use racist remarks just commented that would you expect Mcdonalds to open for you if they were closed. Your payment (or credit card details) only secure the room which we have no access to unless you pre pay by virtual credit card which you did not. Guests need to read the terms and conditions of all the booking engines or ring the property to check what time the office does close. It would be nice for owners/operators to be able to review guests but apparently that is a breach of rights. Where are our rights as owners/operators.

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Frederik wrote a review Apr 2021

Auckland, New Zealand1 contribution1 helpful vote

Owner accuses guests of trespassing!

Avoid at all cost. Rudest owner ever. Was trying to check in at reception office. Owner claims I trespass! What? How in the world can that work for a motel? If that is the case, the motel should be not opened at all, coz every guest will be trespassing. Imagine staying there and they accuse you of that. We went away without even daring to complete the check-in because of this, don't want to get into any trouble. Try this place at your own risk.

Date of stay: April 2021Trip 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.

1 Helpful vote

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Response from Kath Morgan-Smith, Other at Motel Sierra

Responded 25 Apr 2021

Check in is from 2pm to 8pm. You arrived after the office had closed read the sign on the door and then rang. You also went around the property to the owners personal space and went over the fence and knocked on the door. You had gone into a personal space that guests are not invited to. This is trespassing on personal space not the motels accommodation. Do you go knock on McDonald's door and demand food when they have closed?. When you book through a booking agent eg booking.com, expedia please take the time to read the terms and conditions and also when the office is closed. You might find that a phone call to say your running late instead of just assuming that no matter what time of arrival somebody will be there to check you in. The hospitality trade gets a real bad rap. I wish we were allowed to review our guests.

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Mr T wrote a review Mar 2021

1 contribution3 helpful votes

Worst customer service ever experienced.

Upon arriving a bit early after a 3 hour drive we planned to ask if we can leave our expensive belongings and use the toilet before heading in to town for sightseeing. The woman at reception who later said was the owner gave a very grumpy greeting then complained about not being happy to let us in early. After calling her out for the poor attitude "I'm really not impressed with you poor f**king attitude" she turned around and demanded we leave because I dared to use a swear word. In the process she made our 8 year old daughter cry, this being her first hotel experience in a couple years and our first family adventure since covid. Thankfully an awesome owner at another hotel let us stay in their reserved emergency room. Johanna (the nasty owner) showed no sympathy for making our daughter cry or potentially stranding us several hours from home with nowhere to stay. Avoid this hotel at all costs unless you want to have this happen to you.…

Date of stay: March 2021Trip 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.

3 Helpful votes

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Response from Kath Organ, Owner at Motel Sierra

Responded 14 Mar 2021

Upon arriving early and demanding the use of a toilet ("after driving around for half and hour looking for a parking spot", your words). You were given the key to the unit, didn't complete check in procedure and slammed the office door on your way out. Your wife was still being very load with her comments which were very offensive. Milk and check in form were taken over to you at the unit which again slamming of the door and swearing not once but on multiple occasions. The owner did say" she was not swearing at you could you please not swear at her" Which you replied again by slamming the door. It is at this point the owner asked you to leave. Yes your daughter was crying, do you think it had anything to do with your poor behavior and the use of excessive force when closing/slamming the door. Thank you for the throwing the key from the office door into the private hallway of the owners and also the continue horn blowing upon leaving. Our night sift workers were rudely awoken by the experience.

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Big T wrote a review Jun 2020

Auckland, New Zealand1 contribution

Back to the 80s

This motel is stuck in the 80s - a serious upgrade is overdue. The furniture was op shop grade. the bed was hard and uncomfortable, the heating in the lounge was inadequate for a cold winters evening, it was impossible to open the windows in the bedrooms and the noise was unacceptable - not SH1 traffic but other residents. This is all quite sad because the lady running the motel was very welcoming and helpful and previous stays have been satisfactory.

Date of stay: June 2020

Value

Service

Sleep Quality

Room Tip: As for from the road as possible and not lower level

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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.

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Dissapointed wrote a review May 2020

3 contributions2 helpful votes

Don't stay here.

Our shower was dripping. The owner comes in, says it's fixed. Leaves. Husband goes to tell the owner it's not fixed and she says her husband is asleep. Moved to Kingswood Motel in Kamo. Clean, tidy, and it only cost $10.00 more. And the laundry facilities were free.

Date of stay: May 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.

1 Helpful vote

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skypilot38 wrote a review Feb 2020

Minneapolis, Minnesota60 contributions49 helpful votes

Great Place to Stay

This motel was very comfortable. Staff was friendly and helpful, even let us check in early. Our grandchildren loved swimming in the pool, which was very nice. They also enjoyed playing pool and ping pong in the game room.

Date of stay: January 2020

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.

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Lana wrote a review Oct 2019

2 contributions

Perfect for our little family!

Popped in after 5pm with hopes that we could get a room for the night for our small family after travelling for a few hours. We were greeted by a very lovely woman who went out of her way to show us two different rooms that may suit us, suggested activities to do and places to eat, even offered our little one a bath bomb which she loved! Very comfortable beds with fresh crisp sheets, clean room, good channel options, great parking and very convenient location. Only downside for us was that we were too tired to try out the games room! We did try out the fudge factory in the town basin as recommended and we left with a few bags of fudge! We will definitely be back if in the area and will be recommending. Many thanks for the great stay!

Date of stay: October 2019Trip 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.

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Erin V wrote a review Apr 2018

Hamilton, New Zealand3 contributions

Super great service!

Motel Sierra had great service, lovely staff who were able to accommodate us at late notice. The spa was fantastic. We had a king bed which was really soft and comfortable. The room decor was nice. Would absolutely recommend ☺️

Date of stay: April 2018Trip 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.

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Response from Kath and Nigel O, Owner at Motel Sierra

Responded 30 Apr 2018

Thank you Erin for your review. I hope that Northland provided a great holiday for you and your partner. It was a pleasure to have lovely guests to be able to show case northland to.

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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