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Sailorgal12345
Canada

Tiny room & centrally located

3.0 of 5 bubblesReviewed 3 weeks agovia mobile
To me a boutique hotel is a smaller hotel that provides a more intimate experience than the larger chain hotels. While this hotel has unique character, our room was beyond ridiculously small. It consisted of room for a queen bed & space to walk around it. It was clean, well maintained, and had a 70’s vibe for decoration. There was a small nook for the fridge & kettle, and a tiny bathroom. Outside our room was a shared courtyard with picnic tables & chairs. The hotel is situated across from the ocean, with breathtaking views of the snow covered mountains. There is a beautiful walk around the entire beach. You are a short drive away from the fur seal colony. Restaurants and other shopping, including a grocery store, are a short drive away. I could not have stayed here more than a day, given the cramped living space. But, if that’s not a problem, you care centrally located at this hotel.
Date of stay: November 2024
Room Tip: Confirm the room size so there are no surprises!
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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All reviews courtyard room main building small hotel breakfast was excellent overlooking the sea bed was comfortable a lovely stay seal colony across the road jen town views esplanade platter nz host units
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Reviewed 3 weeks ago

Stayed 2 nights in November 2024. Beware those in need of a late check-out: even though the owner may have permitted you to stay in your room extra 2 hours on check-out day, it does not mean that his permission is given for free – he will charge you $25 an hour. This information has cost us an unexpected extra $50. The usual checkout time is 10 am, but the night before the owner permitted us to stay next day until 12 pm. However, as we were leaving the hotel at 12 pm he screamed (and his unleashed dog instantly rushed to us at the gate through which we were leaving) that he will not allow us to walk away free because we owed him $50 for those 2 extra hours. When we objected and asked why he did not tell us about this charge when he approved our late check-out (because if we knew, we could have decided to checkout at 10 am), the owner's reply was that it was OUR SOLE RESPONSIBILITY to READ THE “COMPENDIUM” (the book in the room) and TO LEARN ABOUT THIS CHARGE. Needless to say, there was no sign about this charge anywhere at the reception, and not a word was said to us about it both at checking-in and when he agreed to our late check-out. (Note: when we were leaving the room at 12 pm, the cleaning lady was still busy preparing other rooms and did not approach our room for cleaning, so our late check out did not hold her up). We were forced to pay under duress as the owner would not let us go. For an accommodation claiming to be a “boutique” we find this attitude to its guests absolutely disgraceful. Will never stay at that place again.

Date of stay: October 2024
  • Trip type: Travelled as a couple
    • Value
    • Location
    • Sleep Quality
    • Rooms
    • Cleanliness
    • Service
Thank Anna M
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.
Reviewed 10 October 2024 via mobile

If you’re expecting a boutique hotel you are in for a big surprise especially if you’re in the courtyard rooms. Low end motel rooms is what you get with very basic bathroom. Clearly some very creative photos. Bedroom is very small . One on side of the bed when sitting on the bed your knees nearly touch the wall (I’m 1.65 so not tall). Luxury bathroom items - cotton wool pads & cotton buds in a miniature jam jar doesn’t cut it. Really not suitable for travellers with more than one tiny suitcase due to lack of space. We’ll be contacting our tour operator to suggest they down grade this hotel. Plus side it’s clean & courtyard pretty & well maintained

Room tip: Parking is good
Date of stay: October 2024
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
1  Thank 230deirdrem
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.
Reviewed 6 October 2024 via mobile

Loved this place!! Rooms upstairs were fabulous.
Debbie & John were great hosts. They haven't been there long. Very relaxing atmosphere.
Be great to go back, when they put their own stamp on it. Bar snacks need to be looked at, which they were open to discuss.

Room tip: Happy with everything
Date of stay: September 2024
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Thank Stay09845911711
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.
Reviewed 18 May 2024 via mobile

My favourite hotel in NZ (both islands included). It combines the cleanliness and modernity that is usually characteristic of a fancy 5 star hotel, but in the cosy space of a family owned business with the level of concern and detail that can only be attributed to those of us who work hard and build a business on one’s own reputation.

Every single day my room was serviced and immaculately cleaned, and the staff went out of their way to make our stay more pleasant and comfortable. It’s only walking distance from the main strip of shops and cafés, and the beachside walk is worth it just to catch a glimpse of the occasional seal or dolphin. Jen and Warren have poured their hearts into this hotel, creating a space most welcoming and warm, emanating creativity and good style. I won’t stay anywhere else.

Date of stay: May 2024
Trip type: Travelled with family
Thank Ren T
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.
Reviewed 27 April 2024 via mobile

1. if booking the historic waterfront room then need to stipulate you want the one with balcony facing towards township and sun (as per website advertised photos with three windows facing water outlook) as otherwise might be disappointed at checkin as was I- we were instead put in the “other” historic room (in fact this being a junior suite room layout if look at website photos) which was facing away from township and sun;
2. Beware price gouging;
3. Do not expect service of room despite 4.5 star rating;
4. Do not expect request for delayed checkout to be honoured, as when I requested 11am checkout as offered by the hotelier ( which was confirmed by email) I was then left a rude note questioning my “late” departure.

Date of stay: April 2024
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
1  Thank drsimonie
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.
Jen Barnes, Owner at Kaikoura Boutique Hotel, responded to this reviewResponded 30 April 2024

Hello Simone.
Based on our email communications to date, I was surprised to hear about the list of issues you detail.
I agree with you on two points, poor room servicing and not honouring a pre-arranged late check out are unacceptable. In the 3-4 weeks prior to your stay (April 2024), we encountered these issues a number of times - thankfully isolated to specific staff. We work so hard on delivering these basic service levels, it's upsetting how quickly they unravel thanks for one or two bad apples. Happy to report, we have a couple of strategic hires onboarding over the next month. We need these issues. We are far more annoyed about this than you are, trust me!

On room types - I confirm there are two historic waterfronts - both have front facing see views and lovely large balconies - the difference being their orientation in the building. One facing west and one facing east. (The east facing also splits into a twin bed configuration, making it rather sought-after). We routinely juggle rooms according to guest preference - which in your case we were unaware of. "(Not sure if this helps, but I can also confirm the room you wanted had been booked by another guest well prior to receiving yours - and that we were entirely unaware of your expectations).

At all times, we aim to deliver a range of room types and price points to suit every budget, and our rates are publicly listed on our own and third-party websites for all to see. That you feel price gouged is a horror to me. If you have an issue with incorrect charges, please contact me on the reservations line at the hotel.

Wishing you well, Jen

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