Arthur's Pass Motel & Lodge

The apartment was huge, with a separate bedroom, and everything was clean and warm. The lounge had two single beds plus trundler beds underneath, so it could work for a family. Great location, too, and I loved seeing Kea around the property.

The hosts sent plenty of helpful messages, so getting there was easy. We arrived to a warm room and a very clean bathroom. The shared kitchen had lots of pots and pans for cooking, plus a large fridge and freezer. The one thing we weren't keen on was the bed, which felt a bit firm for us.

We were initially pleased by the spacious room and the amenities, but the broken window made the stay miserable. On arrival, the woman told us it had been broken a week earlier and offered a refund if we wanted to find somewhere else. In the middle of Arthur's Pass, late in the afternoon, with hardly any other accommodation around, that didn't feel like a real option. A week seems like plenty of time to repair a window, and cold air came through all night. After dinner, I sat on the couch and within 20 minutes felt something biting me. My wife thought I was imagining it, but another 20 minutes later I got up, sure something on the couch was biting me. I didn't sit there again for the rest of the trip. The bites are nasty and sore. I'm really annoyed and would never recommend this place to anyone. It was a cesspool of insects.

I mixed up my dates and booked the wrong night, entirely my mistake. Luckily, they had a room free and could fit me in. The staff were so kind, and the room was lovely. I'd definitely recommend staying here if you're in the area.