Academy Lodge Motel

We felt well looked after during our family’s one-night stay at Academy Lodge Motel. The staff were welcoming, cheerful and ready to help, and the owner lives on-site, so support was available around the clock. Our room was spacious, clean and comfortable, with a kitchenette and bathroom that suited our needs. We’ll be back, it’s a top choice in Ashburton.

The photos and reviews didn’t match our experience, and I wouldn’t recommend this motel. After one night, we changed places because my wife and child felt uncomfortable and unsafe, and none of us had slept. There were arguments, abuse being shouted and loud bangs in nearby rooms, continuing into the early morning. When I raised this with the owner, he didn’t seem to care and said these things happen. We asked for a refund for the remaining paid nights. Our room smelled of alcohol and wasn’t very clean. We opened the windows to air it out, then found vomit down one of them and broken window catches, which meant the room wasn’t secure. The owner did clean up the mess. I later heard the motel was being used as emergency accommodation.

The rooms were warm, but cleanliness was an issue. There were towels in the main bedroom, none in the room with the two beds, so ask at check-in or you may end up using your mum’s from the night before. The water pressure was very weak and didn’t really cover anything.

Give this lovely guy a call instead of booking through Booking.com, and he’ll sort you out with a great deal!