Airport Birches Motel

The room was run down and dirty for what we paid. It cost $212, though they took $216. Paint was peeling, the towels were old, the carpet was fraying, and there was grime or staining on the walls. I woke to ants all over the kitchenette, even though we hadn't cooked or used it for anything except making coffee. It felt dingy, and the walls need a deep clean and the room needs renovation. The kitchen sink also wasn't draining properly and needs a plumber. There was nobody around to contact for help or customer service. Late at night I saw a pregnant cat on the property that looked starving, so I gave her some of my Indian takeaway. It wasn't the right food for a heavily pregnant cat, but it was all I had and I couldn't leave her hungry. I hope she's okay. The owners have since been abusing me online over an honest account of my stay. Looking at low-rated reviews, especially for this hotel, read them carefully. The no-cancellation policy is a huge red flag to me. The owners are abusive and take no accountability. They need cleaners, gardeners, a receptionist, bug and pest control, and repair people. They should reconsider running a hotel, especially when room 9 is presented as high end in the state it was in. Disgusting. I won't stay again.

This was the worst room I've booked in Christchurch, and I book rooms here regularly. It was dirty and run down, with no customer service on site. After we left an honest review with photos, they abused us online. The photos and reviews are staying up. Do better. About the cat, you should be glad we cared enough to feed it. If someone had been at reception, we wouldn't have mistaken your obese cat for a starving pregnant one. That's not our fault. If you don't want guests thinking it's pregnant and feeling sorry for it, communicate that with a note or have the receptionist explain at check-in. You don't bother with receptionists, though perhaps you should. Don't book here. There are better places in Christchurch. Salerno has nicer rooms, better customer service, and better value. The owners should take care of the cat and the business properly.

The rooms were very dusty, and I wouldn't recommend this hotel. Sunday 24th Nov, 3pm. I requested the airport shuttle, waited at the airport for an hour, and was told I might have to wait up to four hours. Eventually I was told nobody was coming to collect me. When I said the service was bad, he literally screamed that I hadn't requested it in advance. The customer has already paid for it through the room cost, so it isn't really free. I saw him doing nothing in the office when I returned after waiting four hours. It felt like you just couldn't be bothered to pick me up. Please improve your customer service. It was like being bitten by a dog you feed. I wouldn't be surprised if you were the owner, given how you behaved. In your reply, you made yourself out to be the victim instead of resolving the problem, and manipulated the story to sound innocent. You deserve the low rating for shouting at a customer. I'll never recommend your place. I've stayed in many hotels and motels, and they don't behave like this.

There are good amenities just a short walk away, and the airport transport was accommodating. A real gem of a place, with a great location and wonderful value.