Christchurch Motel

A month after I booked, I got a message today asking me to cancel because the unit was no longer available, even though more than one unit had been available when I made the booking. I still have plenty of time to find somewhere else, but it’ll cost more. That part didn’t bother me much. What did was getting no answer when I asked whether it had been flooded or overbooked. As the customer who paid for a booking, I feel I deserved to know what happened.

I’d stayed here before and remembered the room as clean and comfortable. This time it was clean, tidy and warm, and the service was impeccable. I was feeling poorly, so the owner moved me to a room away from the noise and let me check out late. I got some much-needed sleep.

The unit was very clean, the staff friendly, and it was handy for everything we needed. The kitchenette is a bit old, though, and cooking for four on one small element was a juggle because the other one didn’t work. Just a few small fixes are needed. Otherwise, I’d recommend it.

Do not book, the motel has been sold. We found out from the motel next door when we arrived that Christchurch Motel had been sold to a fishing company. Neither we nor our travel agent had been told about the sale or a possible sale by the previous owners, but they were happy to take our money when we booked. Now the fun begins: trying to get it back.