The Magpie- Hawkes Bay Motel

After driving six hours with tired children, we arrived around 5:30pm and got a very aggressive welcome from the host. I'd searched the booking app for two adults and one child, but the reservation came through as two adults without my knowledge. I was charged an extra fee for my four-year-old. When I said I thought I'd booked correctly, especially since I'd looked for extra beds in the room, she said she'd figured as much, scolded me that the extra child cost more, and snapped that she didn't need attitude. I said I could have booked somewhere else, and she told me again that I didn't have to stay there. I felt pushed into defending myself. With nowhere else to go at that time, I paid. This motel isn't worth $160 a night. The rooms are tired, the beds uncomfortable, and the bases stained. The toilets and walls badly need fixing and painting. The free WiFi barely worked, with little to no coverage in our room. The carpet and curtains need replacing, the walls are thin, and we heard our neighbours snoring all night. Laminated signs around the room come across as passive-aggressive about cleanliness and extra fees. I've travelled extensively around NZ, and this was by far one of my worst stays. I'm wondering if I was discriminated against for being an Aucklander with visible tattoos, or if the host needs a different job that she actually enjoys.

Lisa is awesome, and our room was fabulous and super tidy. It was completely affordable too. Around midnight, it sounded like a herd of elephants had moved in above us and started stampeding. Even with that, this place rocks. We'll be back.

The rooms are dated, and the beds are very poor quality. I suppose the motel does the job if all you need is a roof for the night. The manager's behaviour is much more troubling, though. I wasn't staying there, but a very close friend was there for a decent stretch. I picked her up to do her shopping because it was cold and she had no transport. When I brought her back, Jimmy the manager launched into unnecessary rants, swearing and yelling abuse at me in the driveway. I asked him to calm down, stop shouting and have a civil conversation like an adult, but he kept swearing and yelling. This was at 8:30pm. I can see why women feel intimidated by him. He's not reasonable to try to talk to. I guess they must own the place to get away with treating people with such disrespect. After reading reviews describing harsh behaviour and poor service, I can agree with them. This shouldn't be allowed, especially when someone is asking for a civil five-minute conversation instead of being screamed at like a child. I'd recommend staying somewhere with better service so you don't have to deal with the irrational behaviour I experienced.

For a business trip, this worked well. The one-bedroom unit had air conditioning, was clean and had a decent layout. It seemed very affordable for what you get, and I'd happily stay here again.