Orewa Motor Lodge

The room was spacious, and the bed was comfortable, though the place feels dated. The beach is right across the road, and there are places to eat and drink nearby along with a supermarket. Parking was the main headache: the spaces were so tight that neighbouring cars stopped me getting into mine. I couldn’t find an on-site office to ask whether I could use another space, so I parked around the block. Luckily, it wasn’t raining. I also found the room sign saying housekeeping staff don’t speak English puzzling. I wondered why that was the case and why guests needed to be told.

We were so pleased they kept my medication chilled after we accidentally left it in the fridge at checkout. We couldn’t collect it for three days, and they were happy to look after it. The kitchen was well stocked, Woolworths is just around the corner, and the restaurants are an easy walk away. Our basic room was cleaned and serviced daily, and the extra pillows we asked for arrived with a smile. The interior has a sauna-like feel, almost like being in the Swiss Alps. It was spotless, and the service was better than at some five-star hotels I’ve stayed in overseas. I’d happily book a two-week holiday here next time I’m in NZ.

The inside was cozy, tidy, and very clean. Outside, though, things looked a little run down. The outdoor spa pool seemed completely abandoned, and it would have been nice if it were working. We couldn’t find the owners or anyone at reception.

We were happy with the overnight stay overall. The place was nice and clean, and shops are only a short walk away. When we first went into the room, though, it smelled of urine. Also, after we’d unloaded the car, a man was rude and wanted us to move it before we’d had a chance to park properly. Nobody else was around, and we would have moved it ourselves once we were ready.