Seaview Motel

The beach right across the road was the one real plus. The room was basic, with thin walls and very dated utensils and appliances. The place was clean overall, but there was animal hair all over the carpet, which isn’t good for anyone with allergies. The coffee in the jar was just packets and tasted stale. There was an electric blanket on only one side of the bed, with a hot water bottle in a drawer for the other. The TV was basic too, so we were glad we’d brought a USB with movies.

We drove all the way down from Katikati and were hugely disappointed. We couldn’t stay at all because someone was already in the room we’d paid for. The owner said they had overstayed, but surely that would have been noticed when the room was due to be cleaned. The place looked nothing like the pictures in terms of building quality. It was run down, more like a garden shed than a motel, with wooden boards over many windows. Luckily we found another motel down the road, willow bank motel, so we had a bed that night. Someone without funds or another option could have ended up out in the cold. I know things go wrong, but this was on top of a damp, cold, shabby place, and there are much nicer motels nearby for similar prices. Go somewhere else.

It’s right on the waterfront, and we really appreciated the help with an early check-in. The motel was perfectly fine for one night, if not fancy. We’d asked for a cot in the booking by ticking the infant crib box, but there wasn’t one when we arrived. With no reception building on site, we couldn’t sort it out straight away. If you need a cot, double check and confirm that one will be provided.

We woke to lovely views, with the sun shining straight into the main living area. The stove was a real favourite, so handy for cooking hot meals for the children. The shower had great hot water and pressure. The beds had crisp cotton sheets, and the thick white towels were spotless. We stayed August 15 - 19 2025.