Katikati Motel

This place does not meet any health or safety standards. I was charged $125 per night for two single beds with an oversized, floppy king mattress on top, and there was no toilet or shower. The atmosphere was glum, the grounds had dog poo where kids were meant to play, and cockroaches were everywhere. Families of six were crammed into rooms, and my mail was stolen. The description on TripAdvisor especially is a lie. Helen had video showing that a boy from the house behind the office stole my valuable courier package, but she accepted his obvious lie. I was told not to look at or speak to him because she said he was family and under her care. My list of problems goes on. Manager, shut this place down and clean up your act, then do it properly or not at all. Avoid this place at all costs.

The clean white bedding and towels were a bright spot, and the owners were pleasant. There was real milk too. But the motel seems to have stopped being cleaned back in the 70s, around when it opened in 1972. The ceilings and shower had mould, the windows were crying, the cupboards smelled musty, and there were huge dust bunnies plus filthy floors, skirtings and ceilings. A resident spider seemed quite settled in, and the giant cockroach in the shower was less welcome. It has good bones, though, and with serious scrubbing and some cheap cheerful paint it could become a niche retro stop for travellers.

At $190 a night, I expected a lot more. It's overpriced, filthy, damaged throughout, with holes in the walls and strange, dodgy people hanging around. The owner was nowhere to be seen, and the staff were rude apart from the cleaning lady. It's no good for a long stay, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. You'd be better off sleeping in your car. Anyone rating this place above one or two stars is either lying or hasn't stayed in an average to decent motel before. Be aware and don't come here.

Very budget accommodation, and you do get used to the noise from the main road and fridge if you stay long enough. The gardens and lawns were a mess, with weeds everywhere. Room service, what room service? I had to ask more than once to get the linen changed. The rooms are left open to anyone, so don't leave valuables there. It's mostly clean, just don't look up. Might suit a business project that means staying away, but I wouldn't really recommend it. Very budget!