Midway Pacifica Lodge

I booked four days but left after one night. The room was filthy and smelled, with mould around the oven, shower and bedroom carpet, stains all over the carpet, mould on the curtains and windows, and mirrors you couldn't see into. I couldn't get the key without collecting it from another motel. The TV didn't work, there was no internet password, and nobody was available to help. It was very hard to get a refund. Disgusting, it doesn't deserve even one star.

The grounds were quite noisy, and even with modern furnishings I don't think the place is worth much. The rooms are decent, but getting checked in was complicated. I had to speak to a woman because the instructions weren't clear, and another group arriving at the same time was very confused too. Pretty rubbish, to be honest.

As soon as we walked in there was a strong mould smell. The curtains and windows were covered in mould, the pillows had blood stains, and around 40% of every mattress was stained. The oven and microwave were filthy too. We decided not to stay and asked for a refund, then had to find somewhere else at double the price because it was last minute. No response at all. Absolutely disgusting.

The room stank of mould, and the plates and cutlery looked wiped clean rather than washed. The TV didn't work, the shower was filthy, and the carpet was just a piece that didn't cover the whole floor. At check-in, we were told to pay a $100 bond before we could even see the room. I agreed on the condition I'd get an invoice for the refundable bond, and said I'd photograph the room when we arrived and left so there'd be a record for its return. The receptionist didn't look pleased but agreed. Seven days later the bond still hadn't been returned. After an initial call, I was told they'd call me back, but later calls went to voicemail. I had to ring from another number and have a seriously aggressive conversation before they finally returned it. This company owns several motels in the area, and the reviews for all of them are atrocious. Wellington doesn't deserve people like this ruining tourism in the city.