The Crown Hotel Napier

The staff were friendly and helpful, and my room was quiet and quite spacious. It had a jacuzzi tub, and the place was well situated for my short stay in Napier. For better privacy while still letting in light, sheer curtains would be useful. I also had to take liquid soap from the shower, so a dispenser by the bathtub and sink would help.

Ahuriri gave us the mix we wanted: small-town charm, culture, beach, relaxation and a local feel. We stayed at the Crown Hotel, where the spacious, well-equipped suites have terraces and sea views for a very reasonable price. Shops, bars and restaurants are an easy walk away, and the beach is only 50 meters off. Parking is right under the building. Michelle and the whole team were incredibly helpful. We only had three days, though this is the sort of stay that could easily fill a week. We'll definitely return, even if Austria is a long way away. Napier is a must-visit in New Zealand: it was destroyed by a catastrophic earthquake and rebuilt in Art Deco style, something you won't find elsewhere in the world. If you want to stay in the heart of a small town, there are many hotels to choose from, but for this combination of coast, culture and local idyll, Ahuriri is the place to be, ideally at the Crown Hotel.

We spent two nights at The Crown Hotel Napier for our wedding celebration, and it became one of the most unsettling and distressing hotel stays we've ever had. After the first night, we came back to find the room disturbed and some jewellery missing. When we raised this with staff and the general manager, Michelle, she was defensive and dismissive instead of offering help or concern. We have a recording of the call. A staff member, Clinton, behaved in a way we found extremely inappropriate and uncomfortable throughout our stay. His uniform was torn in a way that left him exposed, and his conduct felt unprofessional. The room was in poor condition too. The “jacuzzi” was a basic bath with filthy jets, there were stains on the bedding, and damp patches on the walls that looked like mould. Overall cleanliness was unacceptable. We also saw flashing lights in the fake fire detector and what looked like a small camera in a vent. We photographed it and raised it with reception, but were told it was “impossible.” Feeling watched in a private room left us unsafe and violated. After checkout, one of our phones was missing as well. Its location tracking showed it was still at the hotel, but staff denied having it when we showed them the evidence and even threatened to call the police. We reported this to the authorities. This was disturbing, not just disappointing. The staff behaviour, missing belongings, unsanitary room and lack of accountability left us feeling that basic safety and respect for guests had failed. Think twice before booking here. We would never stay again.

The rooms were clean and had a great view, though there was some noise at night. There are dinner and breakfast options close by, and off-street parking.