Snowhaven

The road outside is very busy, and the traffic can be loud, especially if you're a light sleeper. The fridge also makes a low hum when it's otherwise quiet. Be careful with the plunge coffee maker, as it can splash coffee on you. The motel itself is clean and compact, with a good bed, a double plus a single, a big TV, and everything you'd expect for preparing meals.

We were looking forward to staying, since family had told us it was lovely, but a bereavement meant we couldn't make the trip. I contacted the accommodation through booking.com and tried calling well ahead to ask about a credit or voucher so we could rebook later. The only reply came through booking.com on the morning we were due to arrive. The communication was very poor. We'll remember this and stick with our usual place.

The location worked for shopping, and the service was okay, though it was handled over the phone. The unit was very small. Road noise was terrible, with truck and trailer units constantly heading to or coming from Wellington.

The location made it easy to walk to the supermarket and other shops, and parking was no problem. The room was a good size, with useful amenities and a well-equipped kitchen. Electric blankets and a heat pump kept it warm. We did hear some road noise at night, but it wasn't too disruptive. Netflix on the TV was a nice bonus. A very pleasant stay.