Dolphin Motel

The location was a real plus, with the beach, shops, restaurants and ferry terminals all an easy walk away. We could get around without a car, whether heading out for Bay of Islands activities or just strolling along the waterfront. It was also quiet and peaceful at night, a nice place to unwind after exploring Paihia. The room at Dolphin Motel, Paihia was spotless, modern and well cared for. The bed was very comfortable, the bathroom pristine, and everything I needed was there. From arrival, the staff were genuinely friendly and welcoming, and happy to help with directions, recommendations or questions. The owners clearly take pride in looking after guests, and the atmosphere felt personal and relaxing compared with a larger hotel. It exceeded my expectations for comfort, cleanliness, value and location. I’d happily stay again and recommend it to friends and family visiting Paihia. An easy five-star experience.

Our family of five stayed in the family unit, which is huge, well maintained and sleeps seven. The staff were really friendly and happy to help with any questions. The motel is an easy walk from Paihia’s shops and places to eat. The passenger ferry to Russell is across the main road from the restaurants.

We had the wheelchair-accessible room, and with our baby the large bathroom and bath were a bonus. The receptionist was graceful in every way, and the customer service was the best part. We’d left a load of washing on in the morning and forgotten about it. When we came back at night, they’d dried and folded our clothes and left them on a trolley ready for me to take away. They didn’t have to do that, especially since it was my fault. The room was dated, though, and a few things made getting around harder in the chair. The carpet was hard to roll on, the corners between the room and bathroom were sharp so I had to make wide or five-point turns, and there wasn’t really any shelf space in the shower. We made it work and were grateful to find a place to stay. These were minor improvements that would have made the stay easier, and we’d absolutely come back.

Awa and the whole team gave great service and were very helpful. My family liked the motel atmosphere. The location is the best. Highly recommended.