Room Information
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Recent reviews shared by hotel guests
The bar and location may suit some visitors, and it seems better set up for RVs than families. We left a day early, though, after a disappointing stay, then ordered two pizzas and fries for $82. The food was decent, but not worth that price. At $85 a night, this was the poorest value we’ve found camping around NZ, and the layout felt disconnected for families. We’ve travelled a long way to visit the Catlins, so I hate writing such a bad review, especially since most of my other reviews are positive, but I’d want other families to know. We booked about a month ahead and asked in the notes for a larger grassy pitch for our caravan and awning. When we arrived after 4pm, staff said caravans weren’t allowed on the grass, even though we showed them the website listing for powered tent/caravan sites. They said we could use a grass site after all, but the spot they had in mind was too small. The RV space they offered was small too, so I said I’d try to make the grass site work. We couldn’t get a camp map to take with us and were told to photograph it instead. We wound up parking on an unnumbered patch of grass. It was hard to believe they expected six tents to share a 300m2 area when our caravan and awning alone take about 40m2, and there were only four power outlets. The amenities block had signs saying it was closed for cleaning from 10am to noon, but much of the time we saw no cleaning, the bins were overflowing, and the bathrooms were smelly and dirty. For families, I’d stay closer to papatowai or owaka. If you do try this place, don’t expect the kiwi hospitality you’ll find elsewhere.
The damp smell and dated feel of the units stood out during what became the lowest-standard stop of our month in New Zealand. We’d stayed in hotels, motels, backpacker lodges and campgrounds, and this was unfortunately the most disappointing accommodation of the trip. The toilets had lasting stains that made them seem less clean than they should have been. The bathroom soap ran out while we were there. We told staff, but it was never replaced. More care with maintenance, cleanliness and basic supplies could make a real difference.
I asked the cleaner to deal with the bathroom after our first night. She said it was dirty because they’d been busy and that all she had was a mop. Later I checked with the manager, who said someone would come in 10-15 minutes, but nobody showed up. When we raised our disappointment at checkout, we got dismissive excuses. The bathroom was the dirtiest I’ve ever seen in a place I’ve stayed. There was extensive black and pink mold, which looked to me like months of buildup without attention. It left me feeling as if the staff didn’t care, or were making fun of my patience. The place has potential, but it felt like it was being run into the ground. It absolutely wasn’t worth the cost. Maybe at $20 a night if you can tolerate filth.
We were so disappointed that we left after just one day. The apparent hardstanding turned into grey mud in the rain, and the restaurant was dingy, with a limited menu at high prices. The website videos don’t fairly show what the place is actually like. At reception there was little warmth, and nobody told us anything about the site or nearby area. The bathrooms, kitchen and lounge were primitive, with no heating in the kitchen or showers. The shower temperature couldn’t be adjusted and was much too low. The buildings were basic corrugated iron with no insulation. One of the three women’s toilets was screwed shut, and the facilities overall needed major updating and care. We can’t recommend this site.
The food information online didn’t match what was available. The restaurant only opened from 5pm and closed at 7pm, and its menu had been cut back a lot from the website version. Maybe that was down to previous owners, but it felt like cost cutting. I can’t see how The Whistling Frog has a 4.1 rating with so many one-star reviews. Our stay was terrible, and I wouldn’t recommend it. I wish I’d read more honest reviews before booking. This isn’t four-star worthy, and I’d give it zero if I could. Our room wasn’t ready when we arrived. We walked into a dirty motel room with towels and sheets bundled on the floor, then were moved to another room. We’d paid for a queen bed but got a double, and the advertised TV didn’t work. Staff blamed a satellite problem, even though rooms beside ours had working TVs. The pillowcases were stained, so I wondered whether the sheets had been changed at all. There was human hair on the bathroom floor, including what looked very much like a stray pube. Service on arrival was poor and very unwelcoming. We left early and told the staff the room wasn’t what we’d booked or up to standard. They said they wouldn’t refund the extra night. Even a free drink or coffee might have softened the disappointment, but some basic customer service would have helped. To the Whistling Frog, please don’t respond with the usual “sorry to hear about your experience” and leave it at that. Actually make changes to how you treat customers and do better.
Everything available at this property
Explore attractions, restaurants and transport around the hotel
2.3 km 29 min walk
322 m 4 min walk
