Oceanside Apartment

We had a pleasant, easy one-night stay at Oceanside Resort & Twin Tower while I was in town for work, and I brought my partner along. The hotel is right by the Mount, with the beach and nearby stores within walking distance. A short drive takes you to nice shops, cafes and restaurants, and we had dinner at one of them. The room was reasonably spacious and good value for a quick business trip. The bed was huge and much more comfortable than many I've slept on while travelling. We weren't expecting a special view based on the listing, but from the balcony we could see part of the mount off to the right. The air conditioning cooled the room well, though it was a little dusty. Towels and tea and coffee were provided, but there were no tissues or usual bathing soaps. The rubbish and cleaning arrangements were a bit different from what I'm used to, but easy enough to follow. Check-in was straightforward. The man at reception greeted us warmly, and explained the check-in and parking clearly. The car park was manageable, although I can see larger vehicles having a harder time. After checkout, our $250 bond was refunded quickly, within a couple of hours on our drive back to Auckland. For one night at a very affordable price, it was a good stay.

We confirmed by phone that we'd booked in the towers, but when we arrived we were given a room in the resort instead. It was tired, nothing like what we'd expected, and poor value for money. We were told it was one of the best rooms. I've uploaded photos of it. We were also surprised to have a $250 bond taken from our account as soon as we reached the room. We were told some or all of it could be kept if the manager didn't think we'd left the room clean enough. The staff were very rude, and the way they handled our concerns was unsatisfactory and extremely disrespectful. The business model doesn't seem aimed at bringing customers back. I won't return and would advise others to stay away under the current management.

The room was clean and comfortable, facing the mountain, and the receptionist was friendly. The directions and check-in process were easy to follow from the emails. We only stayed one night, but it was good value and we could walk to the township, cafes, beach and trail below the mountain without using the car. My one complaint is the $250 bond. It cost more than our night's stay. I travel around NZ and overseas, and this is the most I've paid for a bond at an average motel. When I have had to pay one, it has never been more than $100.

Room 203, Sat 29 May 2026. I want to thank the staff, especially the Management. He and his wife were so sincere. Thank you very much. You pay a $250 bond when you arrive, and it is reimbursed when you leave. Tina