2-Star Hotels in Kaikoura

We were returning to our base in North Island after spending a fortnight or so touring South Island, and staged overnight in Kaikoura on our way up to Picton. Most of our journey had been in glorious sunshine, but as we reach this famous whale watching resort, we started to feel the tail-end of Cyclone Gabriella which had already devastated many parts of the North. Thus, as we drove around the Esplanade trying to find the motel, our efforts were complicated by heavy rains and surging seas spilling over onto the road. The Beach Motel is not well sign-posted, and is dominated by another property next door, but we found it eventually. Our allocated chalet-style room was bright, spacious and clean with two bedrooms to accommodate a small family. It was also convenient for the one or two restaurants nearer the town centre. Good value and recommended.

I stayed at Dusky for work throughout the winter of 2021 up until the recent spring. Russell the manager was absolutely incredible.Proper legend. He went out of his way to help me, no request was ever too much and always made sure my time staying was to the utmost standard. All with a smile on his face. I work remotely and sometimes this spans time-zones, giving me strange hours. Russell was always so courteous to this fact and always made sure everything was ok with my work/life/staying schedule. The team he's put together are great; always friendly, happy to help and just to talk to in passing. All this with the uncertainty amid a pandemic. I cannot thank Russell enough. Kitchen is spacious, very clean and always had a great atmosphere with the other guests passing through, so all of the above with absolutely great value, there is no shadow of a doubt that I will be returning to stay; business or leisure.

When you stay at Sierra Beachfront Motel in Kaikoura, you'll be near the beach, within a 5-minute drive of Kaikoura Museum and Fyffe House. This beach hotel is 1.1 mi (1.7 km) from Kaikoura Beach and 1.1 mi (1.8 km) from Kaikoura District Museum.Make use of convenient amenities such as complimentary wireless internet access, a picnic area, and barbecue grills.The front desk is staffed during limited hours. Free self parking is available onsite.Make yourself at home in one of the 13 guestrooms featuring microwaves and LED televisions. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and satellite programming is available for your entertainment. Bathrooms have showers and hair dryers.

When you stay at Kaikoura Seaside Lodge in Kaikoura, you'll be on the beach, within a 5-minute drive of Peninsula Walkway and Point Kean Seal Colony. This beach hostel is 1.6 mi (2.6 km) from Kaikoura Beach and 17.5 mi (28.2 km) from Ohau Point Lookout.Enjoy recreation amenities such as bicycles to rent or take in the view from a garden. Additional amenities at this hostel include complimentary wireless internet access, babysitting (surcharge), and a communal living room.Grab a bite from the grocery/convenience store serving guests of Kaikoura Seaside Lodge.Featured amenities include microwave in a common area and refrigerator in a common area. Free self parking is available onsite.Make yourself at home in one of the 12 guestrooms featuring refrigerators and microwaves. Prepare your meals in the shared/communal kitchen. Complimentary wireless internet access is available to keep you connected. Bathrooms have showers and hair dryers.

We chose this motel because we were in a ute towing a furniture trailer and it looked to have good parking. This was certainly the case, and the owners went out of their way to make sure we had good parking. We were en route from Taupo to Queenstown and stayed two single nights on the way down and back. The units (12 and 15) had everything we needed for one night, they were clean and tidy, the beds were comfortable, the heat pump was very welcome and the kitchen had all that we needed (I liked the fact there was a coffee plunger although I didn't use it). Downside - no flannels in the bathroom on the first night (unit 12) and the units looked tired and dated, especially unit 15. A lick of paint would do wonders. WiFi was not very good but the weather was poor, especially on the second visit and I think the atmospherics were not helping.

We were recommended to stay, by friends, and we were not disappointed. Very clean, tidy, cosy unit for an overnight stay on our way to Christchurch. Friendly hosts, Shirley and Morgan, and our unit 12, Studio unit had everything we needed. Quiet from highway noise. You do hear the 2 trains but we love hearing them. Loved the fact that we could go out the gate at the end of the property and walk onto the beautiful, pounding surf beach. Sunrise the next morning, with snow on the mountains, was stunning. We will be back.

From the moment we walked into Waves, we knew that we were going to enjoy ourselves. There is parking underneath that it is a bit difficult to get in and out, thank goodness for reverse cameras in cars. The view from the room is spectacular and we were lucky enough to have two perfect beautiful days. We had a two bedroom apartment, one of which had an ensuite. Each room had a queen size bed and luggage rack. There was a washing machine and dryer and you could ask for an airer too. The unit was very comfortable, had magnificent views and was nice and quiet. It also had a pod coffee machine. The room is serviced daily. Towels, tea towels, etc are all replaced and the beds made. Would definitely recommend Waves.

This B&B was pricier than my other bookings on my long trip to New Zealand, however, saying that, I felt that it was good ”bang for buck”. The first thing is that you are not located on the main highway, North of the town. If you want access to groceries, liquor, etc, this is where you want to be (and you'll be on a noisy highway with many motels). But, if you want an experience that you will never forget, then stay here. I was dropped off by the bus and walking and, even with pushing my 50 lb suitcase up a steep path and sweating my brains out, I was so impressed with where I landed up (and I'm 64 yrs old!). The Lemon Tree Lodge is a small B&B, run by a family. I met the lady (can't remember her name, sorry), and she was lovely. The manager of the hotel, a young woman from Italy working on a Work Visa, was also very attentive to anything that I asked for. I can't understand how anybody could complain about the self-serve breakfast here. They had everything (other than fried foods - eggs, bacon) that you could imagine. I never get why some tourists consider things ”bad” if it's not exactly what they eat at home. That's why you travel :) And, as far as stating that you talk to nobody in this B&B and that it is very inpersonal, that is probably because you never said hello to anybody. Again, take responsibility for your happiness and talk to people. I spoke with the owner, the manager (many times) and at least 3 other couples staying there from different countries (over a 2 day period). I stayed in the Sunflower Room (not ocean view) and I might as well have been in the room with a view because every chance I had, I walked around (30 seconds) to the front and sat in the area that was there for the back rooms to enjoy the views, which are stunning by the way! I must have sat there 4 times in 3 days.

When you stay at Willowbank Motel in Kaikoura, you'll be near the beach, within a 5-minute drive of Kaikoura Beach and Kaikoura Museum. This motel is 1.4 mi (2.2 km) from Kaikoura District Museum and 3.3 mi (5.3 km) from Fyffe House.Make use of convenient amenities such as complimentary wireless internet access, tour/ticket assistance, and barbecue grills.Take advantage of the motel's room service.Featured amenities include wired internet access (surcharge), a 24-hour front desk, and laundry facilities. Free self parking is available onsite.Make yourself at home in one of the 12 guestrooms featuring refrigerators. Complimentary wireless internet access is available to keep you connected. Bathrooms have shower/tub combinations and hair dryers. Conveniences include phones, as well as coffee/tea makers and irons/ironing boards.

New modern hotel with a mainly neutral colour scheme. Reasonable amount of parking on site, or plenty along the Esplanade. Rooms average size. We went as a group so we had no choice, many of us ended up in rooms with twin beds, they are very comfortable but when you share your bed with your spouse, this wasn't expected nor enjoyed. No electric blankets. It's the middle of winter. I did phone reception 3 times over a couple of issues but the calls were never answered. The rooms heat pump is good, though no heating in the corridor and reception is rather cool too. Tea and coffee making facilities and a small fridge. Glasses, but no wine glasses in the rooms. Good sized bathroom and good shower. They only provide one hard club chair, seating for anyone else there's a round squab or the bed. Most of the signs are in Maori, only one in our large group could understand a few words. The large group of Asians also staying had no idea of what anything meant. Excellent staff. Helpful and friendly. Uniforms a little casual for this level of hotel. Catering for large groups can often be a challenge, the food offered suited all tastes and was very good. Good cocktail menu. I don't drink much, but really enjoy an Aussie Shiraz, but they only stock NZ wines. Just meant I drank water. The hotel is sited down the south end of the Esplanade, so a bit of a walk to the township. Good, modern, clean, quiet 4.5 star hotel.