Bay Cottages

All communication was friendly and helpful. We were going to be arriving late, so we rang to let them know. We received a cheerful response saying this would be fine. The unit was very clean and warm. It was fully set up with all utensils and appliances. Although it wasn't required it was good to see the unit including the bathroom facilities were accessible to disabled people. If we return to the area we would certainly return here and also recommend Bay Cottages.

This motel is perfect, it is such a great location and unit was so comfortable. You are across the road from south bay beach, it is so tranquil here compared to the town centre and it's lovely to walk up to the jetties and up to the headland. We had a very friendly welcome and it was a nice touch as part of check in that we were shown around our unit explaining how things worked and where to find things. The unit was well equipped, comfy bed and a powerful shower. They also have a wonderfully friendly little cat. The only negative was the wifi which kept on cutting out, probably as we were in one of the furthest units from the office and also when all units occupied so everyone using it, but we managed OK using cellular data. We had a lovely holiday here and highly recommend it as a place to stay in Kaikoura.

The location was great as a base for the whale watching trip that we wanted to take - and the view of the mountains and sea from the road outside was beautiful. The town itself is a ten minutes drive into the next bay. Reception upon arrival was something of-a transactional process including an explanation of ‘the rules’ and when checking out, a friendly good morning by me to the man who was helping to service the apartments, was acknowledged by no more than a cursory nod - not quite the friendly approach we’d encountered everywhere else on our long trip around the country. Anyway, the room was perfectly fine, it was very clean and had everything we needed for a comfortable enough stay and to do our laundry. The room was described as having Netflix and free internet, which I guess it did, but the internet was only strong enough for consistent access in certain parts of the room.

Lovely setting across the road from a rocky beach. Luckily for us the magnificent pohutukawa tree out the front was in full flower. The place is out of the main drag at south bay but you can walk through the forest to the main village or just walk up the hill and back along a different route. The hosts Gus and Larisa were delightful and very helpful. The room has a kitchenette with hot plates and microwave. We were there on New Year’s Eve and it was quiet even then except for the odd pop of fireworks. Lovely!

My stay at this motel was just fabulous. I was in Cottage 3 and I looked out onto fields and the mighty Kaikoura snow-covered mountain range. Glorious. All the cottages are detached so you don't get any noises coming through from your neighbours. The cottage has excellent heating and a huge king size bed. Separate bathroom with shower, loo and basin. No traffic noise - quietest place I have ever stayed in and I'll be booking there again when I have a stop over in KK on my way to Picton or ChCh. Six stars from me. 🤗