Top 5-Star Hotels in Kaikoura

Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2021 and had a wonderful relaxing family holiday. Unit faced the esplanade / seaside and included 2 balconies to watch for potential whale sightings - Apprently we had missed a pod of dolphins the day before right outside! Parking was inside an open garage on the G/F and close by. Apartment was fully self contained with full kitchen, Dining & Lounge and all appliances including washing machine, dryer & DishDrawer. 2 Bathrooms with Shower Domes over showers which helped to keep moisture to a minimum. LCD TVs in Lounge and master Bedroom. Can fully recommend the Encounter Cafe just down the road for breakfast - fast and tasty. Its part of the Dolphin Encounter Centre. Also right next door is the Mayfair Cinema originally built in 1934 and extensively rebuilt in 2020. A fantastic example of Art Deco architecture and there's an exhibition of the rebuild beautifully photographed by a famous local artist. Look for the amazing wooden beams supporting the roof!

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.

Ideal location if you're arriving by bus and don't have a car, about a 9-10 minute walk on the flat from the Intercity bus stop, and a shorter distance back to the beach. All the units have a view of the mountains, and at the end of the complex is some farmland with the most incredible sunset views. I was given unit 5 which was one of 2 fully accessible units on the ground floor (I didn't specifically request it) including a proper wet area shower and it would be ideal for anyone with mobility problems. A very comfy bed, and nice to have some softer (and not so massively high) pillows that seem to be the norm everywhere now. Very tidy, heat pump worked well overnight, and the only noise was some people in the neighbouring unit arriving back. Certainly didn't need earplugs. The hosts were wonderful, very welcoming and very helpful with local information (many thanks for the tips about where to get good photos!)

The environment inside is very good, there are rooms like motel, there are also caravan camps, there are sauna, game hall, laundry room and other facilities. The location of the hotel is also very convenient.

Being on a road trip for 6 weeks in New Zealand, after a day’s drive, we arrived for a 2 night stay, ready to settle in and relax. Unfortunately, there was an error with our reservation - we booked 2 nights, but they had us for only 1 night and it was the busy Easter weekend. Our reservation was made 11 mos before and they immediately acknowledged their error and upgraded us to the only room left, a beachfront apartment! They were kind, courteous and definitely owned up to their error. The room was great, clean, wonderful location and best of all, a very comfortable bed and amazing recliners to sit and watch the ocean from our patio doors! Would highly recommend and was grateful for the wonderful service.

The office were lovely enough to let us in early which was great, lovely clean unit and linen and towels were lovely, and fully equipped kitchen. Only down fall was there was a terrible smell in unit which i did tell office in morning and the seemed to think it was from the people before us, seemed worse on returning at night after unit had been closed up for a couple of hours. Our unit had a lovely upstairs balcony with sea / street views, and staff all were very friendly

The location is relatively new, the room is quite new, the space is quite clean, and it is more comfortable. The credit card is not charged. There is a working time at the front desk. The key is returned to the key box.

The hotel is right by the lake, the conditions and facilities are wrong, and the service is good. My English is not good. The local guide I found Zhang Jiahao led the chartered car. It was very worry-free, the service was attentive, and the explanation was meticulous; the driving was smooth, highly recommended

My favourite hotel in NZ (both islands included). It combines the cleanliness and modernity that is usually characteristic of a fancy 5 star hotel, but in the cosy space of a family owned business with the level of concern and detail that can only be attributed to those of us who work hard and build a business on one’s own reputation. Every single day my room was serviced and immaculately cleaned, and the staff went out of their way to make our stay more pleasant and comfortable. It’s only walking distance from the main ***** of shops and cafés, and the beachside walk is worth it just to catch a glimpse of the occasional seal or dolphin. Jen and Warren have poured their hearts into this hotel, creating a space most welcoming and warm, emanating creativity and good style. I won’t stay anywhere else.

A lovely friendly welcome greeted us after a long drive from Christchurch. Situated just off the main highway, it is easy to find. The suites are a good size, very quiet, well equipped, good shower, and each has an outdoor space over looking a central courtyard. There is a supermarket and a pub serving good food within walking distance. The small charming town is a 2 minute drive away. This is not a beach resort but great for dolphin whale & seal watching. Thoroughly recommend.