Family Apartment, 2 Bedrooms
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Reviews of Dolphin Motel

4 out of 5
Dolphin Motel
69 Williams Road, Paihia

Reviews

8.6

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 312 out of 626 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 207 out of 626 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 64 out of 626 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 32 out of 626 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 11 out of 626 reviews" "

8.8/10

Cleanliness

8.8/10

Staff & service

8.6/10

Amenities

8.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.0/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

6/10 Okay

John

Kind of got what we paid for but it was very dated and although it has a kitchen it was not well equipped. No sharp knives. The microwave had to be lifted off its stand to be plugged in, Which was no easy feat. The staff were friendly and it was certainly large and clean enough.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024
Response from Dolphin Motel Management on Apr 18, 2024
Thank you for taking your time to give us a review and point out things we are lacking. It is not in our intention to make your stay any difficult. Once again we would like to thank you for choosing Dolphin Motel as your accommodation provider and we hope to make up for the lacking for the next time. It was delightful to accommodate you.

10/10 Excellent

Tammara

Travelled with family, Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Thank you for having us!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024
Response from mo on Apr 3, 2024
Thank You for your review

8/10 Good

Sally

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Excellent location. Within walking distance of wharf area and major restaurants. Facilities were clean. Bed was comfortable. Staff were friendly.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2024
Response from Dolphin Motel Management on Apr 2, 2024
Many thanks for your review. And as well as choosing Dolphin Motel as your accommodation provider.Dolphin Motel Management

10/10 Excellent

Shayne

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Warm and welcoming. Private and central to town centre. Less than 3min walk
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024
Response from Dolphin Motel Management on Apr 2, 2024
Much appreciate for your review and many thanks for choosing Dolphin Motel as your accommodation.Dolphin Motel Management

10/10 Excellent

Brylee

Travelled with family and small children, Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I really enjoyed how close everything was, walking distance to the closest grocery store and takeaways as well as the township. View was amazing. Definitely 9/10
Response from Dolphin Motel Management on Apr 2, 2024
Many thanks for your review. And as well as choosing Dolphin Motel as your accommodation provider.Dolphin Motel Management

8/10 Good

Bruce

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
We booked 3 rooms and none of them had a decent hot water system. The hot water ran cold after 2 minutes in all of them The rooms are getting very dated. However the staff were very friendly and helpful Location was good
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024
Response from mo on Mar 20, 2024
Good Morning your comments have been notedthanks for your review

10/10 Excellent

Rachel

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautifully clean rooms. We had a nice balcony. Great parking. Would definitely go back again.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024
Response from mo on Mar 20, 2024
Thank You for your review

10/10 Excellent

dwight

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Margaret was very helpful!
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024
Response from mo on Mar 13, 2024
Thank you for your review

8/10 Good

Mark

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The manager was very friendly and helpful
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024
Response from mo on Mar 15, 2024
Thank you for taking the time to give a review

8/10 Good

Carolyn

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Pity there was no ice tray in the fridge.. everything else was great
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024
Response from mo on Mar 13, 2024
Thank you for your review Ice trays available on request

6/10 Okay

Shylah

Travelled with group
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
This is a classic motel in a small town. We were in the older side of the establishment, the room as quite dated as were the appliances. The towels were very small and were quite old (white towels but were grey and fraying). The space was good as it fit the purpose we needed (a bed and a shower) however it wouldn't be somewhere we'd book if we were spending lots of time in the room. The staff were very lovely and helpful.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2024
Response from mo on Mar 13, 2024
Thank You for your review comments noted

10/10 Excellent

Madison

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We had a wonderful stay here! Definitely stay in the deluxe superior rooms as you’ll be in the newer section/build onsite. Lovely stay and super close to everything. Parking onsite.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024
Response from mo on Mar 4, 2024
Thank you for your reveiw

10/10 Excellent

Helena

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location. Clean, comfortable room with nice balcony.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024
Response from mo on Mar 3, 2024
Thank you for your review

10/10 Excellent

Sandra

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Older motel but well kept up. Clean and had everything required for our stay. Great location.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024
Response from mo on Feb 29, 2024
Thank you for your review

2/10 Terrible

Gregory

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I agree with the negative reviews, what pictures you see on the website is not what you get. They advertise this beautiful photo but you stay in this old part of the motel. The management has let this part go into disrepair as the carpet is worn out in some sections and there is mould in the rooms and they do smell. The major problem is there is no smoke alarm in the room and it can be seen that they don’t care and it’s seen time after time again in the reviews
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024
Response from mo on Feb 26, 2024
Your comments have been noted and passed to the owners

6/10 Okay

Man Chuen

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Staff & service
Nice staff. The room was big and spacious. Very good location as it is right in the centre of Paihia. Airconditioning was not working very well which the remote control was not working. A lot of grasshoppers in the room. The room smelled a bit moldy.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024
Response from mo on Feb 23, 2024
Thank you for your review your comments have been noted

8/10 Good

Gerald, Dartmouth

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Older property charm with newly renovated well equipped rooms. The kitchenette was a nice surprise
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024
Response from mo on Feb 17, 2024
Thank you for you review

4/10 Poor

G

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Will not stay there again
The owners have a problem understanding English. I wasn't convinced that the linen was clean. The bathroom smelt of urine. Too few powerpoints in the unit for charging devices. Guests are expected to wash, dry and put away any dishes, cutlery used or face a $40 surcharge. My first shower ran cold after about 2 minutes. I explained to the duty manager before leaving for the day. When I returned I spoke to the woman owner and she didn't seem to know about it or understand what I was saying. She said her husband would be home at 5pm to look at it. He came in and ran hot water through the kitchen tap and said all was working. Next morning same thing happened, hot for a couple of minutes then cold. Told them again and left. I was staying there by myself, if I had my wife with me I would have found somewhere else on the first night. There are 2 motels there old one and newer one, I was in the older one, I hope the newer one is a better experience. Can not recommend.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024
Response from mo on Feb 15, 2024
Your comments have been noted

10/10 Excellent

Brenda

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Clean and roomy. Check in and check out very easy. Friendly staff.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024
Response from mo on Feb 17, 2024
Thank you for your reveiw

6/10 Okay

Wendy

Liked: Room comfort
Great location
We had a two night stay in a Superior King room which was in the newer part of the motel so was modern although fairly compact. The carpet was stained and the bottom edge of the shower had a build up of grime but otherwise the room was clean. We were surprised that there were no coathangers in the wardrobe and it would be good to have a hook on the back of the bathroom door. There is no milk provided only packets of creamer which is not great in tea. The check in process was rather interesting as we had to find our name and room number on a piece of paper stuck on the Reception door even though there was a lady at the Reception desk. On the positive side the location is great and it is an easy flat walk to the shops.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024
Response from mo on Feb 15, 2024
your comments have been noted

4/10 Poor

Tristan

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Shower full of mould, previous occupants hair on towel, stains on carpet inside door. Stay felt dirty and unpleasant. Won't use again.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024
Response from mo on Feb 8, 2024
Your comments have been noted sorry you felt this way

10/10 Excellent

Jamie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Outstanding service. I asked for an early check in to get ready for a wedding and it was happily accommodated. Spacious newly renovated rooms with all facilities provided. I'd definitely stay again.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024
Response from mo on Feb 2, 2024
Thank you for your kind reveiw

10/10 Excellent

Hilda

Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice tidy and quiet
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024
Response from mo on Feb 1, 2024
Thank you for your review

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The Motel is close to town and very convenient for walking to dinner. Rooms are well appointed with cooking facilities if required. Quiet location. My only concern was the noise from children running around in an upstairs room till late, which stopped when a couple of other guests and I spoke to the parents.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024
Response from mo on Feb 1, 2024
Thank you for your review

10/10 Excellent

REEMA

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice place
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024
Response from mo on Jan 31, 2024
Thank you for your review glad you enjoyed your stay

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2024
Response from mo on Jan 31, 2024
Thank you for your review

10/10 Excellent

Edward

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024
Response from mo on Jan 29, 2024
Thank you for your review

10/10 Excellent

William

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024
Response from mo on Jan 27, 2024
Thank You for your review

6/10 Okay

Carol

The bed and kitchenette was clean but the carpet was dirty, and the shower had mold. The pillows were huge and hard, bring your own. Reception is only open limited times so plan accordingly. Parking was convenient.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024
Response from mo on Jan 26, 2024
your comments have been noted thank you

6/10 Okay

Eva

Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024
Response from mo on Feb 20, 2024
thank you for your review

8/10 Good

Rinku

Travelled with group
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024
Response from mo on Jan 26, 2024
thank you for your review

6/10 Okay

Binoy, Epping

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Amenities
Best Location. Outdated Rooms.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023
Response from mo on Jan 26, 2024
Thank You

6/10 Okay

Craig

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Room comfort
No AC despite being advertised to have it. But the biggest problem was the shower. There was a sign that it was powered by gas so nearly instant hot water but the knob was sensitive. There's sensitive and there's non functional. It only has 2 temperatures - full scalding hot and full cold. Even when you think you finally found warm or good hot for a second, it will go full cold (or scalding hot) without moving the knob on it's own. Location is good, just far enough away from town to be not noisy but a couple minutes walk from the main strip. Staff friendly. But the lack of being able to get a proper shower is a deal breaker. And the no AC was not great either. Bed and pillows were not the most comfortable either - not bad but not the best.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024
Response from mo on Jan 26, 2024
Your comments have been noted thank you

8/10 Good

David

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024
Response from mo on Jan 26, 2024
Thank You

10/10 Excellent

Lata

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Clean , staff friendly and close to everything
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024
Response from mo on Jan 26, 2024
Thank you

10/10 Excellent

Jack

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Wonderful place comfortable beds close to town and just so friendly
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2023
Response from mo on Dec 24, 2023
Thank you for your review Merry Christmas and a happy safe new year

8/10 Good

Shipping

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Amenities
Overall was a good time. Water wasn't drinkable though, tasted salty so had to buy water bottles. And the shower was either hot or cold, wasn't until the last day we managed to find the middle ground, which was a bit sucky for me as I am partial to warm showers. But the property itself was nice and the room was quite comfortable and within easy walking distance of just about everything Paihia has to offer.
Response from mo on Dec 20, 2023
Issues noted thank you for your reveiw

10/10 Excellent

Amy

Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023
Response from mo on Dec 20, 2023
Thank you for your review

2/10 Terrible

Nikki

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very unprofessional. Would not recommend this place and will not be returning in the future
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2023
Response from mo on Dec 24, 2023
noted thank you

4/10 Poor

Kahu

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Response from mo on Dec 24, 2023
noted

10/10 Excellent

Jeanikka

Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023
Response from mo on Dec 9, 2023
Thank you for your review

10/10 Excellent

Dennis

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Convenient Location
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023
Response from mo on Dec 6, 2023
Thank you for taking the time to give a review

10/10 Excellent

Dennis

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023
Response from mo on Dec 9, 2023
Thank you for your review

6/10 Okay

Vicki

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Outside furniture was dated and rusty
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2023
Response from mo on Dec 9, 2023
I agree new replacements on order

10/10 Excellent

Wendy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Another great stay.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2023
Response from mo on Dec 9, 2023
Thanks for your review

8/10 Good

Shane

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2023
Response from mo on Nov 18, 2023
Thank You for your review

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Ordinary stay
Ordinary, room wasn't cleaned daily and towels not changed out daily as motel has policy to save water so towels changed out every 2nd day. Also needed to cleaned dishes etc, if left would be charged $40. Even if you were staying more than 2 days they didn't clean dishes when they came in to clean the room. If the policy had been highlighted prior to booking I wouldn't have booked. When I book motel/hotel etc I like to relax and enjoy the stay without cleaning even if it's dishes
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023
Response from mo on Nov 24, 2023
points noted thank you

10/10 Excellent

Anne

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great location. Nicely designed space and facilities.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023
Response from mo on Nov 11, 2023
Thank you for your review

8/10 Good

Colin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Good location, near shopping, transportation and the beach. Friendly & helpful duty manager. Well ventilated and heated for any season.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023
Response from mo on Oct 31, 2023
Thank you for your review safe travels

8/10 Good

Anna

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
I had a good stay! There was no one to check in due to staff shortages though and I arrived to my room door open and one set of keys on the table. I was a little uneasy as wasn’t sure if there was meant to be two and someone had taken the second set. Bed was also quite hard. But apart from that parking was easy, room was tidy and clean, tv worked well and kitchen had everything you’d need :)
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023
Response from Kath on Oct 30, 2023
Thank you for your response, we do try to do our very best.