We stayed one night here as we were heading South. It was a decent value and walking distance to Ellerslie's main drag of restaurants - though we drove due to rain. The internet was not too expensive and you had the option of using the TV as a monitor while browsing along with a wireless keyboard. It didn't work perfectly, but it was effective enough. It rained lightly nonstop all night and around 5am our ceiling developed a leak right on the vinyl kitchen floor. It was obvious after scanning the ceiling that this room had suffered many leaks before. I referred to the hotel book which stated the reception line was to be used in case of emergency. No one answered. Then I noticed that the book also advertised daytime hours for the reception. Because, I happened to be awake and heard the water dripping on the floor neither of of us woke up to a potential slip in the kitchen first thing in the morning. I suggest management stop using that room until they are certain it does not leak and develop some means of contact for guests "after hours".

We (husband, wife, father and two teenagers) travelled to Auckland for a Warriors game and wanted to stay here as the sleeping configuration of the family suite suited our travelling party (1 x queen, 3 x singles) and the Motor Inn’s closeness to Mt Smart Stadium. It was ideally located for the game and it was only $8 for the taxi van to the stadium. We booked and paid for a family suite through Wotif and were called the next day by Ellerslie International to advise there had been a double booking.

They offered us 2 x 1 bedroom units next door to each other for the same price as the family suite – with a “small” surcharge of $25 per night per room – so really, not the same price at all. We asked for them to be the same price as the family suite on the basis they offered a family suite; we accepted that suite and had already paid for it. It wasn't our fault they made a mistake in the number of suites advertised. The receptionist (I think her name was Lisa) said she didn’t have authority to approve this request so she’d ask and call me back at 1pm. At 10am the next day I still hadn’t heard anything. I phoned to follow up and another receptionist I spoke with had no record of what was happening with our booking. (Note to accommodation providers – don’t get guests to chase you!) She advised me the receptionist I must have spoken to was off that day. This lady also said she’d have someone call me a.s.a.p. I heard nothing until Lisa called me the following day to advise she’d spoken with her supervisor and the $25 surcharge was to remain and we had until the end of the day to accept “or unfortunately, they’d have to release the rooms”. Just three days out from the game, tickets in hand, cars serviced and ready to go the 1400km round trip, we felt we had little choice but to accept. Not a good start.

Even worse, when we arrived, our party had been put in two units at opposite ends of the complex. When I politely but firmly told the manager this is the second poor experience I’ve had with the hotel, she put her hands in the air and shouted (yes – shouted!) "What do you want me to do about it? It’s not like I can physically move the units closer together for you”. Good lord! In our two day stay, there seemed to be two x 1 bedroom units next to each other that I thought hadn’t been used during our stay (we walked past multiple times each day to get to each other’s units). I asked the lovely cleaning lady if this was the case and she confirmed it was. I was riled that during our conversation, the manageress didn’t check to see if other rooms were available and that we took it at face value. I think I may have peeved them off even more, as the second night we waited for 22 minutes at the bar for someone to come and serve us. Oh, and despite the receptionist’s assurance the pool was hot even in winter; the pool is FREEZING in June. Ekk! Okay, rant over.

On the positive side, the rooms were clean and of a good size for 2-3 people. The small kitchenette was fine for warming and preparing pre-packaged foods and the shower was very good. The beds gave a quality sleep and free parking is ALWAYS good. All in all, I do believe better value for money can be found in other accommodation across Auckland, but my judgement may be distorted, as not once did we receive an apology from the manager for the way our booking had been handled.

Very friendly staff, especially on check in. Couldn't have been more helpful. Loved the pool

Stayed here for 4 nights to get over jet lag and let our luggage catch up with us. It is just off a major highway so access it easy. However you probably need a car from here to get downtown and to other attractions. Ample parking.
Room was a bit dated but clean and roomy. Of course we did not spend much time in it.
Front desk staff were helpful all the time which we appreciated.
Breakfasts were just what we normally have at home so really felt at home here.
If you wanted to venture out a bit you could try the accommodaton along Mission Bay. On the water so you'll pay more.