Really disappointing given the positive reviews on here, and certainly over priced and over rated for what you actually get for your money. The outside of the building looks horrible- sort of a grey-brown colour, and looks like an office block. Rooms were done in a mock Art Deco style re the furniture but were still strangely soulless.The rooms are ok-ish, with a large spa bath in the bedroom. That was the only plus point, together with a view of the sea.
10 TV channels available including SKY channels. Seperate shower, although when using the shower, the temperature would suddenly drop in temperature for a few seconds for no apparent reason. Poor shower presuure. Bathroom was clean and pretty basic. Motel-type complimentary toiletries .
Only 1 wardrobe, which was the smallest hotel wardrobe I have ever seen (and I travel a lot)! It's width was less than the length of a single piece of A4 paper (I measured it). Since they had thoughtfully stuffed an iron and an ironing board in there too, that only left enough room to hang 3 shirts up. I didn't bother to unpack.
They provided two thin cotton robes. Unfortunately they were really tiny. I am a medium size woman (UK 12/14) and I couldn't get either robe to cover me or to do up properly, so goodness knows how an average man or a bigger woman was expected to use them.
Rooms were clean but well worn, cracked tiles on the floor, paintwork needed re-doing, etc. All the rooms overlook the sea which was nice BUT they are directly adjacent to the pavement on the main road. So DON'T book a room on the ground floor unless you want to shake hands with the people walking past on the pavement! The only thing seperating your tiny bit of outside verandah from your bedroom to the pavement is a metal rail. Passersby can peer into your bedroom when you sit outside with the doors open. Also can be noisy as you are directly above the pavement and therefore the main road, which can be noisy with all the trucks going during the week.
Parking was cramped. About 10 minute walk to the centre of town and the i-site (I timed it).
The woman in reception when I arrived was not exactly rude but nevertheless was the most perfunctory receptionist I have encountered in NZ. Very off hand and unwelcoming- literally gave me my room key, some milk, took my credit card details and that was that! When I asked her if she could remind me what my total bill would be, she refused to tell me, saying they charged different room rates with different hotel booking companies. I suggested that she must know what I had paid in advance but she still refused to tell me the cost! I asked about local tourist information and she just gestured to the rack of tourist information on the side table and went back to reading her paper! On checking out, my room key was taken and that was it but no one even bothered to ask if enjoyed my stay or to even say goodbye. Maybe I have very fortunate in my travels for 8 weeks in NZ, but she was the most offhand hotel worker I have encountered.
There were other other motels along the same road facing the sea which looked much, much nicer, also with sea views but set back from the main road and the pavement. I wished I had booked one of those, especially as they were cheaper than the Nautilus. Or that I had booked elsewhere in Napier
Really disappointing place to stay, and over priced for what you actually get.
It's a basic 3* hotel, with sea views and a large spa bath, but charging inflated prices for what they offer. Their "customer service" really needs to be vastly improved and the whole place was tired and could do with repainting and mending the problems, if not a design overhaul.

Warning about this rip off accommodation!! non existant parking - confrontational staff in reception and worst of all higher prices for overseas guests who book on the internet or ring from a non nz number. Paid $250 a night for a suite rather than $200, felt terribly ripped off and simply asked about the normal price then had an abusive phone call about reception for having questioned the rates. I dont know how this got five stars when you cant park your car. We mistakenly thought this place was a hotel when it was only a motor inn and not a very good one at that, there are plenty of nicer smaller b&b accommodation.

Whatever you do dont prepay, they put up the boards to advertise at $25 lower than they quote you. Wait till you get there, if you cant get in no loss. Parking terrible, front office terrible, what can I say, tiles cracked in bathroom, mould in shower. Had the worst 2 days of our NZ trip and got a mouthful of abuse as well. Give Napier a miss peeps

We stayed 2 nights in December 2011 , our unit was scrupulously clean, well appointed and had some nice touches. There is a small shop a few metres away for any extras you might need. The only downside is that whilst our unit faced the sea the road in between is a thoroughfare to the port of Napier and trucks start using this road from quite early in the morning - so if you want to sleep in try and get a room away from the road or in an upper floor. We are early risers so it wasn't a problem. We dined in the on site restaurant on our first night,which was convenient because it was raining and had an adequate but unremarkable meal.