Very friendly staff and a has a look of old mansion. The lift jerks to a halt and can be scary. The rooms are clean but has a shape that might not be very inviting for all. The bed and the bath is clean but with no frills. The coffee is freshly ground is is very aromatic. The resturant provides quality food and wines.

This was our first stay at this hotel and was a little disappointing for the price of the rooms.

First impressions
- The staff were generally welcoming and helpful
- The Deluxe rooms are surprisingly small, quite dark, there is no view (but then there is no view in Palmerston North city anyway so no biggie) the decor was pleasant the room was a little frayed around the edges the carpets were wearing. A good-sized bed that was very comfortable.The bathroom was clean and tidy although a shame that there was no separate shower. Amenities were average. The room for two people with accompanying luggage felt cramped. There is unlimited free wireless which was excellent. TV channels were limited to local as far as we could tell.
- The hall areas and stairwells are quite tired and in need of a touch up
- Reception area looked good with the christmas tree etc
- Restaurant staff were very pleasant, restaurant decor was pleasant
- Pool and surrounding area is quite small and there didn't appear to be any sunloungers available (we however did not ask for them so that may be all that is required) the gym is very small and the equipment is in varying state of repair.
- Huge underground parking which is secure with lift access to the rooms

We had originally booked in for the Deluxe room B and B but after the first breakfast we changed back to room only. This was because the breakfast was huge, it was delicious though so you have a big appetite go for this option it is good value.
Changing back to room only was no problem at all.

The only problem we had with the room was the servicing of it, this was quite inconsistent and if you are going to charge a premium for hotel rooms then the expectation is that there will be a hotel-level service. On one occasion the sheets were not changed and they were clearly not clean. I rang the reception immediately and they were helpful in ways to manage the situation at that point of time. The next day we received an apology note from the Manager along with some cookies/chocolates and a $20 credit posted to our bill. This again was appreciated. We did feel however that things as simple as changing the sheets should not be overlooked and $20 was a trifle meagre for what was essential a motel room for the night. We did not however raise this issue any further with the management.

Overall we thought it would have been a good hotel if you were paying $120-$130 per night but only an ok hotel for $170+ per night.

In the future we would opt for a motel option to avoid the disappointment of not receiving the level of service that we would expect from any hotel

I have stayed at this hotel twice for business. The first time I stayed in the one of the rooms in the hotel and the second time in one of the rooms adjacent to the main hotel block. Both times I found the rooms to be very clean (I am fussy) and comfortable. The beds are huge and really comfortable. The rooms inside the hotel have nicer decor, although it is a bit darker. The decor in the rooms attached to the hotel was slightly older, but the room was a lot lighter as it had doors opening onto a patio. (not sure if this is so for all the outside rooms, though).
The hotel has really good chefs. The food was beautiful in the restuarant. On a friday and Saturday night they have entertainment. Both nights I was there they had an amazing pianist. I would go back to the restaurant just for the food! I would not even look anywhere else to stay in Palmerston North. It had everything - was central, great food, clean, comfortable, quiet....

Heard it was great so got work to book me in for the week but checked out after the first night.

Checked into a Deluxe room on the third floor - the reception did not even offer to take luggage up as I came with luggage, box of files, laptop bag, my hand bag and brolly.

The room was warm and cosy but the decor was a little out of date and scary. I had a room with "trout" as the theme - there was a giant trout fish hanging off the wall which was very creepy, red curtians with trout and cushions with trout. Additionally, old fishing rods on the walls as decor - this was one of the few reasons that I checked out.
That night, the chain on the door was stuck and I was locked in my room - the reception said this has happened before as they need to be re-oiled. So they sent someone up to cut the chain off.

Went to have dinner at the resturant as I heard it was best in town - pumpkin soup was great and serving good portion. The risotto as main took ages to come out and when it did the risotto was undercooked.

Wanted to go to the spa but did not end up as the location was a bit of a hassle.

Bed was comfy and room well heated - bathroom also clean,.

Overall disapointed - did not recommend to my other work mates coming down. They were also going to stay at the coachman but after my experience we have now found Regency Hotel - this is way better!