Stayed here in November 2009 whilst on honeymoon. We stayed 2 nights in Kaikoura to go whale-watching. Having not done the research on the area, and due to budget constraints we booked this hotel via Austravel. The main downside is that this hotel is a fair distance from the centre of the town in comparison to other hotels in the area. Beach Road is actually State Highway 1, the main road in the area! That said, the room was spacious, clean, comfortable with heating and electric blankets. We were made to feel very welcome by the staff. The centre is reachable by the Kaikoura shuttle service (usually arrived within 5 minutes of calling). If you're fit enough, you could take the long walk. Whilst the accommodation was lacking some of the luxuries of places such as Waves On The Esplanade, it served its purpose. As my headline says, it was clean, comfortable and we were made to feel very welcome. I have certainly stayed in places much worse than here.

Our usual perference the Bella Vista motel was full ( must learn to book ahead! ) so we stopped down the road at the Mediterranean. We took two units. Both were tidy but we missed the exra little things and that special new ness that we have become used to. The view of the mountains is very dramatic considering how close to the see Kaikoura is. The motel is out of the town centre but it was a nice morning walk down to the shops and beach.

I was in Kaikoura for one day to go whale watching. Everything was perfect and I particularly enjoyed receiving a bottle of milk for my tea. Room is fresh, clean and with the heater and the electric blankets you are sure to be warm if it gets too cold. Internet is available but remember to ask for the password when you check in .... It is on the bend of the highway but even the odd truck going through during the night didn't bother me (but might if someone wants absolute silence) and it is not walking distance of the atractions and the town centre ... but then this isn't a place for backpackers but for anyone with a car visiting the country. And I must say New Zealand is a fantastic country to visit. I will be back.

Perfectly clean and spacious, but very old and tired. Staff largely disinterested. Located on a busy road a fair way out from town (too far to walk to town or to local eateries).
The kind of place you only stay a night if you need to, passing through.