Stayed one night only as we were there for the whale watching. We chose The Lobster Inn as it was the only accomdation we could locate with a pool other than the camp ground.The weather was drizzling on and off and the kids were looking forward to a swim after being cooped up in the car. Upon our enquiry about opening the pool we were told due to the rain (drizzle) that they would not open the pool due to it being solar heated-for our pleasure I presume. We explained that the pool was the reason we booked but No the pool will not open if wet. Later that afternoon it was more sunny than drizzley, our children went and asked if the pool would open now it was dry, No again came the response. We had no problem with rooms but beleive that we paid for the facility of the pool (only reason we booked) and that fact it is solar heated should be a bonus for us not be the reason we were unable to use it.

We arrived here when the weather was totally unpleasant and very cold.First impressions were excellent we parked directly outside our rooms and upon entering found that management had already turned on the heating( we booked ahead).Consequently the rooms which were comfortable were warm and welcoming.The attached Tavern and restaurant were much appreciated as we did not want to face more of that weather.The reasonably priced food in the tavern was of good pub standard.We stayed here for 2 nights, fortunately the weather improved dramatically the next day.Certainly not 5 star but perfectly adequate for the average traveller.

I stayed here with friends during a rainy off season weekend. The hotel is clean, functional and completely served it's purpose. The bedroom had decent beds with electric blankets, tv, fridge, tea/coffee making facilities. All in all, pretty comfortable for a quick overnight stay. The walls were pretty thin, but we were the only people staying there, so it wasn't a problem. I slept well. But I could imagine it being a bit noisy peek season. It has a lively, and very decent pub right next to it, with a bizarrely placed outdoor smoking area overlooking the rooms. The pub seemed to close at 10pm.

We stayed at the Lobster Motor Inn as it was one of the only places with vacancies in Kaikoura on Easter weekend. It is a fairly standard motel. We had a studio which was spacious and clean though lacked character. There is a communal veranda which you can sit out on, but as it also the main walkway to the rooms, it offers no privacy and overlooks the carpark. The view from the room in the other direction was better – it overlooked the holiday park next door, but also fields and mountains in the distance. Check-in was swift and the receptionist, the only staff member we encountered, was friendly and helpful. There are computers with internet access in the lobby which are charged per Although we didn’t use them, the motel does have a heated pool and laundry facilities. Overall it was functional but a little bland.