We stayed in a 2 bedroom unit at the Apple Motor Inn. Positive things - it was in a good location, and the pool was great, the kids really enjoyed that. There were some swings too, but they were so old and squeaky that I didn't let the kids play on them for long, too noisy! Check in and out was good and the staff were fine. No noise at night, although some other reviews have warned of that. The shower in the room was quite new. You could see some evidence of slow modernisation of the unit - some things were new (table and chairs), and other things were pretty old. Definitely needed to be updated though.

The room was very dated and not all that clean to be honest. There was a smell in the room, we discovered that someone had been using the rubbish bin in the kitchen area as an ashtray, hence the smell. The beds were not comfortable at all - I had sore back when I woke up in the morning. The fold out couch in the lounge was completely sunken in when folded up, so it was incredibly uncomfortable to sit in. The TV was quite small and old, and the remote was battered and the buttons worked back to front (eg the up volume button actually turned the volume down). The unit was incredibly hot at night, and the fan heater provided made absolutely no difference when used as a fan.

In general it was ok but I probably wouldn't stay there again. I would pay slightly more for something newer and nicer. The cost ($165) for the unit was ok but probably a bit too high for what we got.

Not a bad place. This is one of the few places that hasn't felt the need to have a big flash tv and everything modern in the rooms. Instead, you're greeted by a comfortable useable room at a low price - great for the budget. I didn't try the pool but it looked nice.

Booked this place for a business trip op hastings, found that the place is acceptable for afffordable accommodation, and the owner/reception people are helpful and friendly.

I do not agree with some of the reviewers that say that "avoid at all costs", you get what you pay for.

and the motel does not claim to be a 5-star accommodation in the first place.

So folks, if you are looking for good budget accommodation, this place fits the bill, if you are looking for the Ritz Carlton, obviously, look somewhere else.

my only complaint is that they do not accept american express

We've stayed in quite a few Kiwi motels and this was our worst ever experience. Basic we can live with but our suite was dilapidated, dirty and squalid. The toilet had clearly leaked at some point and absolutely stank and the bathroom was grimy. The kitchen was grubby and the ancient fridge had also leaked and there was a grisly brown stain extending across the carpet. The kitchen had the barest minimum of equipment, a battered old pan or two, some odd knives and forks and a couple of mismatched mugs and plates. All academic really as one wouldn't have wanted to prepare food in the place. The furniture was ancient and sagging, the mattresses were so thin you could feel every bed spring through them, the quilts were grimy and torn and the pillows so stained and flat that we resorted to folding up clothes to sleep on. Many of the guests appeared to be long term residents and pretty rough at that. The dvd player didn't work and there were squashed bugs on the walls. To be fair I think we were in one of the oldest apartments but that doesn't excuse it being dirty, smelly and ill-equipped. From the reviews, it seems others have had the same experience and they really shouldn't be letting out rooms in this state at all. There were a few positives. The outside area was clean and quite well maintained, proprietors and staff were friendly and one of the kids announced "This is the worst place I have ever stayed in my whole life. In fact, it's so bad, it's almost cool!" They may have refurbed by now but my advice would be, If you're planning to drop by at the Apple, then make sure you check out the room before you confirm your booking.