We stayed here just for 1 night, before taking the ferry to cross from the South Island to the Norh Island.
Picton is quite small (I imagined it would be bigger because of its harbour) and so it is in general a quite and laid back place. This motel is not an exception because it was also quite and laid back. I don't remember it to be as modern and renovated as other places we had been but the overall impression was positive and satisfactory. The unit we had had all necessary to have a good stay, and the owners were also nice, friendly and helpful. I would definitely stay here again, no issues at all.

Can be summed up in one word - dreadful!

We never got past the check-in : we had rung and rung at reception with no response, and wandered round to try and find someone to no avail. After 20 minutes, the proprietor eventually appeared, and when we said we had been ringing, he got uppity and said that we should have pressed harder on the bell, but of course we had heard it ringing! He then tried to tell us he had only suites left at an exorbitant price, and it was a thoroughly miserable experience (as he was). We decided we didn't want to stay at such a hopeless place, and left.

I found the owners very friendly and helpful. I stayed here twice in April 2007 - at start and end of my South Island tour. The rooms I had were very well laid out, well equipped and clean.

I ordered a breakfast to be delivered to my room. It arrived bang on time, piping hot and of superb quality and quantity.

I would definately use this motel again.

Where do we start:

Nets hanging off the window.
Dingy linen/towels.
No soap in the bathroom.
No wardrobe at all.
No where to sit inside the room.
Dingy kitchen equipment.
Curled up lino on kitchen and bathroom floors which was dangerous.

We could go on forever but this has to be the worst place we have ever stayed in. This motel has a 3.5 star rating which is a joke for what you are confronted with.

Avoid at all costs.