This motel goes back to the 60/70's though has benefits over the more modern. Spacious, ground-floor villa-type rooms on large grounds, tennis court, pool, grassed areas for kids ball-play. and way back off the road among trees and shrubbery. Our 2-night stay was very comfortable.
Seeding dandelions on the tennis court suggested a shortage pf players. Pool looked clean though surrounding fence and gates had cobwebs galore making the whole thing look unkempt and needing TLC.
Major gardening work needed. Spouse and self considered this to be a good part-time task for a couple of local retired garden lovers as much initiative needed to get gardens back to what they may have been. It would be a large job for which contractors would have open-sesame costwise.
In it's heyday units had an installed radio, which remains. Initially this provided a 4-station choice though we found the same station on all four selections. Possibly the other three have closed down or changed mega-whatevers. It would be good if an up-to-date radio technician was able to include 3 new stations as otherwise the gizmo is useful only as a clock and one station - and the clock cannot be seen when head is on pillow. To remove it would leave a huge hole in the wall and one has to admit it has antique value in 2011. Shame about this.
We didn't appreciate blood spots on the bottom sheet, however small. Shame about the laundry "spotter" who missed these and about the housekeeper who failed to put the sheet the other way around so the spots would have been at the foot of the bed and thereby unseen by us. Something amiss with management here?
Excellent meals were enjoyed at the restaurant though this is understandable after the 45-minute wait ourselves and the adjacent table experienced. With such good food we ventured back the next night though in finding it empty of diners we didn't favour another 45-minute look at the walls so scurried away to the Cosmopolitan Club which was crowded and had a buffet. Shame about the restaurant as it competes with the Copthorne next door, at almost identical prices, and Cobb & Co two doors away.
All this said, we would certainly return should we again be in town. It''s that favourable feeling of going back in time to the quality motels/hotels which used to be. Leather armchairs for TV watching, comfortable mattress, a bar in-house, drinks in the fridge, walk through a door onto grass, hand-made timber deck-chairs, awake to chirpy birds in trees right at the window, dribbly showers. There's a lot to be said for it and that which may need fixing is certainly fixable. Management shouldn't allow prospective guests go to next door with its chrome and plastic.
I would recommend to friends though with reservations about the high cost of broadband.

Very nice place to stay, would recommend highly. The rooms were spacious and bright and clean. Very well equipped kitchenette. Free guest laundry including free soap powder. Easy parking and good location. Quiet and got a great nights rest. The only downside was internet access was much too expensive, a rip off really. If you stay on a Sunday night you can take advantage of 2 for 1 mains in their restaurant, which was very good. Just make sure you book since the restaurant is small.

Everything now is immaculate and beautifully done. We had intended to stay just one night but it is so clean and lovely that we stayed for a second night. The interiors of the units are like an upmarket house. The restaurant on the grounds bent over backwards for us and the setting is very quiet and tranquil. This was one of the nicest places we have stayed in over a long trip covering the South and North Islands.

We had a nice quiet 2 bedroom accomodation at the back of the motor lodge but it was definitely in need of refurbishing. The carpet was very worn and the kitchen definitely needed an upgrade. The bed was sagging but the linens were nice. It would be a great place to stay if it was "renovated". The owner, Wayne, was terrific and a pleasure to deal with.