Willowbank Motel

Everything is new in this motel. The kitchen was fully equipped with a full sized fridge, oven and induction cooktop. The bathroom had a lovely shower and our 2 bedrooms had lovely new bedding. The host was very responsive to inquiries. My husband had a bad cough so having 2 rooms meant he didn’t have to worry about disturbing me in the night. We’d stay there again

I recently had an unfortunate encounter with the Willowbank Motel. Interaction with Owners: The experience with the hotel owners was far from pleasant. Instead of being welcoming and understanding, I found them to be rude, self-interested, and inflexible. There was a noticeable absence of the 'human touch' that is so essential in the hospitality industry. Issue: We encountered an issue and as a result, chose not to stay at the hotel. Upon bringing up this issue, we were met with rigidity and indifference from the owners. They refused to offer any form of compensation or refund, choosing instead to retain the full amount of the reservation. Resolution: Despite our attempts to resolve the situation amicably, we were left feeling unheard and disrespected. In light of this experience, I find it difficult to recommend the Willowbank Motel to others. The handling of our situation lacked empathy and understanding, leaving a sour taste in our mouths. I believe that trust and respect are fundamental to a successful hospitality experience, and unfortunately, our interaction with the Willowbank Motel fell short in this regard.

Great motel with quality furnishings and supplies. Looking at previous reviews I imagine this motel must have changed hands! The owner was very welcoming and helpful. The rooms are comfortable and modernised, for example full electronic door locks with no keys required. All the supplies were generous including plenty of tea and coffee. The heat pump was new and efficient. Overall, a quality experience at a budget price!

Sean went out of his way to accommodate us before and during our stay at Willowbank Motel in Kaikoura. Appears the motel has been refreshed and modernised from looking at these photos (forgot to take photos to show). Will definitely stay again!