Dolphin Motel

Dolphin Motel descritpion

Dolphin Motel sells fast on our site. Dolphin Motel is centrally located just 350 feet from Paihia wharf. All rooms feature a stovetop, fridge and satellite TV. Guests enjoy up to 2GB of free WiFi.
Dolphin Motel provides apartment-style accommodation of studios, 1 and 2-bedroom units and family units. Some include a fully equipped kitchen and ceiling fans. All are non-smoking.
Laundry facilities and free car parking are available for guests. The tour desk can book local activities, such as dolphin-watching cruises and arrange itineraries and reservations throughout the country.
Dolphin Motel is situated 350 feet from the beach and the shops and cafes of Paihia town centre. Paihia Ex-Servicemen's Club is a 1-minute walk from the motel.

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Facilities of Dolphin Motel

Outdoors ：BBQ Facilities

Pets ：Pets are not allowed.

Food & Drink ：Breakfast in the Room

Internet ：Free!WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.

Parking ：Free!Free private parking is available on site (reservation is not needed).

Reviews for Dolphin Motel

Review 1：Internet speed slow and try giving unlimited wi-fi as 2GB was not enough for our daily surfing for deals and activities and checking mail etc.

Review 2：Person at reception very helpful. Ambience location superb.

Review 3：The odd smell in the room. Lived in the spa room, the room faced car park derictly, so there was no privacy.

Review 4：close to town center spa was definitely a treat. Wifi speed was fast

Review 5：Room was not cleaned properly upon arrival. Room had a really bad smell which they tried to cover up with 3 different inscents, one of which was carelessly left on th ground and my 1yr old got into. Wouldnt stay here again!

Review 6：Very loud children doing a wake up call!

Review 7：It was close to local amenities and also central for day trips, and only a few minutes from the beach. A lovely place to stay, good sized rooms and clean.

Review 8：The toilet cistern needed maintenance and was playing up and kept us awake the first night. The staff knew about it when I told them but said that a number of other units had the same problem and they were getting round to getting them fixed. They should have told us!!!!

Review 9：Good location and handy to everything in Paihia. Bed was comfortable but overall the place is getting a bit tired.

Review 10：Friendly. Happy to help. We forgot our phone charger and they were happy to lend us one. Also lent us towels to take out for a boat tour even though we'd already checked out. Everything was easy going, no hassles.

Review 11：Great motel, staff very helpful, clean and ideal location close to town parade. Single beds bouncy, seem to be blow up type but more sturdy, would recommend to any visitors in that area.

Review 12：Next door neighbor threw a party at 2.00am and there were no staff available on site to deal with them

Review 13：Close to shops friendly helpful staff willing to help

Review 14：The only downfall was noisy neighbors who were talking outside right next to my window.

Review 15：5th year in a row up in Paihia and this time we decided to try a motel. We were not disappointed and the staff, room, cleanliness were all just lovely. Thank you so much for being so understanding regarding our late arrival and I would definitely recommend this motel.

Review 16：There was a family in the room behind us, and they were extremely noisy. I could hear them talking and banging doors through the walls.

Review 17：The motel is in a good position for walking into town.

Review 18：Few issues with the toilet running and cistern constantly refilling. Was fairly quickly fixed though it happened again infrequently. Very loud construction next door.

Review 19：Great location. Friendly staff.

Review 20：Extremely small room,can't even put in a chair, no place for luggage. We have to sit on the bed. Cooking facility in the bathroom. We didn't cook but have to eat our breakfast in the toilet basically, terrible! I hope this is the only small room they have. I had a wonderful trip up there, except this unpleasant stay!

Review 21：Bed is very comfi, very clean, closed to city centre and ferry to Russell.

Review 22：The staff were super friendly and helpful, the room was so clean and the bed was actually the BEST! Location is perfect! Central to everything and only a 2 minute walk to the shops, restaurants and beach.

Review 23：The kitchen didnt have an oven and it was quite cold in the room. Was quite expensive for the Spa room.

Review 24：Very large and comfy bed. The location was great as the motel is very close to shops and restaurants. Lots of parking available and staff were friendly.

Review 25：Rather small and crummy room with the double bed in the corner. To get out had to climb over partner. Bad insulation. Had noise and could hear the neighbours talking each night.

Review 26：Closeness to the center and the water front and to restaurants.

Review 27：not really a bad experience.but not enuff sport chanel options. no trackside .ended up with noisey neighbours having a party till 4 in the morn.asked for a quite room certainly wasn't that.

Review 28：owner was nice and friendly room was clean.

Review 29：As we were on the ground floor, kids running upstairs was a little disturbing, however, not a big deal.

Review 30：Clean and spacious unit. Walking distance to the main areas in town.

Review 31：There was nothing we had issue with

Review 32：The manager was very helpful and offered us much advice on how to make the best of the few days we had in The Bay of Islands

Review 33：Television channels. Difficult to work out. A list in the folder of information would be helpful.... no other problems.

Review 34：Arrived late at night. The staff ensured the lights were on and access prearranged. Very comfortable and check out in morning with a smile.

Review 35：Well set out room with comfort of home. Room had spa bath, sofa. Excellent cooking facility. One of the best value places I have stayed at I New Zealand.

Review 36：Paul was an awesome host, and the apartment had more than enough room for a family of 5. Clean, great shower and beds. Easy walk to downtown. Great value.

Review 37：Can't fault anything.

Review 38：We arrived outside of the office hours and keys where put aside for us so we could go to our room. The owner helped us book at another place in town as we wanted to extend our stay and the Dolphin Motel was fully booked for the next night. Very friendly and helpful. Walking distance to restaurants, the beach and marina. Highly recommended.

Review 39：Noisy due to ongoing building work ( but in fairness after 9:00 am) but units are not at all sound proofed, could hear neighbours every noise even when they were trying to be quiet, so loud neighbours early risers very noticeable.

Review 40：Comfortable, convenient , good value, Paul ( manager ) helpful and friendly

Review 41：The host Paul was extremely helpful and knowledgable about the area. Excellent place to call home while you explore the region. Excellent location, just a walk to everything.

Review 42：Fantastic location, King Studio was more than enough room for us. Perfect little room! For a fully booked motel (Easter Weekend) it was pretty quiet.

Review 43：Very friendly & helpful host,very clean & tidy room,price was really reasonble for 2 bedroom,would definitely go back again.Excellent rating by my standards.

Review 44：Nothing, we were happy with it all

Review 45：We arrived late but staff had arranged easy access for our room, room was very tidy clean and beds were comfortable! Very happy with our stay.

Review 46：The coffee was in a plastic container and open for anyone to contaminate, so we didnt use it. The second night, it wasnt til late that we realised the unit had been serviced and we had no toilet paper!!!!

Review 47：A very nice welcome and friendly owner

Review 48：Found out late that the 2 single beds could have been joined together [had zips] to make a Queen. As they knew we were 2 couples this could have been organized before we arrived. As singles we found the bases smaller than the mattress, and very easy to tip over. Also the mattresses were very soft and lacked support, which didn't help our backs.

Review 49：Closeness to town, and general layout of everything.

Review 50：Beds are so soft that it is difficult to sleep. Entry of apartment from parking level (less privacy).

Review 51：Very clean and well equipped motel. Good location - 5 min walk to seaside.

Review 52：The Shower curtain and the fact that the whole bathroom got very wet from the shower

Review 53：The owner (Paul) is a Gem, Clean room and quiet location. Very easy.

Review 54：Close to the main street, clean, quiet, kind staff - pretty nice accommodation for 2 nights. The spa bath attached to the room was the best part for me and my husband.

Review 55：Cramped, nowhere to put luggage. Kitchen sink and wash basin combined yet a huge TV screen! Noisy due to a large group of bikers, no warning given.

Review 56：Convenient location.

Review 57：our room was next to the office,with a view of the stairs.There was nowhere to hang our clothes, we could hear the people next door as if they were sharing our room.Do not accept the room next to the office!

Review 58：Although the outward appearance of the motel is less ritzy than other places in town, it is clean, comfortable, and well equipped for the self-catering traveller.

Review 59：Nothing to dislike. However ownership and management changing, so hoping standards2will remain as good as we found it.

Review 60：Good location for Access to Pahia and Bay of Islands. Jean (manager) very helpful advising on eating places (RSA excellent value)and helping with bookings on trips. Accommodation very clean and comfortable, with everything we needed for our stay. Laundry facilities, wi fi nice shampoos and smellies. Even a dishwasher!

Review 61：Would have been nice if the small shampoo bottles in the toilet Were replenished every day or when needed at least..

Review 62：Had a nicely sized one bedroom apartment that was perfectly sufficient for 4 adults on a short stay. Very good value for money. Excellent location. Very knowledgable and flexible staff, nothing was too much trouble.

Review 63：This is a small very friendly motel with very attentive staff. The staff are totally accommodating to all your needs and I was very satisfied with my stay at this motel.

Review 64：Free wifi only latest a very short time. Room noisy from road.

Review 65：Incredibly helpful owner told us all good places to go for sightseeing. Milk supplied when we arrived.

Review 66：There was no where to hang your clothes or drawers to put things away was fine for a short break but not for a longer stay, also a second mirror would help.

Review 67：Accommodations had good size rooms, cleaned daily, very friendly staff, position was ok just a short flat stroll to the shops and harbourside,

Review 68：The lady who checked us in was incredibly helpful, provided a cot for our baby, advice on restaurants and was always friendly and chatty when we saw her around the motel. Overall a very enjoyable stay.

Review 69：Owner Greg was obnoxious and rude at times. We ad no hot water one nightand the next morning, but after complaining, no recompense, unit wastired ?, at one stage my wife went to the office and Greg was on phone,ignored her and carried on with his conversation, which was loaded withoffensive language which turned the air blue. My wife was most offendedand left the office rather than listen to this uncouth speech. Heaccused my wife f ruining iron by ironing something which tuck to theiron. My wife denied this and he in turn accused her of lying, mostupsetting. Next door neighbours seemed to drink or use drugs every dayand from 1000 hrs on the Saturday until 0400 hrs Sunday morning. Talkinggot louder and very offensive as the night wore on. I would adviseanyone not to stay here. It was expensive and awful. We have stayed atmany motels and hotels around the world in different countries, and.,This would have to be the worst ever. Don't stay here

Review 70：Greeting, Friendliness ,and help from Jean and the cleaning staff. Thatwas the only positive we can comment on.

Review 71：As a family of 4 we had enough room for everybody. It was fairly new and we could cook our meals in the kitchenette which was clean and with new kitchen utensils. It was close to the town and walking distance to everything.

Review 72：at times the room was too warm, and had to have window and main door open, as well as fan going.

Review 73：proximity to town centre,about 100 metres away in a quiet location on a Main Street with no noise at night.

Review 74：I had to change the number of people in our booking multiple times and the staff never complained about this. They were very friendly, the rooms were nice and clean and the fully-equipped kitchen was amazing! Just two minutes walk to wharf and restaurants and bars and the rooms were made up every day which was lovely.

Review 75：Difficult to make contact with management before and during stay. I advised I wouldn't be turning up first night, which was prepaid, and think they had someone stay in the room that night but it wasn't properly serviced.

Review 76：The cleaners did a good job.

Review 77：Needed an extra mirror outside of the bathroom. Otherwise perfect.

Review 78：The family unit had plenty of space for us and our 3 adult sized children. Unit could have slept 7 so fitted our 5 easily with room to spread out. Clean and tidy with good cooking facilities. 5 min walk to downtown Piahia, supermarkets, shops and cruises / touristy options. Lovely staff, very helpful. Would definitely stay again.

Review 79：The location was excellent, the staff were friendly and the rooms very comfortable. WE had an excellent stay and would recommend this motel to other families - thank you!

Review 80：Unfortunately the place next door had noisy people till late. Not motels fault.

Review 81：Was surprised that the rooms were serviced. Included dishwasher which made life easy. Easy to use laundromat. Close to shops but not too close.

Review 82：The party that carried on until 4 am either on site or next door (we were too scared to investigate). There was swearing and many heated arguments - we almost and in hindsight should have called the police. Shocking experience and no sleep had at all. Not good for Northland tourists - was like a once were warriors movie set.

Review 83：Location, size of room

Review 84：The room opens onto the parking area - slight lack of privacy, but there was a screen that we moved in front of the glass doors, so the problem was solved.

Review 85：The weather was absolutely shocking, but staff went out of their way to ensure our comfort - even providing a DVD player and a hard drive stocked with great movies. The spa was fantastic - and we were so close to everything - in between bouts of rain could walk everywhere!

Review 86：nothing

Review 87：Location was excellent.Paul the manager was also excellent with providing information and to help book tours.Rooms very clean. Laundry facilities great.kitchens well supplied.

Review 88：Friendly staff, very accommodating to a girls weekend! great sized rooms, comfy beds, full kitchen in the larger unit, great location! walking distance to main road of Paihia.

Review 89：The fact that we could only stay one night because they were sold out the following night. None the less Paul found us accomodations that were close and suitable.

Review 90：Paul the owner was very out going and willing to help with anything! Booked tours for us an accomodations at other locations. Great location and easy walk to town and ferrys to Russell, but off the path just enough.

Review 91：Mosquitos in the bathroom

Review 92：This is a great spot. Very comfortable rooms with all the amenities. The location is ideal, only a couple minutes walk to the water. Its also very quiet so we got a great night sleep!! I would recommend to anyone looking for lodging in Paihia, the owner is great!

Review 93：Wifi was only 2GB per room which was used up by the four of us very quickly. However when we asked, we were given an extra 2GB which was great.

Review 94：The location of the motel is great, close to the centre of Paihia and exploring nearby areas. The unit had everything we needed and the owner was kind enough to lend us a DVD player. Would definitely stay here again.

Review 95：Our studio was a shoebox, very very small! Also you could hear conversations of other guests thru the walls. And the fact that the kitchen and bathroom was combined was gross. But you get what you pay for.

Review 96：The location was great

Review 97：Having to leave.

Review 98：Central location 2 mins walk from centre of town. Nothing was too much trouble for manager Paul. He even organised our tollroad payment online. And the box of chocolates was delicious!

Review 99：the room was massive, clean, loved the giant bath tub, the staff are all friendly people and willing to help, within half hour of being at the hotel the reception staff had booked us into a tour around the bay for the next day, very helpful. the location is a little back from the beach but everything is close by and in walking distance! we will be back!

Review 100：So close to the town, harbour and tour offices FREE Wifi with a sensible usage policy. (This is the way it should be in 2014 people!) Clean & comfortable accommodation, with very friendly staff. Granted it's 'just a motel' but I think it really contributed to our stay in Paihia being so amazing.

Review 101：Would prefer to have numbered car parks to match units.

Review 102：Host, Paul, was extremely helpful and generous. Chocolates on arrival were much appreciated and enjoyed. Could walk to shopping area and waterfront.

Review 103：Nothing not to like.

Review 104：The location was near many excellent restaurants. After a bit of miscommunication, the manager went out of his way to make our stay pleasant. He gave excellent suggestions about things to see and do, restaurants, etc.

Review 105：Pillows were very uncomfortable.Rubbish from previous customers left under sink even though we had confirmed a check in time etc.

Review 106：Close to town, walking distance to most things. Motelier was very hospitable even on the day of our departure allowing us to leave our car parked whilst we did some sight seeing etc.

Review 107：We spent 4 days. The room was very clean, and good value for money. Paul, the manager, is a very nice, and very helpfull. For sure, if we go back to Paia, we will go to this place ! We recommend !!

Review 108：The Motel would benefit from updating but this does not reflect on the quality and value for money.

Review 109：Perfectly located within walking distance for shops, harbour and the RSA club where we had excellent meals.

Review 110：The Dolphin Motel is right in the centre of town easy walking distance to everything. Paul the manager was full of all the local information from where to eat to the best places to visit. Would definitely recommend the Dolphin Motel.

Review 111：Really impressed with the size and comfort of the rooms - we had a two-room apartment with a kitchenette and bathroom, it was excellent for our young family as the kids were able to settle well without trapping us all in darkness with no tv! Really comfy chairs too. Kitchen had a modern dishwasher and ceramic hob, great for quick cleanups. Free wifi was a big plus.

Review 112：We thought Dolphin Motel was fantastic - a lovely big unit which was ideal for a family of six and which totally exceeded our expectations. Very helpful, friendly host.

Review 113：I loved that it was in walking distance to the shops, wharf and waitangi treaty grounds. The rooms were perfect for our family it had enough beds for all 7 of us. The kids loved the spa bath and the walking distance to beach and playground. I personally loved the fully equipped kitchen. It was very clean and comfortable. We absolutely enjoyed staying at Dolphin Motel will definitely stay there again.

Review 114：The neighbours were very noisy resulting in early wake ups on holiday and also you could hear the people above very clearly walking around showering etc. would have preferred a room with just one nice double bed with a spacious room rather than a room with 3 beds in making it very cramped. The hotel Also states wifi in the ad but fails to mention you only get 2gb.

Review 115：Paul was vey nice and the location was handy.

Review 116：Not sure if we used up all the internet data given Sky TV is definitely a plus

Review 117：Close to all attractions and city center Clean rooms Close to super markets etc Pick up from major tour buses

Review 118：Free toiletries, Free tea & coffee making facilities incl. milk, Free WiFi, Free parking. The manager is so lovely - great customer service and he emailed once I left wishing us all the best and informed me that next time I was in the bay of islands he would throw in a Free nights stay. Accommodation is within walking distance to the Paihia mall, playground and field across the road. Beach, wharf and restaurants, bars, cafes and takeaway stores within 2-5 mins. Each room has its own outdoor seating table and chairs. Comfy bed, flatscreen tv, fully equipped kitchen, sky movies, daily service.

Review 119：The kitchen and the living room was a little compact for 4. Fine for a short one or two night stay though.

Review 120：Paul the owner was great, very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. We were offered a beer & some milk on arrival what a lovely welcome.. Location was great with an easy walk to shops and beach front Clean and relatively modern with free wifi and good connection for up to five devices from our bedroom

Review 121：Thoroughly enjoyed my stay at Dolphin hotel. Very comfortable bed. On my booking I stated that my time of arrival would be later than the hotel was open until, so the manager phoned me with instructions as to where my room was with a room number and where the key was.

Review 122：We enjoyed our two nights at Dolphin Motel and found Paul to be very helpful and friendly. The apartment was comfortable and it was very convenient to the main part of town and the activities we were doing.

The Fine Print

Guests arriving outside reception opening hours (8:00-20:00) are kindly requested to inform the hotel in advance. Contact details can be found on the booking confirmation.