Sazzle

What do you think of Motels in NZ & Australia, what facilities do they have?

What could they have but dont?

We are trying to get a picture of these things and want your opinions

Sazzle

No opinions? Now we dont beleive that

How about sharing

Jack The Lad

If your a bird then I will share

Your in the wet bit though

Copperben

In NZ the motels are OK, pretty varied I have stayed in some really awful ones - reminding me of "crossroads" and then I have stayed in ones with spa baths, swimming pools etc etc. Expect to pay anything from $60 - $170 per room per night depending on quality.

Jasons.co.nz is a really good website, has pictures of the motels might be worth a look.

Ailsa

Don't expect they have changed much in 2 yrs so:

For over 3 weeks of 4 week holiday we used fairly standard or economy motels in NZ.

We stayed between 2 and 3 nights in 5 locations between Auckland and Picton, 4 nights in Hokatika and 7 nights in Christchurch.

The motels varied from very basic: (which was in Picton - one room en-suite with tea / coffee making facilities and fridge only) but mostly comfortable with a comprehensive kitchen corner. They were all en-suite and had TV and Phone.

All motels had laundry facilities at reasonable cost, some had limited meal options but all had contact info for eating places and food delivery services.

Since we did not have children we did not look at any facilities for their entertainment.

Try this link: Jason's NZ

I have not quoted prices as the exchange rate has changed substantially, but we were definitely on 'budget' options.

NickyC

All of them in both countries would have en-suites, tea/coffee making facilities, TV, phone and spare pillows and blankets.

In New Zealand motels a kitchen seems to be almost standard - regardless of motel price.

Newer Australian motels have more comprehensive kitchen facilites, but not seen many in older motels.

The chain motels like Flag, Best Western etc (all really privately owned but marketed together) tend to have higher prices but guaranteed quality. Always have OK decor/bathrooms etc because they have to be updated and checked out regularly.

Almost all motels are run by the actual owners so you're not dealing with an impersonal manager and you tend to get good service and knowledge of the area.

I've never stayed anywhere that wasn't clean even if the decor was pure 1970's. A lot of the older ones (in Australia) are built to an identical design - square room with a bathroom in one corner - so there's not a lot you can do to them. Pools are pretty common, and they usually do room-service breakfast (have to order it the night before) even if there's no restaurant.

They don't do that US thing here of having free donuts/danishes/coffee available in the mornings.

They're fine to stay in for a few of days - wouldn't really want to stay a month in one though.

Sazzle

What kind of things would you like to see in motels?

What is a waste of time, and why?

Motels that offer things like "gardens" or other recreational areas.. did you use this facility? Is it a waste of time in your view?

HiddenPaw

it will depend on your target market/purpose of trip - is the motel for one-night stopovers (people breaking up a long journey as is often the case in Oz) or vacation use where people want to stop in relaxing surroundings for 2 or 3 (or more) days.

I've used motels for both, and my needs in each case are very different, depending on the purpose of the trip.

A motel on the STuart Highway between Alice and Darwin is going to probably only attract people breaking up a long journey, and hence just want a bed and a kettle, whereas a motel near the beach on the Gold Coast is likely to be targeted at holidaymakers who might want to stop a few nights, and hence a few more facilities, like BBQ and pool.

jandjuk

you wouldn't really need a garden in a motel in NZ - you'd just go the local town gardens or park or whatever....

daley

Motels rooms, when I was in Aus varied, were usually about 60-80 bucks. As mentioned , they have an en suite bathroom, TV, kettle, always found them to be clean and yes some very 70s, but who cares! Much better value than the UK versions. Another option are pub rooms, which tend to be about 10 bucks cheaper, are more centrallly located (often in the middle of town) and you can get pissed downstairs and have a very short walk home!! They also have (In some towns) a real feel of Australia at the turn of the last century! A sort of feaded grandeur, you also get to have doors that open up to huge varandeers, where you can have a beer and watch over the town at night!