Lemon Tree Lodge

We’ve honestly stayed in better quality and better equipped Motels. What’s with all the 5* reviews? I guess if you stay in the front rooms overlooking the bay it’s a different experience. However the garden rooms (which we stayed in) offer little. We could hear traffic from the road behind all night and our neighbours conversations and tv. The rooms are extremely basic, it felt harsh with no comfort. Broken toilet flush, mould on the ceiling, rusty towel rail, cheap sachets of body wash, cobwebs, stains of the worn carpet and grubby kettle, chipped mugs and breakfast plates, dirty splashes on the wall next to the bin, the bin just had a supermarket carrier bag in. Bizarrely there is a display of rotting fruit on the table. I thought it was fake, no it’s real rotten oranges! What?! We brought back some lovely food we’d bought in town to find a table, chairs and fridge but no plates or cutlery to eat off. So you need to out really. There is zero human contact, it’s so impersonal. There is basically a note on the front of a locked reception door with your name on explaining where your room is and that the key is in the door. What a welcome! Not! Breakfast is collected on a tray from a room opposite. It was ok. Boiled eggs too over cooked to eat. The rest was basic but ok. The bed was comfy. When we walked back into the bedroom this morning we could smell the damp. Just awful. We’ve never been to a ‘hotel’ with zero interaction from anyone. It’s a bit odd. I’m sorry but for what we paid it’s just not worth it or value for money. We wouldn’t recommend a stay here. Go elsewhere, there’s nicer options.

The View! You can not tire from the beautiful outlook form the balcony. Seeing the mountain range plunging into the ocean is remarcable. A bonus was being able to see the village below and its goings on.

Amazing property, everything you need just a short walk from the train station. Superb help yourself breakfast.

Reasons to book Some of the rooms have stunning views out to the Ocean. The lodge is handily located so that it’s an easy downhill stroll to the restaurants in Kaikoura. Equally it’s no more than 15mins to walk to the whale watching station Things to consider The owners understandably ask that you let them know if you are going to be checking in late. Our ferry into Picton meant that we wouldn’t be arriving until circa 7pm. It took 4 days of unanswered phone calls and a non replied e mail before we finally got through as we were leaving Wellington. Instructions were left on the kitchen door as to where to find our room. 2 of the rooms do not have an Ocean view. It would be a very different experience if staying in one of these. Breakfast is somewhat unusual. A continental selection is left out in the kitchen. You come in, load your tray and take it back to your room. Trays are to be returned afterwards. The daily quantity of food available is driven by the number of guests. I didn’t see anything being replenished during the 8.00 - 9.00 allocated time. Our room was perfectly fine although the bathroom was a bit poorly lit. No safe in the room and no air con. Then again, non promised either. Keys are deposited in a box as you leave. The strange thing is that you could have no interaction from start to finish. If self scanning checkouts and checking in your own luggage at airports is your thing, look no further.

Everything about it was lovely, views, breakfast, the room was amazing,, will definitely be back, 🙂

Nothing I didn't like

Wonderful garden, very quiet, fantastic breakfast

The view

It is quite overpriced - our room was $450. $250/300 would have been fairer for what you get. The room is quite dated

Good ocean and mountain view

Certainly not 4 star! Everything was bad: no reception (self-service check in), no staff, no pool, poor breakfast (you carry a tray upstairs to your room), small bathroom