Curio Bay Salt House Motel

Location: 517 Waikawa-Curio Bay Rd, Curio Bay, 9884, Curio Bay, NZ

Star Rating: 3 Stars

Property Type: Guest houses

About this Property

Important Information

Policies

Check-in: 02:00 PM - 12:00 AM

Check-out: 10:00 AM

Instructions: There is no front desk at this property. To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 24 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation. If you are planning to arrive after midnight please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation. Guests must contact the property for check-in instructions. For any questions, please contact the property using the information on the booking confirmation. Guests who wish to book breakfast are encouraged to contact the property before arrival to pre-book it.

Amenities & Facilities

• Free WiFi
• Luggage storage
• Breakfast available (surcharge)
• Smoke-free property
• Free self parking

Rooms Available

• Studio 2, 1 Bedroom, Beach View

  2 Queen Beds and 1 Twin Bed

  Patio with beach views

  
  

  Layout - Bedroom, living room, and dining area

  Internet - Free WiFi (24 hours per stay)

  Entertainment - Flat-screen TV

  Food & Drink - Kitchenette with refrigerator, microwave, cookware/dishware, and electric kettle

  Bathroom - Private bathroom, shower, free toiletries, and a hair dryer

  Practical - Iron/ironing board and mobile key entry

  Comfort - Heating

  Need to Know - Limited housekeeping, bed sheets not available

  Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 5 (5 Adults)

  • Shower
  • TV
  • Hair dryer
  • Kitchenette
  • Refrigerator
  • Microwave
  • Private bathroom
  • Heating
  • Electric kettle
  • Separate dining area
  • Free WiFi
  • Separate living room
  • Separate bedroom
  • Mobile key entry
  • Bed sheets not available

• Executive Apartment, Beach View

  2 King Beds OR 1 King Bed and 2 Twin Beds

  Balcony with beach views

  
  

  Layout - 2 bedrooms, living room, and dining area

  Internet - Free WiFi (24 hours per stay)

  Entertainment - Flat-screen TV with premium channels

  Food & Drink - Kitchen with refrigerator, stovetop, oven, and microwave

  Sleep - Bed sheets

  Bathroom - Detached private bathroom, separate bathtub and shower, free toiletries, and a hair dryer

  Practical - Washer/dryer, iron/ironing board, and mobile key entry

  Comfort - Heating

  Need to Know - Limited housekeeping, no cribs (infant beds) available

  Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 4 (4 Adults)

  • TV
  • Hair dryer
  • Microwave
  • Dishwasher
  • Heating
  • Kitchen
  • Electric kettle
  • Oven
  • Stovetop
  • Separate bathtub and shower
  • Separate dining area
  • Free WiFi
  • Private bathroom (not in room)
  • Separate living room
  • No cribs (infant beds)
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Mobile key entry

• Studio 1, Beach View

  1 Queen Bed

  Patio with beach views

  
  

  Layout - Bedroom, living room, and dining area

  Internet - Free WiFi (24 hours per stay)

  Entertainment - Flat-screen TV

  Food & Drink - Kitchenette with refrigerator, microwave, cookware/dishware, and electric kettle

  Bathroom - Private bathroom, shower, free toiletries, and a hair dryer

  Practical - Iron/ironing board and mobile key entry; cribs (free) available on request

  Comfort - Heating

  Need to Know - Limited housekeeping, bed sheets not available

  Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 3 (2 Adults)

  • Shower
  • TV
  • Hair dryer
  • Kitchenette
  • Refrigerator
  • Microwave
  • Private bathroom
  • Heating
  • Electric kettle
  • Separate dining area
  • Free WiFi
  • Separate living room
  • Free cribs/infant beds
  • Separate bedroom
  • Mobile key entry
  • Bed sheets not available

• Studio 3, Beach View

  1 Queen Bed

  Overlooking the beach

  
  

  Layout - Living room and dining area

  Internet - Free WiFi (24 hours per stay)

  Entertainment - Flat-screen TV

  Food & Drink - Kitchenette with microwave, cookware/dishware, and electric kettle

  Bathroom - Shower, free toiletries, and a hair dryer

  Practical - Iron/ironing board and mobile key entry

  Comfort - Heating

  Need to Know - Limited housekeeping, bed sheets not available

  Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • Shower
  • TV
  • Hair dryer
  • Kitchenette
  • Microwave
  • Heating
  • Electric kettle
  • Separate dining area
  • Free WiFi
  • Separate living room
  • Mobile key entry
  • Bed sheets not available

Guest Reviews

• Catherine Grace (10/5): - Beautiful spot on the beach. Ideal for a short stay in the Catlins.
• Deborah (10/5): Stunning view - The views from this studio were stunning. The room modern and spotless. Beautiful sunrise if you’re up in time!
• Lee (10/5): - It was the warmest motel we have stayed in . We heard penguins in the night. The sea was so close . With surfers to watch for entertainment 😊loved it , thankyou!
• Ruth (10/5): - Very clean, well equipped apartment right on the beach, surrounded by nature. Such a lovely place to recoup for a couple of nights.
• les (10/5): - Great location
• Tommy (10/5): Unbeatable Location - We enjoyed our stay at Curio Bay Salt House Motel. Our room was spacious, clean, and had an amazing view of the bay. We hope to stay here again on our next trip to NZ.
• Derryn (10/5): - Love the location as you are right by the beach. A little track takes you down to the sand. But you can also just sit outside and watch the waves roll in. u
• Cedric (10/5): - Very quiet and great view of the ocean.
• Leon (10/5): - Nice little unit #3 that we booked. Well sorted out, everything tidy, and well thought out. View from the back deck/lawn over the bay is second to none. We were literally watching dolphins in the bay from the back door. If you're standing outside though, have insect repellent on, or sandflies will nibble your ankles a lot.
• Frank (8/5): - Very good view of the bay
• Michele (10/5): - Just a perfect spot....everything amazing...great shower..plenty of room..warm cosy and a view to die for
• Barbara (10/5): Amazing views - Fabulous views of the bay, comfortable unit.
• Rajesh (10/5): - Location, location, location.
• Vicki (10/5): - Excellent location. Well-equipped and comfortable. What a view!
• S J (10/5): A lovely place to stay. - This was alovely place to stay. Fantastic views and dolphins playing in the waves in front of the apartment.
• Stephen (10/5): - lovely location, watched dolphins from bed. Remember to bring insect spray for the sandflies.
• Birgit (10/5): - Wunderbarer Blick auf die Bay und direkter Zugang zum Strand
• Melissa (10/5): - A fabulous place to stay. Comfortable and modern apartment with stunning views over the bay.
• Karen (10/5): - Our room was lovely, had everything we needed. The view over the bay was incredible. Would definitely book again if we went back.
• Pauline (10/5): - Love staying here every year so peaceful
• Ian (8/5): - Easy access rooms a bit bland
• Margaret (8/5): - No one there, give you advice like a funeral very impersonable .
• Susan (10/5): Amazing place - An amazing hotel. We stayed in the 2 bedroom apartment with a balcony overlooking the sea. Easy straight forward check in. The apartment is so spacious and has everything you need. Fabulous kitchen well stocked with everything you need. Lovely bath and walk in shower. Comfortable beds. You will need to take food with you as no shops nearby. There is a cafe we did not go into it so cannot review. Overall an amazing place would definitely go back.
• Karen (10/5): - Beautiful location right on the beach. Sadly we didn’t see any penguins but did enjoy walking the beach searching for them.
• Glen (8/5): Kelly’s travels - We had the upstairs 2 bedroom apartment. It was a self check in. It was very spacious full lounge and kitchen with great appliances. Full veranda to look straight out onto beach and the water. We had two nights here very relaxing
• Thomas (10/5): - Everything about this property is top notch. Large, very well appointed, beautiful ocean front location. Simply excellent.
• Elizabeth (10/5): - Amazing spot. Loved our short stat, wish I'd booked for longer
• Laura (10/5): - Proprty was clean, comfortable and the view was amazing. Cooking equipment was all we needed for a short stay. Wifi worked well.
• Sue Ellen (10/5): - It was a beautiful quiet location right on the beach. The night sky was fantastic. I’ve never seen so many stars. We didn’t see any dolphins in the bay or penguins at porpoise bay either. We were only there for one night though. Don’t know if it was the time of the year. House was clean. I would go back and would recommend to friends.
• William (8/5): - Overnight stay before commencing our journey through the Catlin's to Dunedin. Interesting find was the petrified forest.
• Nanette (10/5): - Loved the closeness to the sea. Great for children. Wonderful long stretch of beach for long walks. The beds were very comfortable and the apartment warm all the time. We could see sea lions and dolphins from our apartment.
• Andrea (10/5): - Highly recommend. Clean, comfortable and warm and you can’t beat the view!
• Pauline (10/5): - Love staying here at least once a year one of my favourite places to stay.
• Sharon (10/5): - Beautiful beach. Accomodation great
• Corey (10/5): - Beautiful remote location with stunning views. Would love to come back again
• Verified traveler (10/5): - Great place, great spot just loved it Just a few cobwebs & dust webs
• Joanna (8/5): - Check in was contactless and communication was excellent. We were made aware to bring our own supplies and kitchen equipment was adequate but personally would have liked larger mugs. Shower head and water pressure made showering unpleasant. Unit was clean and comfortable bed with great linen. Wonderful outlook your room.
• Rae (8/5): - A lovely sea view, clean and inviting studio. Heaters throughout ensured we were cosy on a cold night. Quite good cooking facilities - a hotplate and microwave, but no oven or BBQ facilities. Prompt communication from the host. Easy off street parking.
• Dawn (10/5): - Always a great place to stay. Will be back.
• John (10/5): - Very comfortable self contained studio with superb views over the bay
• Roger (10/5): - Very peaceful, comfy bed
• Stephen (10/5): - Lovely room right on the coast.
• Darryn (10/5): - This place was lovely. Right on the beach and had all the comforts of home. Property was very clean and the lady I dealt with was lovely
• Carol (10/5): - This was an idealistic place to stay in Curio Bay.
• D (10/5): Wonderful - Excellent room, great facilities and a stunning view
• steven (10/5): - Great location right on Porpoise Bay, beautiful beach. Comfy bed.
• Sheryl (10/5): - Location and view
• Karen (10/5): - Beautiful spot right on the beach with a wonderful view. Within minutes of arriving the Hector dolphins were surfing the waves out the front of our room. Absolutely lovely room, everything you could need
• Cyndy (10/5): - Stunning seaviews from the unit and you can walk across the grass down to the beach. Comfortable and enough space, good shower. Would happily stay again. Carparking a bit cramped so may need to manoeuvre a little
• Sara (10/5): - We stayed in the 2 bedroom apartment and it is absolutely gorgeous. It had everything we needed, super comfortable beds, and an incredible view of the ocean with windows overlooking Porpoise Bay with a porch as well. Breathtaking. We walked right down to the beach from our place. Walked over to see penguins. The only problem we had was that the place was so beautiful that we had less motivation to go explore the area. We still did but loved returning to the beautiful accomodations.
• Verified traveler (10/5): Great choice on curiobay - Amazing motel with great views and vibes! Also very conveniently located, clean. We enjoyed our stay thoroughly!
• Timothy (10/5): - Superb location, especially the local Hectors dolphins!
• Elizabeth (10/5): - Spacious well-appointed apartment above the beach and with wonderful views. Very quiet location - no local services, but we knew that and were prepared.
• Christopher (10/5): - We were far happier with the Salt House Motel than with the surrounding attractions. Our room was clean and well-organized, with a fabulous view of Porpoise Bay and its long, sandy beach. We were there in mid-spring, though, so it wasn't beach weather or Hector's Dolphin season, and the nearby attractions were disappointing. The "Petrified Forest" was underwhelming, and the yellow-eyed penguins were scarce. We did find a terrific hike nearby though -- the Waipohatu Waterfalls Track. The motel offers to provide a supply of breakfast food by pre-arrangement. What we didn't realize is that that's the ONLY way to get breakfast in the area. There are no grocery stores anywhere nearby, or cafes serving breakfast. So take the motel's offer, or bring groceries with you.
• Trevor (10/5): - Beautiful view from very clean apartment 😍
• Shayne (10/5): - Amazing location views to die for a screen between apparments 1 and 2 for privacy when sitting outside only complaint
• Mavis (10/5): - Lovely stay, lovely place.
• John (10/5): - Superb. What more can you say. 10/10.
• Jennifer (10/5): - Very comfortable room with spectacular views and easy access to the beach.
• Angela (10/5): - This was the perfect spot for a relaxing getaway. Amazing accommodation and we will certainly be recommending it to others. It lived up to all expectations and delivered on its promises. We would return in a heartbeat.
• Verified traveler (10/5): Loved this place - Great place on the beach. The view of the beach is amazing. Nice and clean and had all the amenities needed. We really enjoyed our stay. Portable heater provided when bedroom got cold. Heating in the rest of the place made it nice and comfortable.
• Annabel (10/5): Beautiful view! - Beautiful view right on the beach. Clean and comfy. Spacious rooms. Close to the dolphins and penguins.
• Nicholas (8/5): - This will be an amazing property in the summer, the view is magnificent. In winter we found it to be very cold - there was a high wind and it was blowing directly in through the front windows (which were abit drafty) - so although the heating was on, the temperature dropped all night! Still, I would recommend - just not on a windy night !! There were an old pair of socks under one of the chairs, which did make me question the cleanliness - but other than that, everything did seem to be clean.
• Gleezy (10/5): - Very good location
• Leonie (10/5): - Fabulous view from our room. Well equipped kitchenette to cook dinner as no dining options open on a Tuesday night. Spotlessly clean and very comfortable. Would stay again if in the area and recommend to others.
• Joanne (10/5): - A beautiful location, waking up every morning to the gorgeous Hectors Dolphins playing and feeding right out front of the room. Being able to swim with them in the habitat was an exceptional experience. The property has everything you need for a stay of any length. Just bring your own food, and insect repellent for the sandflies. The room was light and airy, clean and tidy with a lovely big bathroom. There is an upstairs room and the second night of our stay some people stayed in that room, Any walking around and moving of furniture they did could be clearly heard in our room. A bit annoying as the first night no one was there and it was lovely and quiet. New people also moved into the room beside us on the second day and they were a bit thumpy and bangy too. The couple there on first night were very quiet. Thankfully both noisy couples retired early therefore the noise stopped, perhaps owners could look into some sort of sound proofing, or even tell customers to be considerate of other guests. Other than this we loved the property and the perfect location and hope to return someday
• Carmel (8/5): - This a accomodation is all about the view. Vey comfortable and has everything to make your stay a pleasurable one.
• Grant (10/5): - Curio Bay/Porpoise Beach was an outstanding location. We loved the beachfront position where we could watch the dolphins playing right in the shallows. The famous petrified forest was brilliant, you can look at something 160 million years old. The Star filled dark sky was exquisite
• Margaret (10/5): - The rooms were exceptionally clean and well appointed. The view from the main room is incredible
• Keely (10/5): Amazing - Spectacular! The accommodation was luxurious and well stocked. Views were unparalleled. We stayed up to watch the penguins come in. Didn’t want to leave!
• Mandy (10/5): - The bed was beautiful!!! Lovely big and quiet room with a magnificent view.
• Verified traveler (10/5): Fantastic view! - This hotel is a jewel. Great location, only few minutes from Curio Bay cliff. Fantastic view from the room. Easy access to the beach. Room is modern and clean. Wish we could stay longer.
• Penny (10/5): - Beautiful location, access to the beach.
• Lara (6/5): Amazing views - An amazing place to stay for incredible views over a rugged surf beach. The rooms are a a bit dull and sad though with fraying carpet. Comfy bed and warm efficient heating. Bathroom heated which is nice, terrible shower. Very quiet
• Mary (10/5): - On the waterfront, magnificent view, can hear the waves at night, nice big space with everything you need. Bring supplies as not much around and most places are closed.
• Terry (8/5): - Great beach location.
• Kris (10/5): - Beautiful location right on the water
• Janette (6/5): - Stunning location. Room was really really small. Good for one night but too small for a long stay. Lots of rules e.g. a $25 charge if you dont do your dishes...really and we're already paying $190 a night.
• Maree (10/5): - Loved our stay. Wish we had booked for more than 1 night. We will be back
• Daphne (10/5): Awesome stay - It was an amazing stay with nice sea view. Comfortable beds, bath tub, pillows, big open kitchen and lounge. Highly recommended.
• Michael (10/5): Our awesome stay in the Salt House Curio Bay. - Great room in a great spot nice to have a couch seperat chairs big comfortable bed awesome shower in a big bathroom and a well equipped kitchen. all we could ask for and more. So close to the beach and the blue penguin experience was extra special.
• Joelle de (8/5): - Location on the beachfront just wonderful! Room is very small for 2 people but adequate and well set out.
• Carolyn (8/5): - Excellent location with magnificent view of beach and everything we needed kitchen was great.
• Maree (6/5): - No laundry facilities, no plug in basin, shower rose sprayed everywhere, entrance area not very inviting (untidy, overgrown, unkept and odour around overfill rubbish bins). We did see dolphins tho
• Rorianne (10/5): - Absolutely perfect spot right on the beach, gorgeous, peaceful & dolphins right at your door step, amazing.
• Warren (10/5): - Great location. Staff very helpful.
• Linda (10/5): - On the beach, perfect location. Outdoor tap to clean off sand. Grass lawn and furniture to watch beach and dolphins. Magic
• kim (10/5): - Outstanding place to stay. Our room was clean and facilities perfect. The beach is right outside the door and the dolphins in the bay were amazing.
• Tim (10/5): - What a great spot. Right on the beach with dolphins swimming by constantly - and the odd sea lion. The room has all you need for a stay but I'd recommend bringing a bit of food with you if you're looking to make your own meals, as local supplies are limited. Curio Bay is magic and I'd certainly recommend this accommodation.
• Lyndsey (10/5): - Absolutely beautiful place to stay. View from our room was stunning and room was super comfortable and had everything we needed. Thank you!
• Graeme (10/5): - Rooms and beds were very comfortable. Bathroom, kitchen and dining rooms were also very well kept and usable. Electric fry pan was so useful too. Recommend this place!
• Tazmina (10/5): Fabulous location - Just the best location on Porpoise Bay. The unit was as good as one coujd Hope with good cooking facilities and other amenities. We would stay here again in a heartbeat. Communication was spot on given the short notice we gave.
• Verified traveler (6/5): Nice place, but expensive - Nice spot, can walk straight down into the beach and see porpoises swimming in the bay. The room was clean and tidy. Not value for money though, as an example 2 days later we booked a Heritage room in the Chateau, Tongariro for the same amount (where we didnt have to do our own dishes before checkout or face a $25 charge).
• James (10/5): - Great location with panoramic views. Would recommend to anyone looking for accommodation in Curio Bay.
• Debra (8/5): Remote beach viewing - No dishwasher to sanitizer dishes yet a charge if dishes were not washed. Then I wondered how well the previous people washed the dishes I ate on. Garbage bag could be left for us to place our trash for quick removal of property management. Nice view of private beach Labor Day weekend meant no food available.
• Mark (10/5): - Loved view. So lovely. Worked well for our family.
• Leigh (10/5): - Beautiful property right on the water and amazing views. Lovely room with great amenities and lovely and warm
• Verified traveler (10/5): - Beautiful room. Stunning view. Simple and easy to stay. Very quiet. Would highly recommend.
• Verified traveler (10/5): - lovely place to stay very peaceful , love access to the beach ,beautiful sunrise & views a must stay we would stay there again.
• Verified traveler (10/5): - the view and tranquillity was amazing

Photos