I had a pleasant two-night stay at this hotel. Everything was clean and tidy, and the views over the bay were beautiful. The location is excellent, right in the center of town next to the harbor, which makes it easy to get anywhere.nnOne issue I encountered was the lack of information about accessing the hotel at night. I wasn’t informed that the front door would be locked late in the evening and that the room key could be used to open it. I ended up locked out until another guest kindly explained how it worked. It seems I wasn’t the only one, as other guests were also unaware of this. I believe this detail should definitely be shared at check-in to avoid confusion.nnThe breakfast deserves a special mention. It is the best I have had in New Zealand so far. Fresh, delicious, and a real highlight of the stay.nnAlso worth noting is the hotel’s pub, which happens to be the only one on the entire island. It is an absolute must-visit. They host quiz evenings there, and I highly recommend joining in. It is a great way to have fun and meet other travelers and locals alike.
5 StarsnnWe spent several days at the South Sea Hotel pub and loved every minute of it. The atmosphere was among the best we’ve experienced—warm, lively, and full of character, easily rivaling pubs we’ve visited across multiple continents. The food was excellent, the local NZ beers were spot on, but what truly made the experience unforgettable was the staff. They went above and beyond, even organising a feed of fresh crayfish just for us—even though it wasn’t on the menu! A truly special place. Highly recommend.nnSpecial thanks to Sandra and Jonathon!
If you're a seafood lover, their seafood chowder is a must-try. Having been in New Zealand for two years, this is the most delicious and freshest seafood chowder I've ever had.nnThe bowl was generously packed with seafood, we loved it so much and we're already planning to comeback tomorrow. Friendly staff, cozy atmosphere, everything was just perfect.nnThe room was simple but clean, providing a perfect place to rest before and after tramping.
I love this type of hotel. Stayed here when doing some hiking/tramping recently. Room was as advertised and very clean - single bed room with shared bathroom. It’s advertised as great value and so it is. Super friendly people. The bar/restaurant downstairs were really good - also reasonably priced. Definitely stay again.
Rooms are fine - functional, clean, serviceable. But it’s all about the location. You can’t beat the view onto the harbor. The service is super friendly and the pub is fantastic. Just the place to unwind after a nice long walk. I wouldn’t change a thing.