Christchurch, 43 Papanui Road, Merivale-43.518601,172.626297(Show on Map)
7.1
Good
+5 Photos
+5 Photos
+ 3 Photos3
Checkin - Checkout dates
1 Room2 Guests
Info
Summary of reviews
Colonial Inn Motel in Christchurch is well-regarded for its prime location, offering guests the convenience of easily accessing central attractions such as botanical gardens, shops in Merivale and a variety of dining options. Positioned close to the airport and within a short drive to the city center, other key spots like Christchurch Hospital and St George's Hospital are also nearby. Its proximity to bus stops further enhances the convenience for those relying on public transportation. Despite occasional traffic noise due to its main road location, the benefits of being close to the city’s amenities significantly outweigh this minor drawback. The helpful and friendly motel staff also contribute to the positive experience.
The motel receives mixed reviews regarding its rooms, but guests typically highlight the spaciousness and cleanliness, noting that rooms are tidy and serviced daily. The convenience of in-room basics and free parking add further value. Some guests did mention issues with dated decor, faulty plumbing and low water pressure, indicating a need for maintenance and refurbishment. Despite these points, the overall comfort and practicality, combined with friendly staff, were appreciated.
Additionally, the cleanliness of the motel is mostly praised with clean, well-maintained rooms contributing to a pleasant stay. Nonetheless, a few guests pointed out the necessity for more thorough cleaning, especially in kitchens and bathrooms and addressing occasional unwanted smells and pests. These issues suggest that while the general housekeeping is good, there is room for more consistent attention to detail.
The staff at Colonial Inn Motel are a standout feature, frequently described as accommodating, helpful and friendly. Many guests appreciated the manager’s efforts to enhance their stay and provided useful information about the local area. Specific staff members, like Judy, received special commendations for their caring attitude, reflecting the overall inviting and welcoming nature of the motel’s personnel.
The quality of the Wi-Fi at the motel also receives mixed feedback. Many guests reported a good connection that met their needs, while others experienced inconsistent connectivity and issues with the signal cutting out, especially in certain rooms.
Regarding parking, guests appreciated the ample off-street parking and convenience of spots directly in front of their rooms. However, some found the parking spaces too tight, particularly for larger vehicles, bringing out the need for improvements in the parking layout to better accommodate all guests.
As for the beds, many visitors found them comfortable and clean, contributing to a restful stay. Positive remarks about the softness of pillows and overall cleanliness were common. However, some guests felt the beds were too firm and there were occasional issues with warmth and maintenance, such as loose bed legs and beds on wheels.
In summary, Colonial Inn Motel offers a convenient and generally comfortable stay with a highly regarded staff, though there are areas for improvement, particularly in room updates, maintenance, thorough cleaning and parking arrangements.
Categories
Cheap
Colonial Inn Motel provides budget accommodation with a convenient location. It offers standard amenities for a comfortable stay at an affordable price.
Free Wi-Fi
Parking
Ski
Room Types
Queen StudioThis studio features a kitchenette with a stove, microwave and refrigerator. It also offers a flat-screen TV.
Some of these rooms offer air conditioning, subject to availability.
Standard Triple StudioThis studio features a kitchenette with a microwave and refrigerator. It also offers a flat-screen TV.
Some of these rooms offer air conditioning, subject to availability.
One-Bedroom ApartmentThis apartment features a fully equipped kitchen and a lounge area offering a flat-screen TV.
Some of these rooms offer air conditioning, subject to availability.
Two-Bedroom ApartmentThis apartment features a fully equipped kitchen and a lounge area offering a flat-screen TV.
Some of these rooms offer air conditioning, subject to availability.
Three-Bedroom ApartmentThis spacious apartment features 1 living room, 3 separate bedrooms and 2 bathrooms with a shower and free toiletries. In the fully equipped kitchen, guests will find a stovetop, a refrigerator, kitchenware and an oven. The apartment has carpeted floors, a seating area with a flat-screen TV, a private entrance, a tea and coffee maker, as well as a dining area. The unit has 8 beds.
Guest Reviews
7.1
Good
Review Summaries
Location
Nestled conveniently in Christchurch, Colonial Inn Motel is celebrated for its prime location, offering guests an array of accessible options to explore the city. Positioned about 15 minutes from the airport and a short drive to the city center, the motel is also within a comfortable walking distance to central attractions such as the botanical gardens, shops in Merivale and various eateries including pubs, restaurants and fast-food chains.
Visitors appreciate the easy access to both the town and surrounding suburbs, including proximity to notable places like Christchurch Hospital and St George's Hospital. Its location being close to bus stops adds to the convenience, making it a suitable spot for those relying on public transportation. Guests highlight the motel’s central and handy location, which allows quick commutes to the Christchurch CBD and nearby malls.
Despite being situated on a busy main road, which might result in some traffic noise, the benefits of being close to the city's amenities and attractions outweigh this minor inconvenience for many. The motel's staff also receive accolades for their friendliness and accommodation.
In summary, Colonial Inn Motel provides excellent value for those looking to stay within reach of Christchurch's central and vibrant areas, offering the perfect blend of accessibility, convenience and comfort.
Rooms
The Colonial Inn Motel receives mixed reviews regarding its rooms. However, a few recurring themes stand out. Positively, guests frequently mention the spaciousness and cleanliness of the rooms, noting that they are generally tidy and serviced daily. Many find the rooms comfortable, practical and well-priced. The presence of basic necessities and a quiet environment even during busy periods is appreciated, along with the convenience of free parking right outside the units.
On the downside, numerous reviews highlight that the rooms and decor are dated with some guests reporting issues such as faulty plumbing, low water pressure, uncomfortable beds and noisy surroundings. Additionally, there are mentions of the need for better maintenance and refurbishments to address worn fittings and other signs of wear and tear. Despite these drawbacks, the friendly staff and the overall size of the units continue to be strong points that many guests appreciate. Overall, while the Colonial Inn Motel offers spacious and clean accommodation, it could benefit from updating and better soundproofing.
Beds
Guests at the Colonial Inn Motel have shared a variety of opinions about the beds with a strong emphasis on comfort. Many reviews highlight that the beds are comfortable and clean with some guests specifically noting their satisfaction with the soft pillows and the overall cleanliness of the bed linens. Phrases like "comfy beds," "comfortable and clean beds," and "comfortable great beds" were commonly mentioned, underscoring a general level of comfort and satisfaction.
However, the reviews are not universally positive. Some guests found the beds to be too hard with phrases like "bed was a bit hard," "the bed was very hard," and "my mum's bed was like a rock" indicating a preference for softer mattresses among these visitors. Additionally, concerns were raised about the bedding not being warm enough for winter and some maintenance issues were mentioned, such as beds on wheels moving and bed legs being loose.
In summary, while many guests had a comfortable and enjoyable sleep experience on clean and comfy beds at the Colonial Inn Motel, there were notable exceptions where the firmness of the beds and insufficient warmth posed issues for some.
Cleanliness
The Colonial Inn Motel garners mixed reviews regarding its cleanliness with many positive remarks tempered by notable criticisms. Guests frequently praised the motel for its clean and well-maintained rooms, describing them as spotless, tidy and cleaned daily. Friendly and accommodating staff further contributed to the pleasant experience for many visitors. Comfortable beds and well-equipped kitchens added to the comfort of the rooms.
However, some reviews highlighted significant cleaning issues. Several guests noted a need for deep cleaning, particularly in kitchens and bathrooms. Complaints included dirt, mould and dust in various areas, including shower units and skirting boards. Additionally, the presence of unwanted smells and occasional pests diminished the experience for some.
While the motel's overall location and friendly service received commendations, recurring mentions of maintenance issues and a need for thorough cleaning suggest that the Colonial Inn Motel has room for improvement in its housekeeping practices to ensure a consistently positive guest experience.
Staff
Colonial Inn Motel stands out for its commendable staff, as reflected in the numerous guest reviews. Guests frequently highlight the friendly, accommodating and helpful nature of the staff. Many were impressed with the knowledgeable and businesslike demeanor of the personnel, making their stay more enjoyable and hassle-free. The manager is noted for going above and beyond, taking the time to explain details about the motel and local attractions and even suggesting room changes to enhance guests' comfort.
Judy, a staff member mentioned by name, was particularly praised for her caring attitude. The owners also received high marks for their lovely demeanor and involvement in addressing guests' concerns. Words like inviting, wonderful and welcoming repeatedly surface in descriptions of the interactions with staff members.
Moreover, the reception staff were acknowledged for their efficiency and friendliness with one guest specifically praising the reception lady as awesome. The overall hospitality was consistently described as great with the cleaning staff also receiving compliments for their delightful attitude.
Despite an isolated incident of rudeness, the overwhelming majority of reviews depict the staff as a high point of the Colonial Inn Motel experience, making it a reliable choice for travelers seeking a welcoming and supportive environment.
Wi-Fi
The WiFi at Colonial Inn Motel has received mixed reviews from guests. Many have praised the connection, describing it as great, excellent and a bonus feature during their stay. Some guests reported no issues with the WiFi and found it good enough for their needs. However, other reviews mentioned inconsistent connectivity with the signal cutting out in certain areas and sometimes not working at all, particularly in specific rooms. Despite these challenges, the positive feedback about the WiFi indicates that the motel has generally reliable internet access for most guests.
Parking
Colonial Inn Motel offers a well-located accommodation with a variety of parking options that have received mixed reviews from guests. Many visitors appreciated the convenience of having ample off-street parking available and some noted the ease of parking with trailers. The parking area is often mentioned as being directly in front of the rooms, which adds to the convenience. Others praised the clean passage areas and the assurance of good parking spaces.
However, there are notable concerns regarding the design and size of the parking spaces. Multiple reviews highlight that the parking spots can be quite tight and cramped, making it difficult for larger vehicles, such as 4WDs, to park without issues. Some guests found the parking spaces too small or too far from their rooms and a few reported that the parking arrangement was somewhat chaotic with limited availability.
Overall, while some guests found the parking situation satisfactory and convenient, others experienced difficulties due to the tight and limited space, indicating room for improvement in this area.
FAQ
No, Colonial Inn Motel doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Colonial Inn Motel.
No, Colonial Inn Motel doesn't allow dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at Colonial Inn Motel.
