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Summary of reviewsScenic Hotel Southern Cross, located in central Dunedin, is highly praised for its prime position in the city, making it an ideal base for exploring key attractions, dining, entertainment and shopping. The location offers convenience whether guests are in town for leisure or business with easy access to public transport, cafes, shopping malls and cultural spots.
The hotel’s breakfast receives mixed reviews but leans positively with many guests commending the buffet's variety and value for money. Noteworthy mentions include gluten-free options and in-room breakfast service, although occasional issues with food quality and selection were noted. Dinner experiences were largely positive, particularly at the Ports of Call Restaurant, praised for its food quality and affordability despite a few criticisms regarding menu variety and room service consistency.
Rooms at the Scenic Hotel Southern Cross are generally described as spacious, warm and clean, providing a comfortable stay with practical amenities. While the decor and furnishings could use updating, the overall ambiance and cleanliness are appreciated. Guests find the beds comfortable, adding to overall room satisfaction despite minor issues.
The hotel staff stand out for their friendliness and helpfulness, significantly enhancing the guest experience through their professional and welcoming demeanor. Guests consistently highlight the excellent service provided by both the front desk and housekeeping teams, contributing to an enjoyable stay.
While free wifi is available, its reliability varies, presenting a mixed experience for guests. The gym facilities are positively reviewed for their size and utility despite some feedback suggesting room for enhancement. Additionally, the hotel is acknowledged for its family-friendly accommodations, especially with connecting rooms and spacious family options.
Those interested in nightlife will find the hotel's location advantageous with easy access to bars, clubs, the Octagon and a nearby casino. Despite some mixed opinions on its four-star rating, the hotel generally meets guests' expectations for a comfortable and pleasant stay, particularly for business travelers who appreciate its convenient location and amenities for work-related visits.
Accessibility features are generally well-regarded with the hotel offering suitable accommodations for guests with mobility issues. However, the carpark condition could improve with some reports of potholes and the lack of valet services.
Overall, Scenic Hotel Southern Cross offers a reliable and comfortable stay with a prime location, commendable service and useful amenities, making it a preferred choice for both leisure and business travelers in Dunedin. Show more
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Categories
Hotel for Honeymoon
Family Friendly Hotel
Romantic Hotel
Hotel near Nightlife Spots
Business Hotel
Accessible Hotel
Hotel with Gym
4-Star Hotel
Room Types
Superior King RoomRoom features a flat-screen TV, desk space, mini bar, fridge, tea and coffee making facilities, telephone, hairdryer, ironing facilities and free WiFi.
There is an accessible bathroom option available on request (subject to availability).
There is no capacity for additional guests.
Superior Twin Room with Two Double BedsRoom features a flat-screen TV, desk space, mini bar, fridge, tea and coffee making facilities, telephone, hairdryer, ironing facilities and free WiFi.
Standard King RoomRoom features a flat-screen TV, desk space, mini bar, fridge, tea and coffee making facilities, telephone, hairdryer, ironing facilities and free WiFi.
Tower King SuiteThis suite features a separate bedroom with a lounge dining area. It has a flat-screen TV, desk space, mini bar, fridge, tea and coffee making facilities, telephone, hairdryer, ironing facilities and free WiFi.
Tower Suite with Two Queen BedsThis suite features a separate bedroom with a lounge dining area. It has a flat-screen TV, desk space, mini bar, fridge, tea and coffee making facilities, telephone, hairdryer, ironing facilities and free WiFi.
Presidential SuiteThis suite features a large lounge dining area. It has a flat-screen TV, desk space, mini bar, fridge, tea and coffee making facilities, telephone, hairdryer, ironing facilities and free WiFi.
Executive Suite with Two King BedsThis suite features a flat-screen TV, desk space, minibar, fridge, tea and coffee making facilities, telephone, hairdryer, ironing facilities and free WiFi.
Superior Interconnecting RoomThis room is spacious with good natural lighting and modern styling, featuring tea and coffee making facilities, a flat-screen TV, desk space, mini bar, fridge, hairdryer, ironing facilities and free WiFi.
Interconnecting Room - Tower SuiteThis room is spacious with good natural lighting and modern styling, featuring tea and coffee making facilities, a flat-screen TV, desk space, mini bar, fridge, hairdryer, ironing facilities and free WiFi.
Interconnecting Room- Presidential SuiteThis suite has a large adjoining lounge and it features tea and coffee making facilities, a flat-screen TV, desk space, mini bar, fridge, hairdryer, ironing facilities and free WiFi.
Standard Twin RoomThe spacious twin room provides a minibar, a seating area, as well as a private bathroom featuring a bath and a shower. The twin room offers a wardrobe, an electric kettle, a carpeted floor, heating and a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. The unit offers 2 beds.
Guest Reviews
7.8
Good
Location
The Scenic Hotel Southern Cross boasts an enviable location in Dunedin, highlighted frequently for its central positioning. It provides guests an ideal base, being situated right in the heart of the city and within walking distance to key attractions such as the Octagon, libraries, art galleries and a wide array of restaurants and bars. The convenience of having a bus stop directly in front of the hotel offers easy access to explore the city further.
Guests have found the proximity to the city center, shopping malls, cafes and the casino particularly appealing, allowing for easy dining, entertainment and shopping experiences. The hotel's strategic placement makes it perfect for short stayovers, business trips or leisurely exploration, offering easy everything from the main street to popular cultural spots like the Speights Brewery.
Additionally, the quiet and comfortable rooms are appreciated, ensuring a restful stay amidst the bustling city. The convenience of on-site amenities such as restaurants, combined dining and gaming options, pleasant and helpful staff and accessible parking further enhances the overall guest experience. The blend of a prime location with practical comforts makes Scenic Hotel Southern Cross a top choice for both business and leisure travelers visiting Dunedin.
Breakfast
The breakfast experience at Scenic Hotel Southern Cross offers a mixed bag of reviews, though it leans notably toward the positive. Guests frequently commend the breakfast buffet, describing it as great, excellent and full of variety with specific praise for its inclusion of gluten-free options. Many visitors also highlight the breakfast as being good value for money with some even stating it was the best they've had in New Zealand.
The selection and presentation of the food, including both cooked and continental options, receive high marks from several reviewers. Items like awesome pancakes and great coffee particularly stand out. The breakfast location within the hotel and in-room breakfast options also add to the convenient and pleasant dining experience.
However, a number of reviews express disappointment, citing issues such as food quality and temperature with some guests finding the breakfast below average or even awful. Specific complaints include overdone bacon, cold food, limited dietary options and miscellaneous mishaps like egg shells in poached eggs.
Overall, while there is room for improvement, the breakfast at Scenic Hotel Southern Cross generally leaves a favorable impression on guests, offering a diverse and mostly satisfying start to the day.
Dinner
The reviews for dinner at Scenic Hotel Southern Cross generally highlight positive dining experiences with a few exceptions. Guests frequently praised the on-site restaurants for their convenience and fantastic food, especially at the Ports of Call Restaurant, which received several mentions for exceptional meals. Many enjoyed the professional service and found the dining experiences to be great and affordable.
Room service received mixed feedback with some guests applauding its timely delivery and the lovely taste of dishes, while others felt it was disappointing and not worth the cost. Despite some negative remarks about the quality and menu options, the convenience of having restaurants available for dinner and breakfast was widely appreciated. There's particular emphasis on the plentiful and varied meals, which combined with the friendly staff, made dining enjoyable for most guests. However, a few pointed out the absence of a mini-bar in rooms and disappointing menu selections as areas needing improvement.
Overall, the dining facilities at Scenic Hotel Southern Cross seem to offer pleasant, convenient options for guests, contributing positively to their stay.
Rooms
The Scenic Hotel Southern Cross offers rooms that many guests found to be spacious, warm and clean, making them a comfortable choice for visitors. Guests appreciated the good room sizes and well-appointed interiors, providing all necessary amenities. The rooms and facilities generally appear to match their photos online, ensuring transparent expectations. On the downside, several guests remarked that the decor and furnishings are dated and showing signs of wear, indicating a need for updates and maintenance. Noise was a concern for some, particularly for rooms near elevators or with thin walls and a few guests experienced issues with water pipes and heating. Additionally, bathrooms often came across as small and in need of refreshing. Despite these drawbacks, the overall comfort, cleanliness and warmth of the rooms were frequently noted, aligning well with the hotel's value for money.
Beds
Scenic Hotel Southern Cross showcases a mixed experience when it comes to their beds, though the majority of reviews indicate a positive reception. Many guests found the beds to be comfortable and appreciated the great size, describing them as big, comfy, fantastic and featuring very comfortable bedding. The hotel garnered particular praise for its extremely comfy large beds and the lovely, soft bedding.
However, a minority of reviews reflected some dissatisfaction. A few guests pointed out that the beds were either too soft or too firm with some even finding them lumpy or extremely uncomfortable. There were also mentions of specific issues such as beds lacking electric blankets and an isolated instance of a guest being accommodated in a small twin bed which was not to their liking.
Overall, despite some varying opinions, the general consensus leans towards the beds at Scenic Hotel Southern Cross being a reliable choice for a good night's sleep, often highlighted as comfy and inviting by numerous guests.
Cleanliness
The Scenic Hotel Southern Cross garners positive feedback for its clean and comfortable rooms. Most guests found their accommodations to be clean, tidy and well-maintained, highlighting the effort in daily cleaning and the cozy nature of the rooms. The facilities themselves are noted as lovely and clean, contributing to an overall pleasant stay.
However, several reviews pointed out areas in need of improvement, such as dusty skirting boards, dirty windows and occasional issues with the bathroom cleanliness. There are mentions of dated decor and some maintenance concerns, including unclean fridges and musty smells. Despite these critiques, the hotel's cleaning staff are often described as friendly and welcoming, ensuring that core areas such as the rooms and general spaces are taken care of.
The ambiance of the hotel is described as clean, warm and quiet, although some note that the building shows signs of age and wear. Overall, while there are a few areas that could use attention, the Scenic Hotel Southern Cross provides a clean and comfortable environment that meets the essential expectations of its guests.
Staff
Scenic Hotel Southern Cross is consistently praised for its exceptional staff, who leave a lasting positive impression on guests. The team is frequently described as friendly, helpful and welcoming. Numerous reviews highlight their accommodating nature with guests specifically mentioning the pleasant reception staff, including a special nod to individuals like Ian and XinXin. The front desk personnel are noted for being great and always ready to assist, making check-ins smooth and pleasant.
Guests repeatedly commend the staff as amazing, fabulous, fantastic and terrific. The housekeeping team also receives accolades for their friendliness and service. The overall atmosphere created by the staff contributes significantly to guest satisfaction. Whether it's through their courteous interactions or their willingness to address questions efficiently, the staff at Scenic Hotel Southern Cross stand out for their professionalism and warmth. This high level of service ensures a pleasant and welcoming experience for all visitors.
Wi-Fi
The wifi situation at Scenic Hotel Southern Cross offers a mixed experience. On the positive side, some guests have found the wifi to be good and the connection reliable, appreciating the fact that the hotel provides free Wi-Fi. However, other guests have faced challenges, reporting issues such as trouble getting the wifi to work on their phones, inconsistent connectivity and the unfortunate need to rely on their own data plans due to frequent dropouts. While the hotel does offer Wifi, it seems there are instances of inconsistency in quality.
Gym
The gym at Scenic Hotel Southern Cross comes highly regarded for its utility and overall positive experience. Noted for being a good size, guests frequently express satisfaction with the facility and describe it as useful and really good. While some feedback suggests that the gym could benefit from better equipment and more thorough cleaning, the general consensus is that it serves its purpose well. Though it may be considered small and standard by some, the gym remains a valued feature for those looking to maintain their fitness routine during their stay.
Family
Scenic Hotel Southern Cross offers a variety of family-friendly accommodations, making it a strong choice for travelers with children. Many guests have highlighted the convenience of connecting rooms, which can be particularly beneficial for families. Spacious rooms with two large beds have been noted as ideal for family stays. The hotel has received praise for thoughtful touches like plates of macarons, adding a bit of delight to the stay. While most reviews are positive, a few have mentioned that some rooms may not be entirely kid-friendly. Overall, it's a good option for those traveling with family, providing a welcoming environment that caters to both adults and children.
Nightlife
Scenic Hotel Southern Cross offers an excellent location for those interested in enjoying the vibrant nightlife of the area. The hotel is in close proximity to various nightlife options, making it ideal for a night out at the clubs. Guests can easily walk to nearby bars and the well-known Octagon, a hub for entertainment. Additionally, the nearby casino provides another layer of excitement just a short stroll away. The central city location ensures that restaurants and other entertainment venues are within walking distance, adding to the convenience for those looking to explore the nightlife in the vicinity.
4 Star
Scenic Hotel Southern Cross has garnered mixed feedback regarding its four-star rating, facilities and services. Many guests acknowledged it as a fitting four-star property, referring to it as a perfect four-star hotel and highlighting its four-star amenities. The facilities were frequently described as up to the four-star standard and services consistently met the four-star level, resulting in a positive four-star experience for many.
Guests appreciated the quality of the hotel and its services, noting that it provided a great four-star stay. The friendliness of the staff was also positively mentioned, compensating for some traditional four-star aspects. Several visitors felt that it lived up to its four-star claims.
Nevertheless, some reviewers felt the hotel fell short, describing it as outdated and basic for a four-star establishment with some suggesting it was closer to a three-star rating. Despite this, the overall sentiment indicated it as a reliable four-star option for travelers.
Business
Scenic Hotel Southern Cross is ideal for business travelers, offering good facilities for meetings and being particularly convenient for attending events. The location is perfect for short stopovers and work trips, making it a favorable choice for those in town for business. Guests have found it suitable for both business and work stays with many returning multiple times for such purposes. Rooms are noted for being warm, spacious and providing good value for a work stay. While the conference room may be lacking, overall the hotel is business-friendly and perfect for work trips.
Accessible
The Scenic Hotel Southern Cross has received positive feedback for its accessibility features. Guests noted that the hotel is accessible and suited for handicapped individuals with excellent accessibility options available, including specially designed accessible rooms. Its prime location adds to the convenience, being close to bus stops, making transportation easier for those with mobility issues. The building itself is lauded as accessible, contributing positively to the overall experience.
However, there are notable areas for improvement, particularly with the carpark. Guests reported issues such as potholes and described the condition as atrocious. Additionally, the absence of valet parking and priority options for Tesla vehicles was mentioned. While the proximity of the carpark to the casino entrance is beneficial, these details highlight some aspects that could be enhanced to better serve guests with disabilities.
Overall, the Scenic Hotel Southern Cross is praised primarily for its accessible facilities and strategic location, making it recommendable for travelers with disabilities, though improvements in the carpark could further enhance guest satisfaction.
Luxury
At Scenic Hotel Southern Cross, guests have experienced a stay marked by luxurious elements and comfort. Leaving a lasting impression, the hotel offers luxurious amenities that add to the overall opulence. The Presidential Suite, in particular, stands out, providing guests with a high standard of luxury. The experience is often described with terms such as luxurious hotel, luxury stay and luxury suite, reflecting the refined and stylish atmosphere. While some aspects related to luxury might be missing, the general consensus is that the hotel delivers a countrified luxury feel, blending comfort and style seamlessly.
No, Scenic Hotel Southern Cross doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Scenic Hotel Southern Cross.
No, Scenic Hotel Southern Cross doesn't allow dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at Scenic Hotel Southern Cross.