A'la Vista Motel

8/10

Excellent

18 Apr 2026

James

No further comment

6/10

Pleasant

21 Mar 2026

Aaron

I don’t understand the 8.8 “excellent” rating on Hotels.com — it doesn’t reflect the actual experience.

The property was clean, but overall quite rundown and clearly in need of maintenance.

The fridge froze food, while the cooker burned it even on the lowest setting.

Sleep was also disrupted by very bright exterior lighting, and curtains that didn’t properly block it out.

I travel frequently for business, and properties with an “excellent” rating are usually of a much higher standard than this.

It wasn’t a terrible stay and the price was fair — but it did not meet expectations based on the rating.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

18 Mar 2026

Nick

Great spot , great stay lovely owners🙏🙏

Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

02 Mar 2026

Stacey

Late night booking. Lovely staff

4/10

Poor

16 Feb 2026

Candice

The pool was dirty, the pictures did not match what the room was like which was run down wall paper coming off the walls and water damage on the sink.

The bath was so slippery I fell and hurt myself.

We were going to tell reception but there was no one there and no one there to collect out key, despite ringing the door bell and calling them.

Business_and_leisure Partner

4/10

Poor

09 Nov 2025

Moana

I had to ask reception if the pool was ready and safe to swim in because it looked unkept and dirty. The guy at the reception called someone to ask but couldn't get through. He was very blazay about it like he didn't know or care. I said that was false advertising online showing a nice clean pool ready to swim in. He finally got through to someone and yelled from another room, that the pool was ok to swim. The grass was long, it looked nothing like the online photos.
The soa bath was dirty, with the covers coming off the fans. A very dirty place to stay I will never stay there again.

4/10

Poor

03 Oct 2025

Toni

Needs a lot of maintenance, ripped wallpaper,
Dirty, moved bed to find a power point and the amount of rubbish and dirt under bed was disgusting carpet not vacuumed . Spa bath also has a crack in base and looked like it hadn’t been cleaned

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

02 Sep 2025

Rita

Amazing host and awesome support staff. We as a team from Wairoa College were well and truely looked after while we stayed here and the facilities were just perfect for us. Thank you Char, Karla and the rest of the team for your awesome hospitality.
Nga Mihi
Rita

Business_and_leisure

10/10

Exceptional

05 Aug 2025

Alannah

nice place for me and friends to stay while we had an event near by. comfy beds and lovely staff.

Leisure Friends

2/10

Poor

10 Jul 2025

The

WORST! hotel and unfriendly owner.

I travel alot for work and most times i request late check ins. I booked via Expedia, booking was simple and convenient as usual for Expedia. Usually the hotel contacts to confirm booking. ZERO communication from the hotel, i called in myself to confirm booking and also mention lat night check in. Normally other hotels keeps the room open and keys inside but this hotel did not. Only told to ring the door bell upon arrival as i did and no answer, called the mobile number given yet no answer again. Had to sleep in the car for the night. Carried onto my next destination where i requested the same and it went like a breeze. Called back Ala Vista to enquire about the refund only to be met by a very rude and vulgar lady, said to be the owner. Got told to f$@ off and hanged the phone. I assumed she needed the money more than i did, and left it as a donation to her and her hotel.

Business Self

10/10

Exceptional

26 Jun 2025

gerry

staff

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

03 May 2025

Juliana

Great place for a 1 night stay. All we needed ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

14 Apr 2025

Marie

Nice and convenient and quiet. Price good.

Spa bath with shower attached not friendly for elderly or people that have difficulty in climbing in and out of bath. Shower taps were hidden under bath towel. Took a awhile to find them.

Bed was comfortable.

10/10

Exceptional

11 Apr 2025

carlena

Was good thanks

Friends_and_family Friends

6/10

Pleasant

20 Mar 2025

Ian

Very average motel

8/10

Excellent

06 Mar 2025

Deborah

Was lovely motel good owners. Very clean

8/10

Excellent

06 Mar 2025

Mike

Quiet motel

Great location and nice stay. Nice tepid pool out the back

Self

10/10

Exceptional

04 Mar 2025

Anaria

Absolutely adored the friendly staff, the pool was Devine on the very hot days! and the wind down in the spa with a glass of bubbles to end the day truely amazing. However, an aircon wouldn’t go a miss in the rooms, as nights were extremely hot and although there was a roof fan (in the room of our first night) and a floor fan (on our second night, different room) it didn’t make much difference. We had too keep the door wide open to let some breeze in and cool the room down.

Buuuuuut Definitely will return here, purely for the pool, and the spa ☺️

Ngā Mihi!

Business_and_leisure Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

02 Mar 2025

Sue

Nice room for one. Bed comfortable . Good tea bags , milk provided, and biscuit. Bathroom had shower over spa bath so could be difficult for older people. Plenty of soap, hair shampoo etc.
There was a swimming pool which I didn’t use but others were. Plenty of parking.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

25 Feb 2025

Anne

Loved the spa bath, such a welcome sight from driving a long way that day. Enjoyed our stay in a very nice motel unit. Thankyou.

Business Friends

8/10

Excellent

30 Jan 2025

Francis

Was all good

8/10

Excellent

13 Jan 2025

Mike

Nice getaway

Nice motel. Easy check in with comfortable rooms. Parking right outside the door

Self

10/10

Exceptional

04 Jan 2025

Adam

Awesome motel. Wish we could stay more often. Value for money. Thanks heaps.

Leisure Family

4/10

Poor

04 Dec 2024

Mathew

Used as housing, drug use by people coming and going

10/10

Exceptional

25 Nov 2024

Shaun

Excellent

8/10

Excellent

17 Nov 2024

Dave

Convenient location

Business Self

8/10

Excellent

15 Nov 2024

Mike

Nice room, quiet down the back, plenty of parking

Self

8/10

Excellent

22 Oct 2024

Mike

Quiet motel for local stoppover

Self

10/10

Exceptional

24 Sep 2024

Mary

Property was clean, staff were friendly and accommodating. The only issue we had was that the bathroom had peeling wallpaper/paint and was very mouldy above head level

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

06 Sep 2024

Gayle

Awesome space here. Was cute, tidy, clean, easy to check in. Loved it! & our room had a spa bath! So cosy.

Leisure

10/10

Exceptional

17 Feb 2024

Amber

Very accommodating

Leisure

10/10

Exceptional

08 Jan 2024

Rebecca

Great stay. Exactly what we needed for a large family

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

05 Nov 2023

Kyla

My family and I stayed here for two days and found our experience quite enjoyable. The staff were amazing and accommodated to our needs which I appreciated. We stayed in 3 rooms as my whanau is big in numbers and we liked how close and convenient we were to each other.

Leisure Family_with_children

8/10

Excellent

10 Sep 2023

Fiona

Nice quiet stay lovely people to deal with easy process thanks

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

20 Apr 2023

Tim

Friendly staff

8/10

Excellent

14 Apr 2023

Rawiri

Spacious unit with large spa bath, a bit more attention to tidiness when servicing or supply a few more things when staying extra nights, paying the same but coffee etc not restocked otherwise comfy beds and does the trick for family

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

09 Apr 2023

Ronald

Clean tidy room comfortable bed. However some issues let it down. No instructions to work the tv, not listing attractions and no breakfast available.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

16 Mar 2023

Eri

Good service

Leisure Family_with_children

6/10

Pleasant

02 Mar 2023

Andrew

A few things lacking, would have appreciated air conditioning mainly. The mattress on the bed sagged majorly we actually had to sleep in separate beds it was that uncomfortable. Really needs upgrading

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

01 Mar 2023

Peter

The property is really nice, will certainly go back again.

Business_and_leisure Partner

6/10

Pleasant

23 Feb 2023

Mark

Good location and spacious

Business Self

4/10

Poor

19 Jan 2023

lachie

A significant number of the rooms is being used for emergency housing... that means noisy and domestic arguments at all hours of the night. They should advertise the fact that it is used for emergency housing...

Business

10/10

Exceptional

04 Aug 2021

Verified traveler

Loved our stay here. Warm, clean rooms with comfy bed and plenty of space

Business Family_with_children

8/10

Excellent

03 Apr 2021

Verified traveler

Good location. Easy access

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

29 Mar 2021

Verified traveler

Great family units. Walking distance to the shopping mall and pizza shops.

Friends_and_family Family

4/10

Poor

21 Feb 2021

Verified traveler

Our room was very dated, there was mould in bathroom and the shower pressure was ridiculous for the small size of it, too powerful i couldnt wash my little one in there. The carpet was that old and dirty i wouldnt let my infant crawl on it. The couch had food marks on it and the wallpaper was lifting. The room needs a complete revamp and deep clean. Also there was a muck up with the room we ordered and had prepaid. They tried to give us a smaller room where the bedding configuration didnt suit, i questioned and the host eventually found a similar room. We did find him pleasant during our stay.

Leisure Family_with_children

4/10

Poor

07 Jan 2021

Verified traveler

The loud foul language, noisy vehicles in and out during night.
The carpets and rooms are very worn and dated.

Leisure Family

4/10

Poor

11 Oct 2020

Verified traveler

The Motel is quite tired, needs a overall re fresh. You could fell every spring in the double pull out bed. Permanent or Temporary residents reside in over half the motel, very noisey on one night, no respect for the travelling patrons. Won’t be going back in a
Hurry. Disappointing.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

30 Jul 2020

A.K.

Great customer service. Clean and spacious room and the family room had an awesome spa bath

Friends_and_family Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

13 Feb 2020

Verified traveler

Great location and the pool is great.

Business

8/10

Excellent

20 Jan 2020

Lisa

Should be smoke free , our neighbor had a smoke early in the morning which just stunk our room out.
Air conditioning would be nice as well

Leisure Family_with_children

8/10

Excellent

16 Jan 2020

Verified traveler

Close to centre if town, plenty of room for a large family.

Friends_and_family Family_with_children

6/10

Pleasant

26 Oct 2019

Verified traveler

The room was old and outdated and the bathroom was filthy. You could see the mould and scum build up on the shower.

Business_and_leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

13 Oct 2019

Verified traveler

Our unit was very warm and bathed in sun. When we went to reception your friendly staff mademade booking in very effortless. The grandson especially liked the offer of free Wi -Fi.
When we needed to extend our checkout time by a couple of hours this to was worked out effortlessly as well.

Business_and_leisure Family

4/10

Poor

06 Oct 2019

Verified traveler

The motel would be the worst I have stayed at in Palmerston. Run down, carpet dirty, paint coming off the walls and mould around the roof of the shower. No expel air hence the mould.

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

11 May 2019

Verified traveler

Perfect for travelling with a dog, nice big room but could hear the people in the spa bath next door

Business Pet

10/10

Exceptional

16 Apr 2019

Verified traveler

Very clean and tidy and great attention to detail, very comfortable beds, great option of large spa bath, plenty of towels etc perfect!

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

31 Dec 2018

Verified traveler

Was nice enough, staff were friendly but no lock on the bathroom door for 5 people and the front curtains didn’t close allowing a lot of light in and people to see in

6/10

Pleasant

16 Dec 2018

Verified traveler

the room was tidy and pleasant enough, though our whole stay was ruined by the numerous other loud guests surrounding our room who were drinking and talking very loudly, also with many noisy children running outside our room untill about 10pm. it would have been nice if management set some guidelines to monitor this

8/10

Excellent

22 Nov 2018

Verified traveler

Needs a refresh, but good cheap accommodation. Some air conditioning would have been nice too.

10/10

Exceptional

16 Sep 2018

Verified traveler

awesome stay

comfortable beds, lovely clean motels friendly staff. would recommend this motel

.

8/10

Excellent

10 Aug 2018

Pharrell

Nice big rooms

The motel was nice and roomy, it was also very clean, if a bit dated. But overall it was excellent value for money. Would stay again.

10/10

Exceptional

30 Jun 2018

Verified traveler

This hotel had everything we needed.

We stayed 2 nights and it was what you expect from a motel. Nice room, everything was clean and comfortable.

8/10

Excellent

24 May 2018

Tony

Ideal stay in Palmerston.

Nice quiet motel. Lovely bath with shower. Paper delivered in the morning. Close to restaurants. Mints left complimentary was a nice touch. Also biscuits.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

19 Apr 2018

Verified traveler

Easter Stay

We had a great two day stay,friendly staff,had a awsome time at the rubgy muesem,
would stay here again close to centre square.

Thanks

Lima & Jules

10/10

Exceptional

11 Apr 2018

Rob

A very pleasant stop on my road trip from Christchurch to Auckland.

10/10

Exceptional

18 Mar 2018

Verified traveler

Excellent venue

Excellent venue, close to town, nice and quite and very comfortable

6/10

Pleasant

12 Mar 2018

Joanne

Check in was unfriendly apart from the male and the dog. Room was not clean. Silly spa was too large and if you only wanted a shower water went everywhere.
Place needs an update and good clean.

8/10

Excellent

07 Jan 2018

Mike

Nice quiet motel

Great location and nice refreshing pool

8/10

Excellent

05 Jan 2018

Jason

convenient

Very friendly staff!!! Good rooms convenient from most places. Good place to rest for a night or two on a road trip!

8/10

Excellent

19 Dec 2017

Very good

Recommendation

lovely place to stay has all the facilities my family needs I recommend to any family

10/10

Exceptional

23 Oct 2017

Sue

Close to the square and other conveniences

Enjoyed being at your motel, very clean and well presented

10/10

Exceptional

17 Oct 2017

Dan

Good motel, nice and quiet.

Excellent accommodation. Nice and clean, good amenities.

6/10

Pleasant

21 Aug 2017

Andy

Well priced Motel near city centre

Clean and tidy rooms, comfortable bed, small TV, curtains would not close properly leaving a gap that people could see through at night. but overall we had a nice stay.

10/10

Exceptional

30 Jul 2017

leigh

Family stay for wedding

Awesome place!cannot recommend highly enough!staff, cleanliness and facilities thoughtful and well organised.staff go over and beyond expectation. We will definitely come back and also recommend to friends and family.hank you for a fabulous stay!

8/10

Excellent

14 May 2017

Verified traveler

Nice Motel

all Good all very good all very very very good. Ok now this is getting annoying. every time i try to submit this review its telling me i need to provide more information!!!

10/10

Exceptional

14 May 2017

Verified traveler

Great central place to stay

A really nice comfortable place to stay. Clean, tidy and the beds were really comfy. Great price too!!

8/10

Excellent

06 May 2017

Jay

Nice hotel close to evething

We stayed the second time love to stay there again

8/10

Excellent

01 May 2017

Verified traveler

A decent place to stay

A small hotel not far from downtown Palmy. We had a 2 room unit which allowed us to put the kids in the room and us in the lounge, where there was a bed. The unit was quiet, even though on the main street.

8/10

Excellent

26 Apr 2017

Donna

PN Weekend......

Central to city...Spacious unit for our family...good parking for extra cars,

10/10

Exceptional

17 Apr 2017

Ram

Excellent Hotel.
We stayed here for one day. Room was clean and had everything we needed.
The main room had a full selection of Sky channels and the TV which was great.
Beds were comfy and the motel is close to town. We will be staying again...

6/10

Pleasant

31 Mar 2017

scott

comment below

didnt have a jet bath, as ordered, but i couldfnt be bothered going to reception, a "teenager" netball team came in after us and were running between rooms, at least they could of done was put them together, instead of "us" in the middle.

a twin bed, thawt they would of seperated them as i "special request" was made for 2 singles, so we flipped a coin and 1 had the couch

8/10

Excellent

24 Mar 2017

simon

nice hotel close to the city centre

good motel, nice people, clean and comfort. Close to city centre, shopping mall, gas station. Easy accsee. Good location. Swimming pool, but weather was too cold to use it.

6/10

Pleasant

17 Mar 2017

Verified traveler

Ok hotel close to town square

The pillows were like concrete and the beds uncomfortable. The toilet dripped all night and the neighbours were noisy. Hotel staff were unfriendly and appeared as though they didnt want to be there. Wallpaper coming away and dirty light switches/power points.
Otherwise the kitchenette was quite good and the pool was nice - except for the dive bombers who made it impossible for the kids to swim.

2/10

Poor

14 Mar 2017

Verified traveler

Worst motel experience I have had in my life!

Paid for the romantic package and hoping to have a restful, comfortable stay. What we got: Very bad customer service, room dirty and dated, very noisy/undesirable guests and noisy neighbours. Checked out that night, as just couldn't stay.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

19 Feb 2017

Laura

Great motel - very comfortable stay.

Took my son and his mate to PN to see dinosaur exhibit. Just needed a one night stay and very glad we picked A'la Vista. Easy to find and we made the most of the facilities there. Some nice touches in unit - shampoo in bathroom, organic coffee in kitchen, mints on dining table. Staff were helpful and the spa bath was wonderful. We would happily stay again.

8/10

Excellent

14 Jan 2017

Verified traveler

Quick overnight visit. Family bedroom good for 4 boys to relax -esp. having own TV.

8/10

Excellent

14 Jan 2017

kat

Good hotel close to centre

This was a great place for 5 people to stay. The hot was friendly enough and the room was set up perfectly for a family of 5. The kids all enjoyed the outdoor pool and a dip in the jetted spa. The closeness to both the centre of town and walking distance to Victoria Esplanade was great. The only let downs have to be the bouncy bed we slept in and the vacuum which seemed to start up at 8am and very loudly.

10/10

Exceptional

26 Sep 2016

Verified traveler

highly recommend stay

tidy, well kept, large room. Awesome spa bath, Handy to everything. would stay again

Partner

8/10

Excellent

03 Aug 2016

Lisa

Nice, very central