The Pier Hotel

Go with an open mind and enjoy yourself at great value. I was lucky with my room choice and whilst not all rooms get the balcony I believe you can see and hear the sea from all of them. Bed was comfortable and room spacious. Shared facilities yes but the shower was amazing and everything spotless. Breakfast is self-serving from a private lounge and an unlimited stocked cereal bar, with yoghurts and toast. The restaurant is busy but it is all over and closed by 10pm so no noise at night except the sea. Exceptional value and nice staff. Because the restaurant is so busy I would suggest you reserve a spot with your hotel reservation at least for the first night (Kaikoura is struggling with eateries at the moment).

We trekked out to the Pier-on a recommendation, having booked a table first (very important). Staff were efficient, good range of food and wine, and reasonably stocked bar. We both enjoyed our meals (Crayfish chowder and the other Steak. No issues for us, other than a constant drizzle on the way back to town (the restaurant does offer a shuttle service, as it happens).

Great place for a drink and view is exceptional. Went there with family visiting from the UK and decided to book a table for dinner. Unfortunately the food was well below par. The chowder had to be sent back as it was cold and not much better when it arrived back. My vegetarian option was indescribable. I really wanted to impress my family as I regularly go for a drink here but left embarrassed by the whole thing.

It’s a great location. We enjoyed the morning breakfast, balcony and break out area. The beds were comfy and the room temperature fine.

Comfortable bed and room in a quirky hotel. Restaurant meal was excellent. Buffet breakfast was appreciated. Only negatives were the broken slider on the shower and the noisy refrigeration unit outside the bedroom.

Only ate at the Pier. Reserved a table in advance on local recommendation. Ordered our food promptly but had to wait an hour for it to arrive at the table. At least one other table waited an hour and a quarter. Luckily we were patient. The waiting staff were very good but they were let down by whatever was going on behind the scenes. When the food arrived it was average. I personally will not visit again due to the ridiculously long wait for our food to arrive at the table. I would add that the establishment has wonderful views and I hope my experience was not the norm. .

On a clear day, this would be a magic spot with a great view. Unfortunately, the night we stayed it was cloudy and dull but lovely and quiet. The price was right but somehow my normally eagle eyes didn't notice that we'd have to go down the hall in the middle of the night to a shared bathroom. The breakfast setup was okay though one couple hogged the fridge with all their stuff. It's all a bit ragged and tired but the staff are all efficient and friendly. We had a nice meal in the restaurant and ordered fish & chips as we had seen in the room menu it was $29. We knew what we wanted so didn't check and were unpleasantly surprised that the fish, chips and salad were $42 not $29. The sticky date pudding dessert was great. My only real disappoin**ent was that an alarm woke us at 3:30am and we were panicked and wondering what to do, as were several other hotel guests. After surmising that it wasn't a fire or a tsunami, I googled it and found out that it's not uncommon in NZ smallish towns that this is the way they alert all the local fire brigade volunteers for various emergencies. Had we known this (a little notice on the door would have been appreciated) we wouldn't have been so freaked! I know now but I suspect many tourists get caught out by this. I hope nobody has panic (or heart) attacks.

RESTAURANT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED!!! This place is shocking. Ripping off tourists because they know they're one time visitors. Place is dirty. Staff unhelpful. Seafood ruined! Glasses dirty, bathrooms with toilet paper and wet all over floor and generaly dirty. If that's what the bathrooms are like then I hate to think of the standard in the kitchen.Went for a celebration and wished I'd gone somewhere else. Do not buy the crayfish unless you want to be ripped off. You pay for a certain weight and we ordered two sizes. One was $40 more - supposed to be a big crayfish. We both received a half each of a small crayfish. We put the shells together and they were from the same crayfish. Barely legal and it was like rubber!!!. Could not cut with knife. The Paua you could have used to mend a Tyre. The chips were nice though lol and the desserts were edible. Would not go again.

Great place to stay with. Highly recommend and thank you.😁