Esplanade Apartments

Worst accommodation experience we’ve ever had! We arrived at Esplanade at 7:15pm to check-in, however reception was closed and there was no way to access our apartment. We called and messaged the afterhours contact number several times over the next two hours, but nobody returned our calls. There was no alternative accommodation available nearby and so, after waiting for several hours, our only option was to drive 2.5 hours back to Auckland that night! The next morning I got hold of Terry. He advised me that they’re not a “hotel” and we should have arrived before 6pm to check in. The check-in deadline was not disclosed to us at the time of booking, and we had no idea of this requirement. Unbelievably, Terry let me know that he received our messages the night we were trying to access the apartment, but he didn’t bother returning our calls because he was out to dinner and it wasn’t an “emergency”. He couldn’t have been more flippant about the situation. Although Esplanade had emailed us that day asking us to arrive by 6pm, I wasn’t monitoring my emails on the road (and the email went to junk anyway). God only knows why they didn’t try calling us at any point to let us know about the 6pm deadline. Leaving people stranded without accommodation for the night seems worth a phone call. Esplanade charged us for the accommodation and is refusing a refund. We are well seasoned travelers, and this is hands down the worst accommodation experience we’ve ever had. Stay clear!

8 Esplanade is one of the few apartment blocks in town. Extremely good value. Three bedroom apartment with access to pool and spa. Two bathrooms and two dining spots. I would recommend this place. I have some advice if you do book make sure you pay in advance this way you are going to have as little to do with the management of the place as possible. This way you can avoid any mutual judgements. I could have easily paid on my Australian account online. 50% had already been two Weeks earlier from the booking site. $750. Had already been paid. Technically 1 and half days had already been paid and 1 and a half had not been paid. Technically they could or should have have given us the key so we could go and pay the rest online as the actual card wasn't working. Computer says No. Computer says No with a smiling face dripping with insincerity. It would have been so easy to take our credit card details and pay the rest that way. It is great place and we would have certainly come back because they have board games, thoughtful DVDs, lots of information and even spades for hot water beach. And great access to streaming services. However the lack of practical wisdom, discretion or imagination to take my credit details to pay the remainder of the stay was extraordinary. I paid it via eftpos. We just would have preferred to have that money for meals and treats and stuff. It just left a very bad test in our mouths one that felt that these people didn’t trust us at all. Consequently I didn’t feel very relaxed. Just make sure you pay it all first or have plenty of card access to credit. I agree with other reviews that the apartments are excellent but we will most certainly not be coming back.

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at The Esplanade - Deborah and Terry are lovely people and couldn't do enough for us to make our time there so good. We were pleasantly delighted when upgraded to a penthouse suite (this apartment on the 4th floor is very roomy, comfortable and well equipped with wonderful views out the large windows.). Thanks Deborah and Terry - we just loved Whitianga.

Had a great stay at The Esplanade. For our group of 12 travelling golfers the rooms worked really well. Everything was spotless and amenities were all there! The pool and spa were terrific after golf rounds. Terry and Deborah were super helpful with the bookings we changed around and very friendly. The place is ideally located across the road from the sea and wharf / ferry and on the doorstep of restaurants and cafes. Terry was really helpful in sending on some forgotten items by the lads. The Wifi was a bit patchy but otherwise it was a great place to stay and will look to re-book again in the future. ANDY

The Esplanade Apartments were a fantastic choice for our 3 nights in Whitianga. The staff were friendly and gave really helpful recommendations. The room was clean and modern and had great views. The location was handy to restaurants, cafes and the harbour. We couldn’t have been happier! Highly recommended.

The Esplanade has friendly and well informed hosts - Terry and Deborah. Our accommodation had all the amenities we required, it was comfortable and very clean. Great water pressure from the shower and good quality towels. The apartments are well located on the waterfront and within easy walking distance of the town centre. Secure car parking is available. Alastair and Deedee Pratt.