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Reviews of Donegal House

3 out of 5
Donegal House
258 Schoolhouse Road, Kaikoura

Reviews

7.4

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 25 out of 116 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 51 out of 116 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 26 out of 116 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 7 out of 116 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 7 out of 116 reviews" "

8.0/10

Cleanliness

8.2/10

Staff & service

7.4/10

Amenities

7.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

6.2/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Good Fun place
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023

8/10 Good

Warrick

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Vast grounds and views fabulous restaurant and the best staff. Authentic Irish pub and displayed history and photos attached to modern motels. Previous owner had let a few minor things slip but new owners are right onto it.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023

6/10 Okay

Bryce

Stayed 1 night in May 2023

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Terrified le
Stayed at this place for two nights and had booked it because it had a restaurant and bar on site. On arrival we discovered that both were closed. There was only one member of staff who was busy drinking wine and couldn’t find our booking which he eventually sorted. He told our friends the bar and restaurant were closed due to covid and we were told it was due to a paperwork issue. My wife went down later and the male staff member asked my wife to join him for a drink ! In the morning breakfast consisted of cereal and coffee with sour milk and frozen bread. The same staff member was also drinking wine in the morning. AVOID !
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2023

2/10 Terrible

Lesley

Travelled with family
Disliked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We arrived to a confirmed and paid booking only to find that there were no rooms available the manager had been drinking and he touched me inappropriately several times the whole place was filthy and to cap it all he asked me to lie about the reasons we couldn’t stay absolutely disgusted and disappointed in Expedia
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023

2/10 Terrible

Kris

Travelled with partner
Disliked: Staff & service
This property is old -run down - grounds left unkept -carpets are rotten around the wall edges - no bar or restaurant open has been shut down due to renewing liquor licence which is under review - big write up in local paper - would’ve been a great pub in its time
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2023

6/10 Okay

Sara

Travelled with group
Liked: Staff & service, amenities
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Fabulous location, food was delicious, really friendly staff. Could do with a good spruce up and some thorough cleaning in rooms.

10/10 Excellent

Nancy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This property was convenient , mine host was friendly, room was clean & well appointed, breakfast included in price was adequate.

6/10 Okay

Richard

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
The views from the property are stunning, it’s very convenient having a bar on site.

8/10 Good

Brent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Had been there before but the property was not as well looked after now
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2021

2/10 Terrible

John

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Worst place in 10 years
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2022
Response from murray on 4 Jan,2022
That guy was a mongrel in every way , he had dogs, he abused several people , changed rooms with out asking , put his gear in another persons room.He was also cooking in the room, the cleaners saw the mess,He was told to leave, Cheers Murray

10/10 Excellent

Rex

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2021

8/10 Good

Henry

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Weekend escape
Delightful setting, very pleasant staff, excellent continental breakfast, good restaurant, quiet and restful. The only negative was the mattress quality (tired)and the trip hazard deck. Too expensive to be best value.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2021

8/10 Good

Dilan

Stayed 1 night in Apr 2021

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
This is a family friendly, animal friendly place which positively encourages guests to meet and get to know one another. It has a very relaxed stress free atmosphere, very laid-back.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2021

6/10 Okay

HELEN

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Disappointing
The property is a little run down and breakfast not up to scratch so not worth the price Will not recommend to friends which is unfortunate as we have enjoyed our stay in the past
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2021

6/10 Okay

bob

Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2021

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Picturesque setting - snowy mountains were gorgeous so was the gardens but in need of tending to. Location was good - close to town. Musty smell was noticeable throughout the place. Room was outdated. Toilet had a leak! Hair in the shower and on towel. Service to the room was unsatisfactory - milk was not replaced, there were spiders in the room. Broken rubbish bin. Booked for 2 queen beds - got 1 queen and 1 one single with trundler which we never used as it would have taken up the space in the room. Not enough cups and spoons for making drinks. Kitchen has a hole in the floor that is covered with a black mat. On our last day, a rank-smell was noticeable in the kitchen.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2020

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2020

4/10 Poor

Sandra, Christchurch

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Disappointed. The rooms were clean but tired looking. They smelt strange as well. The bar was the same, smelt strange and was tired looking. The check-in was informal to say the least. The meal was ok. Very expensive steak on top of soggy chips. No mushrooms for sauce and I heard the bar person telling other customers they had run out of other ingredients so the menu choice was limited. Breakfast was very average - continental - something you could put together at home. Very expensive stay at a place that now looks quite rundown. It used to be such a lovely place to drink & dine at.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Murray the owner is a top bloke , staff were friendly Food excellent and beer even better
Stayed 1 night in May 2020

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Grounds and garden were lovely. People very friendly and helpful. Nice and quiet. Yummy food. Rooms comfortable.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2020

4/10 Poor

gillian

Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2020

4/10 Poor

Jonathon

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Poor Experience
Poor service, unclean, dry gardens, poor service, outdated, poor service....
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2020

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Travelled with partner
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
The photos/history around the place were interesting.The rooms all need a revamp and place looks tired.Abit of a rip off for $180 expected more.Only disappointment of our trip after 1,500 ks travelling the Sth Island
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2020

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Travelled with group
Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Needs a clean up on outside covered walkways. Section of ceiling hanging down slightly in main bar area. Food good rooms clean with very clean sheets.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2020

6/10 Okay

Widgey, Christchurch

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Lovely location. Expensive for what was in the room.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2020

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nothing to complain about .
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2019

6/10 Okay

Anne Kølner

Travelled with group
Liked: Room comfort
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
lovely surroundings, a bit out of the way
Place was located in lovely surroundings. Renovations probably wasn’t done in the restaurant. The room was clean and the shower was warm
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2019

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Disliked: Amenities
Pretty laid back atmosphere, was quite over priced for standard of room. Staff were lovely though
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2020

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
the stay was very good the meas at the pub were very good all the staff were very good ad well
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great garden to play in Excellent ambience in the pub
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Nice room, friendly staff. Somewhere a bit different to stay.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2019

8/10 Good

Joseph G Ward

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
A dandy place
Nice place out in the countryside with lovely views of the mountains. Splendid gardens to walk around, friendly staff and tasty food in the restaurant.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Always a lovely stay at Donegal House. We had a minor issue with our room with a broken heater and electric blanket but Murray quickly remedied.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great character,warm atmosphere. Good selection of beers. Lovely open fire. Loved the mountain and quirky garden views when I opened the curtains in the morning. Be a great place to be with a group. Long tables in the bar. Tree through the ceiling helps the ambience. Entrance to reception not to obvious in the dark.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Loved the irishess talking to the locals , the music however the portion sizes of the food could have been better
Stayed 1 night in May 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
A great place to stay as a group. Good breakfast.Handy to town but still in the country.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We loved Donegal House. The atmosphere, staff and surroundings were brilliant. They are in the process of renovating rooms, but ours was lovely. Amazing snow capped mountain views. Donegal House was a perfect location for us. Rural but only 5 mins by vehicle to the town, shops and waterfront/ whale watching. We can't wait to return, and we will! An amazing peaceful, nostalgic destination.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2019

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Bar and staff were great, accommodation needs a refurbish
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2019

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Stayed 1 night in Mar 2019

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Stunning views of the mountains. Super breakfast too.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2019
Response from Donegal House on 30 Mar,2019
Thank you for your kind review, it was a pleasure hosting you.

8/10 Good

YM, Gisborne, nz

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very peaceful surroundings and set in beautiful gardens.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2019
Response from Donegal House on 30 Mar,2019
Thank you for your kind review, it was a pleasure hosting you.

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Loved the atmosphere and tranquility. Very relaxing and friend staff. Highly recommend.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2019

10/10 Excellent

Kathryn

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Wonderful stay in Kaikours
Wonderful stay - friendly and open community feel. Great hosts, comfortable and clean accomodation and great food and drinks.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2019
Response from Donegal House on 30 Mar,2019
Thank you for your kind review. We are thrilled that you had such a great time!

8/10 Good

Jannelle

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
old style accomodations
tidy accomodations just what you pay for left to early for breakfast
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2019

8/10 Good

George

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Get what you pay for. Functional and good price for being near the attractions.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2019