Punakaiki Homestays

My wife & I recently stayed at The Ocean View Retreat, as part of a touring group. We hade an enjoyable stay, with tasty evening meals & a good breakfast buffet. The main point of this review is to applaud the wonderful service provided by the management staff in terms of supplying [without requesting] extra, pre warmed towels on a cool, wet & windy arrival time after check in. The [female] manager was great, as was the responsiveness to replacing our non working microwave. Their efforts were greatly appreciated.

I would not recommend this stay for any solo or single travellers because of the insensitive actions of the hostess. My partner passed away three years ago and this holiday I decided to tour the west coast to take my mind off Christmas and the holiday season. When I arrived I asked the hostess if it is possible to stay two nights instead of one as I might as well enjoy Christmas on a beautiful beach. I was told they are fully booked. Siting in my single unit, I found on Booking.com that they actually do have accommodation available. I walked back to the hostess and asked if she maybe missed this one that is available for me to rent. I was told that this is a family unit and that would not suit me. That it's too big and that she'd rather keep it available should a family need it. I felt sad and alone and for the first time in a long time was reminded of the family I had planned for my life and didn't have. I'd like to remind the owners of this motel that every solo traveller has a story and that our money is just as good as a family's money. Maybe you should add t's and c's that families are preferred. * Stay was average with no seaview.