Owaka, 21 Ryley Street-46.44923,169.661441(Show on Map)
7.7
Good
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+5 Photos
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Checkin - Checkout dates
1 Room2 Guests
Info
Summary of reviews
Catlins Inn, nestled in a picturesque village amidst tranquil farming country, provides an ideal retreat for those exploring the enchanting Catlins area. Its central location offers convenient access to local attractions and scenic beauty, making it a favored base for leisure travelers. Guests appreciate the inn's quiet positioning away from the main road, ensuring serene nights coupled with the convenience of nearby dining options like the well-received Lumbarjack restaurant.
The dining experience at Catlins Inn is generally positive with guests frequently enjoying the food and beverages offered at the pub and adjacent restaurant. Hearty dishes such as steaks, pizzas and Blue Cod consistently receive praise, although there are occasional mentions of inconsistent service and meal quality. Despite these minor drawbacks, the overall dining experience is largely satisfying, often highlighted as a highlight of guests' visits.
Accommodation at Catlins Inn varies from spacious units with private balconies and countryside views to more compact, yet comfortable rooms. Many guests praise the clean, warm and comfortable rooms equipped with modern and well-maintained bathrooms. The inn successfully strikes a balance between simplicity and comfort, offering good value for money despite occasional concerns about maintenance and overall cleanliness in some units.
Cleanliness at Catlins Inn is generally well-regarded, particularly in the en-suite bathrooms and guest rooms. The inn’s clean, tidy and comfortable environment is frequently highlighted, although there is room for improvement in shared areas like the kitchen. Some guests noted issues such as dirty towels, unclean dishes and overlooked maintenance, suggesting that a more thorough cleaning routine could enhance the experience further.
The staff and management at Catlins Inn are often celebrated for their friendliness, helpfulness and southern charm, ensuring a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Despite occasionally being understaffed and some lapses in booking awareness, the team consistently strives to provide exceptional service, making guests feel valued and cared for.
Beds at Catlins Inn evoke mixed reactions with many guests finding them comfortable and conducive to a good night’s sleep. Clean and soft bedding often adds to the comfort, although some guests reported small and uncomfortable beds, noting issues like broken springs and a lack of pillow protectors.
In summarization, Catlins Inn is a charming and well-located retreat offering a generally positive experience for visitors exploring the Catlins area. With some attention to detail in cleanliness and maintenance, it holds the potential to further enhance its already favorable reputation.
Categories
Parking
As a hotel, this accommodation provides parking spaces for guests. This is a standard and expected amenity, ensuring easy access for travelers with vehicles.
Family
Free Wi-Fi
Accessible
Small
Room Types
StudioOffering free toiletries, this studio includes a private bathroom with a walk-in shower. The studio offers a flat-screen TV, a tea and coffee maker, a carpeted floor and heating. The unit offers 1 bed.
Apartment with BalconyThis apartment comprises 1 living room, 3 separate bedrooms and 1 bathroom with a shower and free toiletries. Meals can be prepared in the well-fitted kitchen, which comes with a stovetop, a refrigerator, a dishwasher and kitchenware. The air-conditioned apartment provides a flat-screen TV, a tea and coffee maker, a seating area, a dining area as well as mountain views. The unit offers 4 beds.
Guest Reviews
7.7
Good
Review Summaries
Location
Nestled in the heart of a quirky village amidst the picturesque farming country, Catlins Inn offers an idyllic retreat for those looking to explore the enchanting Catlins area. Its central and advantageous location makes it a perfect base for leisurely travel and sightseeing, providing easy access to most of the Catlins' attractions and beautiful scenery.
Guests appreciate the inn's quiet location off the main road, ensuring peaceful nights and a serene atmosphere. The nearby Lumbarjack restaurant adds to the convenience, offering good food just a short walk away. The inn’s spacious apartments, some featuring large terraces with countryside views and glimpses of horses and cows, are a particular highlight.
Situated within close proximity to Main Street, cafes and the information center, Catlins Inn makes it easy for visitors to immerse themselves in the local culture. Its strategic positioning also allows for convenient trips to iconic spots like Cannibal Bay, home to sea lions.
Whether staying overnight between Invercargill and Dunedin or exploring the wider Catlins area, Catlins Inn offers excellent value for money in a location that guests clearly love for its accessibility, tranquility and scenic beauty.
Dinner
At Catlins Inn, dining seems to be a mixed bag, but with a strong emphasis on positive experiences. Many guests found the food and beverages, whether at the bar or restaurant next door, to be enjoyable. Descriptions like "yummy food" and "great food and service" frequently popped up, highlighting a variety of dishes from hearty steaks and vegetables to delicious pizzas and mouthwatering Blue Cod. The pub attached to the inn also garnered praise for its great atmosphere and impressive menu alterations by the accommodating kitchen staff, enhancing the overall dining experience.
However, it's worth noting that a few reviews signaled inconsistencies. While some highlighted the great portions and superb quality of their meals, others mentioned that the food was unreliable and the dinner tables poorly served with some staff showing a less friendly demeanor. Despite these occasional hiccups, many travelers left with a highly positive impression, naming their dinner the best of the whole trip and emphasizing the delicious, hearty meals available.
Overall, while Catlins Inn might have occasional service and consistency issues, the general consensus points to a largely satisfying dining experience with notable standouts, particularly in the pub and next-door restaurant offerings.
Rooms
Nestled in a great location ideal for exploring the surrounding area, Catlins Inn offers a mix of spacious and more compact accommodations, ensuring options for various preferences. Many guests found the rooms to be clean, warm and comfortable with comfy beds and high-quality towels. The bathrooms frequently received praise for being modern, spacious and well-maintained with good shower pressure and plenty of hot water.
The larger units were noted for their roominess with some even featuring a private balcony and a beautiful outlook. The accommodation strikes a balance between simplicity and comfort, meeting travelers' essential needs effectively. The central location and good facilities make it a convenient choice for visitors.
While most reviews highlight the positives, there were occasional concerns about maintenance and cleanliness in certain units with some rooms described as small or even cramped. However, overall, Catlins Inn appears to provide good value for money with satisfactory and often cozy accommodations that cater well to most guests’ travel needs.
Beds
The beds at Catlins Inn receive mixed reviews from guests. On the positive side, many guests found the beds to be very comfortable and conducive to a good night's sleep. They appreciated the cleanliness and the decent quality of the bedding, often mentioning clean and soft towels as a bonus. Some noted that while the beds were small, they were still cozy enough for a restful experience. The rooms themselves were generally described as basic but clean, tidy and comfortable with amenities like heating and electric blankets enhancing the overall comfort.
However, not all experiences were positive. There were complaints about the size of the beds being quite small and a few guests mentioned encountering very uncomfortable or rock-hard beds. Issues such as broken springs and the lack of pillow protectors were also noted, indicating occasional lapses in maintenance and attention to detail. Despite these drawbacks, the overall sentiment leans towards a generally comfortable stay with a notable emphasis on cleanliness and basic comfort.
Cleanliness
Catlins Inn has garnered mixed reviews regarding cleanliness with many guests highlighting the positive aspects of their stay. Numerous reviewers praised the hotel for being exceptionally clean and tidy with mentions of the logical spaciousness and modern facilities enhancing the overall comfort. The en-suite bathrooms received commendations for their cleanliness and spaciousness, adding to the satisfaction of many guests. Additionally, the accommodation was described as lovely with clean, warm and comfortable rooms contributing to an enjoyable stay. Staff interactions were also noted as positive with many referencing the friendly and accommodating nature of the personnel.
However, some areas of the accommodation, particularly the kitchen, have room for improvement. Issues such as dirty towels, unclean dishes and overlooked maintenance were mentioned, indicating that a thorough spring clean in these areas could enhance the experience. Guest feedback also pointed out that certain elements, including the windows, couches and fridges, were not up to standard with some specific criticisms about the cleanliness of bathrooms and the presence of spider webs and leftover food in the oven.
Overall, while the general impression of Catlins Inn is favorable due to its clean and comfortable rooms and excellent location, attention to detail in housekeeping, especially in shared areas like the kitchen, would significantly improve guest satisfaction.
Staff
Nestled in the heart of Catlins, the Catlins Inn receives noteworthy praise for its service, marked by a delightful team of staff and management. Guests frequently describe the staff as friendly, helpful and accommodating, contributing to a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Many singled out specific staff members, noting their politeness and efficient service. The management, often multitasking roles such as the barkeep for the restaurant, also adds a personal touch to the guest experience.
Although the hotel is occasionally understaffed, the team consistently strives to provide exceptional service, going out of their way to assist guests. Housekeeping staff also earn commendations for their friendly demeanor. The hospitality exudes the essence of great southern charm, leaving guests feeling satisfied with their interactions.
However, there are occasional mentions of lapses in booking awareness from the staff, indicating areas where the management could improve. Despite minor concerns, most guests find the staff to be obliging and genuinely invested in ensuring a pleasant stay, making the Catlins Inn a charming choice for visitors.
FAQ
No, Catlins Inn doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Catlins Inn.
No, Catlins Inn doesn't allow dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at Catlins Inn.
