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Summary of reviewsSalty Dog Inn has earned a reputation for providing a delightful and comfortable experience to its guests, largely owing to its ideal location, excellent staff and welcoming atmosphere. The inn enjoys a prime position, nestled in a serene setting while being conveniently close to various amenities such as shops, cafes and the beach. This makes it an excellent base for exploring the Mahurangi Peninsula and nearby attractions like the Matakana markets and local wineries. Guests particularly appreciate the tranquil environment enhanced by beautiful gardens and appealing valley views, contributing to a restful and scenic retreat.
Dining at Salty Dog Inn is another strong point with guests consistently praising the quality, taste and value of the food offered in the pub and restaurant. The dining experience is highlighted by generous portions and a cozy bar atmosphere, making it an inviting spot for meals and drinks. Dishes such as the chicken salad and pork ribs receive specific commendations for their delicious flavors.
Accommodations at Salty Dog Inn are noted for their spaciousness and cleanliness, providing a comfortable and functional stay for families, groups and pet owners. Rooms are described as large, bright and well-maintained with modern amenities like Netflix, air conditioning and good kitchen facilities. Despite some minor issues with dated decor and occasional musty smells, the overall feedback emphasizes the comfort and value for money offered by these accommodations.
The staff at Salty Dog Inn consistently receive high praise for their friendliness, helpfulness and professionalism. Guests frequently mention the welcoming atmosphere created by the team, whether at reception or in the bar and restaurant. Exceptional service from the bar staff and the accommodating nature of the cleaning crew further enhance the guest experience.
Additional amenities such as free, high-speed Wi-Fi and ample parking options, including a secure parking area and a car charging point, enhance the overall convenience for guests. The inn's dog-friendly policy is also a standout feature, making it a perfect choice for travelers who wish to bring their pets along.
While the absence of an in-house breakfast is a noted drawback, along with some variability in the dining experience and minor cleanliness concerns in bathrooms, these issues are overshadowed by the overwhelmingly positive aspects. Overall, Salty Dog Inn is highly regarded for its welcoming environment, excellent staff, comfortable accommodations and prime location, making it a commendable choice for travelers seeking a pleasant and convenient stay. Show more
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Categories
Dog Friendly Motel
As the name suggests, this motel is very welcoming to dogs. It is a motel, which typically offers easier access to the outdoors for dogs and their owners. The location in Snells Beach provides access to dog-friendly beach areas.
Motel with Free Wi-Fi
The Salty Dog Inn in Snells Beach offers free Wi-Fi, allowing guests to stay connected. As a motel, it provides essential amenities for a comfortable stay.
Motel with Parking
Inns often provide parking for guests. Located in Snells Beach, it offers parking facilities for easy access.
Cheap Motel
Accessible Motel
Small Motel
Room Types
StudioThis heated studio features satellite TV, a refrigerator, toaster and tea and coffee making facilities. It has a bathroom with a hairdryer and free toiletries.
Twin StudioThis heated studio features satellite TV, a refrigerator, toaster and tea and coffee making facilities. It has a bathroom with a hairdryer and free toiletries.
Two-Bedroom SuiteThis heated suite features a spa bath, a private balcony and a separate lounge and dining area. It also has satellite TV, a refrigerator, toaster and tea and coffee making facilities.
Deluxe StudioThis air-conditioned studio is comprised of a TV with streaming services, a private bathroom as well as a balcony with mountain views. The unit has 1 bed.
Executive Two-Bedroom Suite with Spa BathThis air-conditioned apartment comes with 1 living room, 2 separate bedrooms and 1 bathroom with a bath. Boasting a balcony with mountain views, this apartment also features a seating area and a TV with streaming services. The unit has 3 beds.
Deluxe Twin RoomThis air-conditioned twin room is comprised of a TV with streaming services, a private bathroom as well as a balcony with mountain views. The unit has 2 beds.
Guest Reviews
8.0
Very Good
Location
Salty Dog Inn boasts an enviable location, consistently praised for its convenience and proximity to an array of amenities. Set in a quiet area, it offers a peaceful retreat with the added benefit of being near to a variety of dining and shopping options. The beach is a standout feature, just a short walk or drive away, providing easy access for guests who want to soak up the sun or enjoy coastal activities.
The motel's strategic position also makes it a fantastic base for exploring the Mahurangi Peninsula and visiting nearby attractions such as the wineries and famous market in Matakana. Added conveniences include its closeness to local shops, including a bakery, café and liquor store, ensuring guests have everything they need within reach.
Guests appreciate the motel's serene setting, enhanced by beautiful gardens and appealing views across the valley. Despite being conveniently located off the main road, it remains shielded from road noise, offering a tranquil atmosphere for relaxation. The nearby park and soundproof rooms further contribute to a restful stay.
Overall, Salty Dog Inn provides an excellent, central location that is both practical and picturesque, perfect for beachgoers, food enthusiasts and anyone looking to explore the charming surrounding area.
Breakfast
Guests at the Salty Dog Inn have expressed significant disappointment regarding the breakfast experience at the hotel. Many reviews highlight the absence of breakfast as a notable drawback. The hotel's restaurant is often closed in the morning, making breakfast unavailable for guests. Some guests mentioned that they were advised to visit nearby bakeries or other breakfast spots, but this alternative did not fully compensate for the lack of an in-house breakfast service. Concerns were also raised about the inability to receive breakfast in-room, adding to the overall inconvenience. The consistent theme is a clear expectation for breakfast options, which were unfortunately not met during their stays.
Dinner
The dining experience at the Salty Dog Inn comes highly recommended by its guests, particularly for the pub and restaurant offerings. The food is consistently described as excellent, delicious and superb value for money. Many guests enjoyed the convenience of having good food options available right on site with the bar meals frequently receiving praise for their generous portions and tasty flavors. The bar atmosphere is highlighted as being cozy and enjoyable, making it an inviting spot for both meals and drinks.
The pub meals in particular were noted for their quality with numerous mentions of dishes like the chicken salad and pork ribs being exceptionally well-prepared. Guests appreciated the variety of food available with options ranging from bar snacks to full meals. The restaurant also received positive notes for its food quality, generous portions and good value. The service was often described as great, further enhancing the dining experience.
However, there were occasional mentions of the food not meeting expectations, indicating some variability in the dining experience. Despite these few drawbacks, the overwhelming consensus is that the Salty Dog Inn provides a delightful culinary experience, perfect for those looking to enjoy a good meal without leaving the comfort of their accommodation.
Rooms
Salty Dog Inn provides notably spacious and comfortable accommodations, consistently praised for their considerable size and cleanliness. Guests often describe the rooms as large, bright and well-maintained with features such as comfy beds, open-plan showers and good kitchen facilities available. Multiple reviews highlight the generous space, making it suitable for families and groups. The rooms are described as having nice outlooks, often with views of lawns and pretty flowering shrubs which add to the pleasant atmosphere.
Many rooms come equipped with modern amenities like Netflix, air conditioning and practical dining utilities. The units also cater well to pets, making them ideal for pet owners. Despite some mentions of dated decor and occasional musty smells, the overall sentiment leans heavily towards the positive spectrum, emphasizing good value for money and functionality.
Guests have found the accommodations quiet and pleasant with large, comfortable beds and good-sized bathrooms enhancing their stay. Reviews indicate that rooms are located conveniently near shops and beaches, adding to the overall appeal. Furthermore, check-in processes are smooth even during busy periods like Easter Sunday. While some rooms exhibit signs of being tired or run-down, many visitors feel the stellar size and cleanliness of the rooms outweigh these minor drawbacks. Overall, Salty Dog Inn is a commendable option for spacious and comfortable lodging.
Beds
Salty Dog Inn’s beds receive a wide range of feedback from guests, emphasizing overall comfort and size. Guests frequently highlight the beds as comfortable, large and equipped with an abundance of quality pillows and blankets, ensuring a restful sleep experience. Comments such as large comfortable beds, comfy king bed and huge comfy bed are common, showcasing the spacious and cozy nature of the accommodations. The presence of side lamps and comfy pillows further adds to the bedside experience.
However, not all feedback is entirely positive. A few guests noted issues such as worn-out mattresses, hard beds and pillows that could be uncomfortable. Some mentioned that beds need replacing with occasional remarks about beds being lopsided or having an uncomfortable electric blanket. Despite these concerns, the majority of reviews praise the comfort and cleanliness of the bedding at Salty Dog Inn, making it a generally good spot for a restful night's sleep.
Cleanliness
Salty Dog Inn garners predominantly positive remarks for its cleanliness, setting a welcoming ambiance for guests. The property is well-maintained with beautiful surroundings and well-kept lawns, creating a pleasing environment. Guests commend the rooms for being spotlessly clean, tidy and spacious, often highlighting their comfort. The hotel ensures clean facilities, including fresh towels provided daily, enhancing the overall experience.
While the cleanliness of the rooms receives high praise, there are persistent issues concerning bathroom hygiene that detract from the otherwise positive feedback. Instances of dirty tiles, mouldy grout and minor maintenance issues were noted. Some bathrooms could benefit from more meticulous cleaning with specific mentions of improvements needed for shower doors and grout.
Overall, the Salty Dog Inn is seen as clean, comfortable and well-kept, albeit with a few areas needing attention to maintain consistency in standards.
Staff
Salty Dog Inn is highly praised for its exceptional staff, who receive consistent commendations for their friendliness and helpfulness. Guests frequently mention the warm and welcoming atmosphere created by the staff, whether at reception or in the bar and restaurant areas. The check-in process is generally noted as easy and pleasant with a relaxed environment that extends to the checkout experience as well.
Particularly noteworthy are the positive mentions of the bar staff, who are described as great and always ensuring a good experience for patrons. The restaurant and bar staff not only provide good service but are also courteous and accommodating, ensuring that meals are enjoyable and needs are attended to promptly.
The owners and hosts follow suit with their friendliness, further enhancing the welcoming vibe of the establishment. The high level of service is maintained consistently, be it through the friendly engagement of the receptionist or the helpful nature of the cleaning staff.
Certain reviews highlight some negative interactions, but these are far outweighed by the numerous mentions of the staff being super-lovely, immensely nice and exceptionally accommodating. Overall, Salty Dog Inn appears to be a place where excellent staff service is the norm, making it an inviting choice for travelers seeking a friendly and helpful environment.
Wi-Fi
Guests of the Salty Dog Inn have mostly positive feedback regarding the Wi-Fi services provided by the hotel. The majority of reviews highlight that the Wi-Fi is great, reliable and included at no extra charge. The free high-speed Wi-Fi available throughout all areas of the hotel earns praise for its excellent and strong connection. Guests appreciate the good internet connection and the consistent, decent speeds of the Wi-Fi. However, a few guests noted some issues such as poor Wi-Fi range, difficulties in connecting and the lack of information provided about the Wi-Fi. Despite these occasional shortcomings, the overall sentiment suggests that the Wi-Fi at the Salty Dog Inn generally meets guests' expectations and adds value to their stay.
Parking
Salty Dog Inn offers a variety of parking options that generally receive positive feedback from guests. The facility ensures ample and good secure parking with some highlighting the presence of a secure parking area. Guests appreciate the convenience of free off-street parking and the availability of a car charging point on-site.
Many visitors found parking to be easy and noted that spaces are available outside the guest rooms or directly outside their units. The inn provides both onsite and street parking with plenty of spaces available. Additionally, there are parking facilities nearby and a parking garage for added convenience.
Nevertheless, some reviews mention that parking space can be limited and occasionally awkward with no designated spots and the potential for extra parking charges to apply. Despite these minor issues, the overall parking experience at Salty Dog Inn is considered adequate and well-accommodated.
Accessible
Salty Dog Inn offers several accessible features that cater to guests with disabilities. Many guests appreciated the ground floor units and the easy access to rooms, making it convenient for wheelchairs. The availability of wheelchair accessible facilities, including entrances and ground floor rooms upon request, was highly praised. The bathrooms generally cater well to disabled individuals with highlights being the wet room showers and non-slip floors. Although some noted the need for their own drop ramp for wheelchair access, it seems the hotel strives to accommodate accessibility needs where possible. There were, however, mentions of a lack of mobility accessible features in some bathrooms and issues when guided to non-ground floor units, which might present challenges for some guests. Overall, the majority of the accommodations and facilities at Salty Dog Inn appear to be thoughtfully designed to assist guests with disabilities.
Dog Friendly
Salty Dog Inn stands out for its exceptional dog-friendly facilities and services. Guests frequently commended the hotel for being one of the few establishments that allow pets to stay, expressing immense gratitude for this unique feature. The accommodations are specifically designed to welcome pets, making it an ideal destination for travelers who wish to bring their canine companions along. The hotel's dog-friendly policy is highly appreciated with many guests noting that their pets were made comfortable without any issues or strict regulations. The staff's friendliness towards dogs and the reasonable additional charges for pets further enhance the overall positive experience. Visitors consistently described Salty Dog Inn as a great place to bring their dogs, highlighting the hotel's accommodating nature and commitment to ensuring both guests and their furry friends have an enjoyable stay.
No, Salty Dog Inn doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Salty Dog Inn.
Yes, Salty Dog Inn welcomes dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at Salty Dog Inn.