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Reviews of The Bay Motel 4 stars

9 Dundee Street, 9846 Half-moon Bay, New Zealand

#3 of 6 hotels in Half-moon Bay

Guests' Choice

Review score

Based on 575 hotel reviews

9.0

Score breakdown

  • Cleanliness

    9.5

  • Comfort

    9.4

  • Location

    9.6

  • Facilities

    9.2

  • Staff

    9.5

  • Value for money

    8.9

  • Free WiFi

    8.2

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Showing 1 – 25

  • Reviewed: 30 August 2025

    8.0
    Great place to stay.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Queen Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Just a small thing but would be nice to have a curtain over the front door or be able to turn off the outdoor light as it shines in, thank you.

    Very nice motel and will definitely stay again, thank you for looking after our bags while we were hiking and for picking us up and checking us in early and for use of the laundry, all much appreciated. Very comfortable and lovely to be able to use the outdoor BBQ. Great view from our unit and we enjoyed our stay very much.

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: 25 August 2025

    9.0
    Superb
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Queen Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Nothing really.

    Fantastic view and short walk to the pub and wharf. Got picked up from flight centre, bed comfortable, kitchen facilities basic but more than enough.

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: 15 August 2025

    9.0
    Room with a view
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double or Twin Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    A little pricey, but that's to be expected when staying on an island.

    It was close to everything, and we had a great view from our balcony, especially of the glorious sunrise.

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: 5 August 2025

    9.0
    Perfect
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Two-Bedroom Apartment
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Nil

    Courtesy van, being 2 bedroom unit, warm

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: 24 July 2025

    10
    We enjoyed our stay!
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • One-Bedroom with Spa Bath
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    clean and comfortable

    Stayed in June 2025

  • Reviewed: 21 July 2025

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Queen Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The wifi was practically non-existent.

    The property was lovely, warm and clean.

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: 18 July 2025

    10
    Great place to stay on Stewart island. Friendly, clean and warm
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Queen Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Came and picked us up from the ferry and gave us a run down of what was available on the island. Rooms were clean, comfortable, spacious and with great views over the bay. In the winter there is only one place open for food and the Bay Motel is only a 5 minute walk away. Also part way up to the observation deck where you can get a fabulous view of the night sky.

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: 12 July 2025

    10
    A lovely little motel overlooking half moon bay.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Queen Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    There was nothing not to like

    The motel was exceptional. It was clean and in an excellent location. We were picked up off the ferry by the shuttle and returned to the ferry for departure. Our room was ready on arrival at 11am and staff really friendly.

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: 10 July 2025

    10
    Fantastic View
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Queen Room
    • Stayed 3 nights

    Stronger Wi-fi connection.

    Friendly welcome was received from the hotel host picking us up at the airline flight terminal, and an equally friendly welcome was given at the hotel’s reception. The reception area contained of information pertaining to many of the Islands Very good activities and attractions. A great guest compendium was also supplied in the room. The room was a spacious studio type, with an incredibly wonderful view overlooking Half Moon Bay. A view also clearly shared by the many Kakas who came throughout our stay to sit on our terrace railing (or we were their view). The room was very well furnished with a sofa, table and chairs, and a wonderfully comfortable bed. It had also been pre-heated prior to our arrival and remained cozy throughout the three days stayed. Also had a wonderful kitchenette, which included a microwave and hot top. Ensuite bathroom was of a decent size and had a shower with exceptional pressure and plenty of hot water. Care did need to be taken, however, in turning on taps for this very reason. Excellently located, being only a five-minute walk (downhill) from the Oban Township and fifteen minutes to Golden Bay, where the Ulva Island boats leave from. Wi-Fi was occasionally intermittent, but not a great issue.

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: 7 July 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double or Twin Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The proximity to wildlife. We had kaka visiting us!

    Stayed in June 2025

  • Reviewed: 2 July 2025

    8.0
    Loved staying on Stewart Island. Central location. Warm rooms. Great view. Kaka birds on the balcony!
    • Business trip
    • Couple
    • Double or Twin Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Bed was too soft. Falling inward when sleeping.

    Warm rooms and central location

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: 26 June 2025

    9.0
    Very nice stay.
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • One-Bedroom with Spa Bath
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    I had some issues with the WiFi, and wish I knew about the electric blanket my first night haha!

    The views and the staff.

    Stayed in June 2025

  • Reviewed: 20 June 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Group
    • Double or Twin Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Great location. Very friendly services

    Stayed in June 2025

  • Reviewed: 17 June 2025

    9.0
    Room with a bay view
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Queen Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    View over the bay. Warm and comfortable Spacious unit

    Stayed in June 2025

  • Reviewed: 17 June 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Two-Bedroom Apartment
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Nothing

    The staffs, Cleanliness, Location

    Stayed in June 2025

  • Reviewed: 2 June 2025

    10
    Great southern hospitality here 🥰
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • One-Bedroom with Spa Bath
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Perfect location and view

    Stayed in June 2025

  • Reviewed: 28 May 2025

    10
    Excellent place to stay, handy and staff were bro
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double or Twin Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Spacious. Warm. One level. Views

    Stayed in May 2025

  • Reviewed: 25 May 2025

    8.0
    Nice view and convenient location.
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • One-Bedroom with Spa Bath
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Wifi didn't work well. Rarely able to connect.

    Nice view, pleasant staff, warm room, comfortable bed. Very nice of the owner to pick us up at the ferry and take us and our luggage down again at the end of our stay. Quiet, with handy kitchenette. Good shower pressure.

    Stayed in May 2025

  • Reviewed: 24 May 2025

    10
    Steve on Stewart Island
    • Leisure trip
    • Group
    • Double or Twin Room
    • Stayed 4 nights

    There was nothing we didn't like at all, but we recommend making your own way to the ferry when you leave rather than taking a ride in their van and going on a run to pick up others from other motels.

    Well appointed room, great heating, decent reading lights, plenty of room, kitchen facilities were very good, quiet location, really fantastic native bird life right around the motel, so good to have kaka living next door(!), motel staff loaned us red lights to go kiwi spotting at night, and they picked us up from the wharf to take us to the motel when we arrived- great service.

    Stayed in May 2025

  • Reviewed: 20 May 2025

    9.0
    I will be thinking about my stay for years to come!
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Queen Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Just a few very small things. The kitchen could use a few more staple items. E.g. lids for the pans/pots. Oil as well. If at all possible. Nothing that holiday-goers can't work around but just a matter of convenience. My only other complaint was the door. It shut well and I felt safe because Stewart Island, as a whole, is a very safe place to be. However, I am also a solo female traveller, and the door was just tinted glass. You could see inside if you really tried. If there were shutters or curtains that you could at least unravel over the doors that would make many people more comfortable!

    Everything about the property and staff was incredible. The view was spectacular and worth the money alone. Everything was clean and comfortable. Photos don't do the room justice!

    Stayed in May 2025

  • Reviewed: 19 May 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Double or Twin Room
    • Stayed 3 nights

    Lovely and helpful hosts, and a great location.

    Stayed in April 2025

  • Reviewed: 11 May 2025

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double or Twin Room
    • Stayed 2 nights

    Location, staff picked up and dropped us off very accommodating,

    Stayed in May 2025

  • Reviewed: 8 May 2025

    9.0
    Great base to stay. Very comfortable and warm
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double or Twin Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Shower was very low pressure but I understand the island lacks water. A sieve or colander would be useful. But most of all I regretted not bringing my coffee plunger !

    A spacious room with good natural light and access to balcony with great views. Easy walk to Oban township. A great base for our 3 nights on Stewart island.

    Stayed in May 2025

  • Reviewed: 8 May 2025

    10
    Best location with harbour views.Enjoyed morning birdlife calls.
    • Leisure trip
    • People with friends
    • Two-Bedroom Apartment
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    -

    location perfect..elevated/ good sunrise view & most helpful owners..thank you kindly.

    Stayed in May 2025

Showing 1 – 25

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