This family owned motel charged me for being a no-show for a stay that I called them 6 weeks in advance to cancel. I spoke at length with their manager, Dan, for over 15 minutes (calling from the USA) as I explained to him that I may have more than one reservation and I could have one booked direct and one through Expedia. He told me with certainty there was only one reservation and he would cancel it. Two weeks after my stay would have ended, I find a charge for $900 USA on my credit card. I called and spoke to the husband and wife who own the business and they refused to return a single $ stating that Dan knew he can’t cancel a reservation made through Expedia, so it’s my fault that they charged me as a no-show. And their reason for giving me no refund and no accommodation, “we’ve already paid a fee to Expedia”. Never mind that they had full knowledge that I would not be arriving and could have booked the room to someone else!
I have travelled to New Zealand over 15 years and dozens of places and have never dealt with as reasonable and rude a couple as these owners. If you are used to friendly New Zealand hosts and American level of Customer Service, STAY Away and definitely book somewhere else!