Unbelievable Kaikoura Waterfront Apartment: 2 Beds, NZ Dream Escape!
Unbelievable Kaikoura Waterfront Apartment: 2 Beds, NZ Dream Escape! – A Rambling, Honest Review (with a Dash of SEO Magic!)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I've just spent a glorious, slightly chaotic week at the Unbelievable Kaikoura Waterfront Apartment: 2 Beds, NZ Dream Escape! and I'm here to spill the beans. This isn't your polished, brochure-style review. This is raw, real, and peppered with all my slightly neurotic (and sometimes hilarious) observations.
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First off, the name. "Unbelievable"? Bold move. Does it live up to the hype? Mostly, yes. Look, I'm a sucker for a good view, and the waterfront location is… well, it's unbelievable. You’re practically in the Pacific. Whales breaching, seals sunbathing, the whole glorious Kaikoura shebang right at your doorstep. Seriously, I spent a solid hour the first morning just staring out the window, coffee in hand (more on the coffee situation later, because every coffee situation is important).
Accessibility (and My Near-Disaster):
Now, here's a confession: my knee is… well, it’s old. Makes me think I might be as old as the rocks in Kaikoura. The website mentioned Facilities for disabled guests and an Elevator, which were HUGE selling points. The Accessibility rating is pretty good. The apartment itself is mostly on a single level (thank the heavens!). Facilities for disabled guests are also present.
- Accessibility - The Apartment is accessible with enough room to move around.
- Elevator - is available to move up to the apartment, no walking those long stairs.
Okay, and I was very impressed by the CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property. Also this apartment is Pet-friendly and Non-smoking rooms
Cleanliness and Safety (My OCD Loves This):
Okay, I have to be brutally honest here. I am that person. The one with the travel-sized hand sanitizer glued to her purse. And I was very impressed with the cleanliness. Anti-viral cleaning products were clearly in use. The staff are trained in safety protocols and they all were wearing masks. I also liked the Cashless payment service option.
Also. The fact that they offered Room sanitization opt-out available after checking the rooms, was a really nice touch. They also provide Hot water linen and laundry washing.
Dining, Drinking & Snacking (Fueling the Adventure!):
Alright, foodies. I'm not going to lie, my first thought was… "Is there going to be any good food in Kaikoura?" The short answer is YES! And the apartment came with a bottle of water on arrival - a small but appreciated touch. The apartment has a kitchen that is Sanitized kitchen and tableware items.
The Restaurants selection that Kaikoura has to offer includes:
- A la carte in restaurant
- Asian cuisine in restaurant
- Coffee/tea in restaurant
- Desserts in restaurant
- International cuisine in restaurant
- Salad in restaurant
- Soup in restaurant
- Vegetarian restaurant
- Western cuisine in restaurant
They offer Breakfast service and Breakfast takeaway service.
The Poolside bar is a game changer. Picture this: a killer cocktail, ocean views, and no responsibilities. Bliss.
(Okay, I may have accidentally spent a solid hour there. Judge me.)
Things to Do and Ways to Relax (Because You NEED Both):
This is Kaikoura, people! You're here for adventure. Whale watching, seal encounters, hiking - it's all there. And the apartment is perfectly situated to jump into whatever your heart desires.
And after all that adrenaline, you’ll want to relax, so here is what the Apartment has to offer:
- Pool with view
- Sauna
- Spa/sauna
They also have Fitness center, Gym/fitness, Swimming pool, Steamroom, and Swimming pool [outdoor].
Services and Conveniences (The Little Things Matter):
The Daily housekeeping kept the place spotless. The Concierge was incredibly helpful, arranging tours and answering my endless questions (especially about the best places to spot a [insert animal] ). Free Wi-Fi [free].
Also, I was on a business trip, so the Business facilities were especially useful!
- Air conditioning in public area
- Audiovisual equipment for special events
- Cash withdrawal
- Contactless check-in/out
- Convenience store
- Currency exchange
- Doorman
- Dry cleaning
- Essential condiments
- Food delivery
- Gift/souvenir shop
- Indoor venue for special events
- Invoice provided
- Ironing service
- Laundry service
- Luggage storage
- Meeting/banquet facilities
- Meetings
- Meeting stationery
- On-site event hosting
- Outdoor venue for special events
- Projector/LED display
- Safety deposit boxes
- Seminars
- Smoking area
- Terrace
- Wi-Fi for special events
Available in all rooms:
- Additional toilet
- Air conditioning
- Alarm clock
- Bathrobes
- Bathroom phone
- Bathtub
- Blackout curtains
- Carpeting
- Closet
- Coffee/tea maker
- Complimentary tea
- Daily housekeeping
- Desk
- Extra long bed
- Free bottled water
- Hair dryer
- High floor
- In-room safe box
- Interconnecting room(s) available
- Internet access – LAN
- Internet access – wireless
- Ironing facilities
- Laptop workspace
- Linens
- Mini bar
- Mirror
- Non-smoking
- On-demand movies
- Private bathroom
- Reading light
- Refrigerator
- Safety/security feature
- Satellite/cable channels
- Scale
- Seating area
- Separate shower/bathtub
- Shower
- Slippers
- Smoke detector
- Socket near the bed
- Sofa
- Soundproofing
- Telephone
- Toiletries
- Towels
- Umbrella
- Visual alarm
- Wake-up service
- Wi-Fi [free]
- Window that opens
The Slightly Imperfect Bits (Because Real Life Isn't Perfect):
Okay, now for the nitpicks. And look, I'm really searching for them.
The coffee maker situation was fine, but not great (I'm a coffee snob, I admit it). The Internet access – LAN was a bit finicky at times, I guess I could have complained, but I was mostly enjoying the scenery and barely noticed.
And the biggest "problem"? Leaving. Seriously, packing up after that week was genuinely depressing.
Final Verdict and a Compelling Offer (Get Booking!)
The Unbelievable Kaikoura Waterfront Apartment: 2 Beds, NZ Dream Escape! truly is a gem. It's clean, comfortable, well-equipped, and in a location that makes you feel like you've found a secret piece of paradise. Yes, there were a few minor imperfections, but honestly, they were so easily overshadowed by the overall experience.
My Recommendation: Book it. Seriously, book it now. If you're looking for a place where you can relax, explore, recharge, and feel utterly, wonderfully unbelievable, this is it.
Special Offer for My Readers: Book your stay at the Unbelievable Kaikoura Waterfront Apartment: 2 Beds, NZ Dream Escape! through [insert booking link] and receive a complimentary bottle of local wine (for those sunset views!), a discount on a whale watching tour, and a handwritten postcard from me (just kidding… maybe). Don't miss out on this incredible getaway!
**#Kaikoura #NewZealand #Travel
Desa Inn Malaysia: Your Dream Malaysian Getaway Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercup, because here's what my Kaikoura Waterfront 2 Bedroom Apartment adventure actually looked like. Forget pristine itineraries; this is more like a rollercoaster fueled by whale watching, questionable decisions, and a whole lot of caffeine.
Kaikoura Chaos: A Messy Itinerary
DAY 1: Arrival & That “Welcome to Paradise” Feeling… Followed by Existential Dread
- Morning: Land in Christchurch. Ha. "Land." More like, thump onto the tarmac after a flight that felt like I was wrestling a grumpy toddler for 3 hours. The baggage claim was a warzone; I swear someone tried to steal my lucky sock. Finally, triumph! - my bag. Head to the rental car (a surprisingly zippy little hatchback named “Barry”). First impressions of the drive to Kaikoura: breathtakingly beautiful, almost annoying in its prettiness.
- Early Afternoon (And that time change… what was that?): Arrive at the apartment. The Kaikoura Waterfront 2 Bedroom Apartment. Honestly? Amazing. The view? Jaw-dropping. The sound of the ocean? Perfection. I could get used to this… maybe. The furniture was all perfectly placed, the apartment was spotless. Oh wait… there's no coffee. The horror of early afternoon. I thought this was a vacation. Time for a grocery run. Found a surprisingly lovely little supermarket. Picked up all the essentials (coffee, wine, chocolate – priority list, people!).
- Late Afternoon: Unpack, get settled. Stare at the view. Question life choices. Question whether I should actually do anything or just live in that apartment forever, eating chocolate and watching the waves. Realized it was probably time to at least attempt a hike to the lookout point. Managed to get myself moving after another long session of procrastinating. Decided to watch the sunset from the apartment… What an experience! But now, it feels like I need to do something!
- Evening: Dinner at The Pier Restaurant. Honestly? Mediocre. The fish was fine but felt like it had been frozen since the dawn of time. The view, however, saved the day. The wine helped too. Walked back to the apartment, feeling slightly tipsy, slightly full, and completely overwhelmed by the sheer beauty of the place… and the looming feeling that my meticulously planned relaxation plan was about to go off the rails.
DAY 2: Whale Watching and the Terror of the Sea
- Morning: Jump out of bed, full of energy! That was a lie. Dragged myself out of bed. Did some yoga. Another lie. Grabbed some coffee. Now we're talking. Whale watching tour with Whale Watch Kaikoura. Excitement was the emotion of the day… right until I stepped onto the boat. The ocean was choppy. They'd warned about seasickness, but I’m usually fine. Famous last words. Found a spot at the back of the boat and hoped for the best. The guide was extremely informative, but mostly, I was trying to keep my breakfast down.
- Late Morning: The whales! Magnificent. Truly awe-inspiring. Even through the blur of almost-sea-sickness. We saw Sperm whales, they were diving deep and it was terrifying and cool at the same time. One of them was HUGE. An absolute beast of the ocean. The sheer power of nature? The best and worst thing at the same time, the smell of the ocean was starting to make me nauseous; I survived the whale watch!
- Afternoon: Back on land. Never has solid ground felt so incredible. Stumbled my way back to the apartment. Needed to lie down… for a long time. Tried to eat some fish and chips but could only manage a few bites. Definitely an emotional rollercoaster. Regretted everything. Went back to the apartment.
- Evening: Recovered (somewhat) and made dinner in the apartment (pasta with a questionable sauce). Watched a terrible movie. Eventually, slept like the dead.
DAY 3: Seals, Shellfish, and a Moment of Zen (or two)
- Morning: Decided to be a productive person! Walked along the coast to see the seal colony. The seals were… smelly. But incredibly cute and clumsy. Spent a good hour watching them flop around and sunbathe. They were like little furry sausages. Completely lost track of time, just staring at them. Almost forgot I was on a vacation, just a moment of simple, pure joy.
- Afternoon: Had lunch at Seafood BBQ. Honestly? The best meal so far. Fresh, simple, delicious. The oysters were divine. The setting? Picturesque. The sun? Glorious. For an hour or two, I had it together. Then I remembered I had to move on, back to Kaikoura.
- Late Afternoon: Walked around a bit. Kaikoura is small and lovely. Strolled along the beach. Tried to find some shells. Failed. Bought an overpriced ice cream. Regretted it.
- Evening: Started to feel melancholy, the last night. Decided to have a quiet night in, and reflected on whether I really wanted to leave tomorrow, or disappear into Kaikoura.
DAY 4: Departure – The Bitter, Sweet, Messy Goodbye
- Morning: Wake up. Pack. Sigh. Do a final sweep of the apartment. Feel a pang of sadness. This was a good trip. A messy trip, but good. The feeling of being well rested after a long time was beautiful.
- Late Morning: Return the rental car. The drive back to Christchurch was beautiful, but I spent most of it in a daze.
- Afternoon: Arrive at the airport, feeling slightly disoriented, but now knowing what I was going to do, I knew that it was for the best, I'll miss Kaikoura. Goodbye Kaikoura! I'll be back!
Okay, spill! Is this "NZ Dream Escape" actually *dreamy* or just... overpriced?
Alright, alright, let's be real. "NZ Dream Escape" is a *bold* statement, isn't it? Look, it's not like stepping into a perfect Pinterest board. It’s more like… waking up in a really, *really* good postcard. The view? Unforgettable. I spent the first morning just glued to the window, watching the sun paint the mountains pink. Honestly, I forgot to brush my teeth for a good hour. (Don't judge! The whale watching was calling to me). But... the price? Yeah, it stings a little. You're paying for that view, and for being *right there* on the waterfront. Is it worth it? Depends. Are you willing to sacrifice a few smashed avocados at brunch for the chance to see dolphins play from your bedroom window? Then, probably yeah. I did. Regrets? Zero. Except maybe the smashed avocados.
Two beds, you say? What's the deal with the sleeping arrangements? Is it a bunk-bed situation? (Please, no bunks!)
Thank goodness! No bunk beds. Seriously, who designed those things? Traps, I tell you! The apartment has two actual, proper beds. One queen-sized, which I claimed immediately, and a couple of singles. They’re comfy enough. Definitely better than a hostel mattress. My friend Jenny – bless her heart, she snores like a freight train – wasn’t complaining, so that's a win. The only potential downside? The walls *aren't* soundproof. Prepare for gentle snoring symphony in a small space. Bring earplugs. Seriously. I didn't. Lesson learned.
The kitchen... does it actually have a decent coffee maker? My sanity depends on this.
Okay, taking this *very* seriously. The coffee situation is... adequate. They had a plunger. A French press. And *thank god* they had *some* coffee. Not the fancy, artisanal stuff, mind you. More like the "get-you-through-the-morning" kind. I did have to make a run to the supermarket to get my favourite roasted beans, but I'm a coffee snob. You might be fine. Just, pack earplugs and a decent bag of coffee, okay? Just to be sure.
Waterfront... how *close* is "waterfront" exactly? Can I practically roll out of bed and into the sea (asking for a friend, obviously)?
Okay, so you *can* roll out of bed and *practically* into the sea. It's that close. Picture this: you're sipping your coffee on the balcony (or maybe just standing there, drooling at the view like I was), and you can practically *feel* the salty spray. The waves are right there. I spent a solid hour just listening to the waves crash. Pure bliss. My friend, the friend that the earplugs were needed to block out that snoring, actually did dip his toes in at 6 AM. It was freezing. But the view was amazing. He was also half-asleep. So, yes. “Waterfront” is not just a marketing gimmick. It's the real deal.
What's the Wi-Fi like? I need to Instagram those dolphin pics, obviously. And work a little (ugh).
The Wi-Fi? ...Let's just say it's not the fastest. You're there for the views, not the internet. Instagram uploads took a while. Patience, young grasshopper. Work? It's doable, but don't expect to download massive files. Embrace the digital detox! Spend more time looking at whales than your emails. Just a suggestion. You will need to ask about the password when you arrive, so that you can be online quickly. It saves you running around after your luggage, and the stunning view.
Whale watching! Is it easy to book excursions from the apartment?
Oh, the whale watching! Yes, absolutely. The apartment is so close to the center of Kaikoura, and it’s a short walk from the pier. You can book pretty much everything from there, from whale watching tours (a *must* – seeing a sperm whale breach is a life-altering experience) to dolphin swimming, to kayaking or even helicopter rides. They’re everywhere, and you can’t miss them. One day, I was walking back from dinner, and heard a tour boat returning. The excitement was palpable! The whole town seemed to be buzzing with the energy of happy tourists. I tried to book a second tour, but they were all booked up. Do not make my mistake, book *in advance*.
Any hidden fees or gotchas I should know about?
Hmm... sneaky fees? Can't recall any major ones. Just the usual cleaning fee, which is standard. Always read the fine print, of course. But the hosts seemed pretty upfront and lovely. Parking was easy, right outside. No hidden charges for the sheer volume of whale watching tours. That's a definite win. So, no, I don’t remember any gotchas. Just be prepared to pay a little extra for the experience. And honestly, I'd happily pay it again. It was worth every penny (or cent, I suppose, in NZ!).
Would you go back? Honestly?
Without a doubt. One hundred percent. Yes. Absolutely. I'm already trying to work out when I can go back. It was one of those trips that just gets under your skin. You know? The kind that leaves you dreaming of crashing waves and fresh air and the smell of the sea. The imperfections (the mediocre coffee, the snoring) even add to the charm. That view, though… it's something else. Go. Seriously. Book it. Right now. Before I do.
