South Gladstone Holidays from NZ$2,249

We’ve stayed at Pavilions on 1770 for over 10 years and have usually been happy, but the standard has declined over our last few visits. Our most recent stay left us feeling that the current management showed little care for guests’ comfort or safety. We vacuumed several times, but sand was still everywhere—in the rooms, on and between the couch cushions, and even in the beds after the sheets had been changed. We also had to kill large cockroaches every day and deal with spiders. The single beds had wheels with no brakes and slid across the hard floors. One rolled over our daughter’s foot. We were also concerned that a bed sat directly beneath an unscreened third-level window, creating a potential risk for children. When we raised this, we felt our concern was dismissed. Management said there was nothing they could do because the apartments are privately owned, but we could email our concerns. There were no blankets, the bbq didn’t work, and the only pan was so old that food stuck to it. We ended up buying our own cooker. Management seemed more focused on blaming the owners than helping guests. An owner told us they hadn’t been made aware of ongoing maintenance concerns raised by guests. To be fair, when the managing couple went on holiday, their parents took over and were helpful. After more than 10 years of staying here, it’s upsetting to see the property decline. We hope management takes the cleanliness, pest control, maintenance and safety concerns serious.

Great house, but no ability to make coffee. No beach towels or beach chairs, despite a beach right there. No instructions for anything in or around the house. There was a pool in the large complex that we never could find. How to get to the beach was a mystery we solved, but with no help. House was otherwise nice & well-equipped; managers no help with anything.

Great spot. We’d stay again.