Exterior

Reviews of Riverside Motel

3.5 out of 5
Riverside Motel
30 Somme Parade, Whanganui

Reviews

8.8

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 124 out of 252 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 95 out of 252 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 21 out of 252 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 9 out of 252 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 3 out of 252 reviews" "

8.8/10

Cleanliness

9.0/10

Staff & service

8.2/10

Amenities

8.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.0/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Helen

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Spacious and comfortable. Fitted our family of 5 teens and adults fine. Loved the high ceilings. Had everything we needed.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024
Response from g on 10 Mar 2024
Glad you were comfortable. Hope you can come again

10/10 Excellent

Kay

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Lovely Owner and large spacious unit. Definitely recommend
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

8/10 Good

Peter

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
A bit noisy. Would have like a ceiling fan over the bed. Had to close windows but still a bit noisy. Motel was well located.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024
Response from g on 26 Feb 2024
Not sure what or when the noise was. Haven't had any excessive noise to note. Road goes very quiet in the evenings when people have gone home from work, etc.

10/10 Excellent

Gary

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great Staff A Clean Hotel and good parking
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024
Response from G on 24 Feb 2024
Thanks for your positive comments.Hope you can come again.

8/10 Good

Kevin

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
A great location by the river, very close to the city centre. Good facilities, clean condition. Our room a bit noisy though, with a road on 2 sides
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024
Response from g on 20 Feb 2024
Thanks for comments. Road is semi-arterial route for workers so generally goes very quiet after dinner. The other road is a quiet backstreet but I guess like any road we get the occasional hoon!

10/10 Excellent

William

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
We loved all the space the unit gave us. The bedroom was seperate from the living room which we liked. The couch was on the hard side and not very relaxing to sit on. Nevertheless, the motel was priced well, the bed was comfortable and everything was extemely clean. We would consider returning to it in the future.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024
Response from G on 10 Feb 2024
Thanks for your comments and hope you can visit again. I must point out the couches are all new and convert into bed settees. How many Motels do you find couches in?

8/10 Good

Brendon

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
The general vibe of the place was good. Off the road a bit and the river was just across from us. Nice and quiet. The water pressure was a bit low - maybe a different shower head would fix that. And the TV was a bit small by modern standards - but otherwise was a very nice stay. :O)
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024
Response from g on 6 Feb 2024
Thanks for staying

10/10 Excellent

david

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Spaceous, clean and handy for town.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024
Response from g on 2 Feb 2024
Thank you for staying with us and do come back when you can

8/10 Good

Ray

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Much quieter than expected. Friendly, simple arrival and key processes. Facilities clean and appropriate for price. A small comment: The fridge was not turned on for our frozen and refrigerated items which we were unaware of until later in the evening.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024
Response from g on 27 Jan 2024
Thanks for staying. Fridges are not left running when units are empty but should be noticed when you put your frozen and refrigerated items in on arrival

8/10 Good

James

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024
Response from G on 17 Jan 2024
Thanks

10/10 Excellent

Marsha

Response from g on 15 Jan 2024
Thanks

10/10 Excellent

BJ

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This place is directly on the river but has no problem with insects. It has no Air Conditioner, but it is cool, with a really good passive design. It is easy to reach most features in Whanganui. The cats that own the place are relatively aloof, but the owner is friendly. If you are sensitive to traffic going by, you might be affected by that, but I found it comfortable and quiet. Overall, an excellent base from which to explore Whanganui. Highly recommended.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024
Response from G on 18 Jan 2024
Thanks for staying. Come again if you can. Next time ask at Reception and you will be given electric fans. Not left in units for obvious reasons

10/10 Excellent

Marek

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024
Response from G on 7 Jan 2024
Thanks Mark. Hope you can come again.

6/10 Okay

Hai

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2023
Response from G on 17 Jan 2024
Thanks

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
A comfortable stay, about ten minutes walk into town.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023
Response from g on 13 Dec 2023
Thank you

10/10 Excellent

Blair

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
So handy to town. As the name implies, the river track is across the road. Staff were super friendly. I will be back with the entire family. Thanks for a great stay
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2023
Response from G on 10 Dec 2023
Thank you. We look forward to your return with your family

8/10 Good

Adele

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Suited our need. Thank you.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023
Response from g on 10 Dec 2023
Thank you

2/10 Terrible

Bill

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Bad smells
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2023
Response from g on 21 Nov 2023
I was going to ask for more information to try and get to the bottom of this, however on reflection your comment has answered my question

8/10 Good

Rob

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Nice stay - close to town.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2023
Response from G on 12 Nov 2023
Thanks

10/10 Excellent

Gwenda

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very comfortable and spotlessly clean motel. Rooms a good size and high celings add to the airy feeling. Lovely gardens and quiet area, hosts very helpful and friendly. Close to CBD in a pleasant suburb, with easy riverside walk just axcross the road, and great views were a bonus. Definitely recommend and we will stay here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023
Response from G on 6 Nov 2023
Thanks for your lovely, positive comments. We do hope you can come back sometime!

10/10 Excellent

Ray - Tanya

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2023
Response from g on 4 Nov 2023
Thanks for staying. Hope you can come again

10/10 Excellent

John

Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023
Response from G on 16 Oct 2023
Thank you for staying with us. Hope you can come again!

6/10 Okay

Justin

Bed was very firm Tv was very small and NO Sky Tv
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023
Response from g on 2 Oct 2023
Fairly new bed which is a compromise between soft and firm. TV is recommended size for room and survey proved very few people were using SKY which made it uneconomical in this situation

10/10 Excellent

JS

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great family room with fully equipped kitchen and close to town
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023
Response from G on 2 Oct 2023
Thank you for staying - come again when you can!

8/10 Good

Christine

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
The room was clean and the beds comfortable but the rooms need the decor updating.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023
Response from g on 1 Oct 2023
Hi Christine. The whole complex has been freshly decorated in up to date colours since lockdown. Several new couches and beds, new chairs and curtains throughout. We are 3+star Motel and are certainly trying. You will note we charge accordingly. Fortunately, most guests are quite happy with the new decor.

10/10 Excellent

Rata

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Riverside view, walking along the riverfront- owner operators-friendly, great space
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023
Response from g on 25 Sept 2023
Thank you! Hope you can come again sometime :)

10/10 Excellent

Mirai

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Reception was lovely and welcoming and even upgraded my room after confusion with my booking in the system. The room itself was great and had everything I needed! Perfect for a couple nights stay 🌸
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023
Response from g on 10 Sept 2023
Thankyou for staying and the confusion was totally mine!Hope you can come again sometime

8/10 Good

Florence

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Older motel, but very nice. Had an electric heater rather than the usual heat pump, but no worries there. Shower had trouble getting warm one morning, but the owners are notified and will look into it.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023
Response from G on 3 Sept 2023
Thanks for staying. Your first sentence answers the second. Heat pumps are not efficient if used for instant heating. Electric heaters are adequate. Hot water cylinder has been checked by Electrician and is faultless. Suggests that cylinders in motel situations are not 'family size' so heavy usage requires them to be left for a while to reheat. These simple matters are best dealt with and leftt Reception

6/10 Okay

Allen

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Very clean. Drawers in kitchen very hard to open. Bed was bit saggy.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023
Response from g on 9 Aug 2023
Thanks for staying. Pity you didn't come to reception as we are very approachable and the staff have just spent considerable time checking the whole motel for very hard to open drawers and a bit saggy bed. They found nothing. Shame we didn't know your unit number

10/10 Excellent

Maryanne

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Throughly enjoyed our stay the room was set to what we needed and it catered us well and truly. Totally wrapped with our stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023
Response from g on 30 Jul 2023
Thanks for staying and your appreciative comment.Hope you can come again

8/10 Good

Elizabeth

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
They believed I had booked for "4 people" rather than 1 adult and 2 children. Therefore 2 king size beds. When I asked if beds could be single we were provided with bedding for pull out sofa. I pointed out that I had booked for 1 adult and 2 children aged 15 boy and 11 girl and I had expected single beds for the children. The gentleman said "that's what happens when you book through them" meaning Wotif. The next morning I went to the office again and asked if it was possible while housekeeping were on site whether one room could be two single beds. The lady was very happy to do so and when we returned at the end of the day it had been done.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023
Response from Graeme on 13 Jul 2023
What a shame! We thought we had sorted this amicably, instead of it becoming an international issue Elizabeth got the room she booked. Never any question about the number of people. However, we do not get advised details of males/females. At the time the booking was made we found it odd that one of the more suitable family units that were available hadn't been chosen as they have ample beds. However, it is not unusual for bookings such as this and the kids share a bed unless a special request is made to split the bed. I explained to the guest that she hadn't used this online option. As she was stressing that we were dealing with a male and female we thought it best to use the comfy couch bed to give them separate sleeping spaces. However, next morning we were asked to split the bed which we were happy to do. Turns out the Gran and girl shared the bdrm with split beds and male had the other bdrm. Had we been told their intentions in the first place we could have prepared the unit accordingly, but we don't know if we are not told and when somebody books a 2bdrm unit which is described online as having two large beds then we assume that's what the guest wants unless we are advised otherwise.

10/10 Excellent

Heather

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023
Response from G on 7 Jul 2023
Thank you! Hope you can come again

6/10 Okay

Chris

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
The motel was a nice size 1 bedroom with full kitchen facilities. Although I was impressed with how clean it was and it suited my purposes, it is very dated.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023
Response from g on 29 Jun 2023
Thanks Chris. So, is there a problem with dated? Everything is clean and functional. In fact there are a lot of features that are not found in some other motels. Everything is freshly painted and decorated. Maybe dated is not a bad thing

10/10 Excellent

MICHAEL

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Location, cleanliness,value for money.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023
Response from Graeme on 18 Jun 2023
Thanks for staying with us Michael. Do come again.

4/10 Poor

Isabel

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
The room was clean & the bed was comfortable. Unfortunately, that was it. The room was next to the road & I was told that the traffic noise would stop - it didn't. It lessened after the peak flow, but there was traffic noise all night. It's an old style motel that cold do with upgrading. The net curtains above the kitchen sink were in tatters - take them down! They're really not needed with there being other small drapes to draw across. There was only soap for showering. I can't use soap on my skin. All the motels I've been to in recent years have liquid soap - I usually bring my own to be on the safe side, but unfortunately didn't do so on this trip. Net result - no shower for me! There was no soundproofing between units - I could hear the couple next door to me conversing, so assumed they'd be able to hear what I was watching on the teeny, tiny TV. I moved it out from the wall as far as I could on the small trolley. There were 2 large armchairs in the unit, but no settee. Unfortunately I'm a little short in the legs, so had to put 2 cushions behind my back so that my feet touched the floor. Again, most motels have footrests if only chairs are available. All in all, I had a miserable night at a cost of $120! Not recommended at all
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023
Response from Graeme on 19 Jun 2023
Sorry You were so unhappy staying at this Motel, Isabel. Shame you didn't come to Reception and share these views with us because you would have found us very approachable, as you did at check-in when you told us you were trialing us as you weren't happy with the Motel where you had been staying.-the road is mainly an arterial route for workers during the day and yes, you were told that it quietens right down in the evening. Definitely the case but occasionally we get the odd hoon, just like any other street and that is beyond our control. Unlike many other Motels, ours is separated from the road by a wide berm and a very large carpark. Your unit just happened to be the closer one to the road.- Upgrading? in the last year your unit has been completely redecorated inside and out, new curtains, new glass shower, new bedding. new seating...- When preparing your unit ready for you my staff found the net curtain at the kitchen window snagged on the window latch, therefore a trip to town that day to purchase a new one to be hung on your departure. Why have lace curtains? Maybe for privacy as some people may feel the unit is too close to the road?- Soap. We do have liquid soap in case people with allergies to hard soap prefer it but research has dictated that we choose not to leave it in the rooms because most people are happy with hand soap and liquid soap does tend to get wasted, specially by children. We always ensure that there is adequate soap in the studios for 2 people for showering and for handbasin use. Our supplier told us that they still sell handsoap to far more accommodation providers than they do liquid soap.- The walls between units and externally are all thick concrete blocks filled with cement so if voices can be heard through them at an annoying level that means people are talking excessively loud and although that is beyond our control, if asked to we can request some quiet.- The TV is the size recommended for the size of the room and is, in fact, less than 3 metres from the seating or bed so shouldn't be a problem- All our units have lovely couches and I believe there are not many Motels that do have couches these days. While I am trying to work out why a single person needs a couch rather than a chair, I am reminded that the couch in your unit was recently replaced and we decided on lovely high backed armk chairs seeing the unit only caters for one or two people. The base is medium height, if they were lower, tall people would have trouble getting up out of them.Again, I am sorry you had a miserable night but may I remind you that you booked a Studio Unit which at 120.00 is very reasonably priced and maybe you should pack your own footrest along with your liquid soap just in case.

2/10 Terrible

Phillip

Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023
Response from g on 30 Jul 2023
Really? That's sad!

8/10 Good

Shirley

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
It was on the flat no steps. Close to main city area with a view of the river.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023
Response from g on 28 May 2023
Thanks Shirley.Come again

10/10 Excellent

Peter

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Wonderful
I had a wonderful time at the Riverside Motel. Graeme, the host, went above and beyond to make my stay a pleasant one and was always very kind and gracious. Thank you!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023
Response from graeme on 19 May 2023
Thank you for your feedback and kind remarks, Peter.It was nice having you here and I hope you will make it back some time

8/10 Good

Peter

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Nice and clean in a great location. Really appreciate the service at short notice
Stayed 1 night in May 2023
Response from g on 14 May 2023
Thanks - come again!

8/10 Good

Peter

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very friendly staff. Room was nice. Great setting over looking the river. Only one minor complaint the shower pressure. But that is the same in a lot of motels.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2023
Response from g on 1 May 2023
Thanks for your feedback

6/10 Okay

Daniel

Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

8/10 Good

Kylie

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Lovely
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023
Response from G on 23 Apr 2023
Thanks

10/10 Excellent

Peter

Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
By the Whanganui river
Quick, friendly check in, big room with full kitchen and separate bedroom. Right by the river, and walked into town, very convenient for everything. Would definitely stay again, but I would take my own duvet. Sheets etc. all lovely and clean but they say in the unit that the duvets and blankets are not washed after every visit.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023
Response from Graeme on 12 Apr 2023
We can assure you that the sheets and pillowcases are washed after every use! Of course duvets and blankets are not washed after every use. That would be impossible in a motel. Do you wash yours after every use at home? I doubt it. But thank you for your comments.We do try to encourage guests to respect others and refrain from sleeping between the duvet and blankets. Thats what the sheets are for. Fortunately most understand that and are happy to comply

6/10 Okay

Mike

Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023
Response from g on 1 May 2023
Thanks

10/10 Excellent

Greg

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
One bedroom units are spacious with everything you need. Old fashioned but practical could live in for a week or more. Good parking and can walk along river to restaurants and pubs.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2023
Response from graeme on 25 Mar 2023
Thanks. Might be a bi 'old fashioned' but that helps create the atmosphere and comfort.Come again when you can.

10/10 Excellent

Annamarie

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very homely, comfortable & good service. Hot water, electric blanket & comfortable bed.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2023
Response from Graeme on 12 Mar 2023
Thank you for your positive feedback. Was lovely having you here.

10/10 Excellent

Lisa

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Easy access to everything. Very clean motel with everthing we needed.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2023
Response from Graeme on 12 Mar 2023
Thank you for such positive feedback. Come again when you can:)

8/10 Good

Julian P P

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Overnight stay
Decent place to stay. Wi-Fi could have been better. Good value overall. Easy fir town.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2023
Response from Graeme on 5 Mar 2023
Thanks for your positive feedback. The wifi signal is very strong and fast right throughout the whole complex so maybe there was a weakness with your appliance or the operator?

8/10 Good

Norman

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The atmosphere
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2023
Response from Graeme on 21 Feb 2023
Good to have you here. Thanks!