Name: Mackenzie Motel
Address: 10 Allandale Rd, Fairlie 7925, New Zealand, Fairlie, Fairlie, Fairlie, 7925, New Zealand
Rating: 8

Free Wi-Fi

Free internet

Internet

Barbecue grill(s)

Barbeque

Recreation

Free parking

Parking

Pets Not Allowed

Pets

Location

At the mini-hotel

Richard Pearse Airport

Mackenzie Motel

Fairlie

child-bed

child-bed-fee

external-private-bathroom

private-bathroom

shared-bathroom

10-beds

11-beds

12-beds

13-beds

14-beds

15-beds

16-beds

17-beds

18-beds

19-beds

2-beds

20-beds

21-beds

22-beds

23-beds

24-beds

25-beds

26-beds

27-beds

28-beds

29-beds

3-beds

30-beds

31-beds

32-beds

33-beds

34-beds

35-beds

36-beds

37-beds

38-beds

39-beds

4-beds

40-beds

5-beds

6-beds

7-beds

8-beds

9-beds

king-bed

queen-bed

limited-time

lounge

treatment

no-window

bay-view

bosphorus-view

canal-view

city-view

courtyard-view

garden-view

golf-view

harbour-view

inland-view

lake-view

land-view

mountain-view

ocean-front

ocean-view

oceanside

panoramic-view

park-view

partial-ocean-view

partial-sea-view

partial-view

pool-view

river-view

sea-front

sea-view

street-view

sunrise-view

sunset-view

water-view

with-view

annex

basement

main-building

1-bedroom

2-bedrooms

3-bedrooms

4-bedrooms

5-bedrooms

6-bedrooms

not-guaranteed

wired-internet-access

smoking

sauna

duplex

safe

mini-bar

breakfast-for-1

breakfast-for-2

pets-allowed

wi-fi

kitchen

I did not have an enjoyable night and did not sleep very well at all.

With the bed being against the wall with the window above, I found it very draughty as I could feel the coldness coming down from the window and under the curtain onto my face.

The heater which I would have kept on all night (as it was so cold in the room) if it wasn’t for a constant clicking sound. When the temperature dropped the heater kicked back in, turned itself on then it would make the same sound when the temperature had been reached and turned itself off again which was very annoying and kept me awake. I have experienced these types of heaters before and I understand that they are on a timer and it is probably a safety thing to have these types of heaters that will not overheat, but they really are next to useless and barely took the chill off the room.

The nice crisp white sheets which are standard in accommodation places were very uncomfortable to sleep in and I could feel the cool air between the sheets and it made sleeping again almost impossible. If I moved, I could feel a new spot of coldness.

I went into the TV room early evening to watch a program but again the same type of heater was in there and it was just too cold to stay in there plus the furniture was absolutely disgusting. It looked filthy, stained and there was no way I was going to sit on it. Generally, the TV room looked very tired and needed a good clean out and spruce up.

The only decent heat pump was in the kitchen which was where I stayed until about 10pm until I reluctantly went to the cabin to go to bed. I was not looking forward to that.

I paid $90 to stay in what was basically a freezer!

Being concrete block doesn’t help either with there being no insulation in the walls. I am not a prissy type of person and have roughed it many times over the years and even at 63 I am not that precious that I expect the world but this was not acceptable for this time of year. Remarkably it was about 11 degrees outside that night and was actually warmer outside than in the cabin.  I do not mind sharing the ablutions or the kitchen facilities and am quite happy to stay in a basic cabin but this was almost unbearable and I did consider packing up and leaving or even sleeping in my car.

I think anyone who stays in any accommodation has a right to a decent type of heating in a room, especially at this time of year, even in a cabin without additional facilities.

A while ago a read an article about being the owner/manager of an accommodation place and the writer said that he felt every owner/manager should stay at least a night in each of the various types of accommodation they offer to see things from a customer’s point of view and thus see the positives and/or negatives so they can see what is working and what they need to improve on. I challenge the owner to do that, I do not think they would enjoy it.

I was grateful to be given a towel and appreciated that very much, I did intend to stay in a self-contained unit so had not packed one.

I feel it is important for people to know what they can expect on a cold night in a cabin at the Fairlie Holiday Park.

Very Cold Night

Accommodation was hard to find, but we got a hint that the Holiday Park had motel units.  What a great find - really comfortable, well equipped, clean and easy parking.  Add to that a very welcoming hostess, a big selection of books to choose from, and nice surroundings.  Competitive price.

We tried to come back a couple of day later but they were booked out!

Great find

I had three days of rest in this green and tree-filled garden. It's great for relaxing, right beside the river, and it is very quiet at the back.
Super in summer when the sun is hot and the trees have lovely shade.
The shops are within short walking distance. This is Kiwi camping the way it used to be.


A garden of peace and relaxation

My experience mirrors another trip adviser I have no connection to. Stayed at Fairlie holiday park (it is no longer a Top 10) over the New Years period, and had a miserable time due to the out of control group along the roadside fence line and in the corner along same fence line. The campground charges high fees for very little campground management and absolutely zero policing of anti social behaviour. The campground would benefit from signage stating noise should be kept to a minimum after 10pm as at most other campgrounds. The managers are not around in the evenings, and the large groups take full advantage and show absolutely no regard for any other families. Yes, you expect some noise on New Years but this was extreme. You could hear their music pumping from the Main Street. And they carried on like this most evenings and were intimidating to walk past in general. I felt unsafe in the evenings at this campground. A large group of mostly male teenagers parked themselves outside the door to the main ladies toilet block for hours, and were very intimidating making the toilets unusable - these were teens I had seen associated with the larger groups. I will never go back to this campground, it is an absolute rip off for the service you receive and the lack of concern the managers show about extreme camper behaviour.

Mostly unmonitored campground charging high fees as if fully managed

Booked in to stay as a family with 2 young children and to have a couple of nights getaway in the camper we have just converted…so we arrived very excited to be in beautiful Fairlie. We had prepared ourselves & our children for it being a little noisy as it was New Year’s Eve….however we were not prepared for the night of revolting behaviour that surrounded us. Keep in mind that we had booked in & stated that we had young children yet the managers placed us on a sight between the loud party groups and NOT a family appropriate area of what was otherwise a charming campsite next to a children’s playground and 4 mins walk from town. By 2am with 2 crying children unable to sleep I packed up my kids and the dogs and we got out of there. The managers leave at the end of the day and there is no one around to police the camp or help control some of the behaviour’s to protect the well-being of the other families.

If you are looking for a lovely place to have some family relaxing time then THIS IS NOT THE CAMP for you!

We are soooo disappointed & will not return.

Camping horror

We took the chance the holiday park would be open as we hadn't booked ahead. Arrived on a cold, wet night to find a friendly welcoming chap who showed us to our cabin & ensured we were comfortable. 
A very clean place with a heated floor in the bathroom - just perfect for a winter stay!! Would love to come again in Summer.

Very friendly

This was our first night in a camper van we had borrowed from a friend in Christchurch, so we felt very green.  The holiday park was lovely with a good spot for the camper, with some shade from trees, and not too far to the toilet and shower block which was good.  We didn't use the kitchen.  There was a good laundry though I couldn't find a socket for the iron.  Would certainly stay there again if in the area.  Handy to the shops and cafes.

First night on South Island trip

This is no longer a Top 10 Holiday Park -is now run as an independent campground.
Fairlie Holiday Park is just on the outskirts of the town, but an easy 5 minute walk to shops and restaurants and the famous Fairlie Bakery.
The holiday park has power and non power sites for caravans, campervans and tents, also several basic cabins and a couple of full service units.  There is a well organised kitchen and a barbeque area and well maintained, clean toilets and showers.  We found reception staff friendly and helpful.  There is a small library in reception where books can be swapped and plenty of information about things to do in the area.
The only downside is that for some unaccountable reason the toilets and showers are locked between 10 am and 4 pm, although one disabled toilet is left open.  Also, in cold weather, heating in the toilet/shower block is almost non-existent – one small fan heater on the wall in the toilet area.
Fairlie is well located for exploring a number of places - Geraldine and Tekapo each about 30 minutes drive and Mt Cook about 90 minutes drive.
The town itself has several restaurants – Carnegies reviewed separately and the Red Stag, as well as a local pub which offers takeaway.  And f course the Fairlie Bakery is famous for its’ pies.

Rural feel, but close to shops and cafes

Friendly people, right in town, good facilities and affordable. Continues NZ's old school Motor Camp culture into the new millennium. Lots of trees, very spacious and a lovely relaxed atmosphere. Would recommend for budget travellers.

Great budget accommodation

We stayed here for one night and definitely did not regret it! The Staff here are super friendly and welcoming, the grounds are beautiful and green and the bathrooms were nice and clean! Would highly recommend this place😊

Mackenzie Motel

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