Very nice spot on the west coast

Deserves its Qualmark 4-star rating. Like most units, ours was one half of a log cabin-type building. The rooms are of an interesting angled shape, which makes them feel different from the average hotel/motel box. The rooms are very clean, modern, well-equipped and well-furnished - the bed was very comfortable, there was a couch in the spacious main room, and there were other extras, including an in-room safe, microwave, two-burner stove, fridge, CD player, DVD player, and flat screen TV. Good-sized bathroom. The property is beachfront; it's a 60-second walk from the cabins to the water's edge. Each cabin has a front porch from which you can comfortably enjoy a view of the Tasman Sea. Chilled bottles of wine are sold at the front desk; food means a 15-20 minute walk or 3-minute drive into the town centre, or use the very well-equipped kitchen.

A West Coast Star

What a surprise these digs were - having stayed at dingy digs at Franz Joseph the night before these were a fraction of the cost and 100% better.

This is a mixed site of camper vans and wooden lodges - made me a bit wary - but booked a beachside lodge and at NZD 129 for the night this was a bargin.

Just a few yards from the beach, this was a lovely large room with huge bed, TV and DVD, kitchenette and large shower-room. A terrace with seats overlooked the sea and you could walk for miles undistured blowing away the cobwebs. Hokitika is known for the tree roots on the beach that make stunning sculptures as you walk into the spray and feash air.

Slight word of caution - Shining Star is on the outskirts of town so a good 15 mins walk to the centre. There are a few bars and restaurants, varying from local type to more touristy, but you must make a bee line for the Cafe de Paris - fantastic food throughout the day and evening - great service and clearly a hit locally - worth booking. Be patient for a taxi back to the digs - there are not that many.

That said - delay your return to dusk and take a walk to the opposite side of the road - there is a well signposted glow-worm dell, striking after a few halves of shandy !

Finally - do visit the tourist office - the staff there are very helpful and happy to direct you to what sights there are in the town.

Perfect little place

We stayed here for a night in December while driving from Wanaka to Nelson. We agree with all the previous positive reviews. Our room was a small 1 bedroom studio, really clean, tastefully done, all new and modern. In the room were ensuite bathroom with shower, kitchen, LCD TV, DVD, excellent heat pump, king-sized bed, small table, complimentary refreshments. The room itself was essentially a new log cabin, solidly built, nice and cosy. All for $129 NZD. Very good value, and we would stay there again.

Excellent

We (a family of five) stayed at this motel and we enjoyed our stay very much. The rooms were well furnished and equipped and the spa-bath was very relaxing.

The DVD-players helped us getting through the evening because the of horrible weather we had. The movie selection could be a litle bit better.

Our room was right at the beach with beautiful views, and the glowworms were right across the street - and impressive sight at night.

Great stay at the Shining Star Chalets

My husband and I stayed at the Shining Star Chalets in November. We stayed in a beach front Chalet which was wonderful. Units are fairly new and spotlessly clean. Our bed was very comfortable, with electric blankets. Our chalet had a full kitchen with coffee and tea. We had an oceanview porch with incredible views.

The property has lots of cute animals - rabbits, pigs (the ugliest pig I've ever seen!), ducks, lamas, etc. The grounds are very well maintained.

I would highly recommend this property - a great value! Staff was very helpful and friendly.

Großartiger Wert

Dies war eines der preisgünstigsten Motels in dem wir auf unserer ausgedehnten Reise durch Neuseeland untergekommen sind, ein fantastischer Wert. Holzchalet auf einem windgepeitschten sandigen Strand, nur wenige Fußminuten von der Stadt entfernt. Wir hatten das Unglück, dem einzigen mürrischen Rezpetionsangestellten in ganz Neuseeland zu begegnen, und Teebeuter & Milch waren nicht im Preis der günstigeren Zimmer eingeschlossen, aber die Sauberkeit, Lage und der Preis machten diese Kleinigkeiten mehr als wett.

Super Aussicht & super Wert

Wir waren am 27. Januar 2006 für eine Nacht im Shining Star Chalets. Die Unterkunft ist ca. 2.5 km von der Innenstadt entfernt und es hat einen tollen Blick auf den Ozean. Es war sauber, bequem, und sehr gut mit Annehmlichkeiten bestückt. Es gab neben der Rezeption mehrere Stellen, die eingezäunt waren und Lamas, Hasen, Schweine und Schafe hatten. Wir zahlten 120 Dollar pro Tag (einsch. Steuer), ca. 84 Dollar und fanden, dass das ein guter Gegenwert war. Es gab auch eine gute und aktuelle DVD Sammlung am Empfang, für nur eine kleine Gebühr. Wir würden hier wieder unterkommen.

Great Value

This was one of the cheapest motels we stayed on an extended tour of New Zealand, and terrific value. Log chalets on a sandy windswept beach, and within walking distance of town. We had the misfortune to meet the only grumpy receptionist in New Zealand, and tea bags & milk were not included in the lower priced units, but the cleanliness and setting and the price more than made up for these minor niggles.

Great view & Great value

We stayed at the Shining Star Chalets for 1 night on January 27, 2006. The accomodation is located about 1.5 miles from the main downtown area but it does have great ocean front views. It was clean, comfortable, and was well stocked with amenities. They also had several fenced areas near the reception with llamas, rabbits, pigs, and sheep. We paid $120 NZD (inc GST) for the night (~$84 US) and thought that it was a great value. They also had a decent and current selection of DVDs at the front desk for a small fee. We would stay here again

Great Value

Clean, very reasonably priced and near the windswept driftwood laden beach. Opposite a little glow worm dell too.

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