Dunedin's BEST Woodlands Motels & Apartments: Unbeatable Deals!

Woodlands Motels & Apartments Dunedin New Zealand

Dunedin's BEST Woodlands Motels & Apartments: Unbeatable Deals!

Dunedin's BEST Woodlands Motels & Apartments: Unbeatable Deals! (Or Are They?) - A Raw & Honest Review

Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because I've just emerged from a Dunedin adventure, and I'm here to spill the tea on Dunedin's BEST Woodlands Motels & Apartments, supposedly offering Unbeatable Deals! Now, "unbeatable" is a strong word, and let's be honest, my expectations were… cautiously optimistic. I've stayed in enough "budget-friendly" places to know that "unbeatable" can sometimes mean "beatable by a rusty nail."

First things first: Accessibility. They claim to be good. Let's just say I didn't personally need a wheelchair, but I did see a few ramps and what looked like accessible rooms. (Accessibility) I mean, hey, points for trying, right? But honestly, folks, I didn't scrutinize every nook and cranny. I was too busy trying to find the wifi!

(Internet - OH, THE INTERNET!) Speaking of which… Internet Access is, in theory, available. They boast about Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, which, in this digital age, is a must. ( Internet ) However… Let me paint a picture: Me, huddled in my room, trying to upload a photo of a particularly glorious Dunedin sunset. The little spinning wheel of death… it. Just. Wouldn't. Die. ( Internet access – wireless ) ( Internet [LAN] ) Apparently, there was also Internet [LAN], whatever that is, but good luck finding a cable in this day and age! The Wi-Fi in the public areas was marginally better. ( Wi-Fi in public areas ) Overall: frustrating. I'm talking dial-up era levels of slow at times. So, if you're planning on streaming Netflix… bring a book. Or, you know, adopt a flock of pigeons. You'll get more entertainment.

Cleanliness and Safety: This is where things get interesting. They claim to have Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, and Rooms sanitized between stays ( Room sanitization opt-out available). Okay, cool. But, and this is a big but, I noticed a slightly… lingering… air freshener smell in my room. Not necessarily the kind that says "clean," but more like "masking something." ( Individually-wrapped food options ) Okay, the hand sanitizer was plentiful, and the staff seemed well-trained on safety protocols. ( Staff trained in safety protocol ) They have a doctor/nurse on call, a first aid kit, and hot water linen and laundry washing. They even have a hygiene certification, the whole 9 yards. ( Hand sanitizer ) However, I’d take any "professional grade sanitizing" with a grain of salt, as I still had to wipe down the remote control.

Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: They’ve got Restaurants! ( Restaurants ) Keyword is "got." I think there was supposed to be an A la carte in restaurant, but honestly, seemed more like a cafeteria. They offered Coffee/tea in restaurant… provided you could find the coffee. ( Coffee shop ) ( Breakfast service ) I tried the Breakfast [buffet] one morning. Let’s just say it was a buffet that could be defeated in under 5 minutes. There was food there, and it was vaguely edible. But, Asian breakfast? Asian cuisine in the restaurant? I'm not sure, there was a certain "international cuisine" vibe, but mostly basic, and probably "Western" in nature ( Western breakfast )

Now, one of the best parts of any of this is what you can do: Things to do, ways to relax: They have a Fitness center, (Gym/fitness) Sauna, and Swimming pool [outdoor]. I was SO stoked about this! I'd envisioned myself steaming in the sauna, working out with some weights and then taking a relaxed swim in the pool! Well, the fitness center was a room with a treadmill that looked like it had an appointment with a graveyard, the sauna wasn't working and I did find the pool, but it was closed. I had to laugh, even if the disappointment was very real. ** (Pool with view) **

Services and Conveniences: Okay, now we get to the bread and butter list of whether this place is worth your time. Air conditioning in public area… check. Concierge - I didn't see one. ( Doorman ) Daily housekeeping - yep, room was tidied. Elevator - yup, they had one. Laundry service - it's a big plus. Luggage storage - they offered it. ( Facilities for disabled guests ) They provide food delivery, a gift shop, and a safe dining setup. ( Cashless payment service ) ( Cash withdrawal ) However, the main thing, Air conditioning was great. I did have a lot of the things that came in the room, such as Bathrobes, a Complimentary tea and a wake up service. ( Alarm clock ) ( Coffee/tea maker ) ( Daily housekeeping ) ( Desk ) ( Shower ) ( Slippers ) ( Smoke detector ) ( Socket near the bed ). ( Window that opens )

For the Kids: They have a little bit of something for the kids. Babysitting service, ( Family/child friendly ) and Kids facilities.

Getting Around: ( Airport transfer ) They offer Car park [free of charge], which is a massive plus. Car park [on-site] is there too. Taxi service and Valet parking are things you can find.

Overall Impression:

Honestly? It was a mixed bag. The Unbeatable Deals? Maybe. But "unbeatable" in the sense of "cheap" is probably more accurate. It's a decent place if you're on a budget and don't mind a few quirks. The location is good for exploring Dunedin, and the staff were mostly friendly. However, if you're looking for luxury, seamless Wi-Fi, and a spa experience that actually works… keep looking. ( Non-smoking rooms ) ( Non-smoking ) ( Smoke alarms )

My Verdict: If you need a cheap and cheerful basecamp for exploring Dunedin, then it's a thumbs up. However, I'd recommend bringing your own Wi-Fi hotspot and perhaps a portable coffee maker. And maybe lower your expectations a tad bit. Just a tad.

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Woodlands Motels & Apartments Dunedin New Zealand

Okay, here we go. Buckle up, buttercups. This is my attempt to wrangle a sensible itinerary out of… well, a bunch of motels in Dunedin, New Zealand. And my brain. Wish me luck.

Woodlands Motels & Apartments, Dunedin: A Rough Guide to Surviving (and Maybe, Just Maybe, Enjoying) It

Day 1: Arrival and Disorientation (aka, "Where the Heck Did I Park?")

• 1:00 PM: Land in Dunedin. Ha. More like, wrestle my carry-on out of the overhead bin while simultaneously trying to look like I know what I'm doing. Success rate: 50/50. Taxi driver is a chatty chap named Barry, obsessed with bird watching. Says "Ah, the Tui are out in force this time o' year." Me? I'm mostly looking for the "out of force" of the air conditioning vent. Dunedin is cold. I should have brought a bloody parka.
• 2:00 PM: Arrive at Woodlands Motels & Apartments. The website promised "quaint charm." Reality? It's "clean and functional," which, after a long flight, is basically Nirvana. Check-in is smooth, thankfully. The receptionist, bless her heart, has that perpetually weary-but-kind look of someone who's dealt with a thousand tired, lost souls (like me).
• 2:30 PM: The room. It's… well, it's a motel room. Perfectly acceptable, with a slightly suspicious floral pattern on the curtains. Bonus points, though, for the ridiculously efficient heater. I crank it up and immediately start shedding layers. This is a good start.
• 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Unpack, get acquainted with the bathroom. The water pressure is surprisingly fantastic. This is a revelation. Seriously. I feel like I've won the lottery. Contemplate the possibility of just staying in the bathroom forever. Amusingly, the toilet paper is single-ply. Sigh.
• 4:00 PM: Attempt to find the supermarket, a quest that nearly ends in total failure. Dunedin's streets are a confusing labyrinth. I swear, I saw the same roundabout three times. Eventually, after an emotional breakdown involving Google Maps and a very concerned-looking seagull, I find it. Grab the essentials: chocolate, instant noodles, and some sort of suspiciously green-looking kiwi fruit.
• 6:00 PM: Dinner. Okay, the instant noodles are a bit… underwhelming. The kiwi fruit, however, is surprisingly tangy. The chocolate? Perfect. Watch some telly (the options are… limited). Feel vaguely homesick. This is going to be a long trip.
• 7:30 PM: Stumble into bed, defeated. Resolve to do better tomorrow.

Day 2: The Otago Peninsula and My Existential Crisis (aka, "Am I a Penguin Person?")

• 9:00 AM: Wake up, mostly. The heater is a lifesaver. Breakfast: Instant coffee because I am nothing if not predictable. The floral curtains are starting to grow on me.
• 10:00 AM: Drive to the Otago Peninsula. The scenery is… breathtaking. Seriously. Rolling hills, rugged coastline, the sort of landscapes that make you want to cry and write poetry at the same time. (Don't worry, I fought the impulse.)
• 11:00 AM: Penguin Place! This, my friends, is where things get real. The guides are passionate, the conservation efforts are inspiring, and the penguins are… well, they're penguins. Little blue penguins, the smallest in the world. They're adorable in a slightly grumpy, "don't-come-near-me" sort of way. I spend a solid hour just… watching them. And wondering if I could become a penguin person. The answer is maybe.
• 12:30 PM: Lunch. Find a cafe. The cafe has a very long queue. The queue is actually people waiting to get into the bathroom. I am the victim of a cafe, a queue, and possibly, my life. Find a very very small sandwich and an even smaller packet of chips. The chips are great.
• 2:00 PM: Royal Albatross Centre. More birds! But these are giant albatrosses. Seriously. They have a wingspan that could probably carry a small child. Watching them soar effortlessly above the ocean makes me feel… inadequate. And also, incredibly jealous of their ability to fly.
• 3:30 PM: Walk along the beach. The wind is ferocious. I probably should've brought a scarf. Contemplate the meaning of life. Find a particularly pretty pebble. Decide it's a metaphor for something.
• 5:00 PM: Back at Woodlands. Collapse. Take about a million photos, edit them, and then delete most of them because the lighting was awful.
• 7:00 PM: Dinner. The chocolate? Gone. The kiwi fruit? Also gone. Instant noodles, again. Feel slightly less lost than yesterday.

Day 3: Art, Architecture, and the Unanswerable Question of the Train Station

• 9:00 AM: Breakfast: Coffee. Feel accomplished.
• 10:00 AM: To the Dunedin Railway Station! I'm not even particularly into trains, but this place is a freaking masterpiece. The architecture is mind-blowing. Seriously, I spent half an hour just staring at the ceiling. I may have even squeaked a bit. Don't judge me.
• 11:00 AM: The Dunedin Public Art Gallery. I see paintings. I see people. I see… expressions. Decide I don't understand modern art. Enjoy it anyway. Get lost in a room full of bright colors.
• 12:30 PM: Lunch. Find a new cafe. The cafe has no queues. It also has the best, most amazing pie I've ever had. It's filled with lamb and rosemary and pure, unadulterated deliciousness. Eat two. Regret nothing.
• 2:00 PM: Visit the shops. Find a store selling vintage clothes. Get overwhelmed. Have a panic disorder. Leave. Vow to return later.
• 4:00 PM: Back to Woodlands. Nap. The heater is a constant companion.
• 7:00 PM: Back at Woodlands. The tv is a comfort. Eat leftover pie and instant noodles. Feel slightly less alone. It's a weird comfort.

Day 4: Farewell, Dunedin. You Were… Something.

• 9:00 AM: Breakfast. Coffee. Contemplate leaving.
• 10:00 AM: Final stroll through the city. Buy a scarf. Contemplate leaving.
• 12:00 PM: Check out of Woodlands. I almost wish I could stay.
• 12:30 PM: Say farewell to Barry.
• 1:00 PM: Board my transportation, and head away from this place.
• 2:30 PM: Arrive back home.

Okay, okay, so maybe this isn't a perfect itinerary. But it's honest. It's messy. It's full of accidental adventures, minor catastrophes, and the occasional moment of genuine joy. And honestly, that's probably the best way to experience any place, right? Go ahead, visit Dunedin. And I might just see you there.

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Woodlands Motels & Apartments Dunedin New Zealand```html

Okay, so, Dunedin's Woodlands Motels & Apartments. Sound too good to be true, right? Spill the tea! What's the general vibe?

Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because I'm about to lay it all out. Woodlands? Honestly? It's... a *thing*. Like, a Dunedin institution kind of thing. The vibe? Well, it's not the Ritz, let's be honest. Think more "comfortable, slightly worn, but definitely loved." You know, like that favorite old jumper that's got a few pills but still feels amazing. It's not slick. It's not pretentious. It's *real*. And honestly? That's part of the charm. You get a palpable sense of history. Like the walls whisper stories of student shenanigans, family road trips, and the occasional, slightly questionable, romantic getaway. (Just saying…) It's got this… *authenticity*. Plus, the location is bonkers good – right on the edge of the city, easy access to EVERYTHING without feeling like you’re stuck in a concrete jungle.

Where *exactly* are we talking? And, like, is it actually easy to find, or am I gonna get hopelessly lost? Because I have a terrible sense of direction.

Location, location, location! Woodlands sits pretty darn close to the city center, but far enough out that you get some peace and quiet. We’re talking easy strolls into town. And, blessedly, it's ridiculously easy to find. Seriously. Even *I*, the aforementioned directionally challenged individual, could locate it blindfolded (though I wouldn’t recommend actually *driving* blindfolded…). Think of it like this: you’re near the Botanic Garden, the university, and the famous Baldwin Street. Follow the signs. They're there. Seriously, if you manage to get lost… well, let's just say you might need a map and a stern talking-to from your GPS. Google Maps is your friend here. Don't be a hero. Just use Google Maps.

What are the rooms *actually* like? I've seen motel rooms that are basically glorified shoeboxes. Are we talking spacious luxury, or... ?

Look, let’s be brutally honest. You’re not paying for a penthouse suite. But the rooms are decent. They’re not cramped, no. They’re not *huge*, either. It’s all about practicality. They are surprisingly well-equipped. You’ve got your basics: comfy beds, a kitchenette (which is a lifesaver for budget travellers!), a decent bathroom (usually). Some rooms might have a small balcony. Sometimes, and this is a bonus, old-school heaters that actually WARM things up. The decor? Think slightly dated but, still, incredibly FUNCTIONAL. The word that spring to mind is "homely". I've stayed in places far worse, and I've stayed in places much, much better. For the price? Absolutely worth it. Honestly, after a long day of tramping (or, you know, exploring the Speight's Brewery – no judgement here!), you'll be grateful for any bed.

"Unbeatable Deals!" The website shouts it. Is it just marketing fluff, or are we *actually* getting a bargain? My bank account is screaming for help.

Okay, YES. The deals are pretty darn good. I’m talking genuinely good. Dunedin isn't exactly cheap, and accommodation can be a killer. But Woodlands? They've figured out the sweet spot between decent quality and affordable prices. You get a LOT for your money. It's perfect for budget travellers, students on a shoestring, and anyone who just doesn't want to shell out a fortune for a place to sleep. Look out for package deals, too - they sometimes have some absolute bangers. Seriously, check their website. Compare prices to other places in Dunedin. You'll see what I'm talking about.

Beyond the room itself, what *else* do you get? Free Wi-Fi? Parking? Is there a pool? (Probably not a pool, is there?)

Alright, let's keep expectations realistic. No, there’s no pool. (Although, wouldn’t *that* be something? A pool at Woodlands… now *there's* an idea!) The good news? Free Wi-Fi is usually available. Parking is generally easy – there’s usually plenty of space. The kitchenettes? They're basic but functional, which I appreciate because I *love* cooking my own meals. Some places have coin-operated laundry services. There's a general "everything you need" vibe, which is GREAT. No, it's not a luxury resort. But it's got the essentials covered. And that's what matters, isn't it? You're there to *see* Dunedin, not to hang out in a hotel room all day.

Alright, spill the tea. You've stayed there. What was *your* Woodlands experience really like? Give me the nitty-gritty.

Okay, deep breath. Here we go. I have a *story*. Picture this: I’m backpacking solo through New Zealand, broke as a church mouse, and desperate for a place to crash that wasn’t a hostel dorm. Woodlands was the answer to my prayers. I booked a room assuming “budget accommodation” meant “bare-bones prison cell.” I was pleasantly surprised. That room? It was *clean*. Seriously, clean. And the bed? Surprisingly comfortable. Now, this is where it gets *interesting*. I was in Dunedin for a week to see the wildlife; I wanted to see the penguins, the seals, all the birds! Well, one evening, I came back from a particularly grueling day’s hike, utterly shattered, and found myself locked out of my room! The key didn’t work. I started panicking. It was freezing outside. I was exhausted. And I was pretty sure I had left some snacks in there. So, I went to the office, which *thankfully* was open. And here’s where the story actually improves, even though it started badly. The woman at the desk (I think her name was Margaret, but memory fades) was an absolute *saint*. She took one look at my bedraggled, tear-stained face and immediately reassured me. "Oh, dear! Don't you worry, dear," she said. "Let's get you sorted." Long story short (although, is it ever?), it turned out the lock had jammed, and the key was useless. Margaret called someone. Within 20 minutes, a handyman arrived, a cheerful chap with a toolbox and a winning smile, and fixed the lock. He apologized profusely. I went back to my room with a renewed appreciation for hot showers and functioning doors. The next day? I needed a hairdryer (I’d stupidly left mine at home) and went to ask at reception. Margaret, remembering my lock-out fiasco from the day before, pulled out a hairdryer *immediately* and said, “Here you go, love – on the house. You deserve it after what happened yesterday!” That, my friends, is the Woodlands experience. It’s not perfect. It can be a little rough aroundMonte Vista's Hidden Gem: The Best Western Movie Manor Awaits!

Woodlands Motels & Apartments Dunedin New Zealand

Woodlands Motels & Apartments Dunedin New Zealand

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