Cave Rock Guest House

Similar to a previous review I was very disappointed and the main issue I believe is that many of the information sites are falesly advertising that Parking is available on site,. At the back inside the house is: A tiny room approx 2 and 1/4 metres wide; L shape. On my second night I could not sleep as a large window high above the bed to the left ( over one metre wide by one foot high) was stuck and wide open all night. A strong cold wind began around 11pm and too high to shut even when I stood on the couch and I am quite tall. The wind caused the blind to beat against the wall all night. Then at 3am the smoke alarm started beeping so I spent all night with the TV ON to pass the time. I asked the owner for a refund for one of the nights for this bad experience but none forthcoming. There was a lot of voices coming from the owners room through the door in the next room at times. The bathroom was down a passage where I was unable to shut that window also; it appeared to be an old window type as I (on my own and over 75) couldn't move the hinges. I stayed at motels the same week for the same price. $150 night. Wonderful I felt like I was out of Jail. Many travel sites for this guest house say FREE PRIVATE PARKING IS AVAILABLE ON SITE. This is not true. The owner told me that I could not park ON SITE. I cannot stress that: Parking was a huge problem as the metal locked driveway gate was for private use only I was told and the roadside on one side had time limits. On such a busy area with two cafes next door I had to keep circling the block and finally parked some distance away. This guest house does not welcome guests who take on this room to a kitchen or lounge or provide breakfast or meals. When I finally found a park I had to make 3 trips with belongings and food. Tourists especially from overseas need to be aware of this and also this major parking issue. Public Holidays are even WORSE to find a park which could be kms away. A very low couch was side on to the Tv. There were no table or chairs, to eat your food on or sit your coffee on. Just a wardrobe with a toaster, microwave, fridge and jug. The bed head board was not attached to the bed and banged against the wall. This room was around the back inside the house that looked out on their private driveway and garage. There was no comfort staying in this space during the day even though I needed rest. Lots of improvements needed here and a big reduction from $150 per night. A welcome pack would have been great showing a map of Sumner with cafes etc., especially for first time overseas visitors or New Zealanders

I liked this property and it offered everything needed for a short comfortable stay. The only criticism was the shower. It was impossible not to make a mess as there was no shower curtain and the whole floor, toilet etc got wet. This is easily fixed by installing a ceiling mounted track to hang a shower curtain on. Otherwise the hosts were very hospitable and their dog Bruce was a real bonus. Loved him.

Comfortable place to stay in great location - near variety of cafes and restaurants and across the road from the beach. Only downside was that the only access to the room was through the owner's front door - no private access.

Nice and pretty quiet location. Friendly owner. Biggest downside: the bed is just too small and too short. Well meant suggestion for the owner is to do something about that. Bathroom is separated from the room by a hallway (few meters). Not the worst, but a ensuite would defenitely be more convenient. The room borders the kitchen of the owners and that is what you can hear in the evening as well as the morning. Again not the worst, but I think an owner should be aware of that.

Right on the beach by the Cave Rock