Everyone needs a place to lay their weary head. For travelers visiting Akaroa, The Wharf is an excellent choice for rest and rejuvenation. Well-known for its romantic environment and proximity to great restaurants and attractions, The Wharf makes it easy to enjoy the best of Akaroa.
You’ll enjoy relaxing rooms that offer a flat screen TV, air conditioning, and a refrigerator, and you can stay connected during your stay as The Wharf offers guests free wifi.
The small hotel features a concierge, room service, and baggage storage. Plus, The Wharf offers a pool and free breakfast, providing a pleasant respite from your busy day. For guests with a vehicle, free parking is available.
For those interested in checking out popular landmarks while visiting Akaroa, The Wharf is located a short distance from Banks Peninsula War Memorial and Grounds (0.3 mi) and Akaroa Lighthouse (0.4 mi).
When you’re feeling hungry, be sure to check out La Thai, which is an Asian restaurant that is popular with locals and out-of-towners alike.
Looking to explore? Then look no further than The Giant's House (0.6 mi), which is a popular Akaroa attraction – and it is conveniently located within walking distance of the small hotel.
The Wharf is sure to make your visit to Akaroa one worth remembering.
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travelers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
We stayed in the rooms above the restaurant. The positives: Clean Tasteful decor Delicious complimentary cookies Good location with water views, close to restaurants, the cinema, walks etc.
The negatives: A very small space. Everything in the room feels squashed in. Our balcony only had one chair. Our room wasn’t serviced at all during our 2 day stay. The water pressure is poor. The accommodation units are atop the restaurant so if you don’t enjoy the restaurant smells, music or sound of glass bottles being disposed of in the recycling bin, this isn’t a good place for you. We got woken at 7 am by a street sweeper and later by the recycling truck emptying glass etc. The unit is right on the Main Street.
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Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed one night at this place over the weekend. The room was $180 for the night and I did have high expectations with it having waterfront views. We couldn't find the entrance so asked the young waitress at the restaurant below where to find reception. She couldn't have been more disinterested and walked a dozen steps and pointed at a counter. Here we met I assume the manager, who greeted use with another lack luster greeting. This tone set us up for the room. Like other you access the accommodation around the back, climbing the stairs over the kitchen and to you room.
The room was clean and well made up, however it is seriously dated. We got one of the corner units, which consists of a small triangular balcony overlooking the restaurant below. Be aware that on the warmer evening you will need the windows open, but you will be greeted with the music and noise from the restaurant below. We were fortunate that it closed not long after 9pm and the noise had abated by 10pm, but something to be mindful of.
The interior of the room appears to have been neglected for a number of years. It is definitely time for some money and refreshments to be done, considering the asking price. Kitchen door aren't flush and done close, the paint is scratched, there was a hole in the wall behind the door, the shower fittings are damaged, the door doesnt close flush etc. The photos reflect this.
Checking out was also unexplained. Checkout time is 10am but the restaurant where we checked in doesn't open till 11am. This was not explained to us.
Lastly Akaroa is currently experiencing a water contamination issue, to the point where we found publicly displayed notices saying don't drink the tap water. It must be boiled and that there was a clean filling station on the wharf. Nothing was said to us at check-in, and if we hadn't seen the notices in the township we would have used the water unaware.
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Date of stay: March 2021
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My husband insisted we go here after hearing one of the other cruise passengers talk about it, but we passed so many other restaurants that I would have preferred to eat in.
The food choices were not that great here; he ordered lobster which wasn't great and not worth the expensive price and I had snapper that was dry and really not worth the money. I can't even remember what our daughter ate but it wasn't memorable.
The wait staff appeared to be international backpackers who had the skill of... well, international backpackers.
Their English skills were poor (I don't blame them for this by the way) and I dread to think how little they must be getting paid as they didn't seem happy and didn't understand basics like cutlery, water and bread!
I guess the owner is trying to fund his retirement.
It is a shame because Akaroa is beautiful and I would have preferred to remember this gorgeous and unique port whilst eating somewhere else.
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Date of stay: December 2019
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed in The Old Shipping Office. We were travelling with another couple so this property was perfect with two rooms each with a queen bed (one may have been king?). Each bedroom also had its own sink. There was a shower and spa bath in the bathroom (no sink) and a separate toilet. Shower water pressure was brilliant and was on gas so no need for the last person in the shower to have to have a cold one. The property also had a lovely private patio area. Well done to the owners - a lovely property and we will book again. Kitchen was well equipped however there were also plenty of options for dining close by including The Wharf restaurant where we dined which was delicious.
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Date of stay: August 2020
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:Â Perfect accommodation for 2 couples.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I'm reporting this restaurant to Consumer Affairs or which ever organisation handles fake representation of 'fresh seafood' in New Zealand. That was one on the worst meals I have ever eaten. I got back to motel and had to laugh at Richard (the owner apparently - belittling other bad reviews. Mate - you have no idea what a good meal is). And you ran away when it was clear we were complaining. Left your staff in the lurch. Paid over $240 for a meal that you should never have served.
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Date of stay: January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from TWAkaroa, Owner at The Wharf
Responded Jan 3, 2020
Hi HelenA1646, Thank you for taking the time to join tripadvisor to write such an interesting review. It must have been a really boring night in your hotel room, but 10/10 for finding ways to keep yourself occupied. I feel incredibly privileged that you know my name, unfortunately we've never had the opportunity to meet, and im sure our management team dealt with you in a professional and courteous manner. As you've been incredibly vague in your review, you haven't left us with anything to work on, ill wish you happy new year, and please try to enjoy the rest of your new zealand travels. regards richard
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When we checked in, they were in the middle of lunch service and the counter to pay your lunch bill was the same to check-in which wasn’t a great start to the stay, as we had just driven 4 hours to then feel like we were checking in to a pub-hotel. Unfortunately also, was the fact that as it was St Patrick’s day, they had a live band playing in the restaurant until just past 10pm and as our room was right above, the entire room was vibrating from the noise and we couldn’t even hear our tv let alone could my heavily pregnant wife sleep. On a few occasions we also found someone parked in our designated car space which was awkward. All in all, an average stay in an amazing area.
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Date of stay: March 2020Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I hired 2x rooms paid over $450 for one night for 2 rooms. My daughter was put in a less than average room. I was horrified by hers. I booked these 2 months ago non refundable. The left side of us had 2 x big balcony. One was not occupied my daughters was disgusting tiny balcony crappy little chairs. We were there for a special occasion which the motel knew. Extremely disappointed the money we paid. Less than average. They had a single door and crappy balcony compared to the 2 beside us. My room was nice big balcony. I paid for that as superior. The window and doors were disgusting you could not see out them for the view. Looked like they had not been cleaned in months no excuse for that. Again less than average motel. If you are going to rip of the locals on your price I suggest you think twice about your dated accommodation. The rest of the accommodation was clean. But again if you are looking to hire this not worth the high price they charge. $150 a night room at best. (I travel frequently and stay at a lot of hotels and like check reviews). We decided not to waste anymore money at the property after having breads and dips. Which again were less than average. Bully hayes does a good breakfast. Other restaurants done amazing platters. The first pic is my daughters balcony single door (the other 2 were also same class as hers) the second one is the 2 others to the right. I had the big one in the middle no cushions on the seats but that isn't the end of the world.
The final 2 are the view for ours with the doors open lol
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Date of stay: November 2020Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Glen Taylor, General Manager at The Wharf
Responded Dec 22, 2020
Hello NicolaM397, Yes, room 1 is the smaller of the 4 rooms upstairs and also has the smallest balcony as well, this is also one of the cheapest rooms we have which reflect that. I do apologise if the cleaning was not up to standard, I know it is difficult to see from your photos, but the windows look quite clean to me?? If I am missing something please let me know. I am also sure you passed this on to the staff so they could rectify your complaint yes, Rather than only complain on Trip Advisor? Lovely photos of our view and the venue, I appreciate you putting those up, thank you :)
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On the waterfront right next to the wharf the Hotel is above the restaurant, I thought it would be a bit loud at night, but we heard nothing. The room is a little dated and the weird art doesnt match the location but you can forgive all that for the view and the price you pay. Would certainly stay again. First trip after lockdown, loved it.
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Date of stay: July 2020
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â They all get a view
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Glen Taylor, General Manager at The Wharf
Responded Dec 22, 2020
Thank you so much for your lovely review Lorraine C, Any ideas on how to modernise the rooms a little better, this seems to be a regular comment at the moment, and I would love to fix this issue, however, I am not much of an interior designer, unfortunately. So glad you enjoyed your stay with us.
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We were so looking forward to our stay at the Wharf but was very disappointed. The welcome was poor, the entrance to the rooms was outside at the back of the restaurant's kitchen facilities and was poorly kept. It was difficult to manoeuvre our cases up a very narrow staircase and it would be unsuitable for anyone with mobility issues. The room had a beautiful view and was clean but rather dated and had a very small balcony which couldn't be used comfortably. The restaurant was marketed as a seafood restaurant but this was not the case. The food was below average and had only 2/3 fish dishes to offer. The music 'base' noise reverberated throughout the day and into late evening.
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Date of stay: November 2020
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Glen Taylor, General Manager at The Wharf
Responded Dec 22, 2020
Hello Bagsey2017, Could you please let me know the dates you stayed, this will help me determine exactly what went wrong with your stay. Some rooms have a bigger balcony than others, but obviously, our cheaper rooms have a smaller balcony and are smaller rooms. Also with our current menu, out of 7 entrees, 3 are seafood, salmon, scallops and of course our very famous seafood chowder, making our entree menu 42% seafood, with the mains, out of the 20 main meal options, 4 are pizzas (2 being seafood pizzas) 4 are salads (all that can have the option of seafood with them) and there are 4 other mains in which one of them also has the option to come with seafood, on top of that there is 8 dedicated seafood mains. Therefore out of the 20 mains available for your choosing, 15 of them are seafood or have seafood options, making the percentage of our main menu 75% Seafood, and the menu overall is actually (including everything) boasting a total of 27 items, 18 of which are seafood or have the option of seafood, making the percentage of our menu overall 66.6% Seafood...... With this in mind, I am not sure what you are saying by the whole "marketed as a seafood restaurant but this was not the case" comment :) Please enlighten me as to your reasoning here. We are getting increasingly good comments regarding our food every day, so I do apologise if your meals were not up to your standard, I am sure you mentioned this to the staff or manager on duty at the time though yes? With your comments regarding the entrance to the accommodation, this is one that does warrant some thought, and I will take a look at this area and see if there is anything we can do here to make it a little more aesthetically pleasing. I am concerned about your comments regarding the staff and your welcome, could you please explain a little more regarding your welcome and why it felt "poor" so I can fix this issue for future guests. I look forward to your reply in explaining your comments, especially regarding the "poor" welcome, The below-average food, and of course the fact that we are not a seafood restaurant??
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This is just an average motel. The room was nice but nothing special and the staff were friendly but we saw very little of them. We had to ask for soap and a bathmat - sloppy housekeeping - which wasn't a big deal but shouldn't have happened. The view was not what the picture shows. We did have a view of the harbour but an even better view of the units across the road. We went in winter and the price was reduced but we don't think it warrants the higher price that it normally charges. The entrance to the unit is around the back of the restaurant is is not very salubrious.
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Date of stay: June 2020
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are more places to choose from in the Akaroa area.
PRICE RANGE
₱12,816 - ₱13,266 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
New ZealandSouth IslandCanterbury RegionAkaroa
NUMBER OF ROOMS
4
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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