The Sands

504 reviews

• A

  alnpam

  NZ · couple · Oct 2026

  9/10
• T

  Tracey

  NZ · couple · Oct 2026

  9/10

  Great location

• G

  Gillian

  NZ · couple · Oct 2026

  4/10

  most suitable, but didnt meet expectations this time.

  view, location and accessibility. good.

  the main bed was like an egg carton with hollows! the microwave door would not work, we asked for help but a man came and said it needed maintenance

• G

  Gerard

  NZ · couple · Sep 2026

  1/10

  Very unwelcoming and disappointing

  A very disappointing welcome and an unusually unhelpful approach at reception. I arrived early and fully understood that the hotel could not guarantee an early check-in. I explained, however, that I had online work meetings and was simply trying to plan my day. I asked whether, given that the hotel appeared to be quiet, it might be likely that I could check in before my midday meeting. The only response was essentially: “We cannot guarantee early check-in.” I then asked whether I might at least be able to check in at 13:50, ten minutes before the official 14:00 check-in time, so that I could connect to the Wi-Fi and set up my laptop for a 14:00 meeting. Again: “We cannot guarantee early check-in.” Eventually, somewhat exasperated, I asked whether even 13:58 could be confirmed. Same answer. Of course I understand that early check-in cannot always be guaranteed. What was disappointing was the complete absence of any attempt to help. The receptionist could have checked whether a room might become available, suggested somewhere suitable to work, offered to contact housekeeping, given me some indication of what was realistic, or offered to text me when the room was ready. Instead, I was left with no useful information and had to find the local library myself, which was hardly ideal for online meetings. I subsequently received a message from the hotel apologising and saying that my feedback would be addressed with the team. I replied explaining the practical problem and asking, at a minimum, whether I could expect to get into the room ten minutes before 14:00. I never received a response. When I eventually returned to check in, I dealt with the same receptionist. There was no acknowledgement of what had happened and no apology. The issue was never that the hotel could not guarantee early check-in. It was the unwillingness to make even a small effort to assist a guest with a perfectly reasonable practical problem.

• S

  Sue

  NZ · solo_traveller · Sep 2026

  10/10

  Would loved to have stayed longer.

  The apartment had a great view and it was exceptionally quiet inside. Loved the sky lights as it may the apartment sunny during the day. Bed so soft like sleeping on a cloud.

  The sky tv could of had more channels especially movies.