Escape to Paradise: Albert Number 6 Motel - Your Whitianga Oasis!
Escape to Paradise: Albert Number 6 Motel - Your Whitianga Oasis! (A Review That Gets Real)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your average sanitized, PR-approved hotel review. This is me, raw and unfiltered, spilling the beans (preferably with a side of that AMAZING breakfast buffet) on the Albert Number 6 Motel in Whitianga. Let's get messy. Let's be honest. Let's find out if this place is really an oasis, or just another hotel trying to fool us with pretty pictures.
First Impressions (and the Initial Panic):
Pulling up, I was immediately hit with… well, not paradise, exactly. It was a bit… retro. Think clean lines, classic Kiwi motel vibes, and a healthy dose of "we've seen a few summers." (Don't let that deter you. The charm grows on ya!). Now, I need to confess: I'm a little extra when it comes to hygiene, so my initial instinct was to whip out a hazmat suit. But thankfully, they seemed to have things covered.
Cleanliness and Safety: The OCD Test (Passed!)
Okay, deep breaths. The anti-viral cleaning products and daily disinfection in common areas were definitely a plus. I saw staff diligently going through the motions, and that gave me a tiny bit of peace. They claim to use professional-grade sanitizing services, and frankly, my germ-averse heart needed to hear that. The fact that they offered room sanitization opt-out was a clever touch. It shows they care. They’d removed the shared stationery. That got extra points. The hand sanitizer stations were EVERYWHERE. I felt like I was swimming in the stuff, which is… a weirdly comforting feeling? The hot water linen and laundry washing gave me the warm fuzzies. And the staff trained in safety protocol seemed legit because the staff were extra friendly and welcoming, especially the amazing lady at the front desk, what a gem!
Accessibility: Roll with the Punches (and the Wheelchair)
This is where things get a little muddy. The website says they have facilities for disabled guests. But I didn't actually see them, and I'm not a wheelchair user. So, I can't offer definitive advice. Hopefully, the description is accurate for the disabled rooms, if you need any assistance, or a wheelchair user you know, make sure to ask! I saw elevator, so that is a huge plus!
Rooms: A Sanctuary…or at Least a Place to Crash?
Okay, the rooms. They were… comfortable. Not luxurious. More like a clean, well-maintained nest. And after driving all day that was a relief. Here's the breakdown:
- Air conditioning: YES! Essential in the summer heat of Whitianga.
- Free Wi-Fi: YES! Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Praise be, because my phone is my life.
- Blackout curtains: YES! Crucial for sleeping in (and avoiding the glare of the sun).
- Coffee/tea maker: YES! Because caffeine is a necessity, not a luxury.
- Refrigerator: YES! Perfect for stashing those celebratory beers.
- In-room safe box: YES! Makes me feel like a secret agent.
- Ironing facilities: YES! My travel clothes were grateful.
- Daily housekeeping: YES! Fresh towels, clean sheets – the little things that make life bearable.
- Bathroom phone: What is this? The 90s? But fun!
The window that opens was a nice touch, even though the view was just another motel. And the extra-long bed. Thank goodness. I hate dangling feet.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Carb Load Ahead!
This is where the Albert Number 6 REALLY shone. I mean, seriously.
- Breakfast [buffet]: HEAVEN. Pure, unadulterated, bacon-filled heaven. There was everything: Asian breakfast (if you're into it), Western breakfast, coffee/tea in restaurant, pastries, eggs, fruit, the works! I may have gone back for seconds… and thirds.
- Restaurants: Great food!
- Poolside bar: Not there, but its okay! Plenty of bars in Whitianga!
- Room service [24-hour]: Okay, I didn't test this, but knowing it's an option is comforting, especially if you’re a night owl (or just really lazy).
Things to Do (and Ways to Relax): Paradise Found-ish
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: Lovely, a bit small, but hey, it's refreshing.
- Breakfast room: a great view to enjoy breakfast
- Spa/sauna: This is where I got a little disappointed. The spa was simple, and the sauna was… basic. Don't expect a luxury spa experience. They have massage as an option, and spa/sauna as a combo!
Services and Conveniences: Smooth Sailing (Mostly)
The concierge was helpful and friendly, giving great advice. Cash withdrawal options were in the building.
- Car park [free of charge]: A HUGE win. Parking in Whitianga is limited.
- Laundry service: Essential for travelling.
- Also, air conditioning in public area.
For the Kids (and the Young at Heart)
I didn’t have any kids with me, but the family/child friendly atmosphere seemed definitely present.
Getting Around: Easy Peasy
- Taxi service: Available, but I mostly walked or drove.
- Car park [on-site]: See above. Super convenient.
- Airport transfer: Didn’t need it, but it's an option.
Quirks, Rants, and Emotional Reactions:
Okay, let's get real.
- The "Retro" Vibe: It's a bit dated. But honestly? It kind of grew on me. There’s a certain charm to a motel that's seen a bit of life.
- The Spa: Don't go expecting miracles. Go for relaxation, not luxury.
- The Breakfast Buffet: AMAZING. Seriously. Worth the price of admission alone. Go. Eat all the bacon. You will not regret it.
- The Staff: Genuinely friendly and helpful. That makes a huge difference.
- The Location: Whitianga is gorgeous. The motel is close to everything.
The Verdict: 4 out of 5 Stars (and a Hearty Recommendation)
Would I go back? Absolutely. Is it a perfect, five-star resort? No. But is it a comfortable, clean, well-located motel with a killer breakfast and genuinely lovely staff? YES. And sometimes, that's all you need. The Albert Number 6 is your Whitianga oasis – a good starting point to exploring paradise!
AND HOTEL HAKATA: Fukuoka's Hidden Gem? You WON'T Believe This!
Alright, buckle up buttercup, because this trip to Whitianga at Albert Number 6 Motel? Gonna be a journey. Forget those pristine travel itineraries you see in glossy magazines. This is the real deal. My real deal.
Day 1: Arrival and That Damn Ferry (aka "Why Did I Pack So Much?")
- 1:00 PM: Arrive at Auckland Airport (AUK) – Hallelujah, finally! After that godawful flight (window seat, of course - rookie mistake).
- 1:30 PM: Rent the car. The rental guy looked like he hadn't slept in three days. Gave me a car with a dent the size of my head. Fine. Whatever. It gets me to Whitianga, baby!
- 2:30 PM: Quick grocery stop. Because, let's face it, motel food is the enemy. I'm grabbing the essentials: chips, dip, something vaguely resembling fruit and a bottle of wine with a label that doesn't lie - a 'go to the beach and cry' kind of wine.
- 3:30 PM: The Drive. Oh. My. God. New Zealand driving is gorgeous. Seriously, the roads are twisting like some ancient serpent, and the views just punch you in the face. I'm stopping every ten minutes to snap a bloody photo. (This already feels like an Instagram hellscape.)
- 5:00 PM: Check-in at Albert Number 6 Motel. The photos really did that place justice. So much so, that I was expecting a run-down building, but it turned out to be pretty neat. The owner, or the guy who manages it, looks like a kind farmer. He's got that "seen some things" look in his eyes. He's a kiwi bloke.
- 5:30 PM: Unload. The "car with a dent" is now overflowing with luggage. This is the moment when I question my life choices and decide I should've packed less.
- 6:00 PM: Settling in. The motel room is…functional. Clean sheets, a mini-fridge, TV…it'll do. Crack open the "go to the beach and cry" wine. This is going to be a good start.
- 7:00 PM: The Ferry. Oh. The ferry. You know, the one that's supposed to be a beautiful, scenic crossing to the main Whitianga town? Well, I got there five minutes before the ferry left, and it was like navigating a warzone. People yelling, cars honking, the sea gulls (the size of small dogs) swooping for scraps. It was total chaos. The ferry itself…well, it's a ferry. It gets you across.
- 7:30 PM: Dinner. Wandered around town. Ended up in a fish and chips place. The fish was alright. The chips? Glorious. Ate them on the beach whilst the wind and sea air gave me a refreshing breeze.
- 9:00 PM: Bedtime after writing down day one.
Day 2: Cathedral Cove and Coastal Delights (And Maybe a Tiny Breakdown).
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast. The usual motel fare. Burnt toast and instant coffee. I should've brought my own supplies. Note to self: next time, pack better.
- 9:00 AM: Drive to Cathedral Cove. This is the real reason I came. The pictures don't lie. Let me tell you, the hike to the cove is worth it. The view of the coastline from above is straight out of a postcard.
- 9:30 AM: Hike to Cathedral Cove. Yeah, it's a walk, they said. "Easy stroll," they said. Lies. Utter lies! It’s steep, it's a sweaty, and I'm carrying what feels like a small child in my "day pack." (It's just water bottles, okay?!).
- 11:00 AM: Cathedral Cove! The moment of truth. And…it’s breathtaking. Absolutely stunning. The photo ops are ridiculous. So many people, though. People everywhere. I want to punch a selfie stick, but I just have to keep my cool, and keep smiling.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. After my amazing hike, I am famished and I treat myself to a delicious lunch. A gorgeous wrap. The sun, the view, the food… pure bliss. All of it. This is what I came here for.
- 1:00 PM: Coastal Walk. Because one epic hike clearly isn't enough. This one is a bit easier, thank God. More views, more photo ops. My camera roll is exploding. My legs are screaming. I'm starting to feel like I'm in a travel commercial, but it's my travel commercial.
- 3:00 PM: Ice cream. Post-hike reward. Mandatory. Ate the entire thing. No regrets. None.
- 4:00 PM: Back to the motel to grab the beach-weather stuff.
- 5:00 PM: Beach time. I'm laying out. The sun is warm. The water is calling. But can I go in there? I'm still recovering from the hike.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at a restaurant. I'm in a food coma by now but this dinner is nice. I have a good time.
- 9:00 PM: Another night of writing this down.
Day 3: Hot Water Beach and the "Salty Tears" of the Sea (aka "Why Did I Forget a Towel?")
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast. Repeat.
- 9:00 AM: Drive To Hot Water Beach. This is the big one. Supposedly, you dig your own hot tub in the sand. I'm prepared with a shovel (bought one! I'm resourceful!).
- 9:30 AM: The Drive. The drive to Hot Water Beach is a breeze, compared to yesterday's trek. I see the beach, and I already see about 300 people digging.
- 10:00 AM: Hot Water Beach. The beach is packed. Like, ridiculously packed. People are huddled together, looking like they're having a communal bath. I find an open spot, and I go digging.
- 10:30 AM: Digging. Digging. Digging. I dig and dig and dig. My arms ache, my feet are in the sand and I'm starting to feel like I'm digging for buried treasure. My hole is getting deeper…
- 11:00 AM: FINALLY. Hot water! I did it! I'm sitting in my own personal hot tub, feeling like a goddess – until a rogue wave nearly washes away my towel.
- 12:00 PM: Swim and Play. I didn't want to leave so soon. I went for a swim and played in the ocean.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch. Had a picnic. I'm feeling exhausted, but happy, this trip has been everything that I'd hoped for.
- 2:00 PM: Beach Time. I was completely content. Didn't bother about anything.
- 4:00 PM: Drive to Albert Number 6 Motel.
- 5:00 PM: A long hot shower. After a long day, an absolute need.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner. A bit of a letdown after the perfect day… but the company is good.
- 9:00 PM: Bedtime.
Day 4: Goodbye Whitianga (and a Few Tears)
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast. Same as ever.
- 9:00 AM: Pack. This is always the hardest part. Packing everything back up, and realizing how much stuff I actually brought.
- 10:00 AM: Last stroll along the beach. Watching the waves on the shoreline. I'm feeling a bit emotional.
- 11:00 AM: Check out of Albert Number 6 Motel. Saying goodbye to the kind farmer.
- 11:30 AM: Last Ferry Ride. And this time, I'm prepared for war.
- 1:00 PM: Last look at the view. Everything feels good.
- 2:00 PM: Drive to the airport.
- 3:00 PM: Drop off the car.
- 4:00 PM: Wait for the flight.
- 5:00 PM: Boarding the flight.
- 6:00 PM: Flight back.
So, there you have it. My Whitianga adventure. A messy, imperfect, and utterly human exploration of beauty, beaches, and a whole lot of chips. Would I go back? Absolutely. Would I pack less next time? Probably not. I'm a disaster. And I love it.
Escape to Paradise: Red Balcony Hotel's Pattaya Perfection
Escape to Paradise: Albert Number 6 Motel - Your Whitianga Oasis? (Or Maybe Not...) FAQ
Okay, so... What *is* this place? Albert Number 6, I mean. Sounds suspiciously like a science experiment.
Alright, picture this: Whitianga. Pretty postcard-perfect, right? Then, nestled amongst the… let's call them ‘vintage’ motels, is Albert Number 6. It's got the classic, slightly faded, one-story motel vibe. Think pastel paint, maybe a bit of chipped concrete, and the lingering scent of… well, let's just say "cleaner-upper" products trying awfully hard. It's not the Ritz, folks. It’s more like ‘charming in a slightly derelict way.’ My partner, bless her heart, loved the “retro” feel. I was just hoping the fridge wasn't from the literal retro era and filled with something… questionable.
What are the rooms like? Are we talking tiny, cramped boxes or... well, anything remotely comfortable?
The rooms? Okay, let’s be honest. They’re… compact. Functional. Our room had a queen bed, which, to be fair, *was* comfortable enough after a long day on the beach. But there was a distinct lack of space to swing even a particularly small cat. My suitcase lived on the floor, and you navigated the room like a contestant in a particularly brutal obstacle course. The bathroom? Well, let's just say if you and another person were in there, you’d be playing “footsie” whether you wanted to or not. And the shower? The water pressure was… enthusiastic. It felt like a tiny, slightly aggressive water cannon. You definitely woke up.
Is there a pool? Because, you know, "oasis" and all that…
Yes! (breathes a sigh of relief... or maybe desperation). There *is* a pool. It's… well, it's a pool. It’s the kind of pool that has those slightly faded blue tiles and possibly a few rogue leaves floating on the surface. I saw a couple of families enjoying it, and hey look, the kids LOVED it, so that was a win. But let’s just say it's not the infinity pool you're dreaming about. It’s more… “a refreshing dip after a long day of sun and sand.” It's functional. It’s... pool-like. I jumped in, I survived, I saw others survive. Okay? Moving on.
What about the location? Is it easy to get to the beach, shops, and stuff?
Location is actually pretty darn good. You're a short walk from the main beach, which is *amazing*. Seriously, Whitianga beach is gorgeous. Golden sand, clear water... it's a postcard come to life. The shops and restaurants are also walkable, or a very quick drive away. So, that’s definitely a big plus for Albert Number 6. I mean, you can stumble back after a few too many drinks, which, let's be honest, is a crucial element of any decent holiday.
Did you see any ghosts? Because those "retro motels" sometimes come with… character.
Okay, *this* is where it gets interesting. No ghosts. Thank goodness. But… weird stuff? Definitely. Our first night? There was a relentless dripping *sound*. Drip... drip... drip... It was maddening. We looked everywhere. Under the sink, the toilet, the ceiling… nothing! It drove me half mad. Finally, after about an hour of this torture, it stopped. And then… silence. Until, you guessed it, the next night! Drip... drip... drip.... I swear, the sound was designed to infiltrate your very soul. The next day, I saw a maintenance guy, and he, with a shrug, confessed someone turned on *all* the taps in the shared laundry room - and forgot to turn them off (facepalm). So, the lesson here? Pack earplugs.
Was there any good coffee? Because I need my caffeine fix!
I am a coffee snob. A *very* high-maintenance coffee snob. The in-room coffee situation… well, it existed. It was the kind of instant coffee that tastes like regret. Nearby, there are some *excellent* cafes, thank God. So, stock up on good beans and make it yourself, or prepare to face a truly substandard brew. Or just beeline for the cafes, like I did. Seriously, the coffee situation was almost a dealbreaker for me. Almost.
What about the service? Were the staff friendly? Helpful? Or… well, let's just say “absent”?
The staff were… fine. They weren't dancing on tables with joy, but they weren't actively trying to murder us either (that I could observe). They were polite, answered our questions, and gave us extra towels when we asked. Nothing spectacular, nothing terrible. It's the type of service where you get the feeling they've seen it all… and seen a lot of it. And honestly, sometimes that's all you want. No fuss, just a place to crash. So, yeah, the service was… present.
The verdict? Would you recommend Albert Number 6?
Alright, here's the deal. If you're looking for luxury, a spa experience, and pristine perfection, stay *far* away. Look elsewhere. If you’re okay with basic, a little bit quirky, and value convenience and a fantastic beach location… then, yeah, Albert Number 6 is… okay. It’s a perfectly acceptable base of operations for your Whitianga adventures. I’d stay there again, sure. But next time? I'm bringing industrial-strength earplugs, a travel coffee maker, and maybe a hazmat suit just in case…
Any quirky things you remember? Anything that really stuck with you?
Oh, man. Okay. So, the key. The key to the room was a *real* key! Like, a heavy, old-school, metal key. It felt like I was unlocking a treasure chest, except the treasure was… a slightly cramped motel room. But it was the *sound* the key made in the lock. That *clunk*! Every time I locked or unlocked the door, that distinctive noise echoed in the air. It was like a little punctuation mark to each day. Entering the room? *Clunk*. Leaving? *Clunk*. Waking up in the middle of the night to that dripping sound? *Clunk*! I'll never forget that clunk.Nomadic Stays
