With a stay at Dolphin Motel in Paihia, you'll be within a 10-minute walk of Bay of Islands and Paihia Wharf. .This motel is 0.5 mi (0.8 km) from Paihia Beach and 0.5 mi (0.8 km) from Te Ti Bay.
Makana Chocolate Boutique - 3 min drive - 1.4 miles
Getting around
Kerikeri (KKE-Bay of Islands) - 25 min drive
Restaurants
CBK Craft Bar & Kitchen - 7 min walk
Charlotte's Kitchen - 7 min walk
Orange Frog - 4 min walk
Duke of Marlborough Hotel - 27 min drive
Breeze Cafe - 14 min walk
About this property
Dolphin Motel
Dolphin Motel offers 30 accommodations with coffee/tea makers and hair dryers. Each accommodation is individually furnished and decorated. 32-inch LCD televisions come with satellite channels.
Bathrooms include showers and complimentary toiletries. Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access. Housekeeping is offered once per stay and irons/ironing boards can be requested. Housekeeping is provided on a limited basis.
The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.
Make yourself at home in one of the 30 individually decorated guestrooms, featuring microwaves and LCD televisions. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and satellite programming is available for your entertainment. Private bathrooms with showers feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include coffee/tea makers and blackout drapes/curtains, and housekeeping is provided once per stay.
Take in the views from a garden and make use of amenities such as complimentary wireless internet access and tour/ticket assistance. Additional features at this motel include a picnic area and barbecue grills.
Featured amenities include luggage storage and laundry facilities. Free self parking is available onsite.
Property amenities
Internet
Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi
Parking and transportation
Free self parking on site
Wheelchair-accessible parking available
Onsite parking includes off-street options
Family friendly
In-room microwave
Laundry facilities
Mini-fridge
Conveniences
Guidebooks
Laundry facilities
Limited-hour front desk
Luggage storage
Guest services
Housekeeping (once per stay)
Tour and ticket assistance
Outdoors
Barbecue grill
Garden
Picnic area
Accessibility
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
2 accessible parking spaces
No elevator
Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
Wheelchair-accessible parking
More
2 buildings
2 floors
Smoking not allowed
Room amenities
Bedroom
Bedsheets provided
Blackout drapes
Bathroom
Free toiletries
Hair dryer
Private bathroom
Shower
Towels provided
Entertainment
32-inch LCD TV with satellite channels
Food and drink
Coffee/tea maker
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Microwave
Mini-fridge
Restaurant dining guides
Toaster
More
Individual decor
Individual furnishings
Iron/ironing board on request
Window screens
Policies
Check-in
Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 6:00 PM
Early check-in subject to availability
Contactless check-in available
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 21
Check-out
Check-out before 10 AM
Special check-in instructions
The front desk is open daily from 8 AM - 6:00 PM
Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; front desk staffed during limited hours
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 48 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation
If you are planning to arrive after 5:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Access methods
Front desk (limited hours)
Pets
Pets not allowed (service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees)
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
2 children, up to the age of 3 years, can stay for free if using existing beds when occupying the parent or guardian's room
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Property payment types
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Minimum Spring Break check-in age is 23 years old
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards, and cash
Cashless transactions are available
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Noise-free guestrooms cannot be guaranteed
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, and outdoor lighting
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
Property Registration Number 115946340
We should mention
This property does not have elevators
Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms
Alcohol is not served at this property
National rating
Property class, provided by our rating system, is based on property type, amenities, and services.
Property is also known as
Dolphin Motel Paihia
Dolphin Paihia
Dolphin Motel Motel
Dolphin Motel Paihia
Dolphin Motel Motel Paihia
Dolphin Motel Reviews
Reviews
8.6
Excellent
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Lovely, clean modern motel, excellent location, walking distance to shops, restaurants and beach.
Staff friendly and helpful.
Great price.
Highly recommend this motel
Polly
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026
10/10 Excellent
Dennis
Traveled with family
Jan 7, 2026
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
We were very happy with facilities and service and would be very happy to stay there again.
Staying in this motel is very safe and clean.kitchen bathroom and bedrooms are well organised.Staff are helpful .
George
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025
10/10 Excellent
Gayla
Dec 28, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
The room smelled so fresh and clean; the kitchen was fully functional, you could cook a meal easily.
Gayla
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025
6/10 Okay
Marthapearl
Dec 7, 2025
Disliked: Cleanliness
Room was in great condition.staff was very well mannered.but for 4 adults there was no milk in room...also for a late checkin which was at 3pm to an early checkout at 9am was pretty costly considering I checked in late .also fridge was leaking and you could hear the people next door from the lounge with the tv on.it was okay
An ideal place to stay. Our only contact with staff was during check-in and it was quick and friendly. Well-stocked grocery store just down the street.
The staff I meet (Robbie and Leo) were very kind and helpful. They went beyond their work duties in waiting for me and my wife and picking us when we arrived. They took us to the International Terminal. Overall it was a nice experience in visiting Auckland.
Lloyd
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025
8/10 Good
Thierry
Traveled with family
Nov 9, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Our room was in the older part of the property. This area appears ready for an upgrade.
we booked a family room and this was not available on arrival . no correspondence with expedia or the hotel ,just a surprise on arrival. they gave us two rooms instead which was ok. staff were very nice to deal with (when they were there) we had ants in our kitchen every morning and had to throw away all our food on the counter .this motel really needs updating but it seems a lot of motels are in this state in NZ right now.