Is parking available at the property?

Free self-parking is available on-site, but parking is limited.

What are the check-in and check-out times?

Check-in is from 2:00 PM until 9:30 PM, and check-out is by 10:00 AM. Early or late check-in/check-out may be available upon request, and guests should contact the property at least 48 hours before arrival for arrangements.

Are airport shuttle services available?

A roundtrip airport shuttle service is available for a surcharge.

What accessibility features are available for guests with disabilities?

The property offers limited wheelchair accessibility, including step-free entrances and accessible public areas.

What is the location of the property in relation to key landmarks?

The property is located in Timaru (Maori Hill), within a 10-minute walk of Ashbury Park and Timaru Lighthouse. It is 0.3 mi from Caroline Bay Beach and 0.7 mi from Aigantighe Art Gallery.

What are the policies for guests staying with children?

Children are allowed at the property, but specific age policies for free stays are not mentioned.

What are the policies regarding extra beds and cribs?

Cribs are available for a fee of NZD 5.0 per day, and rollaway beds are available for NZD 15.0 per day. Advance request is recommended.

Blue Dolphin Motel

What guests think

Blue Dolphin Motel draws praise for clean, comfortable, budget-friendly units with well-equipped kitchens and a convenient location near town, Caroline Bay, and local amenities, making it a practical base for short stays and family stopovers.

Guests often mention friendly, helpful owners and good value. However, several reviews note dated interiors, traffic noise from the main road, and occasional design quirks such as ensuite-only bathrooms or poor drainage. Cleanliness is generally strong, though a few reports cite unchanged sheets or imperfectly cleaned cups. Expect a simple, convenient stay with solid basics over modern polish.

Facilities

Cleanliness

Rooms

Service

Location

Dining

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Facilities

In-room kitchens or kitchenettes are well equipped for self-catering. Onsite parking is available, one review noted it felt limited, and there is a laundry room.

Related guest reviews

6

Mark

Feb 10, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Very run down property. The Lady was very snappy. Was clean and beds were comfy. Right on the highway and limited parking.

10

Suzanne

Apr 24, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Nice, clean, easy parking, easy walk into town. I would recommend this place.

8

Peter

Sep 30, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Budget option for Timaru, friendly host and spacious two-bedroom unit. Odd placement of the only bathroom - an en suite of the main bedroom. Adequate kitchen with plenty of dishes. Showing its age and budget style but fine for an overnight stay.

10

Barrie

Oct 18, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

We stayed for one night. The owner was really pleasant & helpful with Laundry room. Very clean and comfortable. Good seats for relaxing.

10

Meral

Nov 20, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Great location. Clean rooms and everything you need in the kitchen.

8

Richard

Nov 20, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

This is an older property, but very well kept and stocked. It was clean, had good kitchenette that was well stocked with dishes, tableware and pots and pans. My only complaint is they have long term guests that were a little rowdy. The were setting off fireworks for a short period of time and I found that disturbing. Also they could use a new mattress as it was rather saggy. For a two room unit it was certainly worth the price.

6

Vaishali

Jan 25, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Spacious one bedroom unit with a spare single bed in the living room. Has a Kitchenette, microwave and a mini fridge. Bathroom doesn’t have an exhaust fan and the door is a sliding loosely. Hand wash basin is inside the room rather than the bathroom. Rooms are not insulated so you can hear each and every sound from outside and around your room. Bedding was clean and comfortable though.

10

Jia-Chang

Jan 31, 2026

·

Stayed 1 night

Nice rooms with full equipped kitchenware.

10

Carole

Mar 10, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

We were near the beach and able to walk to the botanical gardens. We stopped to eat on the way back. Room was spotlessly clean. Bed was very comfortable. Good facilities.

8

Leanne

Oct 31, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Immaculately clean, but very dated - looks like something from the 1970s! I also found there was a lot of noise coming from the laundry room next door to my room (room 5) VERY early in the morning. The people were very welcoming, and parking was easy onsite - right in front of my room. Everything worked well, with acceptable hot water and plenty of room. This would be ideal for a group with kids to stay, assuming they don't mind how aged the rooms are. I would stay again.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Cleanliness

Cleanliness is frequently praised, with many rooms described as very clean or spotless. A few lapses were mentioned, including unchanged sheets and imperfectly cleaned cups.

Related guest reviews

10

Bruce

Sep 13, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Comfortable, clean and cosy

10

Barrie

Oct 18, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

We stayed for one night. The owner was really pleasant & helpful with Laundry room. Very clean and comfortable. Good seats for relaxing.

8

Heather

Aug 31, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Beautifully clean, warm and comfy

10

Meral

Nov 20, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Great location. Clean rooms and everything you need in the kitchen.

10

Barbara

Jan 1, 2026

·

Stayed 1 night

Lovely place to stay clean roomspace waz excellent

8

Gillian

Dec 27, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Room was well resourced although couldn’t find an iron or ironing board- comfortable and clean

8

Simon

Apr 13, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Clean tidy and easy to find.

4

Robert

Aug 17, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Bed sheets had not been changed when I arrived and cups were not cleaned properly

10

Carole

Mar 10, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

We were near the beach and able to walk to the botanical gardens. We stopped to eat on the way back. Room was spotlessly clean. Bed was very comfortable. Good facilities.

8

Leanne

Oct 31, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Immaculately clean, but very dated - looks like something from the 1970s! I also found there was a lot of noise coming from the laundry room next door to my room (room 5) VERY early in the morning. The people were very welcoming, and parking was easy onsite - right in front of my room. Everything worked well, with acceptable hot water and plenty of room. This would be ideal for a group with kids to stay, assuming they don't mind how aged the rooms are. I would stay again.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Rooms

Rooms are generally spacious and comfortable. Decor is dated, some units have awkward bathroom access or drainage, thin walls transmit noise from neighbors or facilities, and a few guests noted temperature control and bedding quality issues.

Related guest reviews

8

David

Apr 28, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

One night in a comfy clean bed. Bedroom well placed away from road noise.

8

Peter

Sep 30, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Budget option for Timaru, friendly host and spacious two-bedroom unit. Odd placement of the only bathroom - an en suite of the main bedroom. Adequate kitchen with plenty of dishes. Showing its age and budget style but fine for an overnight stay.

8

Roy

Feb 14, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Beautiful property. Good and adequate amenities. Very comfortable except for drainage in the shower. Feel as though you’re wading in water because of slow drainage.

4

Sue

Oct 20, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Have stayed here before, found the unit dated, shower, toilet area very old, requires modernisation

6

Patrina

Nov 5, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

I found the room very loud. You could hear the water going through the pipes in bedrooms next door everytime they used the taps or flushed the toilets. So this kept us awake 1/2 the night

6

Deryck

Jan 7, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

This was our last stop in a larger trip. It is a dark and dated room. Walking in reminded me of a student flat. Pros - Plenty of towels to be found under the sink in the bathroom - nice big table with plenty of chairs to sit and eat like a family (there were 5 of us) Cons - Pillows felt like cheap $10 warehouse ones. No one had a good nights sleep - Access to the toilet is through a bedroom so either the parents or kids are getting woken for midnight toilet runs. - Bathroom lock was a sliding bolt on the inside that the outside can't get to. If some falls and hurts themselves or miss/master 4 lock it and can't unlock it....yes well. - Downstairs bedroom had nowhere to hang anything. No wardrobe, hooks, nothing

8

Richard

Nov 20, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

This is an older property, but very well kept and stocked. It was clean, had good kitchenette that was well stocked with dishes, tableware and pots and pans. My only complaint is they have long term guests that were a little rowdy. The were setting off fireworks for a short period of time and I found that disturbing. Also they could use a new mattress as it was rather saggy. For a two room unit it was certainly worth the price.

6

Vaishali

Jan 25, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Spacious one bedroom unit with a spare single bed in the living room. Has a Kitchenette, microwave and a mini fridge. Bathroom doesn’t have an exhaust fan and the door is a sliding loosely. Hand wash basin is inside the room rather than the bathroom. Rooms are not insulated so you can hear each and every sound from outside and around your room. Bedding was clean and comfortable though.

6

Kim

Jun 16, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Good for a night but wall heater on a timer doesn’t allow for the room to heat up and stay warm

8

Leanne

Oct 31, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Immaculately clean, but very dated - looks like something from the 1970s! I also found there was a lot of noise coming from the laundry room next door to my room (room 5) VERY early in the morning. The people were very welcoming, and parking was easy onsite - right in front of my room. Everything worked well, with acceptable hot water and plenty of room. This would be ideal for a group with kids to stay, assuming they don't mind how aged the rooms are. I would stay again.

Was this helpful?

AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Service

Staff are mostly friendly and helpful, with several mentions of welcoming owners and assistance. One review reported brusque service.

Related guest reviews

6

Mark

Feb 10, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Very run down property. The Lady was very snappy. Was clean and beds were comfy. Right on the highway and limited parking.

8

Peter

Sep 30, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Budget option for Timaru, friendly host and spacious two-bedroom unit. Odd placement of the only bathroom - an en suite of the main bedroom. Adequate kitchen with plenty of dishes. Showing its age and budget style but fine for an overnight stay.

8

Christine

May 4, 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

Reception was very helpful and room was clean. Property needs an uplift. And even with double panel windows can hear traffic although dies down through night.

10

Barrie

Oct 18, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

We stayed for one night. The owner was really pleasant & helpful with Laundry room. Very clean and comfortable. Good seats for relaxing.

8

Ian

Jan 29, 2024

·

Stayed 3 nights

Clean & Tidy, Staff helpful, easy walk to town, restaurants, Beach. would recommend it to anyone visiting Timaru.

10

Wendy

Jul 10, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Nice room lovely owners will definitely be going back there Thank you Blair,Aimee and the 3 lil terrorist kids

8

Peter

Sep 4, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Nice. Mid week short notice. Exceeded expectations for the price.

8

Kerri

Jun 9, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Property is a bit dated and traffic noise was loud in the front room. Friendly owners and convenient location.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Location

Convenient for walking to town, Caroline Bay, parks, and restaurants. Multiple guests warn of traffic noise from the main road, especially in front units.

Related guest reviews

8

Bridget

Sep 7, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

It was close to town and cosy & warm when we arrived.

10

Jim

May 17, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Good location but heavy road noise

8

Jennifer

Mar 27, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

The room was clean and tidy, there was everything we needed in the room. Only downside was there were roadworks directly in front of the room at the time of the visit (they stopped by 8.00pm so didn't affect us too much)and due to general traffic noise it would have been hard to sleep in if we hadn't needed to get up early.

8

Ian

Jan 29, 2024

·

Stayed 3 nights

Clean & Tidy, Staff helpful, easy walk to town, restaurants, Beach. would recommend it to anyone visiting Timaru.

10

Sandra

Sep 14, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Good location for walking to Caroline Bay. Bakery across road, and short drive to shops. Unit was spacious with new carpet and had separate lounge/dining to bedrooms

10

Meral

Nov 20, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Great location. Clean rooms and everything you need in the kitchen.

8

Greg

Apr 3, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

great value motel, loads of room, close to park/beach.

8

Douglas

Sep 21, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Great location and good transport options

10

Carole

Mar 10, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

We were near the beach and able to walk to the botanical gardens. We stopped to eat on the way back. Room was spotlessly clean. Bed was very comfortable. Good facilities.

8

Kerri

Jun 9, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Property is a bit dated and traffic noise was loud in the front room. Friendly owners and convenient location.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Dining

Not enough information in reviews.

Related guest reviews

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
1 $85	2 $85	3 $85	4	5 $86	6	7 $83
8 $83	9 $86	10 $83	11 $83	12 $85	13	14
15 $83	16 $83	17 $83	18 $83	19 $88	20 $83	21 $83
22 $84	23 $83	24 $82	25 $82	26 $82	27 $85	28 $82
29	30 $84

Blue Dolphin Motel

About this property

Location

Room options

Standard Suite, 2 Bedrooms, Kitchen (Apartment 1)

Standard Suite, 1 Bedroom, Kitchenette (Apartment 7)

Standard Suite, 1 Bedroom, Kitchen (Apartment 9)

Standard Suite, 2 Bedrooms, Kitchen (Apartment 6)

Standard Suite, 2 Bedrooms, Kitchen (Apartment 5)

Standard Suite, 1 Bedroom, Kitchen (I Bedroom Apartments 2,3,& 4)

Standard Suite, 1 Bedroom, Kitchen (Apartments 8 &10)

Standard Studio, Kitchen (Excec. Studio Apartment)

Guest reviews of Blue Dolphin Motel

Who stays here?

What guests think

Property Policies

Check-in instructions

Good to know

Optional extras

FAQs about Blue Dolphin Motel

Prices for upcoming dates

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
				1	2	3
4	5	6	7	8	9	10
11	12	13	14	15	16	17
18	19	20	21	22	23	24
25	26 $83	27 $83	28 $83	29 $85	30 $85	31 $86