Dunedin Leisure Lodge - A Distinction Hotel

The hotel is widely praised for its beautiful gardens and its prime location directly opposite the Dunedin Botanic Gardens, offering a serene and picturesque setting. Guests consistently highlight the exceptional staff and their warm, welcoming demeanor, which significantly enhances the overall experience. The hotel is a popular choice for sightseers and couples seeking a tranquil escape, as well as business travelers and event attendees due to its convenient location and well-maintained facilities. Many appreciate the comfortable rooms and the hearty breakfast options. For those planning a stay, it is advisable to request a garden-facing room to ensure a quieter experience, as some rooms may be subject to road noise. Additionally, guests should be aware that the hotel does not feature air conditioning, so rooms can become warm during hotter periods.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel offers a range of facilities that contribute to a comfortable stay. Guests frequently commend the well-maintained grounds and gardens, providing a peaceful environment for relaxation. Ample and often free parking is a significant advantage, alleviating common travel concerns. The hotel also provides dedicated meeting facilities and serves as an excellent venue for various events and club gatherings. However, it is important for guests to note the absence of an elevator or lift, which may pose a challenge for those with mobility issues or heavy luggage, particularly for rooms on upper floors. Furthermore, the lack of air conditioning is a recurring point, with guests mentioning rooms can become quite warm, especially during warmer weather, necessitating the use of open windows or provided fans. The presence of a bar on-site is also appreciated by many.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests generally find the rooms to be clean and comfortable, with many describing them as spacious and well-maintained. The beds receive mixed feedback; while many guests praise their comfort, some have noted them as lumpy, hard, or saggy, suggesting a need for updates in certain rooms. Noise levels are a significant concern for some, with reports of external noise from the nearby highway and thin walls allowing sound from neighboring rooms or corridors to be heard. Bathroom condition also varies, with some guests mentioning issues such as mold in the shower grouting, leaking shower cubicles, or a lack of ventilation and fans. Despite these points, the rooms are often described as warm and inviting, equipped with essentials like a kettle for hot drinks and basic toiletries.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel's breakfast consistently receives high praise, with guests highlighting the great selection and variety available, including a hearty buffet with cooked options, porridge, and smoothies. Many consider the breakfast to be excellent value and a perfect start to the day. Feedback on dinner and the restaurant is more mixed. While some guests commend the food quality, describing meals as delicious, well-cooked, and generous in portion, others have found the menu to be average or the service to be slow, particularly when the restaurant is busy. The bar is also available, though some guests found drink prices to be high. The restaurant's atmosphere can be impacted by large group bookings, making it feel impersonal or noisy at times.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel boasts an excellent central location, particularly appealing due to its direct proximity to the Dunedin Botanic Gardens and easy access to the university area. Guests appreciate being within a short walk or a few minutes' drive to local supermarkets and other community amenities, making daily errands convenient. It is also strategically situated for those attending events at the nearby Forsyth-Barr Stadium. While the hotel's position close to major roadways can lead to some traffic noise in certain rooms, its overall accessibility to the city center and main attractions is a significant advantage. Ample and often free parking is consistently highlighted as a major benefit, providing considerable convenience for guests traveling by car and ensuring a stress-free arrival and departure experience.

Staff & Service
The hotel's staff consistently receives glowing reviews, with guests frequently describing them as exceptionally friendly, helpful, and accommodating. Their warm welcome and attentive approach significantly contribute to a positive guest experience. The check-in and check-out processes are generally reported as smooth and efficient, with staff often going above and beyond to assist with requests, such as finding accessible rooms or facilitating room transfers. Guests also commend the housekeeping team for maintaining clean rooms and the overall attentive service provided across all departments. Many reviewers highlight the staff's professionalism and willingness to assist with various needs, including luggage assistance and providing local information, making guests feel valued and well-cared for throughout their stay.

Additional Information
Guests frequently note that the hotel's restaurant can be significantly impacted by large group bookings, which may lead to longer wait times for service or a less intimate dining experience, sometimes necessitating guests to seek dining options elsewhere. This can be a notable point for individual travelers seeking a quiet meal. Furthermore, the restaurant closes at 9:00 PM, which can be an important consideration for those planning late dinners or arrivals. Another recurring point is the lack of in-room kitchen facilities beyond a kettle, meaning guests cannot prepare their own meals and should plan accordingly for dining out or utilizing the hotel's restaurant. This is particularly relevant for longer stays. Despite these points, the hotel is often praised for its pet-friendly policy, though specific details about pet amenities are not widely mentioned in reviews.