We were really looking forward to our stay at the holiday home at Harbour Views - Akaroa Holiday Home,15 Penlington Place, Akaroa, as we had planned to spend Christmas in Akaroa, New Zealand. Unfortunately, our experience was far from pleasant. Issues and Safety Concerns: Upon arrival, we immediately encountered several serious safety concerns. On the old wooden deck, nails were protruding. The deck was also covered with sharp wood splinters, posing a clear safety hazard for the kids. Unhygienic Conditions: When we entered the house, we were greeted by a musty, unpleasant smell. We had to open all the windows and air out the place to get rid of it. The bathroom was in unacceptable condition, with mold in the shower, a severely worn carpet, and a damaged sink cabinet. The kitchen was even worse: the cupboards were filled with leftovers from previous guests. The kitchen floor was extremely dirty, adding to the already uncomfortable environment. Poor State of Furniture and Equipment: The entire interior was quite shabby. Cracks and holes in the exterior doors. In one bedroom, the wardrobe was completely filled with the belongings of previous guests, and the other wardrobe was locked. Not to mention the mattress Neither of the bedside lamps worked. I could list more issues, but that would be beyond the scope of this review. Conclusion: We were so disappointed and uncomfortable that we decided to cut our stay short and leave the property early. The condition of the house was completely unacceptable for the price of over 3,000 NZD for four nights. We cannot recommend this property to anyone. It’s hard to understand how such a run-down house could even be listed for rent. Would I book again? Absolutely not. This property does not match the expectations you would have for a rental in this price range. We strongly advise checking the condition of the property before booking.

Great house, spectacular view. Felt like staying at a friend’s place. Kitchen well equipped.

Got very cold, no real heating, no firewood.