Staying at the Beachfront Hotel, Hokitika

The wild Hokitika beach. Photo / Supplied

Bronwyn Sell stays in an ocean-front room on the West Coast.

Location? Across a lane from the beach at Hokitika, on the West Coast.

Getting there: Fly to Hokitika on Air New Zealand (via Christchurch). The hotel is a two-minute drive from Hokitika Airport.

Check-in experience? Professional and efficient.

Room? An Ocean View room — stylish and modern with a sliding door to a balcony. No kitchen. Free wifi.

Price? Rates from $95 to $260 depending on room and season. (Cheaper rooms have no view.)

What's so good about this place? Views, comfort and tasty food in the restaurant.

And the bad? No Sky, and if we wanted to watch a DVD we had to borrow a player from reception, or something. It sounded complicated so we gazed out to sea instead.

What's in the neighbourhood? It's in central Hokitika, with a supermarket across the road, and cafes, restaurants, shops and the town museum within walking distance. Pounamu is big business here, and there are carvers in action around town. Non-acrophobic nature lovers can head out of town to the Treetops Walkway and the stunning Hokitika Gorge.

The bed? A king and a king single, plus they added a trundler bed for us.

A room with a view? Oh yeah. Big, unimpeded views of the beach and ocean.

The grounds? None to speak of, but you're on the sand in seconds.

The bathroom? Everything you'd expect in an upmarket room, plus heated towel rail and underfloor heating. Shower only. Some rooms have spa baths.

Toiletries? The usual.

Noise? Surf, and chatter from neighbours having sunset drinks on their balconies.

Food and drink: The hotel has a bar and restaurant overlooking the beach, and offers room service.

Perfect for? A chilled-out long weekend away, or a base to stroll to the famous annual Wildfoods Festival.

Would I return? You bet.

CHECKLIST

The Beachfront Hotel is at 111 Revell St, Hokitika. Phone: (03) 755 8344.

The writer visited the West Coast with the help of West Coast Tourism.