We chose this campsite due to it being supposedly 'dog friendly' and the advertising of it having 'a warm swimming pool' and 'a hot pool'.

It turned out to be the most unfriendly dog-friendly campsite we have ever stayed at. The rules of keeping dogs on leads and out of public areas appear to apply only to guests paying for the privilege of having a dog there, whilst the owner's dog was to be found wandering all over the reception (a public place) and the cafe's outdoor seating area. On the first night, we sat in the well lit outdoor area, at the camping tables nearby the bbqs. Our dog was tied to the table. As the owner passed by, we were rudely accused of "hiding" the dog in a non-dog friendly area. We were well accustomed to dogs not being allowed into the kitchen, bathrooms and swim area, yet a completely open patio area was new to us, as seasoned campers. Had we been approached in a friendly manner, we wouldn't have been so offended. We were told by the owner it was considered a public space (isn't everywhere public in a camp site?) and the ban on dogs was a "cultural thing". I wonder then, why the owner's dog being in public areas doesn't comply with this "cultural" rule. This put a significant bad cloud over our stay. Aside from this, the pool was too cold to swim in and the 'hot' pool was barely tepid and had new lifeforms growing in it. We got out very quickly. Overall, we were incredibly disappointed with this campsite. It was expensive, the owner was rude and unfriendly and the facilities less than what was advertised. We won't return to this location. There are many more legitimately dog friendly campsites throughout New Zealand.

Reviewed over 1 year ago