Hokitika is located just a short two-hour drive up the West Coast from Franz Josef. We planned a shorter travel day to allow time for a stop at the West Coast Tree Top Walk, which we’d heard was wheelchair accessible. Our stay for the night was at Hokitika’s Kiwi Holiday Park and Motels, located at 160 Davie Street, Hokitika.
A Warm Welcome and Great Accessibility
When we arrived at Hokitika’s Kiwi Holiday Park and Motels, we were immediately impressed by how well it catered to accessibility. The reception area was bright, spacious, and easy to navigate, such a relief after our two-hour drive. The parking outside reception was covered, with plenty of clearance for our high-top van, making arrival hassle-free. Inside, the reception desk had a lowered counter, ensuring wheelchair users could comfortably check-in and be properly welcomed.
We were warmly greeted by a friendly and attentive receptionist, who had already noted our request for bed clearance to accommodate our hoist. To our surprise, the management had gone above and beyond, purchasing bed risers specifically for us! Not only did they offer to install them, but they also rearranged furniture to ensure there was enough circulation space in the room. This level of thoughtfulness and effort was something we hadn’t often experienced, even in high-end accommodations.
Our Two-Bedroom Motel Unit (Room 10)
Our two-bedroom motel unit was adjacent to the playground, with parking right in front, making it super convenient. The entry was completely lip-free, allowing smooth wheelchair access through a ranch sliding door.
As usual, the main bedroom with the Queen bed was the best option for Finlay. Before adding the bed risers, we measured the bed height at 56cm from the floor, which may be useful for those needing to know for wheelchair self-transfers. Although the unit was compact, moving the bed against the wall created enough circulation space, and the carpet was easy to roll on, making movement with the hoist much smoother. However, relocating the bed meant losing easy access to the light switch. If management could provide a bedside lamp, it would be a helpful addition for accessibility.
The second bedroom had a king-single bed and a set of bunk beds, giving us plenty of sleeping space. I took the single bed, while my teenagers claimed the bunks. Let’s just say it made for an interesting night, listening to the creaking of the top bunk as my very active teenager tossed and turned above me! Our Finlay always gets the best room!
Accessible Bathroom Features
The bathroom featured a wet-floor design with good circulation space, making it easy to navigate. It had a fold-down bench seat and a shower rail, but there wasn’t any shelving or space to place soap. Luckily, I spotted a handy plastic stool, which worked well for keeping toiletries within reach. The basin was accessible, and the toilet height measured 45cm from pan to floor, a standard height that may be useful for self-transferring wheelchair users.
Accessibility Throughout the Holiday Park
The holiday park was excellent for accessibility, with a flat layout, plenty of parking, and well-maintained walkways and footpaths, making it effortless to get around.
The outdoor eating area and barbecue were undercover, conveniently located just outside the main kitchen and dining room.
The wide, lip-free access made it easy to roll in and out without any obstacles.
All the shared facilities were clean and accessible, including the shower block with dedicated wheelchair-accessible shower rooms and toilets.
Pathways connected all the facilities, and we loved that they were wide, paved, and covered, providing smooth and accessible movement in any weather.
The playground had thoughtful accessibility features! There was a basket swing and soft-cell surfacing, with no bark in sight! Making it a safe and enjoyable space for all. It’s always great to see inclusive design in family-friendly places like this.
Another feature we noticed was the covered smoking area, which was thoughtfully designed and decorated with colorful plantings, adding a nice touch to the space. Not something most Kiwis can afford to do anymore, but for smokers from overseas it’s another thoughtful inclusion. It also helps to keep the rest of the park smoke-free.
The laundry facilities all provided good wide lip-free access.
The recreation room, TV room, and other facilities continued to impress.
A Stay That Exceeded Expectations
Given the affordability of this holiday park, we initially expected something quite basic—especially after staying in some pricier places during our summer journey from Auckland to Central Otago. Instead, we were met with outstanding hospitality, thoughtful accessibility features, and a well-maintained, easy-to-navigate environment.
The staff’s willingness to accommodate and assist made a huge difference in our experience. Between the fantastic service, excellent facilities, and Hokitika’s charming attractions, like its stunning driftwood beach and local jade carving shops, this stop quickly became one of the highlights of our trip.
Another great feature of this holiday park is the ability to book the 2-bedroom Access Motel directly from their website, where you’ll find photos and floor plans to help you plan your stay. Having this information readily available makes it much easier to ensure the accommodation meets your accessibility needs.
If you’re looking for a welcoming, well-equipped, and truly accessible place to stay on the West Coast, we highly recommend Hokitika’s Kiwi Holiday Park and Motels!
See It for Yourself! Watch Our Walk-Through Video
I’ve started recording my initial walk-throughs of accommodations to give a real-time look at accessibility features. Please note, after a long drive, my poor family patiently waits in the car while I head inside to do my review! If you find these helpful, I’d love for you to subscribe to our YouTube channel, where we’ll be saving all our walk-through videos. As I improve my filming skills, I hope to make them even more engaging and useful for fellow travellers!