[holland]

Hi,

We are looking for a cheap and cheerful place to stay in Hawkes Bay when we arrive, preferably Napier. Probably for about 2-3 weeks while we look for rentals...Ive been looking at holiday parks...but there just seems soooo much choice. I don't suppose any of you know of any that you would recommend?? Would love accomodation to be walking distance to beach...am i asking too much???:uhoh

J xx

[Nick88]

You usually can't do better than the Top 10 parks. There is one fairly close to the centre of Napier, not sure how far it would be to the beach (pebbles) but it won't be too far to trek. I stayed there over Easter this year, and might well go back in the summer. I enjoy staying in holiday parks, and prefer them to motels. They are usually family orientated so they are very quiet at night, no noisy party goers stumbling along corridors at 2am. The park has a good playground for the kids, or there is an excellent one on the waterfront that my kids nagged to visit every day.

[holland]

What was the park called Nick??

J

[sizzlingbadger]

Last time we stayed in Napier we stayed outside of the city in Bayview Snapper Park. Stayed in one of the chalets with a fantastic seaview and direct access to the beach :nice1 It didn't cost the earth either for 5 of us to stay. It took about 5/10 min drive into Napier.

Link here www.snapperpark.co.nz/

Top 10 is in the middle of Napier, we drove by it and were disappointed at it's position, by a busy road and not a walkable distance into the centre of Napier.

[holland]

Thanks Sizzling Badger much appreciated

J xx

[holland]

Was it the self contained unit you stayed in?? I have emailed some enquiries...yours sounds lovely..I don't suppose it had a particular number did it, or was it part of a particular block??

Thanks

J x

[sizzlingbadger]

Think it was either the park motel or self catering unit. On the website under accommodation we stayed in one of the units in the picture. Definitely wasn't the cabin.

If you phone and ask they'll hopefully carry out the request for a sea view. We were pleasantly surprised when we arrived and got the sea view, usually when I request a view it's always turned down :o

[james the mechanic]

Hi Jade,
I stayed at the Top 10 holiday park in Napier a couple of years ago in November its pretty good as far as they go its on Storkey Road just off Kennedy Road which is the busy road.
As far as I know it is the closest holiday park to town in Napier, turn left out of the gate turn right at the end of the road and keep walking for 10 mins and you are in the CBD.
I didn’t find the road had any impact of my enjoyment of the site; it was pretty quite especially if you’re on the far end of Storkey road as it backs onto the rose garden.
Bayview Snapper Park is pretty good too, but you will need to drive into Napier (10 mins ish ) its just off the Main north road (highway 2). On the plus side it is by the beach, although not a very good one. Personally I would book my first night in town somewhere and then wing it, from there! Napier has literally hundreds of places to stay so you are spoilt for choice.
James

[Lupin]

If you're wanting beach you might be disappointed by Napier as it's ugly black shingle and too rough to swim in. It's backed by a busy road and can be dirty in parts. The playpark by the beach is fab for littlies; enclosed, clean and imaginative and also has a gorgeous ice cream parlour next door!

When we arrived we had a few weeks here (http://www.holidayhomes.co.nz/new-zealand/north-island/east-coast-hawkes-bay/ocean-beach/listing/454.html) by Ocean Beach, which is a proper beach. the owners are awesomely friendly and my kids enjoyed the grounds, the river and helping round up the sheep on the farm buggy.

Ignore the tariff, they discount massively for stays of a couple of weeks. think we paid about $450 per week, not bad for fully furnished, all bills, etc, etc.

[holland]

Thanks so much Lupin, Ill do some enquiries after work!!

[Nick88]

The Napier Top 10 is here http://www.kennedypark.co.nz/

The Snapper park sound nice, too. I stayed in the other park in Bayview that was not on the the beach (it doesn't have chalets, anyway). Check out the location on www.wises.co.nz to see if you are happy with the distances involved into town. If you are in Bayview you definitely need a car, and will have to walk from wherever you park it.

One of the reasons I suggested the Top 10 is the facilities for the kids to play safely, and a constant stream of playmates.

As above the main beach is not good, and Ocean Beach is the place to go.

[holland]

Hi Nick88,

Thanks for info, i'll look it up. Hubby and I have no kids yet...so playmates aren't top of our list...the beach is!!!!!!!!:D

[holland]

Thanks Lupin, we've booked in for 3 weeks where you stayed, gives us time to look for rental....oooooo, its all happening

J x

[Lupin]

If you like peace and quiet, you'll love it there! Also, it's really nice to stay somewhere with all the essentials- washing machine, phone, etc.

BTW, you need to ask Chris for the unit with the phone, if you want it (no mob reception there), and although you can only make local calls, you just get a go-call card (or similar) for cheap as chips national and international calls.

Row the dinghy across the river and climb the hill to the craggy rocks at the top for a gorgeous sunset view :) Enjoy adn say 'Hi' to Chris for us :)

[holland]

Thanks Lupin, i'll email this evening!

J xx