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Criterion Boutique Hotel

2.0 star property

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Photo gallery for Criterion Boutique Hotel

Bar (on property)
Bar (on property)
Interior
Exterior
Standard Twin Room | Free WiFi, bed sheets

Reviews

7.2 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • Free WiFi
  • Housekeeping

Explore the area

View in a map
3 Tyne St, Oamaru, Otago Region, 9400
  • Place, Steampunk HQ
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Oamaru Harbour
    ‪3 min walk‬

Room options

View all photos for Standard Double Room

A neatly made bed with a floral-patterned bedspread and a rolled towel on the headboard.

Standard Double Room

8.6 out of 10
Excellent
(8 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Standard Twin Room

Standard Twin Room | Free WiFi, bed sheets

Standard Twin Room

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Family Room

A bedroom with a bed, a green armchair, a window with sheer curtains, and a wall-mounted decoration.

Family Room

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Twin Bed and 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Studio Suite

Studio Suite | Free WiFi, bed sheets

Studio Suite

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

About the neighborhood

Oamaru

Located in South Hill, Criterion Boutique Hotel is next to Auto Museum and Steam Train. This 7-room hotel welcomes guests with conveniences like free in-room WiFi.

What's nearby

  • Steampunk HQ - 2 min walk - 0.1 miles
  • Oamaru Victorian Heritage Precinct - 2 min walk - 0.1 miles
  • Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail - 3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • Oamaru Harbour - 3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • Grainstore Gallery - 3 min walk - 0.2 miles

Restaurants

  • ‪Coast - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Whitestone Cheese Diner & Deli - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Indian Kitchen Restaurant - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Harbour St Bakery - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬13 min walk

About this property

Criterion Boutique Hotel

Staff members can help with accommodation requests, and provide front-desk service during limited hours.
Guests can stay connected with free WiFi.

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Alpine Motel
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  • Pet friendly
  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Laundry
8.2 out of 10, Very Good, 261 reviews
$79 nightly
The price is $91
May 14 - May 15
Total with taxes and fees
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Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • In-room WiFi speed: 25+ Mbps

Parking and transportation

  • No onsite parking available

Conveniences

  • Limited-hour front desk

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)

Accessibility

  • No elevator

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: midnight
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open daily from noon - 8:30 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

  • This property doesn't allow pets

Property payment types

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards and debit cards; cash is not accepted
  • Check-in: 2:00 PM—-midnight
  • Check-out: 10:00 AM
  • Minimum check-in age: 18
The front desk is available during limited hours.

We should mention

Details about charges, deposits, or other important information:

  • This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession.
  • Charges for extra guests may apply and vary depending on the property's policy.
  • A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges, as well as a government-issued photo ID, may be required at check-in.
  • Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in and can't be guaranteed. Certain requests may come with additional charges.
  • No parking is available onsite.
  • This property accepts credit cards and debit cards. Cash is not accepted. 

Additional information about polices, regulations, and more:

  • There are no elevators.
  • No cribs or infant beds are available.
  • No rollaway or extra beds are available.

National rating

Property class, provided by our rating system, is based on property type, amenities, and services.

Frequently asked questions

What's there to do near Criterion Boutique Hotel?

This hotel is situated in South Hill, just steps from Steampunk HQ and Grainstore Gallery, and within a short walk of Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail. You'll also find Oamaru Harbour and Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony less than a mile away.

How much does it cost to stay at Criterion Boutique Hotel?

As of May 1, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Criterion Boutique Hotel on May 7, 2026 start from $62, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

Will I be able to park at Criterion Boutique Hotel?

No, there isn't parking at this hotel.

Does Criterion Boutique Hotel have a casino?

No, Criterion Boutique Hotel doesn't have a casino.

Is there an indoor pool at Criterion Boutique Hotel?

No, there is no indoor pool at this hotel.

Does Criterion Boutique Hotel have a hot tub?

No, there isn't a spa tub at this hotel.

Does Criterion Boutique Hotel have a restaurant that serves breakfast?

No, Criterion Boutique Hotel doesn't have a restaurant that serves breakfast.

Does Criterion Boutique Hotel allow pets to stay for free?

No, pets aren't allowed at Criterion Boutique Hotel.

Does Criterion Boutique Hotel have connecting rooms available?

No, there aren't connecting guestrooms at this hotel.

Can I book a room with a balcony at Criterion Boutique Hotel?

No, there aren't any guestrooms with balconies at Criterion Boutique Hotel.

Criterion Boutique Hotel Reviews

Reviews

7.2

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 13 out of 47 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 11 out of 47 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 13 out of 47 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 7 out of 47 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 3 out of 47 reviews

7.6/10

Cleanliness

8.2/10

Staff & service

6.0/10

Amenities

6.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

4/10 Poor

Steven

Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Boutique ? Shabby room. Clean bed. Shared bathrooms. Bar closed by 9. Fridge noise, train noise and locals driving around until 3 in the morning. It was an experience !
Upstairs area
Room No19
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

4/10 Poor

Lynn, Ashton

Traveled with partner
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
Although very well situated to access the wharf’, blue penguin colony (which never seemed to have arrived during our stay) the building is in need of considerable upgrading. Comes across as more of a rooming house vibe. Rate reflects what you get. Sadly I would not return. It has tremendous potential
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

8/10 Good

sammy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
For a budget hotel, I found myself having the most comfortable sleep in any of the hotels I stayed at in New Zealand! The rooms were super small without TV and en-suite bathroom, but I didn't expect it given this is 1 of only 2 remaining original continuosly ran hotels in the town.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Gavin

Everything was clean
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

8/10 Good

tony

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Very small room for two people. Shared bathrooms ok. Very quirky and historical. A nice adventure
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

6/10 Okay

Shiu

Traveled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness
Floor in my room 16 is about to collapse sorry but this is the fact was a cheap stay work out for us
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

8/10 Good

Mary, Rancho Cucamonga

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

2/10 Terrible

Lukas

Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
Room was an absolute disappointment. Staff and I assume the owner don’t take responsibility for their broken and non-functioning stuff. Have a very short temper and are not very friendly towards their guests. Would certainly not recommend at all and beware anyone else of that. Also do have a feeling that owner takes down negative reviews
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

4/10 Poor

Bradley

Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The bed was hard enough to qualify as construction material, the curtains let in every bit of light, and the TV barely worked. For what they charge, you’d expect a bathroom in the room and a screen that does more than static. It’s in the Oamaru Victorian precinct, and it shows, the place feels like it hasn’t been touched since the 1880s. If you’re into old pubs, weird stories, and things that may or may not go bump in the night, you’ll probably have a laugh. If you came for comfort, sleep, or anything modern, the ghosts will enjoy your suffering more than you will.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025

8/10 Good

Gregory

Liked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
Although the rooms are small. The bed was comfortable and fresh. The kitchen and bathroom could be cleaner but were still satifactory
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025

6/10 Okay

Trudy

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Staff weren't available when we arrived at appointed check-in time. When they did arrive, we were told which room we were in and that the key was in the door. No details were given about the facilities, wifi, how to get in if we were out after hours, etc. This was also the noisiest hotel that I have ever stayed in, and I've traveled all over the world. Very little soundproofing inside (we heard another guest's alarm going off for more than 5 straight minutes at 5:30 am) or outside (road noise, nearby church bell tower at every 15 minute interval). Cute historic building and very walkable location, but probably wouldn't stay here again.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Luke

Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

6/10 Okay

marivic

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

4/10 Poor

Rebecca

Traveled with partner
Liked: Staff & service
The guy who runs this is really nice and the beds have nice linen and the room is clean enough. While the rooms were in good condition, they were small and we booked the room because the listing said a bathroom was among the room amenities. There were two clean bathrooms on the other side of the floor. It might be good to specify “shared bathroom” in the hotel description. If the kitchen were clean and free of clutter, I would have rated this 3 stars despite the amenity listing discrepancy. Unfortunately, the kitchen was unusable owing to a large box dumped on the cooker, other equipment left on the side by the sink and dirty dishes left there from when we checked in a few minutes before 2pm until we checked out just before 10am. I went to wash the dishes, but I couldn’t find a cloth, only dishwashing liquid. Food from the restaurant was stored in a deep freeze and a fridge was switched off. Another fridge freezer was switched on, but this would have benefited from being cleaned. I know the owners are new, so leaving this as constructive feedback.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

6/10 Okay

Anna

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Levi

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
if you love a victorian vibe place this a hotel to stay. Me and my partner really love the place and their foods are superb.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

2/10 Terrible

Joseph

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Perfect.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jenny

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Linens are exceptional quality and very clean. Cannot praise this place highly enough. Exellent value for money. In the heart of the Heritage area. Jenny and Maryanne
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mark

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Amazing building and warm, friendly staff.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025