All the rooms in the main block were booked when we went so we stayed 4 nights in the family cottage. It's basic, but has everything you need. It did get really cold at night, but it was Autumn, so not surprising. After cooking and having the little heater in the bedroom on it was cosy in the bedroom.
The rarely used railway lines run past the back of the hostel, across which is a beautiful pebbly beach backed by mountains. Doesn't get better than that.
Marc and Osi were awesome, and if your plans get cancelled for any reasons, ask Marc and he's more than happy to offer advice on amazing things to do and places to see.
They also own the coffee caravan next door - by the way, impossible to get bad coffee in NZ - so get morning coffee and take it to the beach1
Great location, 5 mins from town centre, which is itself a street, 2 mins from Whale Watch Whaleway Station and 2 mins from the best fish and chippie, called Continental. Go there, be happy. I'm English, I know my fish and chips, and I'm considering emigrating...
Would def be happy to stay here again. It's just far enough away from the loud hostels with bars, and pissed peeps, but close to everything.

We stayed in the self contained studio unit so can't comment on the backpackers section. It had everything we needed, the only two negative comments we would make is that there was not a decent frying pan in the unit, only 2 tiny ones which made it difficult to cook the fish we had bought, and the pillows were pretty awful. Apart from that, Marc the host was extremely friendly and helpful, and advised us on things to do and places to go. The highlight of our trip was one of his suggestions - the baby seals at Ohau Stream. Absolutely well worth a visit, although apparently the seals are only in there during the winter months. (we were there late April and they were present).
There was a nice private area outside our room which was nice to sit and have a coffee.

We stayed in the ensuite double, which was big and clean with a very comfy bed. The hostel is two minutes walk from the whale watching and 10mins from town centre. Transport is useful to get to dolphin encounter and the walk along the cliffs.

We had booked in to stay one night at Sunrise Lodge in Kaikoura but decided to stay on for another and were lucky and squeezed in.

The first night we stayed in a double studio apartment which was bright, cheerful and well equipped. It had been designed with disabled facilities and had an area outside where you could sit and relax. It was a little noisy in the evening due to the close proximity of the road. A TV was available in the room but channels were limited. This really wasn't a problem though as the weather was beautiful, the beach was close and we weren't in the room for long. This was our favourite of the two apartments.

The second night we swapped to another apartment but this time designed for a family/group with four single beds. The apartment was situated at the rear of the property close to the railway lines and was quite noisy early in the morning when the trains came by.

The family room had a radio and the shower was seperate from the toilet which is perfect for larger groups. There were also board games available to keep everyone out of mischief. The kitchen wasn't quite as well equipped as the double studio but was more than sufficient for us. Again there was an outside area to sit and relax.

In terms of location Sunrise Lodge is out of town and approximately a five minute walk from Whale Watch, Kaikoura along the railway line (it is rare to see trains during the day so is safe to walk alongside). The beach is accessible by crossing the railway and has huge waves crashing along it. There are very few people on the beach out of town. There is a supermarket close by and a bakery right over the road. There is also a wee coffee hut next door where you can get a discount.

Sunrise Lodge has private parking available as well as laundry facilities. We didn't venture into the backpacker part but this looked lively. Marc and Osi also offer a sunset drive to introduce new visitors to the area. Again we ran out of time but you can also hire free bikes here.

If you are travelling on a budget this is a great place to stay. Clean, bright rooms and great facilities. You definitely get a good deal for the price.

Facts on Kaikoura - whale watching is a must if you have never done it but book in advance or you might not get on. My boyfriend is a keen fisherman although I wouldn't claim to be, we went out with Koura Bay Fishing Charters and can't recommend it highly enough. We caught sea perch, I missed a blue cod and we were given crayfish (NZ lobster) as part of the price - see my review on Trip Adviser.