I wanted to stay in Murchison because, having passed through it in 2010, it struck me as the archetypal New Zealand country village. And so it proved to be - as far removed from the pace and stress of European life as a first-world village can be. But would there be somewhere decent to stay?

This motel looked good on its web-site, and it was. We had one of the newer rooms, in a block of six, but there is another older building, too. Set well off the road, thus quiet, our room was in many ways typical of a modern up-market New Zealand motel, a species quite unique to New Zealand. Americans reading about motels in New Zealand should realise that they are not the same thing as old-fashioned motels in the USA. In New Zealand, exterior access to a room is no problem - security is not an issue.

The room was well-furnished, with a good bathroom and a well-fitted small kitchen, with the car parked out front. We were lucky to be in Murchison at the time of their agricultural show, so we could watch the sheep-shearing competition, not the sort of thing a suburbanite from SE England sees every day. I loved everythingabout Murchison - the big old pub where farmers came for food and drink, the characterful old shops, the surrounding mountains, and the main highway where I could stand on the central white line and take photographs, so heavy was the traffic.

We stopped here for one night on our way back to Christchurch with details from Lonely Planet. Not easy to spot as tucked away behing a cafe off the main street. Fantastic, spacious unit with the best bathroom and shower we had in all of our trip - even though we had stayed on one luxury hotel. The unit had a small kitchenette which enabled us to cook dinner and was scrupulously clean.

There is a small swimming pool which was welcome following a long drive.

The owner is very friendly and welcoming and runs a great place. Would recommend this place without any hesitation and would stay again if we were in the area

The room and bathroom were clean and spacious. The location was fine in a small town. It was a nice enough place, but well overpriced for a small town hotel.

We stayed the night but next time we stay in Murchison we will stay elsewhere.I also left my phone charger in the room,and when I realised that I had left it there I rang them and asked them to send it back.I said I would pay for it to be sent which they said was fine and from that day I have never heard from them again.