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kazdaz007
Pokolbin, Australia

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2.0 of 5 bubblesReviewed 20 July 2019
We stayed for a couple of nights with our two children during the school holidays in July. It was clear from the beginning that we were not the focus, if anything we were probably more of a hindrance. The rooms were OK, however, the view was terrible, so it is just a room. There was no real assistance with anything in regards to local attractions, so we ventured into town to find out further information. Although relatively central to town, would suggest there are other places just as convenient - more suited to the business travellers - noticed that at least they got a smile from reception!!
Date of stay: July 2019
Trip type: Travelled with family
3.0 of 5 bubblesValue
3.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
2.0 of 5 bubblesService
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DistinctionDunedin, Manager at Distinction Dunedin Hotel, responded to this review
Responded 20 July 2019
Hi kazdaz007,

Thank you very much for taking a moment to give us your feedback. We appreciate all of our guest's opinions.

It is a shame that you give us a two star rating, which is an aberration for Distinction Dunedin, as evidenced by our overall 4.5 star TripAdvisor score. However, we of course recognise and appreciate that everyone is entitled to their own opinions, which they may form for a variety of reasons.

While your review lacks specificity, it certainly does not lack polemic. I am unaware of you expressing any concerns directly to the Management team whilst you were here with us. At Distinction Dunedin, we are fully receptive to any guests who may have issues that need addressed, with an eye to reaching an acceptable and satisfactory solution. However, it is very difficult to remedy any problems or concerns when we are unaware of them. It would have been preferable for you to have informed us of any complaints at the time, rather than after the fact and through a third party when nothing could be done to rectify your apparent issues. Please feel free to contact us directly if necessary.

Many thanks.

Best regards

Nigel
Distinction Dunedin
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The listings of booking offers for each property take into account the compensation paid to us by our partners. Prices shown may be for varying room types. Prices displayed are the lowest available, corresponding to the least expensive room type available, as provided from our partners as of the time of the user’s search.
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Reviews (665)
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Reviewed 18 July 2019

I stayed at the Distinction for just one night before flying out of Dunedin and I cannot fault it. It's modern, comfortable, spotlessly clean and in a good location.

My partner and I had dinner in the 'Parcels' restaurant and the food and drink was wonderful, well priced and the waiting staff were well trained, professional but friendly.

We found all of the hotel staff super nice and friendly. The atmosphere is one of laid back style...it doesn't feel stuffy or pretentious or like it's trying to be something it isn't.

We stayed in a standard double and it was well proportioned with a kitchenette (including a microwave) and pretty much everything you would need to get by for a short stay. There is even a washing machine and drier in the super-spacious bathroom and the rain-head shower was so good! The bed was the most comfortable I've slept in, in a very long time.

There are loads of great cafes and restaurants in the vicinity and the shops are a short stroll away.

I will definitely stay again.

Date of stay: July 2019
  • Trip type: Travelled on business
    • Sleep Quality
    • Rooms
    • Service
Thank TillyHolmes
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DistinctionDunedin, Manager at Distinction Dunedin Hotel, responded to this reviewResponded 20 July 2019

Hi Tilly,

Thanks so much for taking a minute to convey your impressions. We are glad that you so thoroughly enjoyed your brief visit to Distinction Dunedin. Thank you for your recommendation.

It is lovely to learn that you appreciated the friendly and relaxed, yet professional, overall tone, with particular reference to Parcels Restaurant. The ladies and gentlemen on staff are always welcoming and eager to please, absent the overbearing pretentiousness of some other establishments. We have an excellent group of staff members, both in the Front of House and Kitchen facets. It is great that you enjoyed your meals.

We are also pleased that your room met your discerning standards, from the kitchenette and the in-room laundry, to the plush bedding. It is nice to read that you enjoyed a such an exquisitely restful slumber.

Thank you again Tilly. We would be thrilled to see you again soon.

Kind regards

Nigel
Distinction Dunedin

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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Reviewed 6 July 2019

My wife and I chose New Zealand to celebrate my 70th birthday during January 2019 and we started our 14 day adventure in delightful Dunedin.

We chose the Distinction Hotel for our three nights in this city with its rich Scottish traditions and magnificent scenic attractions including Larnach Castle and the Taieri Gorge Railway.

The Distinction Dunedin lives up to its name. It is indeed a hotel of high distinction. It is very well located and close to most city attractions. Our unit was modern and spacious with three rooms, bedroom, bathroom and living area which included a kitchenette with a fridge and microwave. The bathroom had a shower with lots of room to move. A great feature in the bathroom was the light blue light that came on automatically when we needed to use this room during the night – a very considerate touch that enabled us to navigate more easily in the dark.

Breakfasts each morning were in Parcels Restaurant. There were several large tour groups using the hotel while we were there and the hotel provides a dedicated area exclusively for these groups which we thought was a great idea. There was a good variety of food on offer for breakfasts each morning. Where we had breakfast away from the tour groups, the atmosphere was very informal with nice comfortable chairs to sit on. This informality meant we were never rushed and we could linger longer making this important start to the day all the more pleasant. For dinners we chose to eat out or use the kitchenette in our room so we were unable to experience Parcels Restaurant at night and nor did we go to the Post Bar during our stay.

The hotel is proud of its history. It was the former 1937 Chief Post Office for Dunedin. Having an interest in history I was able to see the old vaults where the gold bullion used to be kept that have been converted into delightful small private dining areas with the heavy thick vault doors still intact. In the hallway leading to these rooms were some very interesting historic photos that really told a great story. All you have to do is ask the staff and they will direct you to this most interesting aspect of the hotel. Even the door leading from the kitchen to the bar area is one of the original post office doors. There are also some very interest artworks in the foyer showing the postal history of the place with a modern twist.

The reception staff members were very friendly and helpful throughout our stay as were the staff members during our breakfasts. I would recommend this hotel very highly as an excellent place to stay a while in Dunedin.

Date of stay: January 2019
  • Trip type: Travelled as a couple
    • Location
    • Sleep Quality
    • Service
Thank Geoff C
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DistinctionDunedin, Manager at Distinction Dunedin Hotel, responded to this reviewResponded 20 July 2019

Greetings and salutations Geoff,

Thank you so much for your outstandingly detailed assessment of your stay with us in Dunedin earlier in the year. The team here at Distinction are all most pleased that we could add to your evident enjoyment and satisfaction of your three nights at the hotel. We would also like to extend our belated best birthday wishes to you.

I infer from your description that you enjoyed one of our opulent and spacious Two Bedroom Suites. The two discreet bedrooms are interposed with a spacious and comfortable common lounge area. Combined with the excellent bathroom facilities, including the wondrous 'rainfall' showers – a feature of all room types – and the in-room guest laundries, we are confident that our product is unsurpassed by any other local hotel.

It is excellent too that you enjoyed a relaxing breakfast in our on site Parcels Restaurant. As you stayed in January – the peak of the package tour season – there were indeed some larger groups also in house. Nonetheless, we are adept at accommodating both our independent travellers such as yourself and your good lady wife, as well as our larger groups of intrepid sight-seers from all across the globe.

As you reference,the historical element pervading Distinction Dunedin is also an attractive feature on which we receive much comment. As I too share your interest in days of yore, I readily concur that there are many interesting details to ponder. Many original features have been retained, complimenting the contemporary features of the 2015 renovation. Among these are our discreet one-time post office vaults. These are an excellent option for private small-group gatherings, and the renovation of these areas provide an atmosphere evoking an Edwardianesque aesthetic. These areas are also adorned with an array of several interesting 1930s-era photographs, documenting the construction of the former Dunedin Chief Post Office.

Finally, we are thrilled that the ladies and gentlemen on our team exhibited their typical friendly and helpful demeanors.

Thanks again Sir. We would be pleased to see you again in future.

Best regards

Nigel
Distinction Dunedin

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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Reviewed 3 July 2019

A higher end "Distinction" hotel with well appointed rooms and excellent service. Quiet rooms with good heating. Parking is done with valet and has a daily charge. We found it slightly challenging to find but it is central and well worth finding!

Date of stay: June 2019
  • Trip type: Travelled on business
    • Sleep Quality
    • Rooms
    • Service
Thank Ruth B
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DistinctionDunedin, Manager at Distinction Dunedin Hotel, responded to this reviewResponded 20 July 2019

Hi Ruth,

Many sincere thanks for your contribution. We are all very pleased that you took some time to provide some excellent feedback on your recent visit to Distinction Dunedin.

It is lovely that our service and well appointed accommodation elicited such a positive response. As you rightly note, all of our guest rooms offer fully adjustable heating and are superbly soporific, allowing a peaceful nights rest in advance of the rigours of the coming day.

As you further note, our team of assiduous valets offer an efficiently effective service, providing 24 hour access to your vehicle for a mere NZD20 per night.

Thanks again Ruth. It would be our pleasure to see you again soon.

Kind regards

Nigel
Distinction Dunedin

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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Reviewed 9 June 2019 via mobile

This place is stunning. The accomodation is world class. Rooms are really modern and tidy. We didn’t eat here and that’s simply because Dunedin has so much to offer but the restaurants at the hotel look fantastic. Would highly recommend. The only hiccup was the very slight damage to the rental car which they were totally up front about.

Date of stay: June 2019
Thank P9004PPstevens
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DistinctionDunedin, Manager at Distinction Dunedin Hotel, responded to this reviewResponded 19 June 2019

Hi there,

We really appreciate your wonderful comments. Thanks for taking the time to convey your thoughts.

It is great that you thought so highly of our world class accommodation. Distinction Dunedin is a superlative hotel in so many aspects, including the rooms as you mention, but also our on site Parcels Restaurant and our wondrous staff. Thanks so much for your recommendation.

We would be very happy to see you again soon.

Kind regards

Nigel
Distinction Dunedin

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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Reviewed 2 June 2019 via mobile

Stayed in a very clean, comfortable and quiet room for 3 nights on the top floor. Renovated big bathroom with a washing machine and drier. Small kitchen with microwave attached to the room. The only disappointment was the buffet breakfast. Very limited food, no omelet station, no barista coffee included. Not worth paying extra for the buffet breakfast. It should be included in the room at no extra cost.The Vanguard cafe is just around the corner with nice food and coffee.

Date of stay: June 2019
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
1  Thank Sanway1505
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DistinctionDunedin, Manager at Distinction Dunedin Hotel, responded to this reviewResponded 2 June 2019

Hi Sanway1505,

Thank you very much for your five star rating. It is very pleasing to receive your assent on most aspects of Distinction Dunedin.

Regarding your remarks concerning your breakfast experience, it is a shame that the buffet arrangements were not to your liking. It should be pointed out to the TripAdvisor community that guests may order an omelette from our a la carte menu should they so desire, and our excellent espresso coffee is also of course available on request. However, neither item is included in the price of a buffet breakfast.

While we do offer some rates which are breakfast inclusive, we also allow guests their free-agency and to decide if they do or do not want breakfast included in the room tariff. These guests are then able to charge their breakfast directly to their room, allowing greater flexibility. Therefore, including the cost of breakfast in the total room rate would simply mean there would be no discreet charges for breakfast – the net result and outlay would be much the same. The same principle applies to our espresso coffee offerings.

Thanks again for your feedback. It would be lovely to see you again.

Best regards

Nigel
Distinction Dunedin

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