53 reviews
From
$300168 Esplanade, Kaikoura, 7300, New Zealand
53 reviews
1/25
Beachfront
Free Private Parking
Adults only
Free wifi
Streaming service (like Netflix)
Beach
Air conditioning
Private entrance
Shearwater Apartments is a beachfront aparthotel in Kaikoura, New Zealand. Address: 168 Esplanade. Located about 0.4mi from the city center, it puts the sea within easy reach while keeping town access convenient. Highlights include private parking (free), free WiFi, and a streaming service (like Netflix), plus an adults-only vibe, a private entrance, air conditioning, and a patio with mountain views. The kitchenette with kitchenware, along with extra-long beds, adds comfort for longer stays.
Non-smoking rooms and soundproofing help ensure restful stays by the water, and on-site parking makes arrivals smooth. With beachfront access and mountain vistas, every moment can feel a touch more special. Free toiletries and other thoughtful touches round out the practical side of the experience.
Reviews: 53. Guests often note the prime location, easy beach access, and the peaceful ambiance that characterizes this Kaikoura stay. The coastal charms of 168 Esplanade invite exploration by day and relaxation by night.
Sea View apartment at 168 Esplanade offers a cozy 377-square-foot retreat designed for comfort. It accommodates 2 adults and 1 child, with a king-size bed and a kitchenette stocked with kitchenware for simple meals. A private entrance welcomes arrivals, while air conditioning, a patio with mountain views, and non-smoking design create a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere; extra-long beds are a nice touch for longer stays.
Inside comforts extend to practical conveniences: free WiFi, a streaming service (like Netflix), and on-site private parking that’s free for guests. An adults-only vibe adds a peaceful, intimate feel, complemented by soundproofing and free toiletries to simplify routines after a day of seaside exploring.
The location keeps Kaikoura’s coastline at the doorstep, just about 0.4mi from the city center and beachfront access at 168 Esplanade. Coastal charms invite exploration by day and relaxation by night, with prime location and a tranquil ambiance echoed in guest reviews. Payment accepts Mastercard, Visa, and American Express, while cash is not accepted.
Closest airports
Kaikoura Aerodrome
0.7miBeachfront
Free Private Parking
Adults only
Free wifi
Streaming service (like Netflix)
Beach
Air conditioning
Private entrance
Parking On Site
Mountain view
Wheelchair accessible
Non-smoking rooms
Patio
Kitchenware
Kitchenette
View
Extra long beds (> 6.5 ft)
Free toiletries
Soundproof
Show 15 photos
Apartment, Sea View
1 King Size Bed
375 sqft
Mountain view
Private Bathroom
Kitchenette
Kitchenware
+
More details
9.9
53 reviewsCategories of assessments
Cleanliness
Comfort
Location
Facilities
Staff
Value for money
WiFi quality
Featured reviews:
Ann
10
August 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed my stay. I have been traveling for business for 30 years and for pleasure for longer than that - the setting for the Shearwater Apartments is among the most beautiful places I have ever stayed. The apartment is lovely and the hosts are friendly, helpful and really attended to every detail to make sure I had a comfortable, enjoyable stay. I can’t recommend the hosts and their apartments highly enough. Snacks and wine and a great breakfast were included.
Liz
10
March 2025
Apartment opened onto a little garden/patio and you could walk out, cross the road and straight onto the beach. Clearly the property had been newly renovated as everything was or seemed brand new with not the smallest of marks on anything. Breakfast was placed outside our door on a tray each morning and consisted of a great selection of muesli, yoghurt, fruit, pastries croissants and jam, all beautifully parcelled in cellophane for freshness. Tea and coffee facilities in the room and we were greeted with quality wine, cheese and crackers on arrival. Excellent WiFi and powerful hot shower. Jane recommended and kindly made reservations for us at local restaurants both evenings, as well as advising us of a beautiful walk around the headland where we saw fur seals, pups and a variety of natural environments which we really enjoyed. Lovely and quiet at the end of the town (not sure how much parking happens opposite on busy days in season?).
Shearwater turned out to be the second most expensive place after Milford Lodge by quite a large margin on our 35 day trip (and we did stay in a number of comparatively beautiful properties).
Jellys
9.1
March 2025
Quality inclusion in this little apartment. The apartment was very comfortable. Best pillows I've used during our trip. Easy walk into town to shops and restaurants. Jane and Russell were very hospitable hosts. The wine cheese & crackers upon arrival was a lovely touch.
It surprised me that tissues weren't supplied for an apartment of this quality.. If the kitchenette was slightly reconfigured so the microwave could sit on a shelf, it would allow for some bench space as there wasn't any room to have the kettle and toaster out at the same time. Other than a microwave, there weren't any facilities for cooking own meals. I found the bedroom a bit hot as only the living area has a/c. A lighter weight doona/quilt would have been a better option for the summer months. Or the supply of a fan to use. During the day there's a lot of road noise from cars driving past.
Nidhi
10
January 2025
Staff was so pleasant and helpful! They even gave us a ride to the start of the Kaikoura Peninsula trail. We hardly gave them any notice about wanting to go but they were so accommodating and wonderful! They gave us a lot of tips for activities and helped us make dinner reservations for restaurants that were quite hard to get on a weekend. Just top notch - we've stayed in 5 star luxury resorts and the level of personal touch and service at Shearwater was very comparable! Of course the room is an apartment but the view, the amenities, the personal touch is part of the charm!
Emer
10
October 2024
The apartment was fantastic - immaculate, tastefully decorated and oh so comfortable. The views are stunning, a particular joy is to see sunrise directly from your patio. It’s an easy walk to the town center. With the warm greeting from Jane, and welcome wine and cheese, I knew this was going to be a great stay. Each day, the most delightful breakfast appeared outside my door. What really makes Shearwater special is the friendly warmth of Jane and Russell.
Marc
10
December 2024
The apartment is in a beautiful setting with lovely sea views and was presented immaculately. There is everything you need for a short stay and some lovely extras including wine, cheese and quality toiletries. The hosts were attentive and helpful with great local recommendations. We loved our short stay here and would highly recommend 😊😊
We liked everything about Shearwater Apartments! The view at breakfast is as good as it gets.
Christian
10
January 2024
Jane and Russell (the hosts) were exceptional and made us feel really welcome. The property itself was immaculate, modern and extremely comfortable. The location was tremendous - peaceful Kaikoura beach frontage meant we could enjoy breathtaking views from the serenity of our balcony, while the township of Kaikoura was just a short and pleasant walk away. Back to our amazing hosts - we enjoyed the delicious breakfast on offer, and Jane and Russell were able to sort restaurant bookings during a busy Christmas period - making it a really special visit for us.
Jo
10
February 2023
Luxury with a capital L The shower is amazing. The crockery was Royal Doulton. Cheese and wine to greet you and a fabulous breakfast.
Nothing - this is a lovely apartments
Donna
10
January 2025
Fantastic stay. The nicest place I’ve stayed in the 2 1/2 months that I have been traveling thru NZ. Of course the location is excellent with a beach front and mountain view at the same time! Apartment was spotless. Modern, first class place with yummy breakfast, welcome treats and wonderful, kind hosts.
Can’t think of anything.
Robrecht
10
January 2025
Jane is an exceptional host. She welcomed us and took all the time needed to explain all about the apartment and the area. Jane even booked restaurant reservations for us. The apartment was in excellent condition, clean and close to the activities we had planned. We really enjoyed our stay.
nothing in particular
Airports
Kaikoura Aerodrome
0.7miAirports
Kaikoura Aerodrome
0.7miBeachfront
Free Private Parking
Adults only
Free wifi
Streaming service (like Netflix)
Beach
Air conditioning
Private entrance
Parking On Site
Mountain view
Wheelchair accessible
Non-smoking rooms
Patio
Kitchenware
Kitchenette
View
Extra long beds (> 6.5 ft)
Free toiletries
Soundproof
Accessibility
Entire unit located on ground floor
Entire unit wheelchair accessible
Toilet with grab rails
Wheelchair accessible
Activities
Beach
Bathroom
Bathtub or shower
Free toiletries
Hairdryer
Private Bathroom
Shower
Toilet
Toilet paper
Towels
Bedroom
Extra long beds (> 6.5 ft)
Linens
Wardrobe or closet
Building Characteristics
Private apartment in building
Food & Drink
Tea/Coffee maker
Front Desk Services
Invoice provided
Private check-in/out
General
Adults only
Air conditioning
Carpeted
Electric blankets
Facilities for disabled guests
Heating
Non-smoking rooms
Private entrance
Smoke-free property
Soundproof
Tile/Marble floor
Internet
Free wifi
Kitchen
Cleaning products
Coffee machine
Dining table
Electric kettle
Kitchenette
Kitchenware
Microwave
Refrigerator
Toaster
Living Area
Dining area
Sitting area
Sofa
Media & Technology
Cable channels
Flat-screen TV
Streaming service (like Netflix)
TV
Outdoors
Beachfront
Outdoor dining area
Outdoor furniture
Patio
Parking
Free Private Parking
Parking On Site
Physical distancing
Cashless payment available
Contactless check-in/out
Room Amenities
Fan
Socket near the bed
Safety & security
CCTV outside property
Smoke alarms
Safety features
Access to healthcare professionals
View
Mountain view
View
From 14:00
Until 22:00
Guests are required to show a photo identification and credit card upon check-in
From 05:00
Until 10:00
Pets are not allowed.
WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.
The minimum age for check-in is 18
Come and go whenever you want
Free private parking is available on site (reservation is needed).
Child policies
Children not allowed.
Crib and extra bed policies
No capacity for extra beds or cribs.
Visa,
American Express,
Mastercard
This property does not accept cash.
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