The Shining Star Beachfront Accommodation complex is generally lovely - the log cabin effects that mean your whole accommodation smells of fresh wood, the beachfront location, the animals, the proximity to the glow-worm dell. etc. are all great. Our cabin was really spacious, well laid out, and with excellent quality furnishings and facilities.

However, what we would otherwise have rated as excellent was let down by a few niggles. The path to the beach went right past us, so everyone coming back was looking straight in to our living area. There was building work going on at the other side of the three connected units. The laundry and sewage system were at the back of our bedroom and audible at night. Though there was good parking outside the chalet, there wasn't enough space outside reception for the number of visitors. And if, according to the brochure, all chalets have minibars, where on earth was ours?

In most units, I am sure that Shining Star would be excellent. Our choice, unfortunately, was poached by someone else between me asking the price and confirming the booking the following day (the perils of booking by email), and the one we got just wasn't quite as good as it could have been.

Our beachfront unit, #7, was great, complete with CD, DVD, TV, air conditioning and heating. The unit is spotless, inviting, has ample room, a complete small kitchen and eating area. It's lovely to listen to the birds and we could see and hear the pounding surf even with the
windows closed. Units 9 and 10 are two stories and would offer even better Tasman Sea views. We have a clear view from our porch but not the bed. You are provided with a complimentary small bottle of milk which is a nice touch and a wide variety of DVD's are available to rent for $5. Our only complaint was the grounds were so well lit that the window coverings didn't block it out so it made sleeping a little difficult for us.

My partner and I stayed at this hotel in December 2007 as part of a trip around New Zealand's South Island. We stayed in one of the self contained en suite log cabins at Shining Star for two nights.

I was very impressed by the facilities, the room was of a very high standard and we also had a look at the laundry room and the communal room for cabins without a kitchen- both were clean and tidy with good facilities. Reception was very helpful, lending us a torch to see the glow worms. The dvd rental section also had the best range of movies that we saw (compared to other places that offered a similar service).

Location wise the beach was literally a two-three minute walk and the path led to a lovely section. Shining Star is also LITERALLY across the road from the glow worm dell which was a bonus.

Negatives- Shining Star is a 5-10min drive out of Hokitika but we didn't find much to take our fancy in Hoki so this wasn't too much of a negative to us. Compared to other places we stayed, having only one internet terminal, and having it situated in reception was less than ideal, and would have become annoying had we been staying for any longer.

Overall- real bargain for a great beach location and fantastic facilities. The llamas, goats and very free range chickens add a relaxed feel to the site.

We stayed in a superior queen cabin, and were delighted in the accommodation it offered. A spacious room, with adequate space for a dining table; reasonable sized bathroom; very well equipped kitchen area; decked area at front - all for NZ$105 per night. We could see and hear the sea from our room, which overlooked the grassed area on which were kept several animals - much enjoyed by visiting children (Pot-bellied pigs, goats, alpaca etc - no smells noticed!). There was a very good laundry area for visitor use.
Shining Star is VERY easy to find, being either the first (or last) building in Hokitika, depending on whether you arrive from the north (or south). Reception staff were helpful when our hire car broke down , enabling us to be on the road very quickly.