See all properties

Criterion Boutique Hotel

2.0 star property
Hotel perfectly located for exploring South Hill

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for Criterion Boutique Hotel

Bar (on property)
Standard Twin Room
Interior
Bar (on property)
Exterior

Reviews

7.0 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • Free WiFi
  • Housekeeping

Explore the area

View in a map
3 Tyne St, Oamaru, Otago Region, 9400
  • Place, Steampunk HQ
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Oamaru Victorian Heritage Precinct
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Oamaru Harbour
    ‪3 min walk‬

Room options

View all photos for Standard Double Room

Standard Double Room

Standard Double Room

8.6 out of 10
Excellent
(8 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Standard Twin Room

Standard Twin Room

Standard Twin Room

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Twin Beds
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Family Room

Family Room

Family Room

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Twin Bed and 1 Queen Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Studio Suite

Studio Suite

Studio Suite

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed
  • Free WiFi

About the area

Oamaru

South Hill stay.With a stay at this South Hill hotel, you'll be steps from Auto Museum and Woolstore Complex. Steam Train and Steampunk HQ are also within half a mile (1 km).

What's nearby

  • Steampunk HQ - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Oamaru Victorian Heritage Precinct - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Oamaru Harbour - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony - 16 min walk - 1.4 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Coast - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Indian Kitchen Restaurant - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Harbour St Bakery - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Whitestone Cheese Diner & Deli - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Scotts Brewing - ‬3 min walk

About this property

Criterion Boutique Hotel

Hotel perfectly located for exploring South Hill
  • 7 guestrooms or units
  • Front desk (limited hours)
Criterion Boutique Hotel offers 7 accommodations. Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access (speed: 25+ Mbps). Housekeeping is provided daily.

Similar properties

Lobby
Alpine Motel
Oamaru
  • Pet friendly
  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Laundry
4.1 out of 5, Very good, 263 reviews
The price is CA $105
CA $122 total
includes taxes & fees
May 24 - May 25
Alpine Motel

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • In-room WiFi speed: 25+ Mbps

Parking and transportation

  • No onsite parking available

Accessibility

  • No elevator

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: midnight
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open daily from noon - 8:30 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
  • Cribs (infant beds) are not available.

Property payment types

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards and debit cards; cash is not accepted
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. No onsite parking is available. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, and debit cards. Cash is not accepted. 

National rating

Property class, provided by our rating system, is based on property type, amenities, and services.

Frequently asked questions

Does Criterion Boutique Hotel have an airport shuttle?

Airport shuttle services are not available at Criterion Boutique Hotel.

How much does it cost to stay at Criterion Boutique Hotel?

As of May 20, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Criterion Boutique Hotel on Jun 3, 2026 start from CA $74, excluding taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How close is Criterion Boutique Hotel to the beach?

This hotel is 1.6 mi (4-min drive) from Bushy Beach and 10.9 mi (21-min drive) from Te Hakapureirei Beach. Don't forget your sunscreen!

Does Criterion Boutique Hotel offer free breakfast?

Criterion Boutique Hotel does not offer free breakfast.

Is there a casino at Criterion Boutique Hotel?

No, there is no casino at this hotel.

What time is check-in at Criterion Boutique Hotel?

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: midnight.

Is there free parking at Criterion Boutique Hotel?

Free parking is not available at this hotel.

Does Criterion Boutique Hotel have a pool?

Criterion Boutique Hotel does not have a pool.

Does Criterion Boutique Hotel have a spa?

There are no spa services available at this hotel.

How close is Criterion Boutique Hotel to downtown Oamaru?

Criterion Boutique Hotel is 0.4 mi away from Oamaru.

Criterion Boutique Hotel Reviews

Reviews

7.0

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 13 out of 50 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 13 out of 50 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 13 out of 50 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 7 out of 50 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 4 out of 50 reviews

7.8/10

Cleanliness

8.4/10

Staff & service

5.8/10

Amenities

6.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

6/10 Okay

Gwynell

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Yes and yes, very courtious
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026

10/10 Excellent

Helen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Quite a quirky place in the Victorian area of Omaru. The room was compact and probably the same layout as it was in Victorian time. The room and bathrooms were clean. The kitchen was a bit disorganised. The staff were lovely and very keen to help in any way they could.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026

6/10 Okay

David

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beatiful old hotel Rooms need attention
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026

6/10 Okay

Peter

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Amenities
3.5 Stars... The room was clean and tidy. We were in the "Suite" which included a bathroom with very good shower, however despite being a jug and a jar of coffee, and some cups, there was no milk, sugar or tea in the room or the nearby communal kitchen. The bed was comfortable, but could of done with more than just one pillow each.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026

8/10 Good

Lauren

Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026

10/10 Excellent

Chris

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Great room thanks
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2026

4/10 Poor

Steven

Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Boutique ? Shabby room. Clean bed. Shared bathrooms. Bar closed by 9. Fridge noise, train noise and locals driving around until 3 in the morning. It was an experience !
Upstairs area
Room No19
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

4/10 Poor

Lynn, Ashton

Travelled with partner
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
Although very well situated to access the wharf’, blue penguin colony (which never seemed to have arrived during our stay) the building is in need of considerable upgrading. Comes across as more of a rooming house vibe. Rate reflects what you get. Sadly I would not return. It has tremendous potential
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

8/10 Good

sammy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
For a budget hotel, I found myself having the most comfortable sleep in any of the hotels I stayed at in New Zealand! The rooms were super small without TV and en-suite bathroom, but I didn't expect it given this is 1 of only 2 remaining original continuosly ran hotels in the town.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Gavin

Everything was clean
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

8/10 Good

tony

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Very small room for two people. Shared bathrooms ok. Very quirky and historical. A nice adventure
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

6/10 Okay

Shiu

Travelled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness
Floor in my room 16 is about to collapse sorry but this is the fact was a cheap stay work out for us
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

8/10 Good

Mary, Rancho Cucamonga

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

2/10 Terrible

Lukas

Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
Room was an absolute disappointment. Staff and I assume the owner don’t take responsibility for their broken and non-functioning stuff. Have a very short temper and are not very friendly towards their guests. Would certainly not recommend at all and beware anyone else of that. Also do have a feeling that owner takes down negative reviews
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

4/10 Poor

Bradley

Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The bed was hard enough to qualify as construction material, the curtains let in every bit of light, and the TV barely worked. For what they charge, you’d expect a bathroom in the room and a screen that does more than static. It’s in the Oamaru Victorian precinct, and it shows, the place feels like it hasn’t been touched since the 1880s. If you’re into old pubs, weird stories, and things that may or may not go bump in the night, you’ll probably have a laugh. If you came for comfort, sleep, or anything modern, the ghosts will enjoy your suffering more than you will.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025

8/10 Good

Gregory

Liked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
Although the rooms are small. The bed was comfortable and fresh. The kitchen and bathroom could be cleaner but were still satifactory
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025

6/10 Okay

Trudy

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Staff weren't available when we arrived at appointed check-in time. When they did arrive, we were told which room we were in and that the key was in the door. No details were given about the facilities, wifi, how to get in if we were out after hours, etc. This was also the noisiest hotel that I have ever stayed in, and I've traveled all over the world. Very little soundproofing inside (we heard another guest's alarm going off for more than 5 straight minutes at 5:30 am) or outside (road noise, nearby church bell tower at every 15 minute interval). Cute historic building and very walkable location, but probably wouldn't stay here again.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Luke

Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

6/10 Okay

marivic

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

4/10 Poor

Rebecca

Travelled with partner
Liked: Staff & service
The guy who runs this is really nice and the beds have nice linen and the room is clean enough. While the rooms were in good condition, they were small and we booked the room because the listing said a bathroom was among the room amenities. There were two clean bathrooms on the other side of the floor. It might be good to specify “shared bathroom” in the hotel description. If the kitchen were clean and free of clutter, I would have rated this 3 stars despite the amenity listing discrepancy. Unfortunately, the kitchen was unusable owing to a large box dumped on the cooker, other equipment left on the side by the sink and dirty dishes left there from when we checked in a few minutes before 2pm until we checked out just before 10am. I went to wash the dishes, but I couldn’t find a cloth, only dishwashing liquid. Food from the restaurant was stored in a deep freeze and a fridge was switched off. Another fridge freezer was switched on, but this would have benefited from being cleaned. I know the owners are new, so leaving this as constructive feedback.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

6/10 Okay

Anna

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Levi

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
if you love a victorian vibe place this a hotel to stay. Me and my partner really love the place and their foods are superb.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

2/10 Terrible

Joseph

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Perfect.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jenny

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Linens are exceptional quality and very clean. Cannot praise this place highly enough. Exellent value for money. In the heart of the Heritage area. Jenny and Maryanne
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mark

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Amazing building and warm, friendly staff.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025