The Blackball Inn

Hotels
8.6 (158 reviews)
8 Hilton Street , Blackball , nz

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Free
Children allowed
Pets allowed

Facilities

Offsite parking discounted rates available
Guest education on local ecosystems and culture
Non-smoking rooms
Restaurant
Terrace
Family rooms
Pets allowed
Luggage storage
Fax/photocopying
Facilities for disabled guests
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Friendly staff
Great food
Cons:
Poor breakfast options
Slow shower drain

Categories

Cleanliness
8.18
Specific sentiment from text: The accommodation: crisp, clean bedding in scrupulously clean rooms, but some reviews mentioned issues.
Service
9.15
Specific sentiment from text: The staff are incredibly friendly and helpful.
Location
9.19
Specific sentiment from text: Close to the start of the Paparoa trail track.
Room Quality
8.64
Specific sentiment from text: Comfy beds and spacious rooms.
Amenities
8.17
Specific sentiment from text: Good value for money and decent facilities, but missing some expected amenities.
Value for Money
8.63
Specific sentiment from text: Good value in relation to the services provided.
Food and Beverage
8.18
Specific sentiment from text: Good food, but breakfast options could be improved.
Overall Experience
8.65
Specific sentiment from text: Overall pleasant stay with character, will return.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-08 01:35

Property Description

Charming Accommodation in Blackball

Garden Views and Entertainment: Blackball's Inn & 08 Cafe offers cozy rooms with garden views and evening entertainment. Enjoy the patio in each room and the shared bathroom facilities.

Recreational Activities: Have a fun-filled stay with billiards, darts, and hiking in the surrounding area. There's never a dull moment at Blackball's Inn & 08 Cafe.

Convenient Amenities: Benefit from free WiFi, on-site restaurant, and parking. Additionally, take advantage of the ironing service and business facilities available.

Book your stay at Blackball's Inn & 08 Cafe for a delightful and memorable experience.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM

Property Policies

  • Pets

    Pets are allowed on request. No extra charges.

  • Parking

    Free private parking is possible on site (reservation is not needed).

  • Internet

    WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.

  • Children and extra bed policy

    Children of any age are allowed.
    Children up to and including 2 years old stay for free when using an available cot.
    People 5 years old and over stay for NZD 55 per person per night when using an available extra bed.
    Any type of extra bed or child's cot/crib is upon request and needs to be confirmed by management.
    Supplements are not calculated automatically in the total costs and will have to be paid for separately during your stay.

Location

Guest Reviews

8.6
Based on 158 reviews
Cleanliness: 8.18
Service: 9.15
Location: 9.19
Room Quality: 8.64
Amenities: 8.17
Value for Money: 8.63
Food and Beverage: 8.18
Overall Experience: 8.65
A
Alun • solo_traveller • au
5
The listing advertised that breakfast is included. You might call a bowl of cornflakes a breakfast, but sorry, I don’t.
Pros:

Nice tidy room

Cons:

The listing advertised that breakfast is included. You might call a bowl of cornflakes a breakfast, but sorry, I don’t. Bit of a con.

2026-02-14 • via Nuitee
L
lionel • couple • fr
10
Pros:

De très bons hamburgers, manager super accueillant 👍
Belles balades autour de blackball

2026-01-31 • via Nuitee
J
Jack • family_with_children • nz
8
Loved this place, will be back here when I'm in the area
Pros:

Great country atmosphere, friendly staff, great food

Cons:

The drain on one of the showers was slow and I feel I would've flooded the hallway if I had showered any longer than 5-6 minutes

2026-01-20 • via Nuitee
J
John • family_with_children • nz
9
Comfortable stay where we were well looked after by our hosts
Pros:

We had evening meal with a family group at the Inn and was thoroughly impressed by the presentation and standard of cooking - way beyond what might be expected at a country pub - certainly not deep fried chips and salad with everything. The Chef came to our table and went through menu options with us leaving us with clear impression our dining experience was important to them.
Staff looked after us well- we had arrived just after they had been fully booked and were the only guests stopping on the particular night of our stay

Cons:

shared bathrooms and toilet facilities probably detract from seeing the Inn as a Romantic Getaway, however facilities were clean and comfortable - not a problem for us personally and was ideal accommodation for short term stay

2026-01-12 • via Nuitee
J
Jill • couple • nz
5
2026-01-05 • via Nuitee
W
William • solo_traveller • nz
8
great
Pros:

good friendly service

2025-12-31 • via Nuitee
S
sheila • couple • nz
9
This place is a gem, a mix of old world charm and modern comforts with incredibly welcoming staff.
Pros:

This place is full of character and has a real sense of history. The staff are incredibly friendly and helpful as are the locals who like to stop for a chat. It's a mix of old work charm and modern facilities, very clean and tidy, beds very comfortable and although it's attached to an inn it's very peaceful. The food served at the inn is simple but very tasty and they certainly know how to make a good coffee :)

2025-12-21 • via Nuitee
J
John • solo_traveller • gb
10
Pros:

The accommodation: crisp, clean bedding in scrupulously clean rooms.
The owners and staff: couldn't have been more helpful
The regulars at the bar: fantastic people, such a laugh.
The brisket burgers: delicious

Cons:

Nothing.

2025-12-21 • via Nuitee
S
Sarah • couple • nz
10
Pros:

Friendly and helpful staff, delicious food, comfy spacious room, and a quiz night!

2025-12-03 • via Nuitee
T
Tom • family_with_children • gb
7
Pros:

Very good for gluten free food. Lots of choice for gf evening meal and breakfast included gf bread and two gf cereals.

2025-12-03 • via Nuitee
D
Dominic • solo_traveller • ch
10
2025-11-28 • via Nuitee
L
Liz • extended_group • nz
8
Great pit stop for the start of the Paparoa trail hike.
Pros:

Great stay, friendly staff, comfy beds and delicious breakfast

Cons:

N/a

2025-11-26 • via Nuitee
N
Nicola • family_with_children • nz
8
2025-11-25 • via Nuitee
P
Perez • couple • nz
10
Awesome west coast hospitality
2025-11-22 • via Nuitee
J
Jen • solo_traveller • nz
10
Pros:

People

2025-11-20 • via Nuitee
T
TJayz • couple • nz
10
Start of Paparoa track
Pros:

Close to the start of the Paparoa trail track. Great staff, excellent food and friendly patrons. Massive room, comfy bed. Enjoyed our brief stay

Cons:

N/A

2025-11-12 • via Nuitee
C
Craig • extended_group • nz
9
We’ll be back to this sweet little town on the rise hopefully
Pros:

The easygoing feel of the Blackball Inn and the super friendly people of Blackball. We highly recommend a stay at the Inn and a visit to Blackball.

Cons:

We felt the breakfast was a wee bit basic

2025-11-09 • via Nuitee
O
Oriole • couple • nz
8
Characterful stay with good coziness. Good value for money
Pros:

Loved our stay here. It is an old historic inn. As such there are no on suite bathrooms but plenty of toilets and shoes for the rooms. What is really good is the cafe and bar attached to the hotel where you can get good meals . Locals are very friendly .

Cons:

More choice for breakfast would have been good

2025-11-01 • via Nuitee
K
Kevin • couple • nz
8
Other than the poor Continental breakfast we were happy with the rest of the facilities and our stay.
Pros:

Spacious bedroom and good indoor outdoor flow.

Cons:

It was advertised that there was a continental breakfast but it was only cereal and we had to ask for some milk. Also there was no toaster and bread or spreads or plates for toast. Also the dinner menu was very limited when we were staying for three nights.

2025-10-17 • via Nuitee
K
Karen • extended_group • nz
10
Love to come to Blackball and stay at the Inn.
Pros:

Outstanding Hosts, warm, comfortable, great Breakfast.

2025-07-20 • via Nuitee