B-Ks Premier Motel Palmerston North

HOTEL OVERVIEW

You know what caught me off guard about B-Ks Premier? It’s actually way nicer than the name suggests. I mean, “motel” doesn’t exactly scream luxury, but this place sits right on Cuba Street and honestly feels more like a boutique hotel that just kept its humble name. The building has this clean, modern vibe that stands out among the mix of shops and cafes along this stretch – you’ll spot it easily enough when you’re walking up from the Square.

The location is pretty sweet if you know Palmerston North at all. You’re literally a two-minute walk from the main shopping district, and I love that you can grab coffee at one of those little Cuban Street cafes without having to drive anywhere. Plus, if you’re here for Massey University stuff (and let’s be honest, half the visitors to Palmy are), you’re close enough that you could probably walk there if the weather’s decent. Parking was surprisingly painless too – they’ve got their own spaces, which is clutch because finding a park around Cuba Street during the day can be a bit of a nightmare.

What really impressed me was how quiet the rooms stay despite being right in the middle of things. I was expecting street noise, especially on weekend nights when the bars get busy, but the windows must be pretty well insulated. The rooms themselves are clean and modern – not fancy, but everything works properly and feels fresh. The staff at check-in were genuinely helpful too, not just going through the motions. They actually knew the area well enough to give decent restaurant recommendations (skip the chain places and hit up the local spots on George Street, trust me). I stayed here during a rugby weekend when everything else was booked solid, and while it was definitely busier than usual, the place still ran smoothly. That 8.3 rating feels about right – it’s not going to blow your mind, but it does everything well without any major complaints. For Palmerston North, that’s honestly pretty impressive.