As a couple we chose this house for its location. Communication with the host was very good.
We arrived on the train from Picton and departed again by train to Christchurch staying 3 nights. We did not hire a car. The house is a short uphill walk from the main shops and restaurants in the West End of Kaikoura which are actually under the hill on which the house stands. The views from the house are excellent with the town being hidden below and with an uninterrupted view of the ocean. The station is about 10 to 15 minutes walk from the railway station and there are very few taxis in Kaikoua so if you have any large bags you probably want to book transport in advance. Note that you can leave baggage for departing trains in lockups at the station with the keys kept by Whale Watch. Check on opening times. The only supermarket is up the main road running north from the centre about 1.5 km from the house which is a bit of a trek with shopping bags.
The house is quirky. The old part of the house has a lounge / dining room a reasonable sized bedroom bathroom and a kitchen. Behind the abutting garage is the utility room and only toilet. The two additional bedrooms are accessed are accessed via the utility room and back of the garage up a steep set of stairs. We did not use these rooms at all.
There is no internet but mobile phone signal is good.
The lounge / dinner were fine for us noting that we had very good weather so we were out all day. The main bedroom is a reasonable size with a comfortable bed. The kitchen is very dated and the oven needs replacing. The bathroom is also very dated. The toilet is also dated and not convenient being the other side of the kitchen and utility room from the bedroom and bathroom.
There is a large garden with decking and an outside table and chairs which we used for breakfast. There is no bbq.
In terms of location it is an easy walk to Whale Watch, which is at the station, and museum, which is very interesting. it is almost on the Peninsular Walk which also goes past Fyffe House. So if you are arriving by train and / or do not have a car then it is a good place to stay and we don't regret booking it.