Shetland Court Apartments
by the TopOfHotel team
Shetland Court is a quiet apartment stay where the garden of 50 maple trees sets it apart from anything downtown — clean, calm, and good value.
Shetland Court is a quiet apartment stay where the garden of 50 maple trees sets it apart from anything downtown — clean, calm, and good value.
In-Depth Review
Shetland Court Apartments doesn't feel like the usual Dunedin stay. It opened in 2015 on Shetland Street in North Dunedin, and its private garden — more than 50 maple trees plus roses of every shade — puts it in a completely different mood from a downtown hotel. That contrast is the whole point here, and it's why guests scored it 9.0/10 on Booking.com, a high mark that reflects real satisfaction rather than a one-off rave.
Rooms and decor
The apartments come on two levels: ground-floor units open onto a patio, while upper-floor units have a balcony. Every unit gives you a bedroom, a living room, a private bathroom and a 42-inch flat-screen TV, so there's real space to spread out rather than a single cramped room. Reviewers repeatedly call the apartments very clean and neatly arranged, and they keep mentioning the small touches — the owner clearly pays attention to the little details, which is the kind of thing that turns a fine stay into a memorable one.
Food and amenities
Every apartment has a full kitchen — fridge, electric stove, dishwasher, microwave and all the basic gear — which makes this a smart pick for families or anyone who'd rather cook than eat out every night. Wi-Fi is free and quick, and there's free private parking right on the grounds, so you sidestep the parking headache that comes with staying in central Dunedin. The owner also earns praise for pointing guests toward good restaurants and the sights worth your time around town.
Location and getting there
You're about 1.8 km from the city centre — a 5-minute drive, though a 20-to-25-minute walk. Most reviewers say it's genuinely easy with a car but not the place for anyone wanting to wander out for a late dinner on foot. The streets around it are quiet, residential and safe, which is exactly the trade-off you're making: a little distance in exchange for proper calm.
Things to know before booking
The flip side of that calm is distance. At 1.8 km out you'll want your own car, and several guests note there are no walkable restaurants or supermarkets nearby, so plan to drive for meals and groceries. If you don't have wheels, the location works against you rather than for you — this is a stay designed around having a car parked at your door, not around stepping out into a buzzing neighborhood.
Our take
Shetland Court is best for families, couples or anyone with a car who values a quiet, clean, garden-wrapped stay with a full kitchen — and the price is fair for the quality you get. Skip it if you're carless and want to walk to dinner; lean in if you'd happily trade a few minutes' drive for that maple-shaded calm and the space of a real apartment.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- Garden setting you won't get downtown — more than 50 maple trees and roses make for a relaxed stay that city-centre hotels can't match.
- Every apartment has a full kitchen and parking is free on site, so you save real money on both food and a car.
- The owner is friendly and gives strong local recommendations for restaurants and things to see around town.
- Rooms are very clean, and depending on the floor you get either a patio or a balcony.
- It opened in 2015 and sits in a quiet, safe residential area — easy sleeping, no downtown noise.
- It's about 1.8 km from the city centre — a 5-minute drive, but a 20-to-25-minute walk, so it's not ideal if you don't have a car and want to head out at night.
- Some guests note there are no restaurants or supermarkets within walking distance, so you'll drive for meals and groceries.
- Without your own car the location works against you — this is a stay built around having wheels, not walking everywhere.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Things to do near Dunedin
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Insider Tips
- Bring or rent a car — at 1.8 km out with no walkable restaurants, wheels turn a good-value stay into an easy one.
- Ask the owner for restaurant and sightseeing tips; guests consistently rate the local recommendations highly.
- If you can, request a ground-floor unit for the patio or an upper-floor unit for the balcony, depending on the view you want.