“Heavenly location for a special stay”

Well this hotel was a real treat and a big highlight for us, during a month long road trip around NZ with so many daily highlights! We thought it would be nice but it exceeded expectations over our 2 night stay. To start with, we were allocated room 20 - the honeymoon suite! It was stunningly... more

Well this hotel was a real treat and a big highlight for us, during a month long road trip around NZ with so many daily highlights! We thought it would be nice but it exceeded expectations over our 2 night stay. To start with, we were allocated room 20 - the honeymoon suite! It was stunningly located in the corner of the Lodge with a balcony around 2 sides and with far reaching views over the grounds, across the bay and down the Otago Peninsula. We could have sat all day watching the light change over the water and listening to the birds. Heavenly. The room itself was very comfortable and we belatedly discovered that the very cold tiled bathroom floor actually had underfloor heating if you switched a switch (advised by a fellow guest at the Castle dinner - it would have been good to have had this pointed out when we were shown the room as it made a big difference). There is guest parking by the Lodge and also behind the Lodge if that's full, as opposed to the daytime visitors parking area on the driveway into the castle. Breakfast is served on the ground floor of the Stables, across the courtyard parking area. They've kept it looking like stables too, which is fun. Breakfast consisted off a buffet of cold items plus a menu of hot dishes. Our only issue was that the room was very cold. There were a couple of heaters but its a big space and they seemed ineffective. The Castle dinner was a highlight as well as our room. This is served at 7pm each night and you need to let them know by early evening if you wish to dine in. On the night we booked in for it, it transpired that Pink was in concert in Dunedin and virtually all the other guests were heading off to that, so the communal meal in the Castle's dining room, which we were told was usually at least a dozen people, and sometimes required the use of several dining rooms, turned out to be just us and one lady on her own from Christchurch who was visiting on business! It was lovely to talk to her though about the country. The food was excellent, a 4 course meal with a glass of wine included in the rate and more available to order (chargeable). We had scallops with risotto to start, beef chimichurri on polenta, lamb with vegetables and potato bake and a very nice cold mousse type dessert. Everything was very tasty indeed and well presented. All evening we were served by one young waitress/hostess called Jess who was very entertaining with her personal stories about the castle and she also offered a tour afterwards (but we'd been around in the daytime so didn't take this up). Big thank you Jess, especially as you missed out on the concert as you were minding the castle:-) To note that there aren't many other dining options on the peninsula. The other night of our stay we stopped off for fish and chips in Portobello village (it closes very early so check opening times) further along and ate them in the car before heading to the end of the peninsula to see the blue penguins come in at dusk. The castle itself is interesting to walk around and you could read all about the family who owned it and head up to the tower for more of those stunning views, as well as looking around the lovely gardens. There's also a good gift shop and cafe where we had tea and cake (note you need to pre book if you'd like a proper full afternoon tea on a traditional stand). A stay here is definitely worth the room rate if you would like a treat.

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“Great dinner, great access to grounds”

The stable annexe is somewhat primitive: low ceilings, insufficient curtaining, no ensuite (the showers are on the small side). However, as well as being good value, the plus sides of being in the castle well exceed the minor irritation with the room. In particular you can buy dinner in the cas... more

The stable annexe is somewhat primitive: low ceilings, insufficient curtaining, no ensuite (the showers are on the small side). However, as well as being good value, the plus sides of being in the castle well exceed the minor irritation with the room. In particular you can buy dinner in the castle followed by a tour (a must) and you get free access to the lovely gardens and grounds (fantastic) with their amazing views. The breakfast is good, too. NB the lodge is different accommodation (nicer but more expensive)

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“A nice experience”

We stayed in the Lodge for 2 nights, which was quite comfortable. We had a wonderful view out across the Peninsular from our upper floor room. Excellent breakfast every morning, served in the Stable. Evening dinner in the Castle was an excellent fine dining experience. At a cost of $95 per per... more

We stayed in the Lodge for 2 nights, which was quite comfortable. We had a wonderful view out across the Peninsular from our upper floor room. Excellent breakfast every morning, served in the Stable. Evening dinner in the Castle was an excellent fine dining experience. At a cost of $95 per person some people might be put off, but we felt the 4 course meal was well worth the money. Staying at the Lodge gave us free unlimited access to the Castle and the wonderful gardens. For travellers who want to spoil themselves for a couple of days, we recommend this venue

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“Nice hotel with intoxicated driver”

First, the hotel is really nice, modern and the rooms are equipped in a way we did like We met three young members of the staff, and there were very nice to us, making the experience really enjoyable Then there is also an older member of staff, very grumpy, unable to answer service requests (we... more

First, the hotel is really nice, modern and the rooms are equipped in a way we did like We met three young members of the staff, and there were very nice to us, making the experience really enjoyable Then there is also an older member of staff, very grumpy, unable to answer service requests (we went back to our room without any of the support we requested) Much worse: she was the driver to the restaurant in the nearby mansion We had to ask several times for her to get us back, until we saw she was drinking red wine in the kitchen. When she finally showed up, she was clearly intoxicated Unacceptable for the service level that this hotel aims for Cant imagine why she is still working for the hotel……. Beside, the menu at the mansion is really not worth it. They have too many guests to serve at the same time, and it turns out to canteen-level food. Go to the seaside instead.

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