Cave Rock Guest House

Bruce, their really cute dog, was a regular visitor, and there was off-street parking. The two nearby restaurants were great too. We managed fine for our two nights, but the room felt very cramped, with nowhere to open two large suitcases. It seemed like an afterthought squeezed onto the back of the house, especially with the bathroom along a hallway adjoining the owners' part of the house, where we could hear talking and the TV. The place was clean and tidy, and the bathroom was lovely, but $150 felt steep for a small room at the back with no view. Somewhere around $100-$125 would have seemed fairer. There didn't seem to be air conditioning, and the only window was a small one above the bed, so I wouldn't want to stay there in summer heat. They had two other fabulous types of accommodation.

Gayle, our hostess, was lovely and helpful, and we all had a great time. I was there with my daughters, 18 and 16, and we loved the roomy, very clean upstairs apartment. Happy to give it five stars and recommend it to anyone looking for a comfortable, relaxing place in the Christchurch area.

The view was incredible, and the hosts were absolutely lovely. This spacious, comfortable apartment is upstairs in the owners' own home, which wasn't quite what we expected. The home sits in beautiful gardens overlooking the beach, right in the heart of Sumner, and everything was gracious and scrupulously clean. We thought the bed could use an upgrade, but otherwise it was a really beautiful place to stay.

After 18 days travelling around New Zealand, we parked the car and spent two whole days relaxing before our flight, without driving at all. Sumner is a gorgeous little seaside town, and shops and places to eat are an easy walk away. The ocean and a huge beach with a cave are right across the street. We walked along the beach morning and evening, and one sunrise we sat on the cave rock formation. It was spectacular, a memory we'll keep forever. The restaurant next door had the best mussels and grouper fish dinner we've ever had. We met the amazing chef, Joseph, and went back the next night for the same meal. Our room was by the garage, roomy and very clean, with a super comfy bed and a little kitchenette that worked perfectly. A floor-to-ceiling window looked out to our private patio and its overhang, where we sat a few times, including in the rain, with NZ wine and cheese. Gayle, Norm, and Bruce Springstein their dog were friendly and accommodating. We hope to come back one day.