Waikonini Homestead

The home-cooked dinner on our first night was excellent, and we’d definitely suggest having at least one. Mary and Frances were wonderful hosts and made the stay so pleasant. The house is beautiful, and the gardens were wonderfully peaceful. We loved the animals too: Mr Darcy, Pippi and Annie were a delight, and it was lovely watching the ducks, chooks and geese roaming outside. We’d hoped to picnic on the lawns, but the weather didn’t cooperate, so we’ll have to come back another day. Thank you, Mary, for such a lovely stay!

The fresh air, animals and birds were lovely, and we were offered tea and cake when we arrived. But in the West Room with ensuite, the floor was dusty and dirty, with dog fur gathered in a corner. There was dried, used soap available, which we didn't use, and the bathmat was filthy. The toilet was dirty behind the seat too. The gardens also need a lot of attention. The Summer house area was very overgrown and looked nothing like the website picture.

Mary was lovely and very helpful, and Waikonini Homestead itself is beautiful. We spent one fabulous night there. I'm not sure if the other comments are outdated or fake, but we paid the amount we were supposed to, and breakfast was included.

The old homestead has elegant character, lovely grounds to explore, and a good mix of charm and modern comfort. We stayed in ‘Owen’s Room’ for one night, and with no other guests booked, the place felt especially peaceful. The bed was warm and cozy, and dinner, which we’d prebooked, was a lovely end to the evening: fish pie followed by mince tart with homemade custard. Mary made us feel at home with her warm welcome and good conversations about travel, dogs and life. We were greeted with tea and cake on arrival, and her adorable Corgis, Peppi and Anne, were a joy. We loved our stay and would happily return.