The Mill House

This is an old historic building, so don't expect somewhere new or modern. It was clean, though, and had all the amenities I expected. Come with an open mind, because depending on your expectations and experience, you might love it or hate it. I had the place to myself, which was awesome, and I'm grateful I got in. But if I hadn't received that call when I did, I'd have been extremely angry and dissatisfied. I seldom write reviews, but felt this one was necessary. I hope it helps future travelers and the Old Mill's owners/management. After a day of driving and hiking, I was exhausted, it was raining nonstop, and it was getting dark. It was a Sunday evening between Christmas and New Years Eve, and there wasn't a single room available anywhere between Christ Church and Dunedin, except for this place. When I arrived, the office was closed, there wasn't a car or person in sight, and my call went straight to voice-mail. After reading some other reviews, I thought I'd been scammed. I was about to leave for Dunedin when someone from the Mill House called and gave me instructions to get in. I ended up with the entire establishment to myself. Owners, please do a better job setting expectations and explaining how to get in when guests arrive after the office closes. I realize you sent an email with my room number and entry code, but it didn't explain how to get into the building itself or where my room was, in the main building or an out-building.

This isn't a flash place, but it's comfy, clean, spacious, and rather quaint. We loved the retro feel, and the grounds were neglected but wonderfully rustic. It's a short drive to Moeraki Boulders and the awesome Moeraki Tavern. We'll definitely come again. We were looking for somewhere around Oamaru to break our journey, and Mill House seemed ideal for its location and attractive setting. The website wouldn't complete my booking, so I called and arranged for an invoice to be emailed to confirm it. I wasn't sure it was wise to go ahead, but I'm very pleased we did. I asked about the poor feedback from some reviewers and was told this is self-service accommodation. Once I paid, I received the door access code and room number.

We had a fantastic room, and the lounge with a fire was beautiful. The kitchen and coffee/tea station just down the hall had everything we needed. We arrived late after a concert and were back on the road by 7:30am, so sadly didn't get to enjoy the place as much as we'd have liked. Would definitely recommend it.

After visiting moeraki boulders, we had an excellent one night stay. The room was warmed up before we arrived, and the heaters were more than enough for a winter stay. The receptionist was polite, friendly, and helpful with planning our routes because there were reports of bad weather and snow. Great price, highly recommend. 5 star