Greenhill Lodge

We came for high tea and were charmed by the history of this lovely old place. The food was delicious, and on a hot Hawkes Bay day the hosts were so accommodating that they even let our kids swim in the pool. Nothing seemed like a bother. We’d gladly recommend a visit or a stay.

A peaceful, relaxing spot, and a handy base for visiting Hawke's Bay wineries.

Greenhill turned out to be an amazing place, and the hosts were wonderful. Charlotte and Stephen made the four of us, two couples, feel at home. We enjoyed hearing how they came to Greenhill, getting local tips, and sharing their home-cooked meals. The breakfasts are well worth having, and make sure to have dinner there at least once. There are plenty of places to unwind and take in the Hawke's Bay scenery. The guest rooms are roomy and well equipped, with modern bathrooms and homey details; each opens onto either the front porch or back courtyard. We had fun in the billiard room and by the pool, which has a cedar hot tub for two. The resident alpacas, mini ponies, goats, dogs, and cats were lovely to meet, though anyone with animal allergies should know that some pets come inside. There’s no online booking, but don’t let that put you off staying. I only wish we’d had more time there. It’d be a great place for a longer countryside escape.

We found Greenhill lodge while frantically searching for somewhere to stay that same day, before a wedding in the Hawkes Bay, and were lucky they had room. It ended up being the best night of our trip in NZ. Steve and Charlotte are so hospitable, and the stay felt dreamy. I was a little unsure about trying a BnB because I wondered if it would feel private, but it had the feel of a chic hotel, with Steve and Charlotte living in a separate area from the guests. The house is beautifully decorated, and our room had lovely toiletries, coffee-making facilities, and an ironing board. The beds were very comfortable, and it was so quiet that we slept wonderfully. There’s a fantastic wine collection to choose a welcome bottle from, and breakfast was outstanding. It’s a lovely setting for a glass of wine, including in the hot tub, or for a wander through the gardens to see the alpacas. The cats and dogs were charming to say hello to as well. You’ll need a car to stay here, which lets you explore all that Hawkes bay has to offer. We hope to come back soon.