Waiorau Homestead

Blythe and Ann run an amazing homestead and were extremely helpful during our stay. We were able to hear the history of the valley over local wine and each morning's breakfast spread was amazing. Blythe is a chef at the local Cardrona Hotel and did not disappoint. Ann was also kind enough to do our laundry that had been piling up during our travels. Say hi to Cocoa, the adorable chocolate lab running around the premises, and be sure to catch a sunset from their gorgeous backyard.

One of the most beautiful places to stay, run by possibly the kindest and most amazing people in New Zealand. The breakfast that Blythe prepared every morning was delicious and the room we stayed in was perfect - comfortable bed, a fantastic morning view and an ensuite. The spa area was great, as was the location of the homestead as a whole.A special mention to Blythe: this was mine and my girlfriend’s first trip together overseas, and we were unfortunately not able to get a hire car. Blythe very kindly picked us up every night from our bus stop off the mountain, as well as took us all the way to Wanaka when we mixed up our plans to get there. He is a truly great person and I hope all the good things he’s done come back around to him.

A really warm welcome by Ann and Blyth on our pre-Christmas stay. We were offered a welcome drink and sat on the terrace in the sun enjoying the beautiful view across the valley. We stayed in a lovely room with access out to the terrace and a great ensuite shower. The guest lounge is well stocked with books and DVDs and has a very comfy seating area. The breakfast was excellent (especially as Blyth is a local chef). A great stay and can certainly recommend!

Our stay was fantastic and we are beyond glad we made it on the longer side. Our hosts, Ann and Blyth, were very attentive – they’re incredibly busy people but we never ever felt second fiddle. They offered to book dinner reservations for us and a pot of tea was always ready to go. Casual conversation was lovely and it was nice to get to know the people whose home we were staying in.The room we stayed in was lovely and roomy, with great views. It was exceptionally clean and turned down every day. The beds are nice and comfortable; I slept like a log (soft, for those wondering). There is water in the rooms and fresh glasses. The bedroom doors are individually locked and a key provided. Each side of the bed had its own electric blanket. A small bar fridge would make a wonderful addition to the rooms, though, as we could keep a juice or soda in there. I also couldn’t find a bin in the bedroom – but I might have just been blind haha.Breakfast every morning was fresh and generous with a huge range of items for various tastes/requirements. They also made any hot breakfast at request and I had the most amazing omelette by Blyth and Bacon and scrambled eggs by Ann. To die for! They were also flexible with breakfast time, so it was ready if we needed to leave early e.g. on ski days.We opted one night for the multi-course dinner (at an extra fee) and wow, that was so worth it. The food was fresh, had great variety and was impeccably cooked. Pre-meal, taste dislikes were noted and avoided but the meal itself was a surprise. If you’re planning to stay here, book this in-home dinner more than once!!The bathroom was large and very clean with a huge bath with spa function. The floor around the shower is heated and there is nice big rug over the rest of the tiles to keep the tooties warm in the freezing winter. Towels were replaced daily if required. My only (very) mild gripe would be not knowing the bathroom is across the hall and not attached to the (big) bedroom, perhaps this could be clarified in the listing description? It makes the towel run from bathroom to bedroom a little embarrassing when I forgot to take clothes with me. I think the other bedrooms have ensuites, though.The communal lounge room was very, very warm and inviting. There is always a fire crackling which was so nice to come home to. There are lots of books to read, a huge selection of DVDs which could be watched in the lounge room or in the privacy of the bedrooms. There is a PC in the corner of the loungeroom, too, for those who require it. A clever touch! The wifi is free and fast.For those with kids – I cannot recommend enough. They are so lovely with children. SOOO lovely. They were kind and engaging to our daughter and she loved chatting to them. If at the end of breakfast, there were leftovers, Blyth gave us a container to take the extra fruit and pastries with us for our kiddo to snack on. Guys – you have no idea how many times this saved our bacon with a whingey hungry child!! Thank you!!The view is breathtaking. There are rabbits running around and a little stream nearby, it is seriously picturesque. There is an outdoor table setting which would be wonderful in the warmer months as well as a pool. The spa was available and running, but sadly we did not find the time to use that or the fabulous outdoor fireplace.Location-wise it is convenient if you are skiing at Cardrona – the entry is literally 200m across the street! 20mins east is Wanaka on a relatively easy to drive road. Queenstown is a little harder to get to over the mountain range, but totally doable in ~40mins.Every day felt like we were coming home, which is a huge compliment. I rarely feel comfortable outside my home let alone in another’s home, but Ann and Blyth made sure we felt so welcome. They got to know us and we felt special and important – even though they get so many guests a year it never seemed as though we were just another booking.Thank you for the stay, guys. We miss you already, it was like leaving family by the end of it.

Lovely home and hosts. Cozy and warm in our room and loved the fire place in the lounge. Brilliant location for Cardrona ski field. Gourmet dinner was lovely, great chef. Highly recommend and would definitely stay again! Thanks for a great time

We had a terrific 2 nights here. Blyth & Ann were extremely welcoming and helped us with “local knowledge”! Blyth is a fantastic chef and we were lucky enough to have him prepare a delicious meal for us. Their home is charming, immaculately clean, and nestled in a beautiful valley. We really enjoyed our stay with them and would unreservedly recommend a stay there to anyone visiting this area.

Fantastic upscale B&B. Friendly hosts, very comfortable room and a bathroom I would not mind having back home.Nice and quiet place, where the only sounds seem to be birdsong, the padding of Coco (the resident dog) and the passing of time. Loved it!The breakfast served is miles better than the stuff I get served in some of the upscale hotels I stay at for work. From the delicious fresh fruits, the breads, spreads, drinks and made to order" eggs

What a find!! Possibly one of the loveliest places that we have stayed. Friendly and non invasive. Every home comfort but the decor was amazing!! I felt as if I had walked into a home decor magazine. Breakfast was delicious. So many choices and beautifully presented. Silver cutlery!We must return in the summer.

Great place to stay. The rooms are big and cozy and the hsot exceptional.