Gunyah Country Estate

We stayed two nights at Gunyah and were made very welcome. We were the only ones staying but they were expecting a full house over the weekend. All the meals were very filling and delicious and I definitely overate!.We would highly recommend the mulled wine for a cold winter's night. The fires in the dining room and drawing room were very welcome.They stock a great range of books.Simonetta is a very good businesswoman.

Great place to stay for a country escape! The cottage had everything we needed and was warm and cosy with the fireplace.So close to the ski fields and beautiful Mid Canterbury landscapes!

Nice location (stayed in cottage), fireplace to make it cosy, nice sunrise view. Lot's of dead flies and mice droppings on kitchenware on arrival however. Owner reaction on our remark:' it's life on the countryside' Wow! Nice to show you care! I live in the countryside as well, and I store my food and kitchenware in close cupboards. Simple enough. Our experience: bad service and too expensive for what you get, otherwise nice cottage.Place is quiet. Bed was rather small for 2, and mattress not the most comfortable.Edit: such a long reply. If you just came to have wee look instead, that would have been a good start!

My partner and I had the most relaxing, wonderful time staying at Gunyah a few weeks ago.The building (over 100 years old!) has been maintained and decorated in period style and is so cozy and inviting. As an art history major it was delightful to see all the art on the walls, some of which we learned were portraits of our hostess Simonetta’s relatives/ancestors!Although the building is thoroughly old-fashioned (huge open fireplaces and large grounds included), it still came with modcons like underfloor heating, heaters, and wifi (coverage was a bit sketchy but I saw this as a bonus to be honest). It was always cozy to come back to after a day outdoors in the wintry climate.Simonetta was a wonderful hostess and cooked us delicious full breakfasts each morning, serving us with silverware in the dining room with the fire going.She also made us a magical dinner on a Sunday evening. The menu - which she personalised with our names - was like something people would have eaten on the Titanic! She lit the fire, served us wine from her collection, and looked after us wonderfully. She was happy to accommodate schedules too - in the morning we’d say when we were going to be back, and she got everything ready. We’d tell her when we planned to wake up the next day and we got to walk down the stairs to the smell of bacon coming from the kitchen…bliss.The beds were super comfortable and the rooms clean. Coming from a CBD apartment in Auckland, I can’t express how nice it was to hear no traffic at all, just frogs from the pond in the evening and birdsong from our balcony in the morning.Some people may be put off by the drive out to Gunyah, but it quickly became one of the favourite parts of our stay here. The countryside is beautiful and there’s nothing like driving down deserted country roads, knowing at the end of it there’s a roaring fire in the dining room with a delicious dinner waiting for you. It also means you can’t hear any of the usual suburban noise!Due to the way it’s set up (one dining room), you may end up having dinner/breakfast with other guests who are staying there. We were lucky enough to have this at one of our breakfasts. They were a lovely, fascinating couple who even gave us some tips for skiing that day! It was nice to dine in a way where we got to meet new people rather than stay by ourselves in the way restaurants are normally set up.This is by far the best, most unique place my partner and I have ever stayed. We felt like characters from a Jane Austen novel! We can’t wait to come back - haven’t been that relaxed in years!Thank you so much Simonetta - we hope to see you again soon.

Step back in time at Gunyah country estate. As you enter the house it feels as though you’ve been transported back to 1890. The food is excellent and the rooms are comfortable. It is a little off the beaten track so I wouldn’t drive my Porsche here! We had a relaxing time.

Both as a family and as a couple we have stayed multiple times at Gunyah in the lodge. From the minute you turn into the driveway you know you can relax. Take a walk around the gardens, watch the farm life go on around you, sit and admire the view of Mt Hutt, and enjoy the lovely food Simonetta prepares.Gunyah is a beautiful treasure. Full of history both in its architecture and the wonderful antiques that enrich its rooms. I come to Gunyah for downtime, for inspiration and to just be in the moment. Cant recommend it enough.

Gunyah estate is a wonderful surprise set in beautiful gardens. Trees and plants of every variety. Orchards lawns my favorite was the raised croquet lawnThe manner house from the 1800’s retains all its charm one has to see the sitting and dining room exquisite furnishings!We stayed in the “stables” our unit left nothing to be desiredMany thanks Martin and Ethel. Brisbane AUSTRALIA

A pleasant enough place.Slightly more rustic" than we anticipated

Fantastic relaxing stay at this lovely heritage style lodge. Our hosts where fabulous and the 3 course amazing fine dinning we had at night was sublime. Incredible food, and just real attention to detail in the presentation and service. It was like something out of Downton Abbey. Loved it. Thanks guys. We’ll be back.

Thankyou Simonetta for a lovely stay at Gunyah! What an absolutely gorgeous setting and fantastic service too. The home cooked breakfast was delicious and the whole experience was so special. It's a very short drive to Opuke hot pools and was perfect to come back and relax. Will definitely be back! Thanks again.