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The Manse is one of the original Hawke’s Bay homes being built for the local vicar in 1910 and subsequently moved onto its present site which enjoys dramatic views across the Heretaunga Plains. More recently, the homes facilities have been fully modernised to allow guests to do as little or much as they wish to.An exclusive country retreat where each guests experience can be fully tailored.
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Gary and Diska were amazing. This place is insanely cool- an old Vicarage that has been converted into a luxurious boutique lodge. Gary is an incredible chef, but also a professional golfer. You can request a golf lesson, if you want. We did not know about that, or we certainly would have. They were incredible hosts and we had a wonderful time. Diska has a gift for being a gentle spirit that makes you feel very welcome. Would love to come back.
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Date of stay: November 2023
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:This place is off the beaten path- if you don't want to drive into Napier or Hastings, ask Gary...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from gary grootelaar, Owner at The Manse
Responded 4 weeks ago
Thank you very much.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We booked the smaller of the two rooms here for two nights. Let me say up front, I am NOT a fan of B&B's although my wife is. I find them intrusive, poor food and cramp quarters. This is NOT the case here. This is more like staying at someone's small high-end house that is impeccably decorated with an amazing view, and literally a Michelin 1/2/3 (?) star chef. Yes, Gary worked at some of the finest restaurants in Holland and you're in for a treat for breakfast (included) and if you are smart, book a dinner for one night too. Ours was two star worthy (honestly, I know what I am talking about as I have been to some of the world's best Michelin restaurants) and at a fraction of the price. The house has lots of large common space, a pool (unheated--we did not use), the hostess and her husband are great and never in your hair. The location is a little off the beaten path....15 minutes to nearest cool main town. The rooms are a little small especially given if you have large luggage, but the bathroom is very large and super comfortable shower. Breakfast's were a feast and amazing. Everything is farm to table from their property including their meats. The do some very interesting things with fruits and vegetables. Super creative on the cooking side. The Manse might convert me to B&B's in the future....not to be missed. …
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Date of stay: January 2024
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Book early..only two rooms.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from gary grootelaar, Owner at The Manse
Responded 10 Jan 2024
Thank you very much Jim.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
What a beautiful lodge. Gary and Dietske are fabulous hosts. We enjoyed a fabulous 4 course dinner with matching wines, pre dinner drinks and canapés. Our suites were very comfortable and every need was taken care of. Fabulous views from the beautiful gardens. Thank you Dietske and Mark, we had a lovely stay.
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from gary grootelaar, Owner at The Manse
Responded 7 Sept 2023
Thank you very much.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
From the moment we arrived, nothing was too much trouble at this luxury lodge. It is a beautifully restored home with amazing views, and cozy touches. A true "paddock to plate" experience with Gary preparing a cooked breakfast and explaining the origins of all the supplies. Dietske is a superb host and delivers a wonderful experience while allowing guests to truly relax and enjoy everything that The Manse offers. This is a perfect gem in the Hawkes Bay tiara. We look forward to bringing friends with us next time and enjoying an evening meal by Gary.
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Date of stay: June 2023
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Ensure that if you are arriving at night that you know exactly where the driveway is. Sat nav in...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from gary grootelaar, Owner at The Manse
Responded 23 Jun 2023
Thank you very much.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This place is a must experience! The views are incredible, food fabulous.. it’s cozy, luxurious, comfortable. The owners make you feel at home. We wish we found this place sooner. We will definitely be back here with friends.
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Date of stay: May 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from gary grootelaar, Owner at The Manse
Responded 3 May 2023
Thank you very much!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We stayed at The Manse for three nights while visiting the Hawke’s Bay region in early April. 2023. What a wonderful stay and The Hawke’s Bay Area is open as well after the recent cyclone. The beautiful home is owned and operated by Gary and Dietske who are charming and run a great operation. The Manse sits on a hillside property with an amazing view and occupies several acres. They have their own garden, orchard, and animals including cattle, a couple of super friendly and cute pigs, Guinea hens and two happy little dogs. The home is beautiful inside and out, we dined outdoors under heat lamps, sensational. Breakfast is served in the kitchen which is large, warm and friendly. Gary is a sensational experienced chef and his meals are fabulous. Of particular note at breakfast were the roasted tomatoes, mushrooms, smashed avocado and smoothies. Gary is an expert bread maker, his fresh sourdough bread sliced and toasted with strawberry jam is killer. He makes his own sausage and bacon, you will need to try these delectable meats with a couple of fried eggs from the chickens or Guinea hens, again, delicious. Nothing about breakfast disappoints, it is all great! The sitting room is beautiful as is the room for having an after dinner drink. Your bedroom is spacious and the mattress in our room was incredible. You will get a great nights sleep. Our bathroom was also spacious with a great shower. Again, we enjoyed dinner each night on the porch even though it is New Zealand Autumn and our hosts made sure we were warm and comfortable. Along with being a chef, Gary knows his wines and serves an excellent selection with dinner. Speaking of dinner, bring an appetite. Dinner is a five course extravaganza. Highlights we dined on included fish dishes featuring John Dory and Trevally fish, Beef, pork loin, and the best lamb you will ever taste. Gary takes great pride in serving local and fresh, we were lucky enough to enjoy Bluff oysters for the first time in our lives. Desserts are equally delicious. The Manse is relaxing and warm. The owners are as well. We have traveled a great deal and this place was a true gem among the many places we have stayed.…
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Date of stay: April 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from Gary Grootelaar, Owner at The Manse
Responded 9 Apr 2023
Thank you very much!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This luxury lodge was very special. The view was spectacular. The accommodations were superb, the decor was special with many beautiful details! The owners, Gary and “D” were kind and helpful. The breakfast was fresh and plenty and the optional dinner was a 5 star dining experience. It was a wonderful 3 days! Brad and Terri Warnecke
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Date of stay: March 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from gary grootelaar, Owner at The Manse
Responded 5 Apr 2023
Thank you very much!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Gary and Deitske are the ultimate hosts. This exquisite lodge is furnished to perfection and the grounds are simply beautiful. It comes complete with pet pigs and chickens! You have the option of Gary preparing an incredible private dinner on the charming patio. They arranged wine tastings and dinners in nearby towns for us that were wonderful. And ladies if you like fine linens beautifully pressed you have found your spot. In closing once you taste Gary’s croissants, all the rest will pale in comparison. The Manse is SIMPLY THE BEST!!!
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Date of stay: February 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from gary grootelaar, Owner at The Manse
Responded 25 Mar 2023
Thank you very much.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We stayed for two days with Dietske and Gary and have never been so genuinely pampered in our lifetime! The Manse is a charming villa that breathes a European and New Zealand atmosphere and makes you feel at home right away. Gary is an outstanding cook and we had two delicious four course diners prepared by him which were of Michelin star level. Dietske is a great stylist who has an enormous eye for details which are evident by each and every accessory in the house. Being Dutch citizens we were surprised and pleased to see some details of our home country as well. It was truly one of the highlights of our New Zealand trip
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Date of stay: February 2023
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from gary grootelaar, Owner at The Manse
Responded 25 Mar 2023
Thank you very much.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We just returned from the most glorious 30 day trip in New Zealand. We stayed at almost a dozen phenomenal luxury lodges and B&Bs. The only disappointment of the trip was The Manse. The owners and hosts are Gary and Dietske. Their home is charming. Gary is a great cook and Dietske sets a beautiful table. But from a business and ethics standpoint, they are unconscionable. The short story is that Cyclone Gabrielle hit the night before our arrival. We had booked and prepaid to stay for three nights. Upon arrival there was no power, no running water, no telephone service, no internet, and their driveway had turned into a rushing river and could not be driven on. None of this was their fault. It was a natural disaster after all, but they assured us of a good stay so we checked in. We pitched in and helped throughout the night hauling buckets of water to wash dishes and fill the toilets. We even drove their other guests around because their car was stuck at the top of the impassable driveway and they couldn't get out. By the next morning when there were still none of the basics (no power, no running water, no hot water, etc etc) and everything in the area was closed and cancelled, we talked it over with them and decided it was best for us to leave the area. After we left they told our travel agent that they would not refund us for the two nights we didn’t stay. It was shocking to say the least. Our travel agent reached out to them multiple times, as did we. Finally they gave us a partial refund for the one night we stayed because it wasn't a five star experience, but kept the full $2600 for the other two nights. We wrote them a long letter but they never responded. I don’t usually post on the internet, and certainly have never posted anything negative before this, but I can’t let someone else get taken by this couple. Do not stay at The Manse. There are many, many lovely homes and hosts in NZ. This is not one of them. (Try the Breckenridge Lodge in Napier.)…
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Date of stay: February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from gary grootelaar, Owner at The Manse
Responded 5 Mar 2023
Dear Heather, You stayed with us on the 14th February, the day following cyclone Gabrielle, when the whole of Hawkes Bay and other areas on the North Island were without power, internet and telephone. You had telephone connection through Spark and was able to ring your agent and book accommodation for the next two days in Wellington. We agreed with your travel agent to refund you for the tour you had booked with us and for the 14th February. Which we did. Your travel insurance will cover the two days you chose to spend in Wellington. Take care, Kia Kaha.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
€480 - €765 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
New ZealandNorth IslandHawke's Bay RegionHastings
NUMBER OF ROOMS
2
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect nightly room rates, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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