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Waikonini Homestead

Traveller (51)
Dining (5)
View from Room (2)

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About

4.5
#1 of 1 guest house in Peel Forest
4.3 of 5 bubbles
Location
4.8 of 5 bubbles
Cleanliness
4.9 of 5 bubbles
Service
4.5 of 5 bubbles
Value
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Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Quaint
Languages Spoken
English, Arabic
Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Bar / lounge
Canoeing
Hiking
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
BBQ facilities
Non-smoking hotel
Internet
Special diet menus
Wine / champagne
Canoeing offsite
Tennis court offsite
Outdoor fireplace
Outdoor furniture
Picnic area
Shared bathroom
Sun terrace
Clothes dryer
Laundry service
Ironing service
Show more
Room features
Additional bathroom
Seating area
Bottled water
Clothes rack
Iron
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Bath / shower
Hair dryer
Room types
Bridal suite
Non-smoking rooms

Location

300 Horsfall Road, Peel Forest 7992 New Zealand
Getting there
Timaru Airport
41.4 km•
See all flights
Christchurch Intl Airport
115.7 km•
See all flights
29Reviews0Q+A1Room tip

Reviews
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Detailed Reviews
kolenike wrote a review Jan 2022
Christchurch, New Zealand13 contributions7 helpful votes
+1
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Very carefully restored Victorian house. Mary the host and the owner of the homestead revived the glory of almost forgotten comfort of old times with unmistakable choices of beddings, beautiful soaps, authentic looking bathroom, home made food, the way how she serves tea. Old clock with its own tune is giving a special charm when you are seated in a glorious hallway. Kitchen and verandah where meals are cooked and served are modern and new, but they correspond with the old home with the same architectural language. It is a very peaceful place, but very happy and full of life at the same time. Nearby we walked on a 2 hours track through the native forest to Emily's waterfall. I would like to come again.
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Date of stay: January 2022
5.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
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.
Francine C wrote a review 16 Mar
11 contributions8 helpful votes
+1
5.0 of 5 bubbles
A fabulous grand old home with so much beauty surrounding it. I spent 3 nights visiting the area, and it's lovely to come home to a welcoming and comfortable place. Do yourself a favour and spend some time in this home with the host Mary and other guests. For an extra fee Mary will cook a really great meal to be shared with other guests - make new friends, hear stories and travel tips. Very comfortable beds, clean home.
Just perfect
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Date of stay: February 2024Trip type: Travelled solo
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.
Lillvor W wrote a review Nov 2019
Palma de Mallorca, Spain51 contributions28 helpful votes
5.0 of 5 bubbles
We felt very welcome by the hosts. Lovely house. Nice room, friendly dogs. Great place to relax and go for a walk in the nature. Mary cooked us a lovely meal for the evening and we had an interesting dinner with everyone staying at he house. Nice way of ending our tour of NZ.
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Date of stay: November 2019
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.
Response from MaryC7439, Owner at Waikonini Homestead
Responded 11 Nov 2019
Thank you,it is nice to be appreciated. We look forward to your return for more walks in a special place.
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Rosemary F wrote a review Feb 2020
Geelong, Australia1,251 contribution319 helpful votes
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Set in magnificent gardens, this lovely old building is filled with yesteryear. Mary is a sweet and attentive hostess and keeps the gardens looking beautiful. I recommend requesting an inside room as we were placed in the ‘chalet’, a quaint timber unlined hut, which is lovely for ‘glamping’ but not for comfortable, indoor sleeping with access to a bathroom. Breakfast is an adequate continental one in the beautiful conservatory.
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Date of stay: February 2020Trip 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.
Response from MaryC7439, Owner at Waikonini Homestead
Responded 5 Feb 2020
Thank you for the the review. I am sorry the summer house was not of your liking, many love the solitude and the budget price. Happy travelling. Kind regards.
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ardenmac wrote a review Mar 2021
5 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Our room was comfortable and Mary was a friendly host.
However we were the only guests for the night which maybe was the reason for our being served corned beef with potatoes, carrots and broccoli.

We felt for $40 this was disappointing. Something I could have cooked at home on a lazy night....boring! Breakfast did not revive our spirits. After cereal we were only offered toast.
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Date of stay: March 2021Trip 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.
2-Architects wrote a review Dec 2016
Boston, Massachusetts29 contributions12 helpful votes
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Gracious, enthusiastic hostess who is dedicated to the stewardship of this wonderful historic, listed home. As architects who specialize in restoration, we are clearly biased. That said, this house has character, charm & the amenities necessary for a wonderful stay. Gardens lovely and peaceful. The option for dinner looked enticing and we should probably have accepted as breakfast was very nice and the company engaging. Wonderful experience visiting with Mary and her sister, Rose.The lack of ensuites is NOT a problem for us. It would be hard to provide them without comprising the architectural character of the house & the trade-off for the opportunity to stay in a home such as this at a reasonable rate is definitely worth the trade-off. If you are dead set on an ensuite, this may not be the place for you. If you can see beyond that for a night or two, bring a robe and enjoy. Will visit again.
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Date of stay: November 2016
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.
Responded 14 Jan 2017
We enjoyed your visit very much. Thank you for you kind review. Kind regards. Mary
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Yaaya20 wrote a review Aug 2014
Christchurch24 contributions8 helpful votes
+1
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Peel forest is approx. 20 minute from the Geraldine township, but is filled with wonderful native bush walks and the Rangitata River. Waikonini is a homestead that is worth visiting... Plenty of rooms to choose from and a lovely dinner cooked (for a little extra of course, but totally worth it). Check out the website for more information - we booked through Air b'n'b.Offers all that a bed and breakfast would, plus more. Relax in the large garden, or keep warm by the fire. Fantastic stay. Highly recommend.
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Date of stay: August 2014Trip 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.
Response from Waikonini, Owner at Waikonini Homestead
Responded 16 Dec 2015
It is great you enjoyed your visit. Kind regards. Mary
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Nat988 wrote a review Aug 2014
Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand18 contributions8 helpful votes
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Waikonini is a lovely place for a relaxing retreat, away from the hustle & bustle of city life, yet only 20 minutes from the village of Geraldine which offers basic shops, cafes and attractions. The host, Mary, will go out of her way to make you feel at home, and the size of the house allows you to stay with privacy and really relax. The house is surrounded with a beautiful established garden, lush farmland, and native bush. It was lovely to wake to the sound of the birds signing from the native bush less than 100m from the house. The homestead is a Victorian masterpiece and has a brilliant new kitchen and conservatory. We enjoyed taking a walk down the paper road from the house, seeing and hearing stags in the roar, as well as sitting on the veranda with a book taking in the peace and quiet on an autumn afternoon. We left after a weekend of wonderful relaxation and food, and will be sure to return when next in South Canterbury, and plan to do some bush walks in the area at the same time.
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Date of stay: March 2014
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
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.
Response from Waikonini, Owner at Waikonini Homestead
Responded 16 Dec 2015
Thank you Natalie. It is nice to be appreciated. Kind regards. Mary
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Colin R wrote a review Jun 2023
1 contribution
2.0 of 5 bubbles
We booked a one night stay at Waikonini Homestead.We booked what we thought was a cabin advertised at $85 per night.On arrival we were taken to what I can only describe as a shack.With day light showing through cracks in the wall.There was no electricity.No heating and candles for light.There did not appear to have a toilet near by.Mary the owner then offered us a room in the homestead for $200 per night.As we were a long way from Geraldine and late in the day we decided to take it.Mary did not offer to supply an evening meal, so we made do with some snack we had.There was no tea making facilitys in or near our room.The heating unit in our room did not work.After repeated asking Mary came up with a small heater which was not big enough to do good job.In the morning she supplied a basic continental breakfast.We thought homestead had a lot of character and nice country area. Cheers Colin and Michael
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Date of stay: April 2023Trip type: Travelled with friends
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.
davidji wrote a review Jan 2023
Palma de Mallorca, Spain16 contributions36 helpful votes
3.0 of 5 bubbles
A quaint rather anachronistic place giving a great idea of what colonial New Zealand must have been like half a century or more ago. Sadly the stay marred by the attitude of the owner who overcharged on dinner and took a very high handed attitude when called on it.
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Date of stay: December 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
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.
zhuomuniaodolly wrote a tip Feb 2015
Anshan, China10 contributions1 helpful vote
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"each room is great don't worry it is really quiet and warm."
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Not the right property for you?
There are more places to choose from in the Peel Forest area.
PRICE RANGE
€48 - €112 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
New ZealandSouth IslandCanterbury RegionPeel Forest
NUMBER OF ROOMS
7
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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WAIKONINI HOMESTEAD - UPDATED 2024 Guesthouse Reviews & Price Comparison (Peel Forest, New Zealand) - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Waikonini Homestead
What are some of the property amenities at Waikonini Homestead?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, a lounge, and free parking.
What food & drink options are available at Waikonini Homestead?
Guests can enjoy a lounge and barbeque facilities during their stay.
Is parking available at Waikonini Homestead?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
Are any cleaning services offered at Waikonini Homestead?
Yes, laundry service and a clothes dryer are offered to guests.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Waikonini Homestead?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Arabic.