Harbour Lodge

Total surprise upon arriving, after a very steep climb on the hillside, at this establishment. It is actually a large and very beautiful guest house. The owner lives on the first floor, magnificent and very open – he shows us around with pride – and the hosts live on the ground floor. Apart from the three of us, all adults, there was no one else there and we don't know how cohabitation works to use the living room and eat there if all the rooms (at least three) are occupied by people. not belonging to the same group. A large terrace decorated with flowers and decorative objects, extended by a pergola and a small greenhouse occupies the front of the house. It dominates the sea with its port where logs of wood leaving for China or elsewhere are piled up. The head of the bay is occupied by the Banks Peninsula. The view is truly breathtaking, including the immediate surroundings with all these houses built on the hillside, rebuilt after the terrible earthquakes of 2010 and 2011. Our host explains to us that his house had completely collapsed and that his car had rolled downhill. the slope down to the sea. It was he who rebuilt everything. Given the result we are truly admiring. We cannot describe the furnishings because they are so furnished. We truly live in our host's home with its trinkets, paintings, quality furniture, rugs, plants, etc. Nothing is missing, apart from a dishwasher, and you will have to be careful not to forget anything when leaving among all these objects. The kitchen utensils are numerous and like new. The crockery and cutlery for six people are tasteful. The refrigerator contains not only the usual pack of milk but also yogurts that we could consume at no extra cost. The same is true with cereals and other breakfast foods, as you typically find in hotels with breakfast buffets. A basket is full of various fruits. The evening of our arrival, our host offered us a soup. This is the first time in New Zealand that we have been received by such a considerate and attentive person. Finally, with a total price for three adults (2 rooms) of 400 NZD (in October), the cost is much lower than, for example, that of the Admirals Motor Inn in Nelson (280 NZD per room for two people) where the view is reduced to the courtyard, with certainly quality furnishings, but without soul. We highly recommend the Harbor Lodge.