Hosts, Blyth & Ann, are welcoming, friendly and helpful. Blyth cooked us two exceptional, sumptuous dinners--he clearly has fine dining experience; our best meals in NZ to date! We also had a bountiful array of healthy breakfast items, including poached eggs on toast. The grounds are lovely and rooms are comfortable; great shower. We had mountain and garden views. B&B is off the main road, so we were in a very quiet area. Reasonably priced for such accommodations. Modern amenities with eclectic art and decor.

Bed was too soft for me but didn't bother my husband. Breakfast is from 7:30am-9am -- we like to have breakfast a little later when we're on vacation...lol.

The location is absolutely stunning; very private and driving up to the place is magical. The accommodation is spacious, but it's always a bit tricky to fit 2 suitcases. The bathroom was fine, and the kitchen was well equipped with both cooking tools and with breakfast, although the cooking tools were a bit outdated. Location is pretty good and easy to reach - in between Wanaka (20 min drive) and Queenstown (50 min drive) - and there's enough hikes and sightseeing in the direct area too. There's a cool outdoor area with a hottub and pool.

The bed was quite hard. There's a huge number of mosquitos in the area. Not really something that can be fixed, but good to be aware of.

My stay at Waiorau Homestead in Cardrona was nothing short of exceptional. From the moment I arrived, I was warmly welcomed and immediately felt at home in the serene and picturesque setting. The property is stunning, with beautifully landscaped gardens and breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. The attention to detail in every corner of the homestead is impressive – a perfect blend of rustic charm and modern comfort. The room was immaculate, spacious, and thoughtfully designed with every amenity I could need. The bed was incredibly comfortable, ensuring a great night's sleep after days of exploring the area. I particularly loved the little touches, like fresh flowers and cozy furnishings that added a personal touch. The hosts were outstanding, striking the perfect balance between being attentive and giving guests space to relax. Their knowledge of the local area was invaluable, offering excellent recommendations for dining and activities in the region. Breakfast was a highlight of each day, with a delicious spread of fresh, locally sourced ingredients. It was a treat to start the morning with such care and attention to quality. The homestead’s location is ideal, with easy access to the Cardrona ski fields, stunning hiking trails, and other local attractions. Despite being so close to the action, it still feels like a peaceful retreat. Every aspect of my stay exceeded my expectations, and I left Waiorau Homestead feeling refreshed and inspired by the beauty of Cardrona. I highly recommend this gem to anyone looking for a tranquil yet luxurious getaway. Thank you to the wonderful team at Waiorau Homestead – I can’t wait to return!

Beautiful scenery and wildlife. The studio was amazing and every detail had been thought of. They really go out of their way to make sure you have everything you need but give you privacy as well. The bed was super comfortable and the hot tub was awesome. Closest thing to a bad side was that it made us want to just stay there and not go explore. There is an awesome walk a couple of hundred meters away and an awesome restaurant just down the road but probably best to eat in as we heard stories about how good a chef one of the owners is. Just an amazing stay and we can't wait to come back.

Really the only downside is the place is so amazing that you don't want to leave to explore.

Proximity to Cardrona alpine resort for skiing. Cozy vibes, home-away-from-home feels, excellent for a few nights. For our room booking, hot tub available after a long day of skiing. Breakfast provided in the form of a fully stocked kitchen and fridge with staple breakfast essentials, also able to do some light cooking. For some reason the tap water here tastes better than the usual bottled water that I like.

Wifi was sketchy during our stay, possibly a temporary Starlink issue; did not manage to use Wifi much, resorted to mobile data. For winter, insulation could be improved in some areas of the property, but we were provided with more than adequate amount of heaters anyway, in addition to heated beds.

If you are contemplating staying here, do it! The grounds and accommodations are excellent. We were greeted warmly at the door and offered refreshment from our journey right away. The gardens are peaceful and quiet. The swimming pool and hot tub were easily accessed and a bonus for watching the stars at night. There are beautiful views in every direction. We were served a delicious breakfast in the morning with a wide variety of offerings. This place is a gem. (Also, the neighboring distillery has excellent food and is an easy walk.)

The property‘s bedroom and bathroom was of the highest quality and with nice decor. The living room (with a fireplace) and dining room were open 24/7 - the dining room also had a Nespresso machine ready to use whenever, which was a personal highlight of mine. The breakfast option were the best I‘ve ever had in New Zealand, cold and warm dishes freshly made. The hosts were super nice & gave us tips where to best park in the local ski resort, which proved to be very helpful. They even had a heating shelf for skiing boots, which was a surprising add-on.

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Loved the breakfast - huge choice. The home was full of character and beautiful art, and the beds and rooms were very comfortable and quiet. The shower and bath were great - plus a choice of an outdoor spa where we could listen to the birds at dusk. The lounge, with its roaring fire and view towards the mountains, was so welcoming and cosy. The drying room was awesome too. The best by far was the but the hospitality. Blythe and Anne were so helpful and accommodating. I will go back for sure!

Nothing

It is difficult to know where to start what needs to be a glowing review! My son and I had a really wonderful eight-night stay. We had bad luck with the weather this year and skiing was not possible every day; it was an absolute treat to be able to relax in the homelike coziness of the Waiorau Homestead as the rain poured down outside. Anne & Blyth are terrific and genuinely caring hosts. And of course, one cannot write any review without mentioning the breakfast; it could not have been better in variety of foods and for my teenage son the quantity he could eat!

Not a thing!

We were both incredibly happy with our stay! From the hospitality, to the luxurious decor to the views in the backyard, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Starting with the basics, the bed was exceedingly comfortable with high quality sheets and a great mattress. The spread for breakfast was beyond what we expected with a nice variety and the best poached eggs my husband said that he had ever been served. Our host was exceedingly gracious in allowing a relatively late check-in and breakfast. Blyth was helpful and caring. The rooms felt decorated by someone with a great eye for color, feel and charm. We will certainly be telling our friends to stay here and enjoy the queen room with access to the back patio with tranquil and well landscaped, mountain views. In the morning of our first day, we enjoyed the ideal if feel of Wanaka, an easy drive from our home base. We recommend Kika restaurant and a walk on the lake paths right across from the town. We considered a bike ride on those paths. Very easy to rent bikes in the town. On our second day, we drove on the scenic, but a bit winding drive to Arrowtown. A first class place to stay. Thanks from us both, Blyth!