The Hurunui Hotel, Hurunui

This hotel holds the longest continuous liquor licence in New Zealand. The hotel feels as if it has seen it all, and definitely for a long time.

We stayed the night upstairs in one of the bedrooms, typical old-style with shared bathroom, but perfectly comfortable. Dinner at the pub downstairs was excellent pub fare. Worth a stop on the way through, although on a very busy road.

The Victoria Railway Hotel of Invercargill

This stunning hotel was built in 1896 and is is one of the oldest surviving buildings in the Invercargill area that is still being used for its original purpose. The whole building has been restored, complete with dining room for guests. We enjoyed our dinner and a very comfortable night's sleep.

Danseys Pass Hotel

The road over Danseys Pass has beautiful scenery, but is not the easiest to drive. So when the hotel appears around a bend, it is a most welcome sight. We spent a very pleasant afternoon and evening (including an excellent meal) in this lovely old hotel. We slept in the oldest part which was built in 1862. Newer additions have been built very sympathetically to the original style and the whole effect is a solid safe haven in an area of remote wilderness.
Visit date: 31 March 2019

Ranfurly Hotel, Ranfurly

Ranfurly suffered a a series of fires in the 1930's, which resulted in a new art deco style of building in the town. The hotel is a beautiful example and a great place to stop over while doing the Otago Rail Trail. The restaurant served us with excellent meals, perfect after a long day riding.
Visit date: 25 March 2019

Blacks Hotel, Ophir

Blacks Hotel is a reminder of the beautiful Art Deco era. Set in a very historic village, this maybe one of the newest buildings! The village is a showpiece from the gold mining days, with a historic gem of an original Post Office.
Visit date: 24 March 2019

Grand Windsor Hotel, Auckland

Windsor House, as the Grand Windsor Hotel was originally named, was built in 1928 and
the ten story building was Auckland's first skyscraper. It started life with a tearoom on the ground floor, and restaurant on the floor above.
It now operates as a hotel with restaurant on the ground floor. In 2017 it was restored to it's former Art Deco glory.
Visit date: 2 February 2019

The Pier Hotel, Kaikora

The Pier Hotel was built in 1885 opposite the original wharf. It is the typical wooden, two story hotel, so popular in that era. Today, the old wharf is only usable at high tide, due to the 2016 earthquake. Reminders of the earthquake are the stunning white rocks lifted from the seabed.
The restaurant is justifiably popular and we only just managed to get a table. Our en-suite room was comfortable, but obviously from a different era.
Visit date: 9 December 2018

Brydone Hotel, Oamaru

Set in the historic heart of Oamaru, the Brydone Hotel is quintessential Oamaru. Built of Oamaru limestone in 1881 and set among the wonderful stone buildings that have survived to make Oamaru a unique town centre.

Our room was in a newer wing, but eating in the historic hotel was a pleasure. We could imagine this town in it's heyday, with the bustling port.
Visit date: 8 December 2018

The Royal Hotel Featherston

The Royal Hotel Featherston, one of only two hotels in New Zealand allowed to display the Royal coat of arms, was built in the late 1890's after the original hotel burnt down in 1893.
In the last two years it has undergone another transformation and been totally restored and furnished in Steam Punk style. The result is amazing and it's fantastic to see the old hotel come to life again.
We stayed a night in a very comfortable room and enjoyed a delicious dinner on an extremely cold evening.
Visit date: 10 October 2018

Esplanade Hotel, Devonport

The Esplanade Hotel, right opposite the Devonport wharf must be one of the best locations we have stayed in. Built in 1903, and set among period shops and houses, it has a gracious old world air.
We spent a very comfortable night, after enjoying a meal in their restaurant. The township with waterfront, navy base, ferry ride to Auckland and the historic gun batteries at nearby North Head is a very pleasant place to spend a day or two.
Visit date: 21 January 2018

Formerly the Blackball Hilton Hotel, Blackball

This historic hotel built in 1897, is more than the usual old NZ hotel. The name reflects their run in with the Hilton brand in 1992. The accommodation is typical - lots of bedrooms and two bathrooms. But as we had the adjacent bathroom to ourselves, it was no problem.
Apart from the architecture, the real drawcard of the hotel is their excellent chef. The meals were fantastic - totally unexpected in such a small, out of the way town. The advice we received for little known local places to visit, was another bonus.
Visit date: 9 April 2017

Tophouse Hotel, St Arnaud

The hotel is a cob style building constructed in 1888.  This is the most unusual style of early architecture we have encountered in New Zealand. The feel is genuinely old and full of history, even down to the bullet holes made in 1894 by the would-be lover of the governess when he shot the man she preferred and the telegraph operator.
We found the hotel fascinating, but were glad we had taken one of their modern and very comfortable cottages for the night.
Visit date: 8 April 2017

Parnell, Auckland

There are many fine old Victorian buildings in the inner suburbs of Auckland. We spent an afternoon in Parnell, enjoying a walk that took in many of the streets that still have their original old houses. To complete the day, we stayed overnight in a "Motel" in one of these old properties. Sadly, it has been extensively changed inside, and the term 'motel' was really overstating the accommodation!
Visit date: 25 July 2016

Putururu Hotel, Putururu

The Putururu Hotel is actually built in the 1950's, but its art deco style deserves to be included in our historic hotel search. It has slipped from its glory days, when it was even thought the Queen may stay. But recent new ownership is promising for a brighter future. We enjoyed a meal in the restaurant.
Visit date:  5 March 2016

Ormlie Lodge, Taradale

Ormlie Lodge was built as a private home in 1899. This marvellous home has been converted into a stunning Lodge, and we enjoyed a very comfortable night there. As the restaurant was not open on a Monday, we took the option of a food platter - a well presented and delicious choice.
Visit date: 22 February 2016

Tikokino Country Hotel

Hawkes Bay has a number of historic hotels scattered around. The proposed railway was the reason for the Tikokino Hotel to be built in 1864. Like nearby Ongaonga, the prospect of being on the railway line lead to a building boom, but the changed route of the railway meant both townships have dwindled to a few remaining houses. Despite this, the hotel is welcoming with ongoing restorations and a very pleasant stopping place.
Visit date: 21 February 2016

Waihau Bay Lodge, Waihau Bay

Waihau Bay on the East Coast seems a remote place to find a historic hotel, but this small settlement was established in the 1870's, complete with Post Office/store. The hotel and store still remain in htis beautiful spot. It was an excellent place to take a short break.

The Duke of Marlborough Hotel, Russell

Russell is one of the most beautiful spots in Northland, and the Duke of Marlborough Hotel is a wonderful place to stay. It shows off our old colonial architecture to best advantage. The rooms are of a high standard and the restaurant food superb.  A great end to our Northland trip.
Visit date: 26 November 2015

Pagoda Lodge, Kerikeri

Although not a historic hotel, we had to include Pagoda Lodge because of it's historic interest. It was built by a Scotsman in the 1930's to display his collection of chinese treasures. The Lodge has now been converted into three self contained holiday apartments set in a lovely garden on a riverbank. A very beautiful spot to stay.
Visit date: 25 November 2015

Mangonui Hotel, Mangonui

Built in 1905, this hotel is one two remaining hotels in the bay. Once a busy harbour for whaling ships, it is now a quiet picturesque town. Many old buildings remain in the bay and can be explored by following the Mangonui Heritage Trail.
Visit date: 24 November 2015