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.

South Sea Hotel, Stewart Island

Right on the waterfront in Oban, this hotel commands everyone's attention when arriving on the ferry. Originally built as a boarding house, it was converted to a hotel in the 1960's. The food is excellent, the best place to eat on Stewart Island.

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

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

The Mission Estate Winery, Napier

The Mission Estate Winery was originally founded by a group of Marist Brothers who sailed for New Zealand in 1838. Their stunning seminary was built in 1880 and today is a fine dining restaurant as well as a wine cellar.
We biked there on one of the many cycle trails around Napier and after a delicious lunch, enjoyed their wine tasting.
Visit date: 10 September 2018

Maungaturoto Hotel, Kaipara, Northland

Maungaturoto Hotel is old enough to imagine it has had an interesting history, but this hotel has had more drama than most. The expiry date on a liquor licence in 1902, meant the hotel had to transported from Auckland in less than favorable conditions. It was nearly lost at sea twice as it was brought across both the Manukau and Kaipara Harbours and the liquor licence was nailed to the door on the final day before the licence expired.
We arrived at lunch time, to find an artisan bakery operated out of the hotel and were able to buy fresh from the oven Hot Cross Buns - delicious.
Visit date: 7 April 2018

Horeke Hotel, Hokianga Harbour

Horeke Hotel was the first hotel built in New Zealand. Built on the Hokianga Harbour, it operated to serve the labour force in New Zealand's first shipbuilding yard.
Today it is a very quiet remote spot, but very conveniently located on the Coast to Coast cycleway. It's a great spot to relax over lunch and admire the harbour view or the lovely timber interior.
Visit date: 6 April 2018

Rangiriri Hotel, Rangiriri

Rangiriri Hotel gives the feel of stepping into an English country pub. The decor and seating booths give it a wonderful atmosphere. But as well as this, the food is excellent, definitely worth stopping at. Originally built in 1866, only 3 years after the nearby land wars site in Rangiriri and rebuilt in 1905, This hotel has seen a lot of history.
Visit date: 18 February 2018

Chateau Tongariro Hotel, Whakapapa Village

No visit to National Park could be complete without a visit to The Chateau. Having never dined there before, we visited for a special occasion and were not disappointed. The meals were excellent, and the atmosphere perfect - so unlike anything else in New Zealand. Built in 1929 at the beginning of the great depression, the four story Georgian-style hotel is still magnificent.
Visit date: 20 April 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.

Masonic Hotel, Opotiki

Opotiki has one of the most complete and original late 19th century town centres. On a prominent corner in the centre is the Masonic Hotel. It made an excellent lunch stop on our way to Waihau Bay. The Indian restaurant has excellent food.
Visit date: 14 December 2015

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

Central Hotel, Dargaville

As the Commercial is a B&B, we ate at another historic hotel, also opposite the Wairoa River. The Central Hotel was built in 1876, and also has new owners who have started the exciting task of restoring this wonderful reminder of a bygone era. We enjoyed the best burgers we have had in years.
Visit date: 22 November 2015

The Grand Hotel, Helensville

We started our Northland tour at the southern end of the Kaipara Harbour, so lunch had to be at the remaining hotel of the era when this was a busy port. The original wooden building from 1876 burnt down twice (deliberately according to our friendly bar staff) and today's concrete building dates from the 1930's.

Visit date 22 November 2015

National Hotel, Cambridge

Cambridge is a striking old town, worth exploring on foot. While passing through, we took time out to walk around and admire the old buildings. The National Hotel was an excellent choice for lunch, we would highly recommend their delicious and well presented food.
Built in 1912, after fire destroyed the original wooden hotel. It has undergone extensive renovation in recent years.
Visit date: 2 September 2015