The Martinborough Hotel

A group of 16 stayed over the weekend, some in the hotel and some in the apartments. Check in was a breeze - efficient and friendly. Our apartment was a great room, but next to the laundry, which dictated morning rising! We booked a private dining room for a function on the Saturday night, with a set menu. Some initial challenges were dealt with easily by very good staff, and the event was seamless. For wait staff these events can be a challenge, and I’m sure there were some, but we had a waiter who seemed unflappable, and who worked incredibly hard to ensure we had the best the hotel could offer. This was a great weekend, made possible by a very professional operation.

This is a piece of history. The centre of town and at the heart of everything. Perfect location and has private parking. The decor is period and tasteful. The rooms are large and have tradition high ceilings, wooded floors etc. It takes you back to another era - you imagine that not much has changed. The breakfast was also really good - the best I had on my visit to NZ.

We stayed for one night in this lovely old building. As we had a long day’s travel from South Island I emailed 2 days in advance to let the hotel know when we would arrive and also to book a table for dinner. I included my mobile number in case there were any issues. ||I got a reply to confirm a table had been booked for 20:15. ||When we arrived (5 minutes later than I had estimated but not bad after a ferry trip and a 5 hour journey!) the receptionist was quite flustered saying she had no contact details as we’d booked through a travel agent and hadn’t been able to check if we were still coming. I showed her the email including my mobile number, which didn’t seem to make a difference… She then said we’d better get to dinner as soon as possible as the kitchen closed at 20:30 - this hasn’t been mentioned in the email confirming the table. ||We were shown to a very small room that was absolutely stifling and then she headed off. After 5 weeks travelling in NZ, it was the least welcoming experience we’d had (or had after!). ||The servers in the restaurant (a separate business) were lovely, especially Adam, and we weren’t rushed by the kitchen, which was only closing for mains and continued serving until 21:30. We enjoyed great food and wine and the breakfast was delicious too. ||The room was hot (we kept the fan on all night) and noisy as we also had the door open and not very convenient - 3 hangers in a tiny cupboard with a set of shelves 5cm below them that meant we could only hang a couple of things, no hooks in the bathroom to move the robes to and a tiny towel rail for all the towels….and louvre doors that have no privacy at all!||I spoke to a far more professional lady in the morning who reassured my later check in are not an issues and don’t need to be pre-notified.

We were a bit disappointed at first that we couldn't get a room in the historic main building, but in the end were very happy with our cute and cosy Petite Room. Very good beds, too. ||Booking through the hotel's own website was initially unsuccessful as there seemed to be offers up that weren't available and trying to book them led to a note saying we would be contacted, which never happened.||But everything after that, including contact about a possible late check-in, was handled professionally and friendly and nothing was a problem. Food, wine and service in the restaurant was amazing, visiting the Vineyards by foot was fun.||We could have easily stayed longer than 2 nights!

Popped in for lunch today. Blowing a gale outside but found a table tucked away from the worst of it. Ordered the chilli dog, S&P calamari and the fries. Meals arrived quickly and were totally yum! Service was friendly and prompt. One suggestion if I may.... Some sour cream or similar to be served with the chilli dog to relieve softies like my husband 😂

The Martinborough Hotel was a very special place to stay. We were in one of the garden suites, which was spacious and beautifully appointed with everything we needed. The bed was so comfortable too. We chose to eat at the Union Bar at the hotel. Delicious meals and thoughtful service! ||I wish we could have stayed longer.

Nice comfortable stay in one of the Petite hotel rooms. Was an upstairs room over looking the main road, but was still pretty quiet. Very nice clean room with lots of character .

Unlucky with the weather but still had a great visit. It’s a lovely cute colonial town. Plenty of eating choices and little shops. Our room was great with a wrap around verandah. Good choice at breakfast. We ate in the hotel one night. It was pricey even by NZ standards but very good. The other night in the Asian fusion place next door. It was busy so book. ||Wine tour was fabulous.