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Reviews of Craftsman built house provides stunning retreat

Craftsman built house provides stunning retreat
Dunedin City, Otago

Reviews

9.0

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 108 out of 187 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 63 out of 187 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 13 out of 187 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 187 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 3 out of 187 reviews" "

8.2/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Amenities

6.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.0/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

8/10 Good

Glenn

Travelled with partner
Liked: Amenities
Unique style of the house and very quiet setting private with the natural beauty right up to the house.Two fireplaces added bonus created a cosy atmosphere. Little tight on the driveway for turning larger vehicles.
Stayed 1 night in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jessica D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Nature retreat
Beautiful spot snuggled amongst nature with amazing views of Broad Bay. Highly recommend!
Stayed 1 night in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Matthew B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Bohemian paradise
A wonderful and magical space, all sorts of levels and outdoor spaces, great book selection, we'd love to come back! Driveway is exciting...
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024

8/10 Good

Amy H., New Zealand

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely forest bach
The bach has a great view and is remote. However it’s only 20 minutes drive from the city. It’s reasonably clean, very quiet and well stocked with books to entertain. The bedrooms are upstairs (bathroom is downstairs). The driveway was a problem on the wet day because of the grass and dirt, but we parked on the street those days. It is a steep driveway with VERY little area to turn around. Any larger vehicles won’t be able to turn. 4WD recommended on wet days. I presume because the owners don’t live nearby that it hasn’t had a deep clean in a while. A few cobwebs didn’t bother us but it would have been nicer if the trees had been maintained as they are a bit overgrown now. Still we had a great visit and the house was very nice. I recommend staying.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

6/10 Okay

Nicole J.

Liked: Cleanliness
Home on the hill
The home has lots of character. Great views. A little difficult for my elderly parents with the stairs. But would be great fo younger family. With very clear directions and instructions.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

sandra m.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful bush like setting
Easy to locate. gorgeous dwelling with everything you need. Made a good base to come back to after a busy day out. Loved the bookshelf and films! Will definitely come again!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Stacey H.

Peaceful and private
Lovely stay, description is accurate. Don’t forget your bathmat and tea towels to make visit easier. Would definitely stay again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024

8/10 Good

Stacey H.

Second visit
Lovely property, will be back for the peace and solitude and views
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rolien and Peter T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful location and house design
The house was wonderful , set in bush with harbour views - amazing
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Andrea

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kylie S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Exceeded expectations
An amazing getaway, cozy house, great view, love all the birds.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024

8/10 Good

Jeff B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great place till chill
A relaxing place to chill up to and including New Year. Very quirky. Great views and birds.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Josh L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Getaway
It was lovely! Such a nice property. Very special, and so great being nestled in the trees. Thank you!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Marama

Travelled with family, Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We thoroughly enjoyed this property, my children loved the space, the games, even the movie selection. I enjoyed the peace, the nosey birds and the freedom to move. Only thing is to be aware of the grassy driveway, it caught out a visitor who had difficulty turning to face out of the driveway, if the caravan wasn't present, would have been easy to maneuver the big ford ranger without my 8 seater in the way. Otherwise a great stay and affordable for families.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023

8/10 Good

Rose D.

Beautiful!
Such a beautiful house in a peaceful setting with a stunning sea view. My only slight problem was not being able to drive up the driveway because my tyres kept spinning. Would not suit a clean freak but was perfect for me - comfortable, spacious and quiet.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sarah T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great location
Bach was perfect for our flying visit - views awesome.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jason T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Peaceful and tranquil.
Really enjoyed the accomadation. Really loved the set up of the whole house. The fire places in lounge and dinning area kept the house warm especially with the heat making its way up to the bedrooms. The beautiful bush surrounding the place views and bird life. The wind and driveway were an adventure.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

8/10 Good

Cass L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely if you like to be surrounded by bush and lots of stairs inside and love books, birds
Cool place hidden in the bush , very unique the style and craftsmanship. There's a library, games nice bathroom, great for families as lots of space/areas. I don't recommend for 1 night tho , best to stay longer if you can . Lovely scenery 😊
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Demi L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful place
Such a quaint place in the trees, beautiful views and amazing layout of the place. We absolutely loved our stay and will be back! Thank you again so much :)))
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

8/10 Good

Angela S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Nice stay
We enjoyed our stay but it would've been nice to know before we booked that we had to provide our own linen and clean the place before we left.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Charles B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Treetop Paradise
We had a delightful stay at this unique cottage that is literally in the treetops. The craftsmanship provided surprises everyone we turned around. The clever multi-level design was fun to explore and to imagine the work that has gone into building this private paradise. The cottage it’s equipped with all the utensils that you need to cook delicious meals of that if that is your preference. Dunedin is close enough that you can enjoy gourmet meals of any type of cuisine in the world. The highlight of the stay is the morning symphony from the birds that share the treetop with the cottage. You will never forget it. Make sure that you take the time to read the story of labor and love that is carved into the woodwork throughout the cottage. Many thanks to our hosts for a wonderful stay. A word of caution if you are older like myself, there are lots of stairs and you can’t avoid them. If stairs are problematical for you, this gem would be difficult to maneuver. Remember to bring towels and bed linens and a hair dryer and be prepared to live without the internet. It was a blessing to be off the grid for a few days. Magnificent stay, Cudos to our hosts.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

8/10 Good

Di ane M.

Liked: Cleanliness
The property was good but I t was a shame the oven was broken as we took chicken and meat to roast
Contacted the owners about the stove
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Debbie B.

Liked: Cleanliness
A great relaxing place to stay. View was amazing. Property as described. Cozy , warm.
Great host communication. Easy instructions. Lovely setting. Loved it
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Satah W.

Overnight getaway
Although I am guessing the last peeps that stayed didn't quite understand the level of cleanliness required, it was was an amazing space to go and escape the world for a bit. Certainly recommend this space for anyone looking for a secluded space to enjoy and spend time. The birdsong in the morning was amazing!! Even with the rain. Thanks guys/gas for making such an awesome space available
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Leanne C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful location
Property was perfect for our trip. The location was peaceful and very relaxing.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tyne G.

Liked: Cleanliness
So Special!
Beautiful spot and house, lovely native birds and bush with a sea view. A true original nz bach!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Charlie L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful scenery
Such a wonderful place to visit. Had a great view all around. Property was very spacious. We will definitely be back in the future!
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Martina Z.

Liked: Cleanliness
A Real Gem
We had a wonderful time there! The perfect place to recharge. Built and decorated with love. Can only recommend it.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022

8/10 Good

Jeanette

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We absolutely loved the house tucked away in the bush and private. So tranquil and beautiful the birds and views a great to wake up to. Only problem for me was being a heavy person I felt the stairs a bit unsafe so ended up taking mattresses down to the lounge and sleeping there. And some of the decks are a bit soft . But other than that it's great, we would definitely stay again. Driveway was as it says a bit tricky but easy once you get the hang of it. Loved this house 🏠

8/10 Good

Gemma W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Stunning views
Peaceful stay with stunning views.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022

2/10 Terrible

Marty M.

Disliked: Cleanliness
Not what was expected
The property has major biulding code deficiencies. The deck has rot in a number of places and the hand rail is well below code height with a big drop. The internal stairs have no balustrade which is also not to code. Extremely dangerous for children or the elderly. All these points have been pointed out by previous people as i checked this out after the fact. We did not find the place clean and the fire was not cleaned out as well. We cant understand why we are also asked to clean on depature and also then charged a cleaning fee. I tried to contact the owner to discuss our concerns. I left a voice message and am still waiting for a call back. Definately will not be staying again.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Shayne T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Awesome house, lovely spot!
Was awesome, would stay again
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Gillian M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful environment and bach
Fantastic directions, good communication overall. A beautiful, beautiful place nestled amongst the bush.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Phil P., Lake Hawea New Zealand

Liked: Cleanliness
Peaceful haven amongst the birds
We love the secluded feel of this property. Great location for exploring Otago Peninsula.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022

8/10 Good

Jeanne C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Peaceful and relaxing
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at this fabulous house, the views and birdsong make for a great place to rest and unwind. Clever, quirky lay, easy to heat with two fires We had snow and very cold temps during our visit but the house was toasty warm with just one of the fires on. Yes, the driveway was steep but exactly as the owners described, my daughter had her little mazda demio and it made it up the drive! Can't wait to return in the Summer.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022

8/10 Good

Christine M.

Bird song and books
The dawn chorus, cosy lounge and eclectic selection of books and music were the highlights of our stay, thanks!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022

8/10 Good

Nicholas

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
The property is unique and in a very cool place but is quite dated and some features (or lack of) I would consider unsafe (as a carpenter). The green couch in the den broke as soon as we sat on it (the back piece came clean off, I can only assume a previous guest had broken it and delicately put it back in place). The outside deck has some severely rotten boards that you would probably go straight through if you put all your weight on. The handrail is also a dangerous height as I believe you would go straight over it if you stumbled into it. There is no balustrade on the stairs leading from the bedrooms down to the lounge, which would be very dangerous for young children. The lower landing on this same set of stairs also has a large crack almost halfway along the length, which I would also consider dangerous, especially for a heavier user. The driveway is very steep and several people in the guestbook noted that they failed to make the drive up to the house at all. Obviously, this is the nature of the property but maybe the property description more accurately reflecting the state of the driveway would be helpful. Finally, I don't understand why I was charged a service fee when we are expected to clean the entire property from top to bottom when leaving. This is fine, but charging $152 a night seems high to me when the property is not serviced at all. Saying all this, the house is in a beautiful spot and has some cool features. Staying here was certainly an experience.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Linda T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Waiata manu
Overall a great stay if you want peace and quiet. The re ent weather bomb made things a bit slippery outside, but the heating was nice and cosy
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Janene S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Birdsong morning
This is a really cool place with a lovely homely vibe. A cuppa in the morning on one of the landings, watching the sunrise over the Otago harbour, amongst the tree tops, to glorious birdsong..... Bliss!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

James B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Relaxing spot
A lovely, secluded house with great views. Ideal for families with older kids or just a couple
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Amy H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Unique house with awesome sea views
I loved this house. This home looks like it was made with love. I was surprised & blown away by the view from the deck & inside the house. The fire was fantastic for cold dunedin weather. Owners were helpful with directions. The driveway was a bit of a trick, best just to park at the top by the street. Driveway aside would be back in a heartbeat. Unique & cosy. A great experience!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2022

8/10 Good

Dan M.

Bush bach
a good spot to hang out in the bush and chill out
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2022

10/10 Excellent

Phil P., Lake Hawea New Zealand

Liked: Cleanliness
Fabulous cosy cottage nestled in the trees
We loved our time here. Fabulous views of the bay, surrounded by birdlife.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2021

8/10 Good

Ben E.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great
Lovely, need a week there.. *Couldn't find recycling bin outside tho
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jemma L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Magical stay
Couldn’t be a more restorative and enriching stay. Can’t wait to come back.

10/10 Excellent

Aleeshia F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Quite and cozy
Really lovely place, nice and quite area. Due to it being self service it was a bit stuffy and there were a couple of spiders calling it home. I think it could do with some new curtains to help with the dust and some outdoor furniture for summer months. Would rent again if we were in the area.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2020

10/10 Excellent

Tracey R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Homely Oasis!
Lovely home on a secluded bushy block. Peaceful with everything you need. Enjoyed our stay immensely!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2020

8/10 Good

Sergei K., Christchurch

Disliked: Cleanliness
House with an atitude
We had a lovely stay at the property. Such a beautiful place with amazing view. Absolutely relaxing atmosphere, it feels like you're far away from everything. I wish some people would be more responsible and clean up after themselves. We ended up with a bit messy house and with a full recycling bin.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2020

2/10 Terrible

irene m.

Disliked: Cleanliness
house needs spraying for spiders and Windows cleaned
House was unsafe for older persons. Decking not complete, had large holes, in flooring. Hand rails missing, inside. Would,t recommend property to others.

8/10 Good

Bree M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fredback
Our stay was pretty good. The location was further out of the city than I anticipated. It was a particularly rainy day that we stayed and the wood decking was very slippery. Perhaps this could have an anti slip mat or similar as it is rather dangerous. Also, we didn’t manage to find any outdoor lighting (apart from the back door light) so not sure if there was and we missed it or none at all. Again, a hazard when returning in the dark. Apart from the above, this was a cosy wee place to stay. I really liked the range of books/dvds you had to offer. Would’ve been nice to stay longer to enjoy these. Thanks