Lemon Tree Lodge

What a gem !!! Perfect location overlooking the ocean. Enjoyed watching the sun rise from here. Can hear the waves crashing from our room. Just a few minute walk to town center. Kind and gracious host. Room was very clean. Enjoyed the private deck. Garden was lovely. Breakfast was plentiful.

A lovely property in a fabulous location overlooking Kaiakoura and the beach. Stunning views to the snow capped mountains in the distance. We had a sea view room with a private deck area, good sized room and bathroom with slipper bath and walk in shower. Very clean and tidy. Breakfast was a ‘help yourself’ affair left out in a communal kitchen and it was lovely to be able to have this on our deck. My only negative is that it would have been nice to have met the owners - we let ourselves in and let ourselves out etc. This was described as bed and breakfast so we thought we would get to chat to local owners as we had at other b&bs. Great accommodation but lacking the human interaction.

This B&B was pricier than my other bookings on my long trip to New Zealand, however, saying that, I felt that it was good "bang for buck". The first thing is that you are not located on the main highway, North of the town. If you want access to groceries, liquor, etc, this is where you want to be (and you'll be on a noisy highway with many motels). But, if you want an experience that you will never forget, then stay here. I was dropped off by the bus and walking and, even with pushing my 50 lb suitcase up a steep path and sweating my brains out, I was so impressed with where I landed up (and I'm 64 yrs old!). The Lemon Tree Lodge is a small B&B, run by a family. I met the lady (can't remember her name, sorry), and she was lovely. The manager of the hotel, a young woman from Italy working on a Work Visa, was also very attentive to anything that I asked for. I can't understand how anybody could complain about the self-serve breakfast here. They had everything (other than fried foods - eggs, bacon) that you could imagine. I never get why some tourists consider things "bad" if it's not exactly what they eat at home. That's why you travel :) And, as far as stating that you talk to nobody in this B&B and that it is very inpersonal, that is probably because you never said hello to anybody. Again, take responsibility for your happiness and talk to people. I spoke with the owner, the manager (many times) and at least 3 other couples staying there from different countries (over a 2 day period). I stayed in the Sunflower Room (not ocean view) and I might as well have been in the room with a view because every chance I had, I walked around (30 seconds) to the front and sat in the area that was there for the back rooms to enjoy the views, which are stunning by the way! I must have sat there 4 times in 3 days.

Lovely little inn on top of the hill in Kaikōura. Family run, so you’ll likely meet the owner who is a very nice woman. She does an adorable continental breakfast spread every morning with hard boiled eggs, meats and cheeses, yogurt, fresh fruit and granola, fresh bakery muffins and breads, jellies, etc. We had a back room with a porch and the most AMAZING view. At night you can sit out and just stare up at the stars. The night sky in Kaikoura is stunning. The only downside was no AC and no ceiling or any fans in the room. But we opened the windows and double door and there was a breeze like 90% of the time so I guess in NZ it’s all about letting the outside in!

Reasons to book Some of the rooms have stunning views out to the Ocean. The lodge is handily located so that it’s an easy downhill stroll to the restaurants in Kaikoura. Equally it’s no more than 15mins to walk to the whale watching station Things to consider The owners understandably ask that you let them know if you are going to be checking in late. Our ferry into Picton meant that we wouldn’t be arriving until circa 7pm. It took 4 days of unanswered phone calls and a non replied e mail before we finally got through as we were leaving Wellington. Instructions were left on the kitchen door as to where to find our room. 2 of the rooms do not have an Ocean view. It would be a very different experience if staying in one of these. Breakfast is somewhat unusual. A continental selection is left out in the kitchen. You come in, load your tray and take it back to your room. Trays are to be returned afterwards. The daily quantity of food available is driven by the number of guests. I didn’t see anything being replenished during the 8.00 - 9.00 allocated time. Our room was perfectly fine although the bathroom was a bit poorly lit. No safe in the room and no air con. Then again, non promised either. Keys are deposited in a box as you leave. The strange thing is that you could have no interaction from start to finish. If self scanning checkouts and checking in your own luggage at airports is your thing, look no further.

We spent 2 nights in one of the top bedrooms with a balcony and a nice view over Kaikoura and the ocean. The room offered all expected amenities and had a fridge and coffee machine too. Breakfast was available between 8 and 9 AM and could be taken to our room. Service was very friendly.