Pihopa Retreat

A beautiful boutique hotel situated in idyllic gardens just outside of Nelson. We stayed in a superbly appointed suite with all comforts. Sarah and her team have an exquisite eye for detail and our stay was amazing. Beautiful handcrafted cakes and biscuits are provided together with a range of complimentary drinks. Breakfast is gourmet standard and beautifully presented. The staff are friendly and nothing is too much trouble. The final welcoming touch is a prearranged dinner and transfer to the hotel and back. A truly beautiful place to stay. I can't recommend it highly enough. Gave us a real treat at the end of our stay in New Zealand.

Stay HERE! There is no place like it. From the extraordinary warm reception, to the luxuriously appointed rooms, to the drinks with canapés from 6-7 PM, to the personalized service with transportation to town- every minute was perfect . Breakfast was a major event. Fresh baked croissants and muffins, perfectly ripe local fruit, and cooked to order breakfast were perfect. The presentation of breakfast was artistic- the food laced and surrounded by herbs and flowers made it a shame to spoil the presentation that should be hanging in the wall on an art museum . Likewise the canapés served with drinks in the evening. The canapés were carefully and individually crafted and delicious. We had great dinners in Nelson, but the canapés were the best food we enjoyed by far. They probably shame what is served in Davos during the winter forum there! The rooms are warm , comforting and artistic. See the photos online - they speak for themselves. Sarah , the proprietress and her wonderful assistant Annie could not have been more accommodating. This place is one in a million. Certainly at the top of our travel experiences.

We recently spent 2 nights at the Pihopa Retreat with Sarah and the team and I can honestly say it's one of the best places I have ever stayed anywhere in the world. The service cannot be faulted, the rooms are immaculate and have everything you need including things to nibble and drink should you be hungry after the amazing breakfast. The happy hour at 6pm is great for meeting other guests and having the restaurant bookings and a driver to get you there and back safely is amazing. Well done to all the team at Pihopa for an amazing stay

Pihopa is an outstanding boutique hotel. It was our first stop when we arrived in New Zealand. The owner, Sarah, takes care of everything. When we arrived, she already had 3 restaurants reserved for our 3-night stay in Nelson. She arranged a driver for each night. She hosts a cocktail hour for guests each evening, with her selection of New Zealand wines and hors d’oeuvres. The place is exceptional!

What a fabulous gem of a resort, hidden away and sitting in its own beautifully manicured grounds. On arrival, we received the warmest welcome from the owner, Sarah, which made us feel immediately at home. And what a glorious room - the Eaton Suite - to relax in! Every attention to details is there, in the many thoughtful touches in the bathroom, the homemade patisserie in our lounge (which was replenished daily), the bowl of fruit. And beyond - pre dinner canapés and drinks in the bar, before the complementary taxi took us to dinner at a local restaurant that had been organised for us. Breakfast - served in the chapel - was sumptuous.

Everything about Pihopa Retreat is excellent! The Retreat was formerly the residence of the Anglican Bishop of Nelson. A chapel stands on the property. From our arrival - driving up a drive with beautiful flowers and landscape, being greeted by amazing staff, to arriving at our room - we enjoyed every moment. Our room (The Hobson Suite) was tastefully appointed with great attention to detail. A wet bar area will filled with a great selection of tea and coffee along with delicious snacks, cold drinks in a refrigerator, wine, and a perfectly ripe fruit selection. The bedroom was lovely with a super comfortable bed bedecked with amazing linens. This led to a bathroom complete with a soaking tub, large shower and two sinks. The bathrobes and slippers provided were very much enjoyed. A lovely porch was accessible from the bedroom and sitting room. Sarah had made a dinner reservation for us at a delicious restaurant on the water. She also arranged a taxi to transport us to and from. This gave us the night “off” to maneuver driving on the left side of the road. Prior to departure for dinner, we enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in a living room near the pool. Breakfast was served in the above mentioned chapel. The breakfast was one of the best we have ever enjoyed starting with cold selections of homemade muesli and homemade granola, Greek yogurt, fresh fruit, croissants, muffins and coffee/tea. A cooked breakfast menu was very innovative, and our selections delicious. We said our goodbye’s and loaded the car to prepare for a journey to Murchison. We will definitely return, and we highly recommend this unique and spectacular property.