Upper South Island and the West Coast Hotels

Guidebooks

Old St. Mary's Convent

At a Glance

    Pros

  • in 60 acres of vineyard and rambling gardens
  • in the heart of Rapaura wine country, complimentary pre-dinner drinks
  • a dinner platter can be arranged (charge)

    Cons

  • the upper floor is accessed by a two-tier staircase so book the downstairs room if you have limited mobility
  • convent cats on site

Old St. Mary's Convent Review

This striking turn-of-the-20th-century building was once a convent, beloved by a small group of local nuns who still visit for Christmas cheer. The grand old home hardly evokes a nunnery now with its luxuriously decorated rooms, rambling lawns and gardens, and evening glasses of Marlborough wine (they produced their first vintage in 2009). Pétanque, billiards, croquet, and tennis are available to occupy idle moments. The Chapel honeymoon suite is the pick of the rooms, but each has a lovely view. This place books fast every year, and if you're planning to get married then the chapel in the garden will be perfect for that, too. Beware, guests have been known to migrate to NZ after staying!

    Hotel Details

  • 5 rooms.
  • Rate includes breakfast.
  • Credit cards accepted.
  • Closed June--Aug.

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