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Donegal House Hotel Kaikoura, Kaikoura

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From68US$ /night
Check-in
28Jan2025Select date
Check-out
29Jan2025Select date
Rooms and Guests2 Guests, 1 Room
Key details

About the Hotel

258 Schoolhouse Road, Kaikoura, New Zealand

Donegal House is an iconic Irish pub, restaurant, and accommodation located in Kaikōura, New Zealand. Nestled on six acres of tranquil gardens with the backdrop of the prominent Mt Fyffe, it offers guests a unique blend of history and hospitality. The property features life-size statues of the Boyd ancestors, celebrating their heritage since the 1860s. Under new ownership since 2023, Donegal House is dedicated to providing a warm and welcoming environment for all visitors.

Location

Situated just 9.5 miles from the heart of Kaikōura, Donegal House is conveniently located close to the region's famous attractions, including whale watching and dolphin encounters. Self-drive visitors can explore the picturesque Alpine Pacific touring route, linking Kaikōura with Hanmer Springs and the Waipara wine region. The port of Picton is a short 2-hour drive, offering ferry services to Wellington.

Rooms

Donegal House offers 27 guest rooms, each equipped with private ensuite bathrooms. Accommodations include options such as queen rooms with mountain views and family-friendly rooms for larger groups. Guests can enjoy amenities like flat-screen TVs, tea and coffee-making facilities, and garden or lake views. The rooms are designed to provide a comfortable and cozy home away from home.

Eat & Drink

The onsite restaurant at Donegal House features a menu that combines traditional Irish fare with contemporary dishes. Guests can enjoy hearty meals made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients, complementing their dining experience with a glass of wine or a pint of Donegal Stout. The outdoor deck provides an inviting space for dining and relaxation, creating an ideal atmosphere for enjoying meals in a scenic setting.

Leisure & Business

Donegal House caters to both leisure and business needs with facilities for conferences, weddings, and various events. The unique private Irish stone cottage adds character to gatherings, accommodating up to 120 people. With a licensed bar stocked with a diverse selection of drinks, guests can unwind in a friendly atmosphere, enjoying music and stories while mingling with others.

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Select your room type

The hotel offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals
Queen Room
Max:
3 persons
25 m² 
Bed options:
1 Double bed
Shower
Heating
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Family King Room
Max:
3 persons
25 m² 
Bed options:
1 King Size Bed
Lake view
Shower
Heating
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Queen Room
Max:
2 persons
25 m² 
Bed options:
1 Double bed
Lake view
Shower
Heating
Check Prices
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Price and Room Availability Calendar

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Getting around

A list of all available modes of transport

City Center
Kaikoura 2.7 mi
Airports
Kaikoura (KBZ) 8.0 mi
Woodbourne (BHE) 83.5 mi

Facilities

The hotel offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences

General

  • No smoking on site
  • Free Wi-Fi in public areas
  • Parking
  • No pets allowed
  • Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
  • Baggage storage
  • Smoke detectors
  • Fire extinguishers

Guest Parking

  • Electric kettle

Services

  • Free shuttle service
  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Tours/Ticket assistance
  • Welcome drink

Dining

  • Restaurant
  • Bar/ Lounge area
  • Picnic area/ Tables
  • Packed lunches
  • Special diet menus

Business

  • Meeting/ Banquet facilities
  • Fax/Photocopying

Children

  • Children's menu
  • Children's play area

Spa & Leisure

  • Live entertainment
  • Sun terrace
  • Garden area
  • BBQ facilities
  • Leisure/ TV room

Room features

  • Heating
  • Sitting area
  • Patio
  • Terrace
  • Garden furniture
  • Tea and coffee facilities

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries

Self-catering

  • Electric kettle

Media

  • Flat-screen TV

Room decor

  • Carpeted floor
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Location

258 Schoolhouse Road, Kaikoura, New Zealand
Map view
street view
258 Schoolhouse Road, Kaikoura, New Zealand
Restaurants
Donegal House
700 ft
1 Schoolhouse Road

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback from previous guests about their experience.
46%
liked the hotel and would stay again
5.0/10
Guest rating
Rooms
5.0
Location
6.0
Service
7.0
Dining
5.0
Guest reviews
5.0/10
based on 4 reviews
8.1
8.1/10based on 522 reviews
Robert
United Kingdom, April  2024
6.2/10

The hotel offers lovely views of the gardens with bird songs in the mornings, but the small room size may not be wheelchair-friendly. The welcoming and friendly service was a highlight, although the hotel could benefit from some upgrades in both facilities and dining options.

Rooms
7.0
The room looked over beautiful gardens with bird song in the mornings, but could be challenging for wheelchair users due to its small size.
Service
7.0
The service was welcoming and friendly, although improvements could be made in certain areas.
Location
6.0
The hotel is located a bit out of the main area, offering nice views of the mountains and good pub access, but could use upgrades.
Dining
5.0
Facilities
6.0
The facilities could do with some upgrades to enhance the overall guest experience.
Jock
United Kingdom, March  2024
5.0/10

The hotel had beautiful grounds but felt cold and damp. The room size and amenities did not match the booking description accurately. The staff had mixed friendliness and professionalism.

Rooms
5.0
The rooms felt cold and damp upon arrival, needing airing. They were not as described in the booking, and the size was disappointing.
Service
5.0
The staff had a mixed demeanor, with some being socially friendly but others bordering on rude. There were issues with responsiveness and professionalism.
Location
7.0
The location offered great views of the gardens and mountains, but some areas seemed neglected and in need of maintenance.
Dining
5.0
The dining experience was subpar with limited options and cleanliness issues noted. Some aspects like open fire were positive.
Facilities
5.0
The facilities had maintenance issues, with cleanliness problems noted in the dining area. Some areas seemed unloved.
John
United Kingdom, June  2023
6.6/10

The hotel had a mix of positives and negatives. While the rooms were run down, dingy, and lacking final touches like dealing with issues promptly, I couldn't sleep due to noisy neighbors, and the presence of spider webs throughout was a big concern. On the bright side, the service was outstanding with friendly staff going out of their way to make us feel relaxed and welcome. The location, despite some cleanliness issues and pests, offered a beautiful backdrop and convenient accommodation. Dining options were limited, but the breakfast was decent. Overall, there are areas that need improvement, but the welcoming service and convenient location stand out.

Rooms
5.0
The rooms were run down, dingy, and had spider webs present, impacting the overall experience.
Service
9.0
The staff were very friendly and accommodating, making extra efforts to ensure a pleasant stay.
Location
6.0
Dining
7.0
The dining options were limited, but the breakfast provided a decent selection to start the day.
Facilities
Peter
United States of America, May  2023
5.0/10

I found the hotel to be overpriced for what it offered in terms of room quality, but the service was friendly and helpful. The location was decent if you have your own transportation, and the dining options were limited. The facilities were below average, but the hospitality of the owner was a nice touch.

Rooms
5.0
The room was no better than one in a boarding house, and the setup felt below the price value.
Service
7.0
The staff was friendly and helpful, reflecting good hospitality.
Location
5.0
The location was okay if you have your own transport, but the surroundings seemed overgrown.
Dining
5.0
The dining experience was meager with limited options that were not up to par for the price paid.
Facilities
5.0
The facilities were lacking, but the owner's hospitality added a personal touch.
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Check-in
28Jan2025Select date
Check-out
29Jan2025Select date
Rooms and Guests2 Guests, 1 Room