Donegal House

Hotels
8.4 (1007 reviews)
258 Schoolhouse Road , Kaikoura , NZ

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Free
Children allowed

Facilities

WiFi available
Free WiFi
Parking
Free Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Restaurant
Heating
Terrace
Family rooms
Garden
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Friendly staff
Great food
Beautiful location
Comfy accommodations
Cons:
Room cleanliness issues
Dated room aspects

Categories

Cleanliness
8
Some concerns about room cleanliness with mentions of bugs.
Service
8.77
Outstanding, friendly, and accommodating staff mentioned multiple times.
Location
8.51
Great setting and beautiful gardens, peaceful location.
Room Quality
8.15
Comfortable rooms, but some dated aspects mentioned.
Amenities
8.39
Good facilities but suggested enhancements like a microwave.
Value for Money
8.35
Good value for the price considering the overall experience.
Food and Beverage
8.59
Fantastic food and drinks in a pleasant atmosphere.
Overall Experience
8.47
Very enjoyable and relaxed stay with good recommendations.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-09 00:40

Property Description

Tranquil Lakeside Retreat

Nestled on 6 acres of stunning lakes and gardens, Donegal House provides a serene escape.

Irish Hospitality at Its Best

Enjoy the charm of a traditional Irish bar, delectable dining options, and a sunny terrace for relaxation.

Local Experiences Await

Let our tour desk arrange exciting activities like swimming with dolphins or exploring Maori culture.

Ready to experience the perfect blend of nature and comfort? Book your stay at Donegal House now!

Important information:

If you expect to arrive outside reception opening hours, please inform Donegal House in advance, using the contact details found on the booking confirmation.

Please note that due to the recent earthquake, some roads are closed and alternate routes may need to be taken to access the property. For further information please refer to the New Zealand Transport Agency's website.
A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 10:00 AM

Location

Guest Reviews

8.4
Based on 1007 reviews
Cleanliness: 8
Service: 8.77
Location: 8.51
Room Quality: 8.15
Amenities: 8.39
Value for Money: 8.35
Food and Beverage: 8.59
Overall Experience: 8.47
C
Chris • couple • nz
9
2026-09-16 • via Nuitee
J
Joan • solo_traveller • nz
10
Pros:

It is in a beautiful setting and the staff were extremely helpful 😊

2026-09-13 • via Nuitee
M
Muditha • solo_traveller • nz
10
Pros:

Room facilities and food

2026-09-10 • via Nuitee
B
Bec • couple • nz
9
We had a fantastic stay. Rooms were great, staff were super helpful and lovely. Meals were delicious. Had a great weeken
Pros:

It’s a beautiful place, so relaxing and peaceful. Huge outdoor space, views of mountains.

2026-09-06 • via Nuitee
B
Bec • couple • nz
9
2026-09-06 • via Nuitee
A
Adrianne • solo_traveller • nz
8
Pros:

The staff were very friendly and accommodating. The room was value for money and the view from the room exceptional. The food very good and generous in proportions.

Cons:

nothing

2026-09-04 • via Nuitee
A
Anthony • couple • nz
8
Very entertaining night
Pros:

Very quirky

Cons:

Little tired and no breakfast served

2026-08-22 • via Nuitee
R
Reginald • couple • nz
10
will come again some day
Pros:

very nice room with excellent heat pump heating in the winter. large comfy king size bed,great bathroom,toilet shower.
bar area has large open fire, very warm and cosy,good areas to sit and great staff and bar prices.

2026-08-21 • via Nuitee
G
Groters • couple • nz
10
2026-08-14 • via Nuitee
A
Anne-Marie • couple • nz
10
A great stay, lovely location.
Pros:

We left before breakfast. Enjoyed a good sleep in peaceful location. Very comfortable.

Cons:

N/A

2026-08-03 • via Nuitee
P
Paul Foord • solo_traveller • nz
9
2026-07-12 • via Nuitee
T
Thornton • solo_traveller • fr
9
2026-07-11 • via Nuitee
S
sean • family_with_children • au
10
Absolutely amazing
Pros:

Amazing staff. Amazing views. Awesome stay

2026-07-04 • via Nuitee
L
Leanne • couple • nz
8
2026-07-04 • via Nuitee
A
Anthony • solo_traveller • nz
9
Pros:

Good Vibes

Cons:

Atmosphere off whole property

2026-06-22 • via Nuitee
D
Demi • extended_group • nz
10
Great stay, lovely staff, amazing food.
Pros:

Friendly staff, great location. The property is well-looked after. The parking is right infront of the room which is great. There is spacious parking.

Cons:

Some lights werent working but nothing major. The covers for some of the light switches were missing.

2026-06-15 • via Nuitee
C
Clark • family_with_children • nz
10
Pros:

Super friendly staff. Great restaurant and service. Very comfortable room..

2026-06-07 • via Nuitee
T
Terrence • couple • nz
10
fantastic stay, great meals, great service and great value for money, highly recommend
Pros:

absolutely fantastic meal we were served quickly which was a shock as the place was full with
100 plus people, we had a party of 10 for dinner and all meals were great value large in servings and delicious.

Cons:

a bigger sign and perhaps signs at key intersections, we did not realise the Accom was set in a rural setting so we initially thought the GPS was sending us in the wop wops. a few well placed signs would be reassuring.

2026-06-06 • via Nuitee
S
smee2004 • couple • nz
9
Value for money. Very very good.
Pros:

Really good value for money. Would loved to have had the time to stay longer, and explore the beautiful grounds

Cons:

I didn't "not like" anything. Normally when booking I would go for more space, particularly in the ensuite, but I cannot fault the facilities in terms of value for money and the excellent staff and food. I booked based on a strong recommendation and was not sure I would enjoy it. I was very pleasantly surprised.

2026-05-26 • via Nuitee
R
Rochelle • extended_group • nz
9
A hidden gem...we would definitely stay again.
Pros:

Our room was very clean and comfortable, with a lovely relaxing view across the expansive garden. The food and drinks in the restaurant were great. Lovely big open fire place, where we sat and played cards over a few drinks with friends. The staff were outstanding. Very friendly, welcoming and accommodating.

Cons:

Nothing, everything was perfect.

2026-05-24 • via Nuitee