Otoromiro Hotel — Hotel in Banks Peninsula Community

This was the perfect place to stay on our last night in NZ. We booked late in the afternoon and didn't realise it was a little drive out of Christchurch (20 mins by car). But driving into Governors Bay...the view was totally worth it. Hotel staff beyond lovely!!!

We stayed on a Saturday night and there were 2 x parties booked in the Garden, so we didn't take advantage of the pool or side garden area. We settled into a lovely spot on the deck out front and bathed in the beautiful evening sunshine while enjoying our dinner and cocktails. Blankets provided to help with evening chill. Bit of fun banter on the balcony as the Garden party guest departed (at a very respectful hour i must say).

Simple breakfast provided in the morning, and good plunger coffee. Lovely to sit in garden and enjoy. We didn't expect Breakfast to be provided, so that was a lovely touch.

We read the hotel book provided in room for tips and info on local area, very interesting. Also, "Publican's whinge" we took note, and will book direct in future rather than via 3rd party sites - keep the money in NZ. Room simple and clean. Small, but why would you want to spend time in your room when you have a million-dollar view just outside the door.

Finally, it was the owners' responses to 1-star reviews that really tickled us. So, I will end this review with my major complaint, for a dog friendly venue, the dogs weren't friendly. I tried to interact with at least 5 dogs while we were there, and they were more interested in exploring the exciting smells in the gardens rather than letting me give them a good ear and belly rubs. I had been travelling for over a week and desperately missed our pup at home and my crazy dog lady side was kicking in.

Also, the mushroom sauce was too mushroomy** and it made my husband complain about my cooking (or lack thereof).

I dont even like mushrooms, but husband said it was one of the best mushroom sauces he has ever had......but what does he know, he is used to my tasteless cooking and probably just grateful to have food...

We called in seeking a meal on the go en route home from Diamond Harbour upon the hour of hangry kids. Two young girls on the bar understood our needs and ordered us 3 bags of fries (“do you want skinny or large or in-between?” “Well, I don’t want shoestring or wedges so anything in between is perfect” “okay so that’s steak fries” “uh…huh… yup, sounds fine!”) and 2 fish (“what’s the basic fish-to-go?” (Hoping to avoid expensive options) “that’d be the Gurnard” “ok perfect”). Plus a small hot chocolate for the young kid who doesn’t like bubbles, L&P for the teen, a 3 Boys Alpha for the passenger and nothing for the driver. We spent $50, got home with stabilised sugar levels and topped up with carrot sticks. Financial verdict: ok. Sensory verdict: Gurnard was perfect! Chips slightly oversalted but cooked to perfection. Service: as good as I could hope for from Gen Z. Friendly and genuinely trying to be helpful but struggled to understand basic ideas without me making an effort to translate them. Vibes: lovely as always. should you visit? Definitely yes. Be prepared to clearly and good-humouredly make efforts to communicate what you want to experience, and then pay for whatever that comes to. What would I do differently if I was manager? I would recognise that my patrons would enjoy one of the most stunning view shafts in the world - all the way out to Lyttelton Harbour heads. I would address anything that felt dilapidated. I would have live music on weekends in summer. And at least curate an evening playlist of awesome local musicians that I could count on my staff being knowledgeable about. Swap travelling acoustic musos a meal and bed in exchange for live music 7-930?

Your food and drinks and view are awesome, so why wasn’t it heaving? Just us four popping in and three other couples chatting in the back garden in hushed tones, on a summery...

Great value hotel in Governors Bay, situated on sea and mountain views. It’s not the flashy 5 star hotel, it is not advertised to be a flashy 5 star hotel, but for the star rating it is given, it is worth a visit and stay. Enjoy a fabulous late evening balcony view and photo taking is really spectacular. There is no transport to get you there, so you need to drive or take a taxi or Uber but it is about a 23 minute drive from Christchurch. The hotel is really well priced and perfect for a few nights stay whether on business or vacation. However, it is recommended to book well in advance to get good and competitive prices. If you are booking a few days before, you really shouldn’t expect cheap prices, but at any time and rate, the prices are not too expensive. The rooms are comfortable, clean and tidy but the toilets and shower is shared, although you may be able to get an ensuite room but be prepared to pay more for that. The staff are nice and friendly and the food menu is really delicious and very affordable. They have a breakfast menu and lunch menu from 11am. Dinner is the same menu as lunch but they have specials that are not on the menu. Enjoy a lovely outdoor meal on a nice summer morning, afternoon or evening with a nice cold drink and great views along with your meals. There is ample seating inside and outside. Overall, the hotel is nice, comfortable and really pretty, so I would recommend a visit to this hotel. It is great value for solo travellers but just as good if you are a couple or have a...