Fiery Peak Eco-Retreat — Hotel in South Island

We rented a cabin with a hot tub last night. After a long drive, we arrived at 9 PM, eager to relax. The owner had called us about 2 hours prior to say someone would prepare the cabin for us. We also received a message advising us to check the hot tub temperature immediately upon arrival, which we did. Since there were many insects outside, we were very cautious when entering and exiting the cabin to avoid letting them inside. We even kept the lights off to prevent attracting more insects.

However, despite our precautions, when we returned from the hot tub and turned on the lights, we discovered that the cabin was infested with mosquitoes and other flying insects. The situation was immediately alarming, especially since the very first thing I saw upon arrival was a giant moth inside the cabin, which set off my insect phobia.

We thoroughly searched the cabin for insect repellent or spray but found none. While the location is beautiful and the hot tub experience was initially pleasant, our enjoyment was completely overshadowed by the overwhelming presence of insects inside the cabin. They were everywhere—above the bed and even on it. Additionally, we found dust under the bed, cobwebs, and even spiders inside the cabin, which is unacceptable given the premium price of this accommodation.

Kay's response the next morning was not only disappointing but dismissive. She claimed that we should have inspected the cabin for insects upon arrival, which, frankly, is an unreasonable expectation for guests who are paying for a clean, comfortable stay. It is simply not our responsibility to deal with an insect infestation, especially one inside the cabin. Furthermore, we were told they’ve never had this issue before, but instead of offering a genuine apology or taking responsibility, Kay insinuated that we were to blame for letting the insects in, which is completely inaccurate given the care we took throughout our stay.

To add to the frustration, we were informed that check-out was at 12 PM, and Kay specifically asked us to call her when we were leaving. However, when we tried to call her as requested, there was no response. After sending her a text message, she replied saying that 12 PM was her lunch break, which is why she didn’t answer. This makes no sense—if the check-out is at 12 PM, why ask us to call if she knows she won’t be available to answer?

Kay did offer an additional night for free, but only if we stayed the same day, which was not feasible due to our work commitments. When we asked if this offer could be extended to another date, the request was flatly denied, without any effort to accommodate us.

Given the serious issues we faced during our stay, we expect a more appropriate resolution. A partial refund or credit for a future stay would be fair, considering the circumstances. We hope to see a solution that reflects the level of service and quality we were promised, and that future guests do not encounter a...

I recently stayed at a cabin that featured a lovely hot tub and a beautiful garden, which created an inviting atmosphere. However, my experience was unfortunately overshadowed by an insect invasion around the light fixture directly above the bed. We searched the cabin for insecticide but found nothing. Throughout our stay, we also encountered several spiders in various corners of the house.

While I understand that being in a rural area can mean some insects are to be expected, for the price we paid, I anticipated a much more insect-free environment. It’s unacceptable for such situations to arise in a place that charges so much; having insecticide readily available should be a basic necessity to prevent these issues. As someone who suffers from chronic insomnia, I struggled to sleep, constantly worrying that the bugs above me might fall onto the bed. Additionally, my partner, who has a phobia of moths, was significantly affected by the situation, making our stay even more stressful.

The response from the owners was vague and somewhat dismissive, suggesting that we were at fault for "letting the insects in" and for not notifying them sooner. After a long day of traveling, one simply wants to unwind and enjoy their stay without complications.

The next morning, I found several dead insects on the dishes I had washed after our meal, which was quite off-putting. Overall, the cleanliness and comfort left much to be desired given the high price.

On a positive note, the stars at night were stunning, and the hot tub was indeed relaxing—at least for a short while before the insect issue overshadowed...

Wow! We absolutely LOVED our stay and were very sad to leave! We arrived to see the wood fire tub smoking away, heating for us and the smell was amazing! When we entered inside, the smell was even better, a lovely fragrance, with the indoor fire crackling and the most relaxing music playing that made us feel so zen, we left it on the whole time, we loved it! The BBQ was great! We stocked up on a few fresh cuts of meat from the local butcher to take with us for dinner (and fresh eggs for breakfast) it was absolutely stunning to be surrounded by nature, cooking and watching the sunset over the snowy mountains. We were very lucky to have a clear night to enjoy the incredible stars in the beautiful wood fire tub. It was the best way to spend an evening with no outside distractions of technology ect. The kitchen was perfect with everything you could need to cook up a storm, I was able to make this lovely breakfast with no hassle. They even had Ice in the freezer! We usually go to bed quite late but we were both SO super relaxed we fell asleep at 9pm and had a great sleep. They supplied a great variety of games, books and magazines (which was perfect as I forgot my book lol). It was lovely and clean, and very welcoming. I wouldnt hesitate to recommend this to anyone wanting a lovely relaxing time either alone or with your partner. You can tell the hosts really care about your stay, it was just bliss! Oh and the 12pm checkout is FANTASTIC!

Thank you SO much! We cant wait...