Laurel Bank House — Hotel in South Island

The host of this B & B was very discriminatory in her greeting of me. As soon as I arrived it was a cold, unhappy reception of me. She said I wasn't suppose to check in until 2, but "well, you're here now" and inquired if I read the sign and told me to 'go around back to get my key'. I was roaming around looking for where to go instead of her giving me proper service and hospitality. She was not nice or friendly towards me at all! The cat gave me more of a greeting and let me pet him, she basically was offended I was there and closed the door on me. I never even was able to get her name or an introduction from her. Later, I asked if there was a wifi code, and it upset her and she said again, "dont you read the sign?". I explained I didnt see it and later found it to be on the side of a cabinet so how would I? I then spoke up in regards to the service I was receiving, or lack there of, and she said i could find me another place to stay. I told her I had already paid in full which is why I hadn't left because I can tell she doesnt want me there. She argued that I hadn't paid and quickly called the booking company. Once she learned I had paid in full and she was wrong, she arranged for me a full refund. I thankfully was able to find immediate and much better lodging somewhere else as I am traveling alone and out the country! What a horrible situation it was for me. I am thankful I was able to get my money back, but if you are not white, please know your stay is not wanted here; and if you are white and care about the treatment and fairness of others please dont stay here either. This is how you can stop the unfair treatment of another even when it may not directly impact you. I will add that other guest arrived and she was warm and friendly to them, gave them a tour, and the proper service one would expect when a guest. This was nothing else but racial discrimination and I must accept it as such. She even told me she didn't "like my kind" (yes that is a quote!), and I have no right to talk to her other guests (we are free now ma'am, I can talk to whomever I like) and then inquired if I travel a lot as if to understand how I was able to come here. I told her it is irrelevant to my experience today, but yes, I travel often. I have been to Thailand, Spain, Colombia, Brazil, Cuba, Dubai, Australia, Morocco and countless other places and never experienced the horrible treatment and service I experienced today. It is a scenic and old charming home, but the host has a slave plantation mentality and it is very isolated. If you saw the movie "Get Out", that is exactly what you should do. I wouldn't recommend my beloved puppy to stay here, let alone another human being. I saw high reviews before booking, but I am sure they do not come from diverse ethnic groups, more than likely, all white. Best to stay in a legitimate hotel closer to the center. 1 star because I had to leave one. If I had to sum up my experience in one...

Laurel Bank House is a beautiful 120 year old manor-style home on 5 ha of land about halfway between, and within easy access of, Queenstown and Arrowtown in the Central Otago region. The house has an extraordinary and fascinating history, and is being lovingly restored by host Sheena and her husband, Steve. Not only have they painstakingly rebuilt this residence, returning it to its previous glory, Sheena has filled the house with lots of lovely knickknacks and paraphernalia, showcasing her wonderful sense of adventure and creativity. The property is surrounded by glorious mountain views, is within walking distance of the Kawarau river and, despite being only a short distance from most amenities, has a genuine sense of being a quiet escape. ||||The House has two wings, a residential wing that includes a very pretty breakfast room, and the accommodation wing with 3 bedrooms (one a larger double-bedroom size), a communal bathroom and a communal sitting room, all just recently thrown open to guests. There is also a fully self-contained apartment, with a large bedroom, ensuite and kitchenette. Between the two wings is a wide and sunny deck, perfect for socialising, and Sheena and Steve also make their living/dining room available to guests (where we spent a relaxing and thoroughly enjoyable evening chatting with our hosts). ||||We stayed for two nights in one of the new bedrooms, the Margaret Maisie Room, snug in size but with a very comfortable queen-size bed, ensuring a good night’s sleep. Sheena and Steve were most accommodating, charming and considerate hosts, and made us feel welcome and at home. Breakfast was an enjoyable affair, and a great opportunity to get to know our co-guests. Sheena and Steve were ably assisted in the hosting duties by three gorgeous and friendly Golden Retrievers, Pinot, Merlot and Gibbston, and an easy-going cat, Stormy, so being comfortable with animals is mandatory. Also note that Laurel Bank House is more suited to grown-ups rather than kids. ||||We thoroughly enjoyed our time at Laurel Bank House and heartily recommend staying here rather than in the more expensive and bustling Queenstown centre. It is an ideal base for winery visits, golfing trips or just drinking in the glorious central...

Even just coming up the driveway to Laurel Bank House was a wow. This 125-year-old mansion is a grand old lady, and has been lovingly restored by our hosts Sheena and Steve, with mod-cons added to make it cosy and comfortable. Sheena has a great eye for detail: the perfectionism and creativity of an award-winning photographer has clearly gone into the bedrooms - each named after someone special and each with its own colour-scheme and ambiance. The little things are big things here: like the beautiful bed linen, the view up to Coronet Peak, the fact you can't see any other houses (they're only a stone's throw away but you feel like you're out in the country). Sheena and Steve know the area well and were able to point us to some amazing day-walks - everywhere you look in this part of the world you will find beauty - and Laurel Bank House was a lovely home to sink back into at the end of a big day.||We absolutely loved our stay - thank you so much - and would come back in a heartbeat.||ps. if you come in the leadup to Christmas, as we did, the house is decorated so beautifully. Makes for a special...