Mainholm Lodge — Hotel in South Island

First of all I would commend the owners in how they have restored this beautiful old house. I had discussed my dietary requirements on the phone with the owner when I booked this accommodation a month previously and had been reassured it would be catered for. However, there was nothing available on the menu and the only option was a plate full of leafy greens, a few olives and some pieces of feta cheese for dinner. After discussion I did manage to get a few potatos and mushrooms to add some substance, as it was a bitterly cold wet day and I was starving!! Unfortunately, there was no apology that night and the attitude of the owner was not very open to my suggestions for future vegetarians who are also Coeliac. I was very surprised they did not even have gluten free bread in the freezer. Went to bed quite disheartened. Next morning when I mentioned my disappointment in the evening meal he admitted they had made a mistake and wouldn't charge me for it and lets draw a line under it and move on!!!!! Breakfast was in fact very yummy with a selection of fresh fruit and yoghurt and scrambled eggs. But unfortunately the owner's comments that he had googled Coeliac and I should be able to eat oats and porridge was awfully arrogant and ignorant. He then stated he would change the information on his web sites to say not able to cater for gluten free?? My partner enjoyed his food, but his overall experience was dampened as he knew I was disappointed in the lack of...

Mainholm Country Lodge is a cross between a boutique b n b and a small country hotel. It is a destination in itself and is about half an hour out of Gore, with plenty of opportunities for local walks or as a stopover to points further afield. We would strongly recommend going the whole hog and ordering the dinner – the food is lavish, superbly cooked and imaginatively presented. Good wine is available at reasonable prices. We stayed two nights in the ‘Returning Room’ – named after one of New Zealand’s less distinguished movies, but which was filmed in the house and grounds, and records what this two story homestead was like before the impeccable restoration began. The hosts are welcoming, genial, and well-organised. The bedrooms themselves are large and comfortable with a gorgeous outlook across fields. Possible downsides – not every room has an en suite, and you should not trust your Sat Nav to give directions. Mainholm is easily accessible on the main highways but we were led across the Himalayas to get there. But despite the inadvertent detour, we were delighted with our stay in...

Having spent quite a long time in mainholm I had the possibility to get to know better the house, its surroundings and the owners.||Graham and sandy have spent 10 years renoving and taking care of this wonderful house. As a result you can feel the house living, breathing and giving back all the good she has been receiving.||They try to let the soul of the house in every rooms and so you feel like a king when you lie on their "king-size" bed. And don't tell me it is too small and not comfortable ;)||They have an amazing restaurant and the food is just perfect.||They always try to fit you preferences. A gastronomic cuisine but with a lot in your plate .. Isn't it the dream of everyone ?||||One word : GO !||||Go because this is a place you would never think it could exist there but it does and you have to...