Peel Forest Homestay — Hotel in South Island

We stayed in the backpackers not the B&B. The backpackers is like a cross between a YHA in town and a DOC hut in the backcountry - all the best of both worlds. The farm(let) backs into the native bush of Peel Forest, with many of the original natives entwining into the farm itself, complete with dawn to dusk bird native bird chorus. By farm, this is not the industrialised farming of the plains, this, is the old world traditional hill farm of Footrot Flats, of Wal, Couch and the dog, complete with random farm stuff dotted around the place, small fields with a house cow, sheep chickens and horses. The accommodation block has the look of being the old woolshed, with one end lovingly converted by hand, using lots of reclaimed and home-sawn native woods, by the owners into a classic bunk-room, complete with a dozen original paintings - some by family members. It is utterly authentic, original, and heartfelt, a million miles from the faux rustic you get in town. The DOC hut side comes in as the sink in the bunk room only has cold water and the loos and showers are five meters away in another building. So, if you love being in DOC huts in the backcountry, but, are getting a bit older have some young kids etc. so a big hike and getting the stove out and rehydrating the food is wearing a bit thin you are going to love this place. If you want your mod cons, and think the world is going to end if you have to navigate some cow pats on the way to the dunny, then stay away so the rest of us can enjoy the place to ourselves. Either pay online in full or take cash - no eftpos, no WiFi, no internet, no phone, not even cell phone coverage, no work. ...

This is a fabulous place for anyone wanting to explore the beautiful Peel Forest area.  The accommodation is basic, as reflected in the price, but offers great value.  The three ladies in our group slept (and slept well) in the bunk room, which was our main base during the day.  Sitting out on the west-facing veranda in the late afternoon was bliss.  They each said the shower in the externally accessed bathroom was excellent.  I stayed upstairs on my own in the main house.  The shower wasn't as good there (big deal), but I appreciated being able to nip across the hall/landing straight from my room.  Jenny generously gave me the larger of the two upstairs rooms, but I would have been as happy, I'm sure, in the smaller single room.  As it was, it was very comfortable, and on my second night I slept more soundly than I can remember. The website gives an accurate description of the accommodation.  I agree with the other positive TripAdvisor reviews.  If you're after up-market accommodation, this isn't the place for you.  Your loss, however.  I wouldn't hesitate to stay here again and recommend it highly for the value...

This might be a very late review but do bear with me. It was my first time solo road tripping in the South Island and it was very late in the night (around 11PM) and I figured I would not reach my campground on time. Randomly saw the accommodation board on the road and gave them a call without having any hope. But Jenny answered the phone and she asked me to drive through. Being new to NZ that was the proof of the authentic kiwi kindness. The room, the stay everything was very comfortable and more than what I could have asked for. In the morning when it was time to pay I did not have any cash (i only had eftpos). But they trusted me to send the money to them when I return back to Wellington. This was back in 2015. Till this day I have travelled to many places around the world and now back in NZ and their kindness and customer service is what I regard as the gold standard. When I travel next to the South Island I will definitely pay them a visit with my little one and would like to thank them for the kindness they showed to a solo female traveler in the middle...