Cedar House Hotel is in the waterfront town of Gisborne, in the Hawke's Bay wine region of New Zealand. The is large white house at the top of a short but impressive sweep drive.
Cedar House Hotel. Photos by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.
Inside, the hotel has a carved wooden frieze around the small hall's ceiling, and colourful stained glass on the staircase.
When we arrived late afternoon our two hosts were out at work. So it seemed weird stepping into a white ghost house.
Conviviality
However, they soon arrived, all smiles, with time to tell us all aout the recent history of the small town, and its ups and downs in the property market, their business. Cyclone Gabrielle on Feb 14 2023 and flooding had displaced people from riverside properties. This explained why the waterfront buildings were still boarded up with red danger signs, which we had noticed.
Luckily, for the owners of the badly-affected property, local government had paid for six months rental for the homeless householders, then bought them out of the uninhabitable property, compensating them at the market rate. When discouraged people moved away, prices dropped, so those who chose to stay were able to upgrade into grander homes or those with greater land area.
Different from the UK where homes have fallen off cliffs. Unsympathetic locals comment, 'why should others through their taxes compensate people who chose to buy homes in dangerous places?'
The Hotel's Attractions
The outdoor pool was too cold for much swimming for my husband, for any swiming for me. However, we happily used the outdoor sauna.
The upstairs communal fridge was handy.
Breakfast was included. My husband prefers to say, built into the price. As is usually the case in New Zealand, there was no marmalade. The continental breakfast had a couple of kinds of fruit and tinned peaches. Toast was provided.
Missing Protein
But the breakfast had no protein (meat, fish, eggs, cheese). We had brought out own nuts and cheese elsewhere, but felt such a glamorous hotel with an upmarket price tag would attract people who expected a better breakfast.
If you like lovely surroundings and aren't fussed about breakfast, or are willing and warned to bring your own supplements, a lovely place.
What to do in Nearby Gisborne
Go down to the wharf for dinner. I loved the Lone Star restaurant's food in Tex-mex rock surroundings, surounded by Sixties rock stars and listening to Country & Western songs.
Almost next door along the waterfront is a smarter, pricier restaurant, Crawford Road Kitchen.
Shops included a large thrift store (second-hand shop).
All in all, a good time in Gisborne.
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