Pen-y-Bryn Lodge | Small Boutique Hotel Oamaru

1/18 - exterior of pen-y-bryn lodge

2/18 - Gardens at Pen-y-bryn Lodge

3/18 - Pen-y-bryn Lodge covered in Snow

4/18 - Views from Pen-y-bryn Lodge

5/18 - Dining at Pen-y-bryn Lodge

6/18 - The Dining Room at Pen-y-bryn Lodge

7/18 - Relaxing on chairs at Pen-y-bryn Lodge

8/18 - Snooker at Pen-y-bryn Lodge

9/18 - Bedroom Pen-y-bryn Lodge

10/18 - Bathroom at Pen-y-bryn Lodge

11/18 - Activities at Pen-y-bryn Lodge

12/18 - Exterior of Pen-y-bryn Lodge with Car

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Pen-y-bryn Lodge is a small, heritage-listed Victorian homestead, perched up on a hill in Oamaru on the eastern coast of South Island, New Zealand, an area known for its rare Penguin colonies.

Why you'll love it here

This historic hilltop property is one of Australasia's largest single storey timber dwellings
Enjoy a heart-warming stay thanks to the second-to-none hospitality of hosts James & James
Spot yellow-eyed penguins at the iconic Moeraki Boulders and Moeraki Lighthouse close by
Explore Oamaru then sample dishes using produce of the Waitaki region at the Dining Room

Best For

Adults Only,

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Travel Specialist

01244 722 137

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Full accommodation information

Hotel information

This delightful homestead was built in 1889 during the Victorian period, and still preserves its original qualities such as European antiques, English oak interiors and a beautiful white and yellow timber façade, surrounded by perfectly manicured gardens.

Steeped in history and character, Pen-y-Bryn Lodge is undoubtedly the best hotel in Oamaru.

Owners James and James took over the lodge in 2010 and have made every effort to protect the heritage of Pen-y-Bryn. The building has been expanded to incorporate an Annex where three rooms are housed, while the other two guestrooms are found in the original homestead; each flaunts a unique character with individually decorated interiors. Elsewhere in the property, there are warm and handsome rooms to explore: the attractive lounge, where pre-dinner aperitifs can be enjoyed together with other guests; a library; the snooker room with an antique billiards table; and the dining room, where a culinary three-course masterpiece is whipped up by James himself.

Then, when it comes to exploring Oamaru, you’ll find that unusual Penguin colonies – the Blue and Yellow-eyed species – are just down the road at Bushey Beach, a real highlight of any visit to this Victorian settlement. You can also enjoy walking through the Old Town, or venturing further afield to encounter mighty landscapes; all right on your doorstep at Pen-y-Bryn Lodge.

Room Options

There are only five guestrooms at Pen-y-bryn Lodge, three of which are located in the Annex and the other two found in the main lodge; all are individually designed. In the Annex rooms, expect a Nespresso coffee machine, satellite TV, Wi-Fi and air conditioning, plus an en suite with heated floors, a bathtub and separate shower.

The Garden Room

The largest room at Pen-y-bryn Lodge, this 48sq m space flaunts a California king-size bed (which can be converted into a twin setup if required) and a living area with comfy sofas and a TV. This room is found in the hotel’s Annex, with windows that look out over the gardens.

The Nest Room

Also situated in the Annex and with a generous floorplan of 45sq m, the split-level Nest Room has a California king-size bed on polished wood floors, with steps leading up to the bathroom on one side and another set connecting to the living area. This room flaunts views of the ocean and Kakanui Mountains.

The Park Room

This Annex room overlooks the garden and grounds of the hotel, as well as Awamoa Park beyond. A 46sq m floorplan means there’s plenty of space, from the super-king-size bedroom with seating area to the sleek bathroom with lots of natural light.

The Victoria Room

The Victoria is a quaint room set in the main building, with patterned rugs, floral curtains and wooden furnishings, as well as an en suite with a heated, traditional tiled floor. It is an accessible room that features a queen-size bed and views over the terrace and garden. Note that this room doesn’t have a TV, Nespresso machine or air conditioning, but it does provide Wi-Fi access.

The Elizabeth Room

For an authentic space with period features, stay in the Elizabeth Room, located in the main building with a bathroom that still has the original porcelain bath, brass taps and tiled floor. Wooden furnishings, a queen-size bed, classical paintings and lace curtains are just some of the décor aspects that make this a charming little abode. Note that this room doesn’t have a TV, Nespresso machine or air conditioning, but it does provide Wi-Fi access.

Facilities/Amenities

Although it is a very small boutique lodge, Pen-y-bryn offers more than you’d expect: unlimited Wi-Fi, a compact gym and concierge service, as well as the chance to book in-room spa treatments. Help yourself to complimentary tea, coffee and soft drinks in their inviting lounge, grab a book from the library, or play a game of snooker in the billiards room come evening.

Restaurants & Bars

Pen-y-bryn Lodge Restaurant

An intimate hotel merits an intimate dining experience, and that’s precisely what to expect at Pen-y-bryn Lodge, where a delectable breakfast, evening canapés and three-course dinner is laid out each day in the handsome dining room complete with roaring fire. Co-owner James is the head chef (and also the New Zealand chancellor for the Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, no less) who fuses local ingredients – from the kitchen garden, wherever possible – to create mouth-watering fare. You might start with confit salmon, followed by North Otago venison, and finish with sachertorte and homemade vanilla ice cream; though the menu changes according to the season and guests’ dietary requirements.

Breakfast
Dinner

Activities & Entertainment

During your stay at Pen-y-bryn Lodge we highly recommend exploring Oamaru town, with its Victorian past still evident in the streets of Old Town. Enjoy a stroll or walking tour here, visiting the harbour, Clark’s Mill and Totara Estate too. Another must-do experience is getting up close to the Blue and Yellow-eyed Penguins at Bushey Beach, five minutes away, or heading half an hour down the road to Moeraki, home to an old lighthouse and intriguing boulders that look like dinosaur eggs. On top of this, you can go cycling, kayaking and fishing; discover Elephant Rocks, Maori rock art and the Anitini Fossils; take lunch at a winery nearby; or opt for a scenic drive or flight to absorb the stunning landscapes around Oamaru.