Neil and Sarah were very pleasant hosts, making us feel really at home and we enjoyed our chats at breakfast. A lovely setting and relaxing two days prior to flying home and the end of a fantastic trip in the North Island. Sarah's homemade biscuits were superb as were the breakfasts.

We stayed at Cardoness near the beginning of a 3 month tour of NZ. Sarah and Neil gave us of their time so readily suggesting things to do having listened to our interests. Breakfasts were lavish, our room and deck just right and very comfortable and their wine has to be tried...they are in a lovely location and we highly recommend staying here to anyone.

Wish we could have stayed more than 3 days. So much to enjoy: learning about a boutique winery, eating Sarah's sumptuous supper platter on the veranda outside our room and tasting the Ash Ridge (their label) chardonney, exploring the vegetable, fruit and flower gardens in their 32 acres, the views of vineyards and hillsides from every room, the quiet nights under the southern cross constellation. The Hawke's Bay experience was like Napa 50 years ago. The Cardoness lodge was purpose built with the utmost comfort and privacy for guests. Sarah and Neil truly cook local, that is preserves made from their own orchard, eggs from their chickens, salad ingredients from 50 feet away, cheese from nearby dairies.... Sarah is a former caterer and served us homemade dolmas, spanokopita, liver pate, brownies.... The rooms seem brand new; they are so well maintained. If Hawke's bay were as close as Napa, we would go every month.

From the moment we turned onto the driveway, past the olive trees, looking toward the house, gardens and vineyards, we knew we made an excellent choice. The accommodations, the food, the wine, the gardens (fruits, vegetables, flowers galore) as well as the care, suggestions, knowledge of the area and the personal attention made our visit very special. Our room and bath were very comfortable, contemporary decor, with delicious cookies and chocolates, opening to our own patio. We treated ourselves to a lovely bottle of their syrah. And we know we will treat ourselves to a return visit. The Hawkes Bay/Napier area is wonderful, interesting, with lots to do and see, appealing to a broad range of interests.