Wallingford Homestead, Porongahau, Central Hawke’s Bay

Property Description:

5 ensuite rooms (one being a 2 bed Apartment)
Whole House Bookings (exclusive use) – 9 double rooms, 1 single room, 6 bathrooms, 3 verandahs, Welcome/Reception, Dining Room, lounge Room (Cooking facilities are not available – meals included)
Restaurant and full beverage service, RATES include all meals
Pool and pool pavilion
A boardroom for up to 10 at conference table, 30 seated
Extensive Gardens with park like grounds bordered by a stream & Truffiere

The food Experience at Wallingford:

When staying for two evenings on the Luxe package, you have the days to yourself to explore wild beaches, the incandescent countryside and expressive oceans while being greeted in the evening with the degustation menu on one night of your stay alternated with a table d’hôte menu for the other evening where you indulge in 4 / 5 petite plates before choosing a shared main that is served with accompaniments, completed by a sweet treat. Each morning the day begins with your fast being broken by house baked break, a hot and cold offering prepared a la minute by the chef.

Description

Louise comments “Jeff and I enjoyed a delightful weekend at Wallingford in Mid-February, an entirely restful, indulgent and romantic break.

Sadly, this sublime break was just before cyclone Gabrielle which impacted beautiful Hawke’s Bay.

The region has found some silver linings, and despite our collective grief at the impact on our largely rural communities, our Tourism, Hospitality sector and infrastructure is largely unaffected, Wallingford included, for which we are so so grateful.

Wallingford Homestead is an hour drive South from Hastings, making it an hour and 20 from Napier and three and a half hours from Wellington. This property will become one of those synonymous with Luxury and exquisite dining in its own right. As its reputation continues to build, I believe itineraries will be built around visitors desire to stay here. Open Thursday to Sunday only, with 5 Ensuite rooms this is a very special place indeed. To truly appreciate it and “unplug” I recommend a minimum of two nights. Genuine & heartfelt hospitality here from Chris & Jeanette and their team. Chris provides the genius creativity in the kitchen, Jeanette your “hello person” will make you feel warmly welcome, in all the little ways that are memorable. Thanks for the blanky on my knees and the top notch Negroni!

It is the most charming of places, with the most exciting and interesting and delicious food I have experienced since…well Hapuku Lodge + Treehouses! The dining experience is a carefully crafted suite of dishes, a delightful and satisfying journey for the palate. Wines are carefully chosen to accompany and enhance these incredible flavours and textures.

The comfort and style of the property is astonishing, so much love and care has gone into renovating this elegant old home, and its charm is intact, with a layer of the modern conveniences to make sure have a real sense of eras gone by married with sophisticated elegance.

Can you tell I loved it? Just look on trip advisor and you will see, I am not the only one…”