Boutique Bed & Breakfast: This colonial homestead whispers history. Originally constructed from beautiful native timber in 1926, now tenderly refurbished staying true to the Arts & Crafts style of architecture. Start your day early with a panoramic view of the Franz Josef neve from the breakfast table. Go exploring at your own pace and come home to a glacial sunset, enjoy the cosy guest lounge before retiring to your welcoming bed. Age restriction: children 12+ welcome.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Quaint
Great View
Languages Spoken
English
Location
2900 Franz Josef Highway, Franz Josef, Westland Tai Poutini National Park 7856 New Zealand
We had planned our Franz Josef adventure nearly a year out. So we were stunned to hear of the floods washing away roads and stranding tourists in December!
Bernie was terrific in keeping me informed, providing clear updates and offering whatever flexibility we might need/desire.
We thought we'd have to skip that portion but roads were mended quickly and we had two great nights with Bernie and Jerrod. I've lost my pictures but our superior room was very spacious, with a kettle, hooks, a small chest and plentiful counter space. The bathroom was likewise roomy and well equipped; the shower was a little less powerful than I prefer but is intended to be like a gentle rain, said Bernie when asked! (FYI room 2 was upstairs with a good number of creaky stairs to drag your bags.)
Bernie's thoughtful touches made Holly Homestead really stand out: earplugs by the bed; a night light in the bathroom; port in the cozy parlor with fireplace; complimentary drinks in the small fridge in the kitchen; and use of the kitchen fridge. Restaurant info and menus are provided. And she even called Fox Glacier for us to check on our excursion the next day.
We had two early starts and Bernie and Jerrod accommodated us with nice breakfasts to get going (he's the breakfast chef). Bernie bakes bread and scones and it was difficult not to eat them all up as they came out of the oven the night before.
The home is just a few minutes drive past town, and slightly back from the main road. There was a tiny bit of traffic noise, which stopped at bedtime. Parking is right out in front of the house.
Thanks for everything, Bernie and Jerrod!
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Date of stay: December 2019
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â Room 2 upstairs was terrific
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A lovingly restored 1920's homestead hosted by Bernie and Gerard who are warm and friendly and dedicated to providing a genuine 5 star experience for their guests. The rooms were large and comfortable and the lounge area cozy with a blazing woodfire. The special touches including daily baking, cooked breakfasts with home baked bread, and a complimentary glass of port in the evening were a highlight. Their local knowledge both local and of the West Coast was instrumental in making our holiday fabulous. We would highly recommend this accommodation.
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Date of stay: August 2020
Value
Rooms
Service
Room Tip:Â Upper level rooms have lovely views. The larger room has a comfortable lounge area with a...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This gorgeous, 1926 built home is an incredibly beautiful and well decorated property with spacious grounds, perfect for relaxing and disconnecting. Upon arrival, Bernie will likely meet you at your vehicle and help you bring your luggage to your room. Settle in and then allow her to guide you around the house, the shared common areas, kitchen and dining room are lovely opportunities to socialise with other guests. With a cold or hot drink in hand, meet your neighbours and let Bernie provide you with map and menus of local eateries. Whether you are a first time visitor or returning traveller, Bernie offers very helpful suggestions so take this time to ask any burning questions.
We stayed in Room 2 and also had a sneak peak of Room 3 before it was occupied. The cleanliness of these rooms is second to none, every reflective surface shone brightly.
Breakfast was meticulously prepared by Bernie the night before and cooked by Gerard. Sitting at the large dining table, admire the polish utensils with mesmerising views of Franz Josef. As you enjoy a continental breakfast with fresh fruit and yoghurt, peep the odd clock on the wall and make discussion with fellow travellers as Gerard takes your cooked food order. No better start to the day.
I cannot speak any higher of our stay at Holly Homestead, my partner and I cannot wait to revisit and enjoy another homemade shortbread biscuit.
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Date of stay: March 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We recently stayed at this warm and hospitable B&B. The hostess Bernie and her husband were helpful, welcoming and gracious. The rooms were large, quiet and included all of the amenities one could wish for. The bathroom was immaculately finished in stained wood with brass trimmings. The breakfasts included everything you could wish for and was served with the utmost attention and generosity. Our stay at Holly Homestead was the nicest facility we stayed at during our time in New Zealand.
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Date of stay: February 2023
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from , Owner at Holly Homestead Bed & Breakfast
Responded 22 Apr 2023
Hi there mjw100000 Greetings from Glorious Franz Josef Glacier. Many thanks for taking the time to review Holly Homestead. Wonderful to have your praise. Thank you for mentioning the things you enjoyed. Much appreciated. Take care Best wishes, Bernie & Gerard
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Bernie is a lovely lady and was very informative about the Franz Josef area and advised us on walks, restaurants etc. The room was very comfy and homely, with plenty of space. There is also a guest balcony. Views of the mountains were lovely, especially at sunrise. Thanks Gerrard for the breakfast.
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Date of stay: February 2020
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bernie welcomed us in to her homely b&b and showed us around her lovely home and business. We settled into our comfy yet spacious room and were offered a tray of coffee to sit and relax whilst Bernie gave us her tips on where to dine that evening. We slept so well as the bed was divine, the room so clean and the bathroom a joy. Breakfast was delicious and Bernie was kind enough to serve it to us at 7am as we had an early start on our helicopter trip and hike at Franz Josef Glacier. I had fruit, Museli and yoghurt and Mark had an omelette. Divine toast too. 10 out of 10 for hospitality Bernie. Wishing you all the very best, Alex and Mark, Malvern, UK X
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Date of stay: December 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Don’t bother visiting the Franz Josef Glacier just come to stay at Holly Homestead.
What a magnificent establishment.
Bernie and Gerard are meticulous in their attention to detail, warm welcome and sharing their knowledge of the area.
From the moment you arrive you feel valued and as if you belong or are returning as a member of the family.
Nothing was too much trouble.
The room and whole BnB is exactly as described on the website. Tea/coffee and shortbread biscuits available anytime.
Breakfast around the large table gives the opportunity to exchange travel stories with other guests. Choice of fruit, cereal, yoghurt followed by a cooked breakfast and cheese/ meats.
It is our pleasure to provide an outstanding review which is well deserved.
We would rate our stay 10+ stars.
Thank you Bernie and Gerard for such a memorable experience.
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Date of stay: February 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Â Book early to avoid disappointment
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We had a wonderful one-night stay at Holly Homestead but wish we had stayed longer! It was fabulous in every respect. We had a complete suite, lounge, bedroom and large modern bathroom with both tub and shower. The bed/pillows were very comfortable and the lounge area was spacious with large windows on two sides giving fabulous views of the mountains. We had a choice of cooked breakfast as well as the usual continental choices. On arrival we were offered tea/coffee with home-baked cookies [that were also available in our room]. We were also given lots of advice about restaurants and things to do locally. We were made extremely welcome and it is one of our favourite memories of our trip.
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Date of stay: February 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed in the beautiful suite at the back of the house overlooking the deck. The rooms were beautifully decorated and very comfortable. Having a well-equipped kitchen was convenient and made our stay easy, and the deck with views of the glaciers was a great place to take photos. The cooked breakfast served in the dining room was delicious, and the extensive travel information provided upon our departure was extraordinarily helpful. We highly recommend Holly Homestead and would definitely stay here again.
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Date of stay: January 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from , Owner at Holly Homestead Bed & Breakfast
Responded 22 Apr 2023
Hello 824hmn Greetings to you in USA from Glorious Franz Josef Glacier. Lovely to have you stay at Holly Homestead in January. Many thanks for your 5/5 review. Much appreciated. Great that you enjoyed the mini kitchen in our suite. Thank you for your recommendation. It will be our pleasure to host you again. Cheers, Bernie
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A very comfortable and memorable stay. One of the best places we have ever stayed at without a doubt. Gerard and Bernie are amazing hosts and very kind people. The rooms are cosy, comfortable and exceptionally clean. Delicious homecooked breakfast by chef Gerard and personalized local tips by Bernie were the icing on the cake.
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Date of stay: March 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from , Owner at Holly Homestead Bed & Breakfast
Responded 23 Apr 2023
Hi 899aniqaa Greetings from Glorious Franz Josef Glacier. Thank you for your lovely 10/10 review of Holly Homestead. Lovely to have you both stay in March. Your kind words are much appreciated. Cheers, Bernie
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There are more places to choose from in the Franz Josef area.
PRICE RANGE
HK$1,479 - HK$1,503 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
New ZealandSouth IslandWest Coast RegionWestland Tai Poutini National ParkFranz Josef
NUMBER OF ROOMS
4
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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