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Reviews of Foveaux Hotel

2.5 out of 5
Foveaux Hotel
40 Gore Street, Bluff

Reviews

8.6

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 27 out of 54 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 16 out of 54 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 8 out of 54 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 2 out of 54 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 54 reviews" "

9.2/10

Cleanliness

9.2/10

Staff & service

7.6/10

Amenities

7.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.0/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

8/10 Good

Ivy

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Easy to find, not far from the Ferry, only problem was the stairs, no lift.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2023

8/10 Good

Juliet

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2023

8/10 Good

Willard

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
Proprietor was very helpful and the continental breakfast was very good.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Hope Lynne, Fort Wayne

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities

10/10 Excellent

Tony

Traveled with group, Business traveler
Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This property is a rare find. Enjoyed the hospitality of host Mike who loves mixing with his guests. Great little house bar and the complimentary continental breakfast starts the day off well. Nothing is a problem for Mike. Would definitely stay here again
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Dana

Stayed 1 night in Nov 2022

8/10 Good

Bruce

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Mike and Pam were very supportive of guests. Most were one nighters on the way to/from Dtewart Island. Overnight parking while away was a big plus. We wish them well after some tough Covid years.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Amanda

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2022

6/10 Okay

Frank

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Old hotel with friendly staff in a location Bluff that was run down with little other facilities in the area.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kathleen

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2022

8/10 Good

Christine

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Amenities
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2022

8/10 Good

Dante

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
The location is very good if you’re taking the ferry to Oban. It’s a 5 minute walk. The room we were on was hot and a fan would have made it more comfortable. But the owner/manager was very nice and offered us parking for a day while we were in Stewart Island.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2022

10/10 Excellent

Joanne

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Foveaux Hotel In Bluff
Our stay here was excellent. The ambience was retro with a comfortable home-like feel. Ample space in the lounge to stretch out and watch tv or read a book and the dining area was lovely. The room was a fair size and it was lovely having a private balcony. Our hosts were beyond gracious and went above and beyond in ensuring our stay was perfect. And the house cat Oliver was friendly and fun. There was a takeaway place next door for lunch and it was a short walk down the street to an excellent restaurant for evening dinner. Close to the dock and a small beach and a very short walk to the lighthouse and then a trail walk. Overall our stay was wonderful and we will definitely stay here again if we ever in Bluff again.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2022

10/10 Excellent

Andrew

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Friendly family run hotel
Friendly and accommodating hosts. Mike and Pam were very welcoming and helpful. Very comfortable beds. Great location close to the ferry terminal and 30 minutes walk to Stirling Point. Supermarket 2 minutes walk, excellent fish and chip shop right next door.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2022

6/10 Okay

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Amenities
Owners doing their best. Cold miserable day on arrival & all just seemed a bit bleak. Big thing was no dinner available at nite. Previous reviews praised the meals highly so no word that unavailable when I booked - very disappointing. Bed cosy, heater in room, didn’t like hearing people using toilet in night (must hv been next to my room). Kind owner carried suitcase up stairs & offered me to leave car parked behind hotel. A very basic help yourself breakfast included. Felt very safe, just pretty ordinary for price.
Stayed 1 night in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Harriet

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
GOOD CHOICE OF HOTEL IN BLUFF. CLEAN COMFORTABLE AND EXCELLENT HOSTS
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2021

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The staff were very friendly and accommodating. Making sure we had everything we needed.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2021

10/10 Excellent

Graham

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great southern hospitality
Very friendly hosts, went the extra mile to make us welcome.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2021

6/10 Okay

Verified traveler

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Too expensive.Not worth. This piece.I can live better. No more private space.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2021
Response from Hosts on Mar 21, 2021
Hi Anonymous Sorry you did not like your stay, you did check into our very basic room. If you had spoken to us about your concerns we could have rectified the matter. posting online anonymously doesn't help find a solution for your concerns. Hopefully the rest of your stay in New Zealand lives up to your expectations.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Lovely friendly proprietors who really made one feel at home. The facilities were nice and clean
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2021

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The authentic old—style atmosphere accompanied by friendly service and good facilities
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2021

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
A great old pub.lovely hosts and very warm on a cold day
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2021

10/10 Excellent

John

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Traditional with wonderful people
Superb. Yes, it’s a traditional hotel in the sense that it has shared bathrooms and small rooms, and it certainly has seen the passage of some time. But whatever. It’s great. The people working there take more pride in their work than I have found in a really long time. That makes this place fantastic. I really couldn’t recommend it highly enough for the simple reason that you can feel just how much the people care.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Traveled with partner
Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Extremely helpful and friendly hosts. Safe car parking, complimentary breakfast. Property a bit old but new owners making a lot of improvements.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2020
Response from Foveaux Hotel on Feb 16, 2020
Thank you for your feedback. hope you enjoyed your trip to Antarctic

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This is a quaint b&b located right near the Stewart Island ferry. The owners are super friendly and accommodating. My bed was so comfy. Definitely will be back.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2019
Response from Mike on Jan 9, 2020
Thank you for your feedback. We would love to have you stay at the hotel again.

8/10 Good

Kok Hui

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Very basic room with limited power points, but we managed with our own adapters. Nice complimentary breakfast. We were allowed to park at the hotel for our one-night stay at Stewart Island, and the ferry is only minutes walk away.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We had been stuck on Stewart Island for one of our nights due to weather and I phoned saying someone stuck on the other side could stay in our place. We found out on our return they had charged them as well as kept our money, not something we do, also told us if we wanted our money back we had to ask expedia,
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2019
Response from Pam on May 9, 2019
As you had paid Expedia directly it is easier and quicker for you to contact them to refund your credit card. I have contacted Expedia on your behalf and they will issue you with a refund.

10/10 Excellent

Graeme

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Fabulous hotel and owners
This is a great old hotel run by a delightful couple. The meals in the dining room are wonderful. A great place to stay before or after Stewart Island.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2019
Response from Mike on Apr 10, 2019
Hi Graeme Thank you for the wonderful feedback. It was grat having you stay at our hotel. Regards. Pam and Mike

10/10 Excellent

Jeane, Charlotte, North Carolina

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Location was perfect for sight seeing. Across the street from Stewart Island ferry deport. Daily continental breakfast or Café next door for full breakfast and afternoon tea. Excellent dinner menu and food prepared to perfection. I arrived just in time for beginning of the famous Bluff Oyster season. Have to let them know in morning if you will want dinner that evening. Old Hotel from 1930's under new ownership, renovations coming. Has unique comfy atmosphere, very clean, and warm friendly host Mike & Pam.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2019
Response from Mike on Apr 4, 2019
Hi Jeane Thank you so much for your wonderful review. We are please that you enjoyed your stay at the Foveaux Hotel and look forward to having you back in the not too distant future. Regards. Pam and Mike

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Family run business. This hotel puts the service back into the hotel industry. The owners are interested in your comfort and enjoyment and have gone out of their way to be sure my stay has been enjoyable. I’m so glad I extended my stay in Bluff instead of returning to Invercargill after a visit here. This has been the best experience ever.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2019
Response from Mike on Mar 20, 2019
Thank you so much for your review, and we are pleased that you enjoyed your stay at the Foveaux Hotel. Regards. Pam and Mike

10/10 Excellent

David

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The manager was very helpful and provided a good breakfast. We enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2019
Response from Mike on Mar 6, 2019
Hi David Thank you for your positive feedback. It was good to have you staying at our hotel. Regards. Mike & Pam

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Owner Michael was a very gracious host and gave us useful info.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2019
Response from Mike on Feb 23, 2019
Thank you so much for your positive review.

8/10 Good

john

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2019
Response from Mike on Feb 20, 2019
Hi John. Thank you for your positive feedback. Regards.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very friendly and helpful. Good basic place for a comfortable stay.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2019
Response from Mike on Feb 20, 2019
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback.

6/10 Okay

Verified traveler

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The hotel was extremely handy for Stewart Island Ferry and the new owner let me leave my car at hotel for 2 nights 🎉👏. However hotel very tired and in need of TLC, breakfast very basic! In short location fab host very helpful but got his work cut out to make it a must for commuting to Stewart Island
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2019
Response from Mike on Feb 20, 2019
Thank you for your feedback. We have only owned the hotel for a month now and are looking to improve on the breakfast. We are aware that the hotel is in need of some much needed TLC and will be a work in progress going forward. Regards.

8/10 Good

Matthieu

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Comfortable hotel and very friendly staff
+very nice and friendly hotel owner that we enjoy so much the moment to chat with you ( best wishes for the new page of your life ) +comfortable bed +the hotel is old but the room is very clean +city centered , close to the landmarks +supermarket is so close , 2mins walks -basic breakfast -if there is a fridge in room will be great
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2019
Response from Sherry, Owner & Manager on Jan 16, 2019
Thanks Mattieu! Have a very good holiday!

8/10 Good

Jamie, Geraldton, Western Australia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Warm, welcoming and comfy beds
Nice little hotel with a friendly welcoming environment. Bluff put on a winters storm but I was warm and tucked up in a nice bed. Good location to walk around.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2018
Response from Sherry on Oct 17, 2018
Thanks Jamie Glad you enjoyed your stay and the bed was comfy. Have a great day! Sincerely, Sherry Owner & Manager Foveaux Hotel

8/10 Good

Peter

Bluff Work Trip
Normally stay in Invercargill when down that way on business, but upon arrival, found Invercargill was fully booked out! But found this little Hotel across the road from where i was working in Bluff so it all worked out well. Quite a dated Hotel, but rooms was clean and tidy, and no kitchenette in rooms but a communal lounge with coffee making facilities was there.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2018
Response from Sherry, Owner & Manager, Foveaux Hotel on Sep 13, 2018
Dear Peter: Thank you for your very good review. Unfortunately because of the nature of the hotel, we are unable to put a kitchenette in the rooms. I am glad you enjoyed your stay and please come back again.

6/10 Okay

theona, new zealand

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
handy to ferry
The room was lovely the service excellent but I have to say it the shared bathroom which only included a shower was horrific. This room urgently needs an update. It was so grotty that I could not use it and I expect to be able to have a shower. I was quite shocked by this i have to say. I would urge this hotel to renovate immediately.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2018
Response from Sherry, Owner & Manager, Foveaux Hotel on Sep 15, 2018
Dear Theona: It would be impossible to clean the shower after a guest uses it. The shower is cleaned every day and fresh towels and bathmat are put in. Renovating the shower would increase the room rate drastically for the 4 rooms with share bath facilities. You have been the first person to complain about the shower in the 5 years I have owned the hotel. I would suggest you get a room with ensuite next time. The rooms with ensuite are more expensive but it would solve your problem. Hope the rest of your holiday was lovely.

8/10 Good

Catherine

Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort
Charming hotel but lacking customer focus
The hotel is a lovely old building, partly refurbished with old world charm. Fortunately we had booked the balcony room which was reasonably large but other rooms may not be as spacious. It’s conveniently located close to the ferry terminal for the trip to Stewart Island. They were short staffed so little assistance was offered, fortunately we’re quite self sufficient but the manager was helpful enough when asked. There’s a good fish and chip shop next door. Breakfast was adequate. You had to go to a communal lounge for tea/coffee but no milk supplied.

6/10 Okay

Kain, Qld, Australia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Art Deco Experience
We enjoyed the experience of staying in an old Art Deco style accommodation.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2018

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveler

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Old mattress. Walls were so thin you could hear everything from the rooms either side. Overpriced
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2018

4/10 Poor

David

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Cheap and friendly stop over
The information says TV in room, there isn't. Their own website suggests perfect romantic getaway, it isn't, it's a bit tired and the view from the balcony room is the side of an industrial unit (see photo). Having said that, if you want a cheap stop over, it's extremely friendly and welcoming, and it's clean. The food in the restaurant was delicious, although being the only couple eating it had no atmosphere and I wish we'd gone out to eat like the others staying in the hotel at the time.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2018

10/10 Excellent

Jinny, Katikati NZ

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great Stay
Place is very nice the dinner of Blue Cod salad and chips was AMAZING .
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2018

4/10 Poor

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service
RUDE owner
Let owner know b4 booking that we would be arriving late, she said no problem. Again, wrote another note in the booking reminding her of late arrival. Day of arrival I emailed her to confirm how to check in late. She then told me there was a "policy change" and I would be charged an initial $50 fee and $20 dollars for every hour after. She said she was tired of everyone arriving at "ungodly hours". I then forwarded multiple previous emails from her telling me our arrival time was fine. She then said she would honor her word but upon arrival was super rude and still told me she was charging a fee. I just wanted a bed after a very long flight and then a long drive so I let it go. But wow.... not the welcome I was expecting my first night in New Zealand. Multiple ppl the next day on my excursion had nothing good to say about the place either. Don't stay here unless you are planning to arrive well before 6pm.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2018

8/10 Good

Graham, Portugal

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Old worldly feeling but comfortable.
I had a small single room with tiny sink and shared bathroom. Only one shower available. Parking behind the hotel. Comfortable TV room with coffee making facility. The breakfast is continental and basic. Friendly, welcoming staff. A takeaway next door and convenience store two minutes away.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2018

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Friendly, helpful, generous
Lovely place to stay in a renovated hotel. It was relaxed, quite and had several lounges to kick back.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2018
Response from Sherry on Jan 21, 2018
Thank you for your wonderful review and we are happy that you enjoyed yourself and had a relaxing time. Hope the rest of your holiday is great/

10/10 Excellent

Chris, Seattle

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Across the street from the Stewart Island Ferry
I generally don't need a lot of service beyond the ordinary. But this time I had left a bag in my room after I checked out. The manager was gracious enough to offer to ship that to me saving me 6 hours drive to retrieve it. Big Thank You! I also enjoyed the art deco flavor of this building as well as much of the rest of the waterfront in Bluff.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2018

6/10 Okay

Louise, Gippsland, Australia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Early 1900's building full of charm.
Good home cooked food, walking distance to wharf for ferry
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2017
Response from Sherry on Nov 30, 2017
Thank you for your review. It was great talking to you and glad you enjoyed bird watching on Ulva Island. Enjoy the rest of your trip.

10/10 Excellent

Linda

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Good basic room in Bluff
An older hotel run by a friendly American expat. We had a room with an ensuite. Pretty basic but comfortable. Lounge across the hall had coffee and tea making equipment, a long couch and a large screen TV. Breakfast was fruit, cereal, toast, coffee and tee. We picked it because it was close to the Stewart Island ferry. She allowed us to leave our car while on the island for two nights. Very nice! Easy two block walk to the terminal.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2017
Dear Linda: Thank you for the very nice review. I certainly enjoyed talking to you. Hope the weather was good for Stewart Island. Sincerely, Sherry Foveaux Hotel