- The entire place is yours
- 1346 ft² size
- Kitchen
- View
- Garden
- BBQ facilities
- Free WiFi
- Terrace
- Balcony
- Free parking
About this property
Historic Charm: Mill Cottage with Spa Pool & Sauna in Akaroa offers a spacious holiday home housed in a historic building. Guests enjoy a private entrance and garden views. Relaxing Facilities: The property features a sauna, hot tub, and terrace. Free WiFi is available throughout the cottage. Comfortable Living: The cottage includes two bedrooms, a living room, and a fully equipped kitchen. Additional amenities include a balcony, fireplace, and streaming services. Convenient Location: Located 87 km from Christchurch International Airport, Akaroa Beach is a 16-minute walk away. Free on-site private parking is provided.
Distance in property description is calculated using © OpenStreetMap
Most popular facilities
- Free parking
- Free WiFi
- Non-smoking rooms
- Family rooms
Guest reviews
Categories:
Staff
Facilities
Cleanliness
Comfort
Value for money
Location
Guests who stayed here loved
Kevin
New Zealand“A beautiful cottage from a by gone era set in lovely rambling grounds. The spa and sauna were a welcome treat! The basket of goodies and breakfast foods were a surprise and much appreciated.”
Gregory
New Zealand“The hosts, Marie and Graeme, provided excellent food for breakfast, particularly gluten free requested. The cottage is absolutely charming alongside the picturesque property outlook. Loved the outside deck and the sound of the river/creek adjacent...”
Karina
New Zealand“Fabulous place to stay. So much character and everything you need to keep you happy. Hosts were great. Highly recommend to friends and family.”
Vicki
New Zealand“This gorgeous cottage is perfect for a romantic getaway, from the cosy woodburner fireplace to the outdoor spa and sauna. Comfy bed and bedding, well equipped kitchen and heaters plentiful throughout for chilly evenings and mornings. A short...”
Marianne
New Zealand“Maree and Graeme were wonderful and they really went out of their way to help us with recommendations and Maree provided us with the history of Mill Cottage. They made us feel welcomed and cormfortable. The ambience of Mill Cottage is something...”
Quality rating
Booking.com rated the quality of this property as 4 out of 5 based on factors such as facilities, size, location and services provided.
Hosted by Maree & Graeme
10
Host review score
Maree & Graeme
Idyllic Mill Cottage was built in 1852, next to Grehan Stream and the site of the first water-driven flour Mill in the South Island. Now beautifully restored, it is a blend of history and modern comfort amid a large tranquil garden filled with native birdsong. Nestled among trees and overlooking the stream is a sauna, spa pool and outdoor shower. Enjoy nature from the balcony with a BBQ or cosy-up inside next to the fire. Just a 12-min scenic stroll to the Akaroa Village eateries and seaside.
The Cottage Indoors:
Well-Equipped Kitchen: Ideal for cooking on holiday, with electric hot plates, small oven, dishwasher, dining table and fireside area.
Peaceful Lounge and wrap-around Balcony: A separate lounge room with French doors opens onto a large balcony featuring comfy outdoor chairs, a dining table, and a double beanbag. Perfect for relaxing in the garden or firing-up the Weber gas BBQ for al fresco dining.
Wood-Burner: a wood basket at your back door will be stocked with wood and kindling for your stay.
Bedrooms: The main bedroom with a queen bed is on the ground floor. Accessible by steep stairs, an additional bedroom offers two single beds.
Bathroom: Shower room with heated towel rail linked to the main bedroom, and a separate toilet room.
TV: streams Netflix, Disney, Prime, TVNZ
Outdoors:
Hot Tub, Sauna & Outdoor Shower : Enjoy a private area in the trees with a spa, sauna, and warm water shower overlooking the stream. For the adventurous, try a cold-water soak in the stream.
The Garden and Grounds: are extensive with plenty of nooks to explore or enjoy a picnic.
Parking & Re-charging EV's: Plenty of on-site parking available. For EV's there is a recharger (Wallbox Pulsar Pro) that guests can arrange to access with their host.
Hiking & Wildlife: Hiking trails are just up the country road on the hills behind the cottage offering birdwatching, views of Banks Peninsula's ancient volcanic geology and breathtaking Akaroa harbour sea views.
Graeme and I recently returned home to New Zealand, won over by the wild beauty of the Banks Peninsula area and all the outdoor adventures on both land and sea here. We are passionate about native bird and wildlife conservation and have just signed up to do volunteer work with Pest Free Banks Peninsula. Otherwise, we enjoy the local hiking, kayaking and gardening in the park-like grounds where both our house and Mill Cottage is located in Akaroa.
Activities in our Neighborhood:
We live in a highly regarded area of natural beauty - with an abundance of native bird life, the home of the Hectors Dolphin (one of the smallest and rarest dolphins in the world) and the location for the world famous 'Banks Track' (a 3-Day Walk). The whole area around Akaroa is a Hikers/Walkers playground.
Walking Tracks near the Cottage:
1. Woodills Track: (access from our road) A popular half-day loop walk starting from Woodills South or Woodills North. It offers stunning views over Akaroa.
2. Skyline Circuit and Misty Peaks: A full-day hike. It provides spectacular views of the harbour and surrounding hills.
3. Children's Bay Farm Walkway: A short walk with beautiful views of Akaroa Harbour.
4. French Cemetery Loops: A short circular walk to the oldest Christian cemetery in the South Island.
5. Garden of Tane: A lovely walk, through native bush and historic sites.
Dedicated Conservation Areas and Walks:
1. Purple Peak Curry Reserve: (access from our road) Located at the top of Grehan Valley, this 190-hectare reserve offers magnificent views and diverse flora and fauna and offers a variety of walking tracks
2. Hinewai Reserve: Managed by the Maurice White Native Forest Trust, this reserve is adjacent to Purple Peak Curry Reserve and offers a variety of walking tracks
Other Activities/Experiences - both sporty and cultural:
- Akaroa Golf Club - scenic 18 hole golf course with stunning views of Akaroa Harbour
- Mini Golf
- Cinema (called Ethels)
- Kayaking & Paddleboarding
- E-bike Tours
- Night Sky Gazing
- Dolphin & Nature Boat Cruises
- Scuba Diving and Snorkeling
- Wineries
- History Tours
- Art Galleries & Museum
- Onuku Marae
Language spoken: English
Property surroundings
House rules
Mill Cottage with Spa Pool & Sauna takes special requests - add in the next step!
Check-in
From 15:00 to 23:00
You'll need to let the property know in advance what time you'll arrive.
Check-out
From 06:00 to 10:00
Cancellation/ prepayment
Cancellation and prepayment policies vary according to accommodation type. Please enter the dates of your stay and check the conditions of your required option.
Damage policy
If you cause damage to the property during your stay, you could be asked to pay up to NZD 350 after check-out, according to this property's Damage Policy.
Children and beds
Child policies
Children are not allowed.
Cot and extra bed policies
Cots and extra beds are not available at this property.
No age restriction
There is no age requirement for check-in
Smoking
Smoking is not allowed.
Parties
Parties/events are not allowed
Quiet hours
Guests must be quiet between 22:00 and 07:00.
Pets
Pets are not allowed.
The fine print
Need-to-know information for guests at this property
Please inform Mill Cottage with Spa Pool & Sauna in advance of your expected arrival time. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly with the contact details provided in your confirmation.
This property will not accommodate hen, stag or similar parties.
Quiet hours are between 22:00:00 and 07:00:00.
If you cause damage to the property during your stay, you could be asked to pay up to NZD 350 after check-out, according to this property's Damage Policy.
