The Gables B&B

The breakfast received high praise for its variety and generosity. Guests appreciated the convenient location and outstanding service. Clean, cozy rooms with comfortable beds were also highlighted.

We stayed at The Gables for 2 nights before taking the ferry to the North Island Unfortunately after 2 weeks in the South Island this was the very worst accommodation of our trip so far. From the moment we arrived We and another couple of guests turned up at the same time shortly after 3 pm There was no one at the house and after a couple of phone calls (one incohérent) somebody eventually let us in to our rooms We had booked one of the cottages at the back which was probably our biggest mistake The cottage was shabby, kitchen cupboard in need of work, dirty (eg coffee granules all over one shelf), the kitchen was very poorly equipped (eg empty box of tea bags and no teaspoons), flies everywhere with no fly screen so we were unable to open the windows and as there is no air conditioning the room was very hot. Absolutely nowhere to put a suitcase other than the floor or sofa. Uncomfortable bed and thin pillows. The shower is extremely basic and a little grimy. Some very basic products just placed on the floor. No hooks either. There is a small untended garden at the front of the cottage. There are old bits of building equipment eg wheelbarrows strewn around. Parking could have been an issue as the details say only free on street parking is available We and the other couple parked at the back of the house where there was plenty of room to park although we had read that the host had previously objected to guests parking there. The wifi wouldn’t work for the first 24 hours although this was available on our second night The whole house, cottages, and outside areas are run down and very much past their best. The house is now bright blue and not as in the picture. Breakfast was pretty dismal. Squash not orange juice, ordinary sliced bread covered with a bit of cling film, various pots of vegemite, jam plonked in middle of the table. Everything self service. A couple of pain au chocolat were provided but no offer of an alternative. No hosting is going on at this unloved B and B. It is very much in need of a host who cares about the guests and what is required to run a good B and B Apparently the owner also runs the Escape to Picton boutique hotel and restaurant.Good luck