Cotter House Review

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Cotter House

  • Address: 4 St. Vincent Ave., Remuera, Auckland
  • Phone: 09/529-5156
  • Fax: 09/529-5186
  • www.cotterhouse.com
Write a review | Avg. member rating: 1.2/5

Fodor's Review:

This 1847 Regency mansion, the fifth-oldest house in Auckland, is the kind of place rock stars have been known to retreat to after mishaps on tropical islands. The home has been refurbished in original style, with classic features such as egg-and-dart molding, recessed arches, and narrow shutters on the high windows and is very private with security gates. Colombian-French owner Gloria Poupard-Walbridge loves to spoil people, which she is able to do because Cotter House cannot take large numbers of guests. Predinner drinks are served in the two refined lounges, and she bakes brioches and croissants herself as part of the four-course breakfast. Cotter House is elegant and a showcase for art collected over the two decades when Gloria was a diplomat's wife. The art shares the rooms with a significant collection of antiques, from antique writing desks, vanities, and armoires to the French scallop-shaped bath in the suite. Table d'hôte dinners are available by arrangement. Pro: Like staying in a charming, private country house. Con: Grounds are a little small.

  • Hotel Details: 2 rooms, 1 suite
  • In-room: safe, DVD, Wi-Fi.
  • In-hotel: spa, Internet terminal.
  • Rate includes: Full breakfast
  • Credit Cards: AE, DC, MC, V
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Member Reviews and Ratings

Reviewed by happyfamilyinnz from New York, NY on 10/17/09
We stayed at the Cotter House with great expectations. The inn is coined as a luxury retreat but it was not what I had in mind. The inn keeper was very gracious and was there to please. Gloria wants to make your stay a great experience and trys very hard.

If you're looking for a hands off stay with a bit of privacy this is not the place for you. We returned from an afternoon out to find our belonging put away into drawers and cabinets. We had intentionally left things out for easy access and asked they not be "stashed away."

The overall cleanliness of the inn was average and the amenities acceptable. The linens were changed every few days and the towels daily upon request. The towels and robes may have been plush in their younger years but were worn and tattered for our stay.

We stayed in the bronze suite and were pleased our infant daughter would have her own room. Unfortunately we found it difficult to control the temperature in her room. The house is old and the windows rattle and shake if the wind blows. The bathroom is quite drafty as well. The rooms felt a touch crowded with furniture, antiques, and tea sets.

The food was ok but the pan au chocolate were to die for. Definately the high light of our stay.

Overall we were disappointed with our stay. We did not find good value in the nightly rate. The house was cold and noisy. When we were in our room you could here the televisions in the other room along with any conversations that were taking place.

Member Rating: 1.2
Ratings details: Room: 1.0 Atmosphere: 1.0 Service: 2.0 Value: 1.0
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