The Homestead at Orongo Bay

The Homestead at Orongo Bay Review

Tucked away in gardens off the road between the car-ferry landing and Russell, this historic lodge, built in 1865, soothes with peace and quiet—which is why it has hosted people like Jane Fonda and Jo-Anna Lumley. The two rooms in the main homestead have kauri ceilings and paneling built in a New England colonial style, with large, tiled bathrooms. A pair of bi-level barn rooms set back from the main building have angled roofs and skylights. Because it's set on 17 acres of native bush, it's worth bringing your binoculars. The pond hosts a number of endangered birdlife, including the New Zealand native brown teal, the fourth-rarest waterfowl in the world. Sumptuous multicourse dinners are cooked (by prior arrangement) by chef and co-owner Michael Hooper, a food critic, who grows many of his organic ingredients on the property and plucks the oysters out of the bay in front of the house. He's been known to pick the salad while the starter is being served.