Bay of Many Coves

We've stayed at the Bay of Many Coves twice now, both during the off season and for three nights each.

On both visits we were met at the dock by the resort manager (Lisa), promptly checked in and taken up to our one bedroom apartment, which incidentally was the same unit on both visits (#103). Our luggage was delivered shortly thereafter via golf cart.

Our unit had a king sized bed, plush bathrobes, spacious bathroom with plenty of quality towels, generous amenities, comfortable lounge area with small LCD TV, music system, well equipped kitchen complete with mini fridge, stove and dishwasher. It was bright and airy with louvered windows and had a fantastic deck with an unobstructed view of the sounds.

The room was great, but the ambiance and service, well, that’s what made our second visit really special.

When we booked our stay, we were asked if we had any dietary requirements. My spouse will eat most anything, but I’m more of a challenge and I try to avoid set menus. When we arrived I asked to see the menu before we booked dinner, and was discouraged that there wasn’t anything I would eat, save one item on the starter menu.

When we went to the office to book a water taxi for the following day, Lisa informed me that the chef was prepared to make a special chicken dish for me, or I could have the starter as a main. This was a pleasant surprise, particularly since I hadn’t mentioned my preferences since our booking four months prior. This was just the start of some wonderfully attentive service.

When we entered the tranquil, softly lit restaurant that evening we discovered that we were two of only six guests. A fire was burning; mellow music was playing and the ladies were all offered an incredibly soft, warm shawl to wear during dinner. A very nice touch!

Dinner the first night was chargrilled sirloin and gratin Dauphinois with mustard cognac butter for the carnivore (he said it was excellent). I took a leap of faith and ordered the chef’s special mentioned above, which turned out to be smoked chicken breast and roasted vegetables over a puff pastry with some sort of sauce. It was delicious and just what I had in mind.

We dined in the restaurant every night of our stay and had a wonderful meal each time.

As a surprise for my husband who was celebrating his 50th birthday, I’d arranged for the resort to make a small birthday cake. Chris, the chef on duty, made a lovely chocolate raspberry cake with a birthday greeting written in chocolate on the plate. It was a perfect end to a perfect stay at Bay of Many Coves.

Lisa and Jian were incredibly helpful and accommodating. They booked our water taxis, suggested walks and in one instance got permission from a land owner for us to cross his property. Jian lent us his cell phone one day so we could call him to arrange a dinghy pick-up when we finished a particular walk.

Chris and Jie took very good care of us in the restaurant. We were too busy walking the Queen Charlotte Track to visit the cafe, but I have no doubt we would have been well cared for there as well.

Bay of Many Coves was the highlight of our three week stay on the South Island and we're already making plans to go back.