The Marlborough

The Property

The hotel occupies the restored Convent building, its Victorian bones — stained glass, soaring ceilings, the original carved Kauri staircase — set against a considered contemporary refit completed in 2016. Ten rooms are spread across two floors, no two alike in shape or outlook, a consequence of the building’s unusual history: six Premium Rooms of 38 to 40 square metres, two 30-square-metre Deluxe Rooms, and two 25-square-metre Queen Rooms, each with its own ensuite, heated bathroom floors, individual air conditioning and a private balcony over the gardens or vines. A complimentary minibar in every room is stocked with the estate’s own wine, along with local beer and treats. Alongside the main building stands a deconsecrated 1911 chapel, moved to the site in 1999 and reimagined in 2018 as the Chapel Bar — a lounge and outdoor fireplace reserved exclusively for house guests, and the setting for nightly cocktails and canapés. The estate can also be booked in its entirety for exclusive use, suiting small weddings, corporate retreats or family gatherings.

The Experience

Days begin with a full breakfast in the light-filled dining room and close with cocktail hour at the Chapel Bar’s outdoor fire, canapés drawn from whatever is in season. At the centre of it all is Harvest, the estate’s restaurant, which has been awarded a Hat in the Cuisine NZ Good Food Awards and draws its produce from an acre of organic gardens on site alongside Marlborough’s finest growers, with a Sommelier on hand to guide the wine list. For something more private, the Secret Shack — a hidden retreat beside Spring Creek with views to the Wither Hills — offers a three-course dinner for two, prepared and served by a private chef. Guests can join the estate’s gardener on a morning walking tour through the vines and 400-plus varieties of tree and shrub, take a wine appreciation session that moves from tasting room to vineyard, or simply make use of the heated outdoor pool, petanque, croquet and tennis scattered through the grounds. Further afield, the hotel arranges private or group wine tours by vehicle or bicycle, cruises through the Marlborough Sounds, and guided access to the Queen Charlotte Track.

Property Details

• Location:

  776 Rapaura Road, Rapaura, Marlborough — 10 minutes from Blenheim Airport, 15 minutes from Blenheim

• Accommodation:

  10 rooms across two floors — 6 Premium Rooms (38–40 sqm), 2 Deluxe Rooms (30 sqm), 2 Queen Rooms (25 sqm)

• Room Features:

  Ensuite bathrooms with heated floors, individual air conditioning, balcony access, complimentary minibar stocked with estate wine, beer and local treats

• Dining:

  Harvest Restaurant (Hat-awarded, à la carte, estate and regional produce), complimentary breakfast, nightly cocktails and canapés, private dining at the Secret Shack, Sommelier-led wine appreciation sessions

• Grounds:

  16 acres of gardens and working vineyard, over 400 tree and shrub varieties, Spring Creek, 1 acre of organic vegetable gardens, heated outdoor pool (Oct–Apr), petanque, croquet, tennis, disc golf

• Other Facilities:

  Chapel Bar and lounge (house guests only) with outdoor fireplace, daily garden and vineyard walking tours, exclusive-use bookings available

• Building:

  Restored 1901 Convent designed by Thomas Turnbull, relocated in five pieces in 1994, reopened as a luxury hotel in 2017

• Check-in / Check-out:

  2:00pm / 11:00am

Season dates, rates and minimum night stay requirements may apply. Please contact one of our team for accurate availability and quotes.