Hastings Hideaway: Unforgettable Harvest Lodge Experience (New Zealand)
Hastings Hideaway: Unforgettable Harvest Lodge Experience (Or, My Love Affair with a Towel Warmer)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I’m about to gush – and maybe grumble a little – about Hastings Hideaway, this supposed slice of paradise nestled in… well, New Zealand. I'm just back, and my brain is still swimming in the afterglow of that glorious, gloriously hot towel warmer in the bathroom. More on that later, though. Let's get this messy, honest, and hopefully helpful review underway.
Accessibility – A Mixed Bag (Like My Wardrobe This Trip)
Right off the bat: Facilities for disabled guests are listed, but I didn't personally need them, so I can't vouch for their execution. That's a shame. But, I did see an elevator, which is a massive plus. The exterior corridors felt pretty manageable, not too much to navigate. Still, a bit more information is needed.
Dining, Drinking & Snacking – Food Coma, Activate!
Alright, let's talk FUEL. Hastings Hideaway delivers in this department, though it's not all sunshine and rainbows (more on that later).
- Restaurants: They have restaurants. Plural! And a Vegetarian restaurant! Praise be! I'm a sucker for a good veggie burger, and this one hit the spot. The main restaurant seemed to offer both International cuisine and some solid Western cuisine. The Asian cuisine option was a bit hit-or-miss for me (maybe I'm just picky about my spring rolls). However, the one thing I will say for sure is that their Coffee/tea in restaurant was excellent.
- Breakfast: Now, this is where things get interesting. Breakfast [buffet] was a glorious, glorious thing. A Western breakfast? Check. Asian breakfast? Double-check. And a Breakfast [buffet]? Triple-check! But wait, there’s more! You can also get Breakfast in room, with a secret Breakfast takeaway service. I took them up on it.
- Drinking: Poolside bar? Yep. Bar? Of course. Happy hour? Unbelievably, yes. My liver is now officially on hiatus.
- Snacks : Snack bar? Check. Bottle of water? Check. The Coffee shop and Desserts in restaurant also were delicious.
- Other: The A la carte in restaurant, the Buffet in restaurant, the Alternative meal arrangement, the Room service [24-hour], the Salad in restaurant, and the Soup in restaurant were all great and useful.
My food experience: The best thing I ate was the soup. It was like a warm hug, a culinary symphony.
Cleanliness, Safety… and Did I Mention the Towel Warmer?
This is where Hastings Hideaway really shines (except for a few hiccups, which I'll get to.)
- Cleanliness: Absolutely spotless. I'm talking gleaming surfaces, pristine bathrooms, and not a stray dust bunny in sight. They clearly take Daily disinfection in common areas seriously. They're also very professional with Anti-viral cleaning products and Professional-grade sanitizing services. But how professional can they be without the Hand sanitizer available?
- Safety: They've clearly invested in their safety, with CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property. Plus, a Fire extinguisher and Smoke alarms in every room.
- My Quirky Obsession: They had Hot water linen and laundry washing, which is a must when you're doing a lot of activities.
- The Hiccup: While they say Room sanitization opt-out available, it was not clear how to do this. Which made me feel a little bit…uneasy.
- The Towel Warmer: Okay, I'm obsessed with this, not gonna lie. It was a tiny (but mighty) thing. The sheer simple pleasure of wrapping myself in a warm, fluffy towel after a shower… sigh. This alone almost justifies the price of the stay.
Rooms & “Available in All Rooms” – Comfort is King (or Queen)
My room was pure bliss (apart from the lack of clear room sanitization options).
- The Good Stuff: Air conditioning, Blackout curtains (essential for beating jet lag), Coffee/tea maker, Free bottled water, Mini bar, In-room safe box. They also provide Bathrobes, Slippers. And the Bedding: Soft, clean, and oh-so-inviting.
- The Technology: Wi-Fi [free], Internet access – wireless, Internet access – LAN, and a Laptop workspace, which was actually pretty useful.
- The Extras: Alarm clock, Desk, Hair dryer, Mirror, Seating area. Lots of amenities.
- My Emotional Reaction: I almost cried when I saw the view from my High floor room. The Window that opens was a nice touch, for some fresh air.
- **The Bad Stuff: ** While there was an Additional toilet for some rooms, I didn't get one.
- Other: The Bathroom phone was a little bit weird, but fine.
Pools, Spas, and Serenity – Finding My Zen (Eventually)
Okay, let's be real, I spent a lot of time relaxing.
- Pools: The Swimming pool [outdoor] was stunning, with a Pool with view. The water was perfect temperature. Pure heaven.
- Spa, Massages, and More: They have a fully equipped Spa plus a Spa/sauna, with a Sauna and Steamroom, which was a dream. And OMG the Massage! I highly recommend it. They offer plenty of ways to relax: Body scrub, Body wrap, and a Foot bath.
- The Fitness Center: I intended to use the Gym/fitness center, but… well, the massage was just too tempting. Maybe next time.
Things to Do – Adventures and… Well, More Relaxation
The Things to do were pretty good. They have plenty of things to do: Bicycle parking, and a Car park [on-site].
Services and Conveniences – From Concierge to Cash Withdrawal
They offer a plethora of services:
- The Essentials: 24-hour Front desk, Concierge, Daily housekeeping, Laundry service, and Luggage storage. They also had a Cash withdrawal service – handy!
- The Extras: Air conditioning in public area, Gift/souvenir shop, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Safety deposit boxes,
- My Reaction: The Contactless check-in/out was a godsend, and the Doorman was always friendly.
For the Kids – Family Fun?
- Family/child friendly.
- Babysitting service.
- Kids meal.
- Kids facilities.
Getting Around – Exploring the Area
- Airport transfer.
- Taxi service.
- Car park [free of charge].
- Valet parking.
- Car power charging station.
Business Facilities:
- Meetings
- Meetings/banquet facilities
- On-site event hosting
- Seminars
- Audio-visual equipment for special events
- Indoor venue for special events
- Outdoor venue for special events
- Projector/LED display
- Meeting stationery
- Wi-Fi for special events
Pet Policies:
- Pets allowed unavailable
Overall – Should You Go?
Would I go back? Absolutely! Despite some minor niggles, the Hastings Hideaway is a truly special place. The staff were friendly, the food was mostly excellent, and the amenities were top-notch. Just be aware of the potential issues with accessibility, and double-check the room sanitization situation.
SEO & Metadata Stuff (Because the Internet Demands It):
- Title: Hastings Hideaway Review: Unforgettable Harvest Lodge Experience (New Zealand)
- Keywords: Hastings Hideaway, New Zealand, Harvest Lodge, hotel review, spa, swimming pool, accessible hotel, luxury hotel, Asia, Asian Cuisine, buffet, bar, restaurant
- Meta Description: Honest and detailed review of Hastings Hideaway in New Zealand, highlighting its strengths (stunning spa, delicious food, clean rooms) and weaknesses (accessibility concerns, room sanitization). Is it worth the stay? Find out here!
- H1 Tag: Hastings Hideaway: My Messy, Honest Review
- Alt Tags for Images: (If I knew the images!) "Hastings Hideaway Pool," "Delicious Breakfast Buffet," "Cozy Room at Hastings Hideaway
Okay, buckle up, buttercups! This isn't your perfectly-ironed travel itinerary. This is a messy, glorious, slightly-rambling account of my trip to Harvest Lodge in Hastings, New Zealand. Consider yourselves warned.
Harvest Lodge Hell Yeah - A Chaotic Chronicle
Day 1: Arrival & That Damn Garden (The First Impression That Stuck)
Morning (ish): Auckland Airport – ugh. Seriously, is anyone actually happy flying into Auckland? The queues are endless, the coffee's lukewarm, and you're surrounded by people already deeply tanned and radiating "I'm-a-Kiwi-living-the-dream" vibes. Me? I'm pale, frazzled, and clutching a travel pillow for dear life. Finally, after what felt like a millennia, I clear customs and snag my rental car. A bright red, slightly-dinged hatchback. "Meet Ruby," I mutter to myself. "She's gonna get us through this."
Afternoon: The drive down to Hastings. Beautiful, seriously beautiful. Rolling green hills dotted with sheep. It’s all very idyllic, and I'm already trying to decide what flavor ice cream I’ll be craving later (probably hokey pokey).
Late Afternoon: The Harvest Lodge Arrives. Holy Moly! It’s charming – a rambling, old, wooden building. And then… the garden. Oh, the garden. It's not manicured, it’s not fussy. It's a glorious, chaotic, explosion of colour and life. Roses tumbling everywhere, lavender practically begging to be sniffed, and a whole army of bees doing their buzzy thing. I'm instantly hooked. Seriously, I stood there for a solid ten minutes just breathing it all in, like a lovesick cow sniffing a daisy.
Evening: Settling in. My room is cozy, a little creaky (which I love – gives it character!), and overlooks that damn garden. I'm already envisioning myself sitting on the balcony, sipping wine, and writing the next great Kiwi novel. (Spoiler alert: that’s not what happened. Mostly I binged Netflix and ate chips.) Wine, though. Goodness, yes. Local Hawkes Bay Sauvignon Blanc. Delicious. Dinner in Hastings? Oh god, yes.
Day 2: The Wine Wrangle and a Near-Catastrophe (Wine is always the hero, or the enemy, depends on your perspective.)
- Morning: Attempting to be cultured. Starting the day with a vineyard tour. "Oh, this is so quaint and lovely", I said, before realizing I had signed up for a wine tasting session. The first one, a Chardonnay, I could handle. The second one, a Pinot, was when things started to get hazy. By the time we reach the third, things went downhill very quickly.
- Afternoon: I meet a very charming French woman. We quickly bonded over our shared love for the local wines and the fact that we both managed to lose our sunglasses. "That wine, it's strong" she said before disappearing off on her own.
- Late Afternoon: Disaster almost struck. I was driving through the Hawkes bay, feeling ever so slightly the worse for wear. The road was long. Too long. The next thing I knew, I was swerving to avoid hitting a kiwi, a true New Zealand sign of prosperity. Ruby and I was lucky to survive it. I pulled over, I felt a little sick. The garden was beautiful, I needed to be there.
- Evening: The garden. The garden. The glorious, forgiving, garden. I sat on the balcony. I could see a hawk surveying the area. I sipped more wine. The stars came out. Everything was ok. Mostly.
Day 3: Art Deco Adventures & The Search for the Perfect Pie (A quest for more than just food)
Morning: Okay, let's get cultured! I went to Napier (because I was too hungover to think of anywhere else), the Art Deco gem, and it was genuinely stunning. Seriously, the architecture is incredible. I spent hours just wandering around, gawking at the buildings. I took a million photos, and the only one that came out half decent was a blurry shot of a seagull.
Afternoon: The Great Pie Hunt. Apparently, Hastings, and New Zealand in general, is famous for its pies. This was my mission! I set out to find the perfect one. Cheese and bacon? Nope. Steak and mushroom? Close, but no cigar. I tasted them all (or at least, I tried to). It was a messy quest. I had pastry crumbs everywhere.
Late Afternoon: Back to the Lodge. I can't remember what I had for dinner, but I definitely went back and had a long, restorative sit in the garden, contemplating the meaning of life (or maybe just the meaning of finding a decent pie)
Evening: Reading a book. I don't remember the book. I definitely fell asleep.
Day 4: Sunday Market Swirl and a Sad Farewell (The Imperfections Keep Happening)
- Morning: Sunday Market! Oh, the smells, the sights, the people! The vendors sell everything - fresh produce, artisanal cheeses (yes!), and just about every other knick-knack under the sun. I bought way too much. I love markets, I hate crowds. It was a love-hate relationship, really. But I got some seriously good honey.
- Afternoon: The drive home. I'm leaving Harvest Lodge. It feels like I'm leaving a friend. I'm already planning my return. Is this the most amazing place I have ever visited? Probably not but it's in the race. Ruby did good. I needed to keep her.
- Evening: Back home, already missing that damned garden. Sigh.
- Day 5: I'm gonna go back and visit again, and again.
Final Thoughts (AKA, Rambling Conclusion):
Harvest Lodge wasn't perfect. It wasn't all sunshine and rainbows (because let's face it, life rarely is). But it was real. It was quirky. It was a place where you could be yourself, where you could wander through a garden, drink too much wine, eat some amazing pies (even if you didn't find THE perfect one), and just… be.
I'm already planning my return. And if you're thinking about going, go. Just go. And don't worry too much about the perfect itinerary. Embrace the chaos. Embrace the imperfections. Embrace the damned garden.
Escape to Paradise: Hotel Viola's Italian Romance Awaits!
Hastings Hideaway: Unforgettable Harvest Lodge Experience - FAQ (aka, The Truth Bomb Edition)
Okay, spill the tea! Is Hastings Hideaway REALLY as idyllic as all the photos suggest?
Idyllic? Oh, it’s… well, it *tries.* The photos, bless their hearts, are strategically angled to avoid the rogue sheep dropping on the lawn and the slightly wonky gate that your rental car WILL try to eat. Honestly, though, it *is* beautiful. Especially at golden hour. That light, man… transforms the whole place. One evening, I swear, the hills turned the colour of melted caramel. Okay, so maybe my prose is getting a little *too* flowery here. But the view? Spectacular. Definitely a "check-mark" item.
But let's be real. Idyllic comes with a price. You're in the *middle* of nowhere (which, depending on your mood, is a good thing or a "holy crap, I forgot to buy milk" thing). The Wi-Fi? Let's just say you'll rediscover the joy of real-life conversations, which might be a good thing. My husband, for example, would say it was the *best* thing, because I couldn't spend all day scrolling through Instagram and pretending I'm a professional photographer. (Sorry, love!)
What's the food situation like at the Harvest Lodge? Is it fancy-pants or… more casual?
Ah, the food. This is a big one. It's not Michelin-star, folks. You're not getting tiny portions and foam. Thank. God. It's hearty, home-style cooking. Lots of fresh, local ingredients. Think roasted lamb that falls off the bone (that was *amazing*!), fresh-baked bread you could practically weep over, and enough vegetables to make a rabbit jealous. Seriously, I think I ate an entire pumpkin in one sitting. No regrets.
BUT… here's my one (minor) gripe: the breakfast buffet. Don't get me wrong, the selection is good. But the scrambled eggs… I suspect they were pre-made and reheated. Listen, I’m a food critic (in my own mind, at least!), and I'm a snob! So, overall, the food is fantastic, with some minor issues.
Tell me about the "Unforgettable" part. What made your stay particularly… memorable?
Okay, this is where things get… interesting. "Unforgettable" is putting it mildly. It wasn't one single thing, but a collection of moments. One moment, I was standing on the porch, a glass of wine in hand, watching a sunset that was genuinely breathtaking. The colours painted the sky...I just started crying. Tears of pure, unadulterated happiness. Then, a rogue sheep wandered by, decided to relieve itself *right* in front of me, and totally killed the vibe. (See? Real life!)
The thing that *really* sticks with me, though, was the stargazing. The Lodge advertised it, and I thought, "Yeah, yeah, another gimmick." But the darkness there… it's unlike anything I've ever experienced. The Milky Way? Like a river of diamonds poured across the sky. My husband and I just sat there, huddled together, feeling utterly insignificant and completely in awe. It was… profound. And yes, I got a little choked up then, too. (I'm a softie, okay?)
But it wasn’t perfect. The first night, the wind howled so loudly I barely slept. And my husband, bless his heart, kept getting a tickle to his nose. I'll never forget how utterly disgusting it was. I was really grumpy because of that. And I wanted to kill him the entire time. But then the stars gave me some relief, and helped me cool off.
What are the rooms like? Cozy? Luxurious? And… are they clean?
Cozy is the word. Think heavy wooden furniture that screams "rustic charm", super comfy beds, and fireplaces in most rooms. Luxurious? No, not really. It’s more like a very nice, really comfortable country house. No gold taps here, thankfully. Less to clean! And yes, they’re clean. Spotless. Which, considering how much mud you'll track in, is a small miracle. Seriously, the staff are amazing. Always smiling, always helpful, and somehow, they managed to keep the place sparkling despite the endless flow of people.
Is it kid-friendly? Because my little monsters... well, you know.
Depends on your definition of "kid-friendly". There's a lot of space to run around (a *lot*) and a pool (which my kids loved). But it's not a theme park. There aren't any specific kids' clubs or anything like that. And you are OUT in the sticks. However, my kids were pretty captivated by all the farm animals. They were in love with a bunch of sheep, and named one of them "Fluffy".
So, if your kids are happy with fresh air, simple activities and maybe a bit of a digital detox, then yeah, it’s fine. If they expect constant entertainment and Wi-Fi, you might have a problem. (And *you* might need a stiff drink.)
What's the BEST thing about Hastings Hideaway?
Okay, this is a tough one. Is it the views? Yes. The food? Mostly, yes. The staff? Absolutely. But I think… the best thing is the *feeling*. The sense of peace and escape. It's a place where you can actually switch off, breathe, and reconnect with yourself (and maybe your family, if you're lucky). It's not perfect. No place is. But it gets pretty darn close. It really does. I'm already planning my return, you see. And that, my friends, says it all, even with the bad breakfast.
Worst thing? Gotta be honest.
Okay, okay. The worst thing? The drive. Look, it's part of the charm - the being, *far* away from everything. But that last stretch of road is rough. Gravel, winding, and if it's raining… well, I recommend investing in 4-wheel drive and a good playlist. I swear I saw a mudslide. And the rental car was a little bumpy. That's the biggest downside. And also… I wish they’d stock more of those little bottles of chardonnay in the fridge. Just saying. I'm willing to overlook almost anything for a good white wine, and it was a long trip to the store!
