Frequently asked questions, answered

1. Check-in Time. As a small lodge, with a limited number of staff, we ask guests to check in no earlier than 2:30pm. This is to give us time to prepare the rooms after the previous night’s guests have checked out, as well as to give us an opportunity to take care of any errands we need to do outside of the lodge. If you expect to arrive earlier than 2:30pm, we request the courtesy of a phone call or email to notify us so that we can plan to be here.
2. Check-out Time. Similar to the above, we require rooms to be vacated by 10:30am so that we can get them turned over ready for the next guests to check in. If you wish to linger in the lodge before departing, you are welcome to do so, though you will need to do so in the public areas of the lodge.
3. Getting here and away. Oamaru is the ideal starting or ending point for a day’s drive from several popular South Island destinations, located as we are on the main highway a short drive away from such places as Christchurch, Dunedin, Lake Tekapo, Queenstown and Wanaka. We have driving directions with recommendations of things to see and do between Oamaru and all these places, and you can download them from this link.
4. History of the Lodge. Pen-y-bryn was built as a private home in 1889 for John and Fanny Bulleid, who moved to Oamaru from Devon in England in 1874 and who set up Bulleid & Co., a high-end department store that is today the home of Oamaru’s Farmer’s branch. It was converted into a lodge in 1994 and had been owned by just four families prior to our purchasing it in 2010.
5. Guest Rooms. We have a total of five guest rooms (two in the main lodge and three in the annex) that accommodate a maximum of thirteen guests (two each in the lodge, three each in the annex). All rooms have private bathrooms and climate control. All but the Elizabeth Room have Nespresso machines, and the three annex rooms have their own televisions. The Elizabeth and Victoria Rooms have a television for their use in the Library.
6. Accessibility. We have one guest room, the Victoria Room, that is fully accessible. If you cannot negotiate steps, the lodge can be accessed step-free using our rear gate and the ramp that leads from there to the lodge. Note that the annex rooms (Garden, Park and Nest) are located up a flight of stairs, and the Elizabeth Room has a step-in bathtub with overhead shower, so these rooms are not suitable for guests with limited mobility.
7. Inclusions. Your stay with us includes full use of the lodge’s facilities, pre-dinner canapés with a welcome drink, and full cooked breakfast. There are also amenities in your room such as teas, coffee and chocolates that are free of charge. Top-shelf drinks with your canapé service are not included, and if you are dining with us alcoholic beverages are charged separately.
8. Activities. There is a lot to do in the Oamaru area, so we encourage you to spend enough time in the area to allow you an opportunity to make the most of your visit. Tickets for the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony (which is best visited for the evening viewing) sell out months in advance for the summer season, so it is best to book long before arrival. Be sure to download our free guide to the area to get a feel for what there is to do here.
9. Parking. There are five parking spots at the front entrance of the lodge, sufficient for one car per guest room. There is no charge for parking.
10. Electric Vehicles. Pen-y-bryn is a “Destination Charging” location on the Tesla network, and we have a dedicated Tesla charger for guest use. We also have a standard three-prong charging bay for non-Tesla vehicle charging. Please note that these are relatively slow-speed chargers, but there are high-speed chargers located at several locations nearby. We do not charge for guests to use our chargers.
11. Exclusive Use Bookings. If you are travelling with a large group, or simply wish to have a bit more privacy, you can book all five of our rooms on an exclusive-use basis at a reduced rate compared with booking them all individually. Please contact us for details.
12. Dining. For many guests, dining at Pen-y-bryn is a highlight of their visit to New Zealand, since we take our cuisine seriously and aim to give our guests a true taste of New Zealand and the season. Dinner is available only by prior request made no later than 48 hours before your desired date, and during the summer season (October through April) is only served on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, as well as on public holidays. Dinner is only available for our overnight guests (though we can accommodate outside guests who are joining you for dinner). Because we serve a table d’hôte menu, we must be advised of any dietary restrictions at the time of booking.
13. Alcoholic Beverages. We are fully licensed and have a well stocked bar with a wide range of New Zealand-made and international beverages for you to enjoy during your stay.
14. Children. With many antiques and fragile items around the lodge, and as a place where guests seek respite from the noise and clamour of the regular world, we do not welcome young children under the age of 13 to stay at the lodge. On some occasions, such as when no other guests are expected, we can make exceptions to this rule, but it will be under the understanding that the parents will take responsibility for keeping the children under control, and any damage that they cause will be notified to us and paid for.
15. Special Events. We are often booked for weddings, honeymoons and other special occasions. Please contact us for details on what we have available and pricing.
16. Local Transport. If you are travelling without a car, or simply wish to avoid driving during your stay, there are taxi services and even Uber that can take you to any of the sites around town. We can also organise a car and driver for you with sufficient notice. Many of Oamaru’s attractions are also reachable by foot from Pen-y-bryn in about 15-20 minutes, though please note that we are at the top of a hill, so the walk back will be a bit more effort than the walk down.
17. Cancellation Policy. We are a very small lodge, with only five rooms, so cancellations can have a dramatic impact on us. Nonetheless, for most of the year you have until 30 days before your arrival date to cancel without any penalty (this is increased to 60 days for bookings that include our peak period of 20 December to 10 January). There is a 25% cancellation penalty for bookings cancelled after that point and up to 15 days prior to arrival (30 days during the peak season), and after that there is a 100% cancellation penalty. We highly recommend that guests purchase travel insurance to guard against these charges.
18. Payment Methods. We accept all major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express) with no fees. We also accept cash and bank transfers from New Zealand banks.
19. Gift Certificates. Many people give gift certificates to use toward partial or full payment of a stay with us as gifts for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries and other occasions. These can be issued in any amount and are valid for up to a year. Please contact us for more information or to order yours.
20. Pets. Much as we love animals (we have two hypoallergenic Labradoodles ourselves), we are sorry but your furry friends are not permitted to stay with you while visiting us. Even our dogs are not permitted in the guest rooms, and unless guests ask to meet them, they are kept in our private quarters at all time when guests are present.