During our stay in Napier, we hired two different guides on two different days to take us around to…read moretaste at undiscovered gems. Nick, who owns the company was our guide and did a wonderful job. we wanted to explore and taste some of the wine from the region so having had great success with wine guides in other parts of the world (Bordeaux, Tuscany, Stellenbosch, McLaren Vale and Piedmont) we searched out and found Nick. We arranged everything via email and I asked for small boutique wineries preferably family-run that are doing unique and interesting things. Our half day, private-tour more than met those requirements with Nick guiding us to some real gems that we never would had experienced setting out on our own. Nick is a very genial fellow and fun to talk with. Originally from the UK, he has made his home here In Napier for 12 years and is an amateur wine maker and hobby farmer himself. His price for our tour (he picked us up and dropped us off at our B&B) was VERY reasonable. You do pay your own tasting fees at the winery but we only had to do this at one winery and it was only NZ$8 per person. Nick customizes trips based on the interests of his clients and even made adjustments the night before when I called him up to reconfirm. A great way to spend the afternoon. He also does sight-seeing tours around the Napier area. Highly recommended

An historic B&B perched high above the city on hospital hill with beautifully restored woodwork,…read moreglistening floors and a terrific host/owner, Yvonne. We stayed here three nights while on a 2-week holiday throughout New Zealand. We had come to Napier/Hawke's Bay to explore the vineyards and wineries. This place is a bit tricky to find as it is located up atop fashionable hospital hill in the middle of narrow winding streets but trusty google maps did just fine. The inn itself is immaculately preserved and updated to suit the modern traveler. Since all the rooms are unique, TAKE CARE IN YOUR BOOKING. The king suites are spacious and inviting while the queen room we had on our first night disappointing. We had used a travel agent and naively assumed he was watching out for our interests (perhaps we should have done more research) and were assigned one of the modest Queen room (Chablis-note on the website there is an incorrect link that takes you to the pictures and details for the Chianti room-one of the nice big guest suites). As the weather had become quite hot, and like most small business in New Zealand this place has NO A/C, the only way to get any air in was to leave the two French doors wide open. This would have been ok except we started being bothered by a few mosquitoes and since there weren't screens, wehad to close up the room and try an soldier on in a hot room. Can't recommend Chablis room. Fortunately we were able to move to one of the larger rooms, Versailles for our final two nights (NZ$75 more per night) but well worth it. This room was on the side of the house and was perhaps 3 TIMES AS LARGE as our original room and since it faced the garden instead of the street with its street lamp drawing in bugs from far and wide, was a MUCH BETTER EXPERIENCE for our final two night. Pros: -excellent hot cooked breakfast each morning (be sure to let Yvonne know the night before what you would want and what time you will dine -lovely (but chilly) pool-perfect for cooling off after a hot day -immaculate historic building -nice firm beds (although a bit softer pillow would have been to my liking) -Yvonne herself - she is very concerned that guests have reservations and tours and goes out of her way to be welcoming (and she reminds me a bit of Hellen Mirren-perhaps a younger sister) Opportunities: -I felt the soaps and such to be a bit down market -with global warming I think A/C will soon be required given the room prices (or at least screens) Bottom line: IF IN A KING SUITE-a must stay location; but book ahead, it's a popular spot.

Super friendly service and really personable. The bikes worked great. It was our first time ever…read moreriding an e-bike so once we got the hang of it, we felt like we were going on warp speed. Some of the wineries can be a bit of a hit or miss but the experience is cool. The gravel road heading to the wineries do kind of suck though. If you end up buying some wine at a winery, stick on of the labels he gives you and he'll come pick it up later so you don't have to worry about it jostling around in your bike.

We visited Napier, New Zealand in December 2018. The staff are all super friendly! This escape room…read moreis located in an actual prison that has been transformed into a tourist attraction. Getting to this location was a bit of a hike. We suggest taking an Uber or taxi to get to the front of the facility. All the escape rooms are authentic and have remained true to scale. For the "Therapy Unit" room, we started off blindfolded and handcuffed in separate cells. Obviously, we felt immersed into our game the minute that we started. Since they kept their rooms true to the storyline, there wasn't that much technology incorporated. * Check out our website for more info: www.ESCAPETHEROOMers.com and feel free to use our discount code on their rooms - 10% OFF DISCOUNT CODE: ESCAPEMASTERS

Review of Art Deco tour, Napier, New Zealand…read more http://www.absolutedetours.co.nz/ We took a van tour with this company around Napier. Our driver was excellent and showed us many interesting areas in and around this city. We had several opportunities to take photos, but it should be noted that the best photo opportunities in downtown Napier were seen on foot. We had arranged the tour ahead of time by email, but they also take on customers at the "i" centre on the day of the tour. We paid for the tour inside the "i" centre. We got to the "i" centre from the cruise ship by shuttle bus. Our ship stopped in Napier on January 26, 2017. The tour was excellent, and the city itself is almost a living museum. We were very fortunate to see so many different parts of the city (beyond the downtown) using this van tour. Our driver was very knowledgeable about the history and architecture of the area. We give this tour 5 stars out of 5 stars. We highly recommend this organization. Bob and Sandra Swanson

When we decided to visit Napier for a brief vacation we were advised to do The Deco Bus Tour and it…read morewas an awesome experience. Our driver/tour guide was friendly and knowledgable about the history and culture of Napier. With only four of us on the tour, the entire experience was very personable. We felt is was well worth our time and expense.

The location was an eye opener from the very start. Check in was a breeze. The staff and Owners are…read moresome of the nicest most genuine people you will ever meet. I travel over 20 times a year and this is one of my top spots. The lodge is a reflection of its owners and staff and it is spotless. Super clean grounds. Rooms were immaculate. Towels fresh and outdoor sitting areas were super clean. Surely they take great pride in their lodge. Extremely happy we were able to get into this location during such high demand.

Incredible meal. Took the express lunch for $65. Great value. Delicious fresh cooked crusty bread…read morewith pickles and hummus. Then fall off the bone lamb shoulder to share with coriander pesto and chimmichurri. Amazing lemon posset with meringue and lemon jam mmmmm. Fat happy belly! Beautiful sitting on the courtyard sun, or elegant restaurant inside with views. Service was among the best we have received. Rave rave rave about it!

The place is welcoming & cozy, service was quick & friendly and food was fantastic. We had the…read morelamb shoulder that was cooked to perfection, the fish of the day (bluenose) thick, flaky and bursting with flavors, and the pasta was home made , al dente and delicious. Enjoyed our dining experience here. Highly recommended!

A scenic walk along the waterfront with benches, plaques, water fountains & art. If the weather…read morewas more conducive I'm sure it would have been busier. On the other side of the walk were Art Deco buildings with Māori influence. It felt more like Miami Beach then New Zealand. I was told that before the earthquake this was beachfront.