Skip to main content
  1. Hotel reviews homepage
  2. New Zealand hotel reviews
  3. Manawatu hotel reviews
  4. Ruahine hotel reviews
  5. Reviews of Mairenui Rural Retreat

Reviews of Mairenui Rural Retreat

1019 Ruahine Road, RD 54 Kimbolton, Mangaweka, 4774 Ruahine, New Zealand

#1 of 3 hotels in Ruahine

Guests' Choice

Review score

Based on 187 hotel reviews

9.3

Score breakdown

  • Cleanliness

    9.2

  • Comfort

    9.4

  • Location

    9.5

  • Facilities

    9.1

  • Staff

    9.9

  • Value for money

    9.7

  • Free WiFi

    8.0

100% verified reviews

Real guests. Real stays. Real opinions.

Read more- opens a dialog box
Write a review

Showing 1 – 25

  • Reviewed: 8 August 2025

    10
    Beautiful place to stay lovely hosts. You can hug 1000 year-old tree.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room with Private External Bathroom
    • Stayed 1 night

    No need it was perfect in every way. Very unique.

    Great breakfast, it was amazing.

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: 8 July 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Queen Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    The place itself is so beautiful, but what makes it so special is the beautiful hosts who genuinely care so much for you.

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: 6 July 2025

    10
    Highly recommend
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room with Private External Bathroom
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    The location, native trees and birds. Amazing breakfast

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: 1 July 2025

    10
    lovely hosts, friendly , tea, real coffee and delious breakast,,
    • Couple
    • Superior Double or Twin Room with Terrace
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    rural, peaceful , character , cosy , warm, lovely trees and view , our bed was very comfortable and our hosts were very welcoming

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: 27 May 2025

    9.0
    A memorable stay in rural NZ.
    • Leisure trip
    • People with friends
    • Queen Room with Garden View
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    We would not have changed a thing!

    It was such a wonderful experience to stay on a property that is such an important part of New Zealand history. And we really appreciated the step back in time. It was comfortable and ended with a delightful breakfast that was delicious. We so enjoyed the breakfast conversations with our hosts, Sue and David, as the shared the details of the rich history.

    Stayed in May 2025

  • Reviewed: 18 May 2025

    10
    Rural retreat is an exceptionally warm and beautiful place
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Queen Room with Garden View
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Sue and David are very welcoming hosts, caring and interested in their guest. We had very good meals and conversations. We felt completely at home.

    Stayed in May 2025

  • Reviewed: 10 May 2025

    8.0
    Beautiful countryside retreat
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Queen Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    A bit of dust and sneezing. Great overall

    The retreat was quirky and unique. Very lovely scenery. The breakfast was incredible, filling and so light. Our hosts were amazing. Absolutely lovely!

    Stayed in April 2025

  • Reviewed: 10 May 2025

    10
    Will be back !
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Queen Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Great breakfast and very friendly hosts.

    Stayed in May 2025

  • Reviewed: 16 April 2025

    10
    Rustic inviting retreat
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Double Room with Private External Bathroom
    • Stayed 1 night

    Nothing, been meaning to go to this place to break my journey up from Wellington to Cambridge and will be using again.

    This is a rustic property with incredibly inviting hosts who make you feel comfortable from the moment you arrive. The breakfast was a great continental breakfast with fresh-squeezed orange juice, hot fresh-made crosaints, and fresh diced fruit. The property is very rural and quiet and only a 10-minute drive off State Highway 1.

    Stayed in April 2025

  • Reviewed: 14 April 2025

    10
    Beautiful and welcoming country retreat
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Superior Double or Twin Room with Terrace
    • Stayed 1 night

    Nothing - it was perfect!

    The hosts were wonderful and the breakfast supplied was fantastic. We were encouraged to walk around the property and got to meet Cinders the cat, Ash the dog, a horse and her foal as well as sheep and cattle. The owner also drove us up the hill to a wonderful lookout and told us a bit about his and the farm's history. We will definitely stay there again next time we visit NZ.

    Stayed in April 2025

  • Reviewed: 17 March 2025

    10
    Peaceful, beautiful, rustic charm.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room with Private External Bathroom
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Sue and David are lovely people who were very kind and considerate. We felt very welcome and looked after. The breakfast was fantastic (I'm Coeliac and was very well catered for), and the setting was so beautiful and peaceful. The little house we stayed in was rustic and charming, and in the most beautiful aurroundings. It was by far the loveliest place we've stayed while in New Zealand.

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: 10 March 2025

    8.0
    A good weekend in a classic, Kiwi rustic rural setting.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Queen Room with Balcony
    • Stayed 2 nights

    A couple of easy chairs in the room rather than the uncomfortable ones provided.

    A brilliant continental style breakfast delightfully set out in a cosy farm kitcjen.

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: 6 March 2025

    10
    A wonderful stay for 1 night....
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Superior Double or Twin Room with Terrace
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    I wished, we could have stayed longer for relaxing and exploring this rural area. Sue and David are wonderful attentive and communicative hosts speaking reliable German and French. They made their house our home for 1 night. An amazing breakfast was served in the morning. Should we ever be crazy enough to fly more than 20.000 km to get here we definetely will check in again at the Mairenui Rural Retreat. Thanks you very much. Gregor and Johanna

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: 6 March 2025

    10
    Lovely country place to stay with wonderful hosts.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Queen Room with Balcony
    • Stayed 1 night

    Our hosts David & Sue were very friendly and helpful. We requested dinner for the evening which was a lovely home cooked meal. We had a great time that evening, enjoying their company. Breakfast was lovely. Must also mention Ash the dog who loves to walk with you.

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: 5 March 2025

    9.0
    A beautifully hosted stay in a charming room with delicious breakfast.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Queen Room with Balcony
    • Stayed 1 night

    Sue and David were exceptional hosts and have extensive knowledge of the area - the family having farmed there for over 100 years. Our room was very comfortable - lovely beds with quality linen. We had a verandah with lovely view and enjoyed meeting the very friendly cows and dog! Breakfast was delicious with a variety of home made jams and the excellent company of other guests.

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: 24 February 2025

    9.0
    Very friendly hosts, excellent atmosphere
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Superior Double or Twin Room with Terrace
    • Stayed 1 night

    Remote Location, very friendly hosts, excellent atmosphere.

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: 22 February 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Queen Room with Balcony
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Can't think of anything

    A charming and comfortable B&B, made even more so by the hosts, Sue and David. It feels like what home should be.

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: 22 February 2025

    9.0
    Superb
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Queen Room with Garden View
    • Stayed 1 night

    Difficult to find your way and enter accommodation if you arrive after dark

    Excellent breakfast, lovely rural location, excellent hosts

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: 16 February 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Superior Double or Twin Room with Terrace
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    All good

    Beautiful setting great house great hosts

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: 12 February 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Queen Room with Balcony
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Lovely generous locally produced food

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: 10 February 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Queen Room with Garden View
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    David & Sue were delightful, committed hosts. We felt at home from beginning to end. Very enjoyable evening meal.

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: 9 February 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Queen Room with Garden View
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Although it didn't have wifi and phone connection not good, it was good to have time without it..

    The hosts were wonderful, and the breakfast was good. Even though the property was dated, it had a charm about it. the setting was fantastic .

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: 28 January 2025

    9.0
    Little gem hidden in the green hills
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Double Room with Private External Bathroom
    • Stayed 1 night

    Sue and David are just lovely. This is a little gem. Being surrounded by green hills. It’s such a gift to have a home abroad. I could have stayed a lot longer, let alone for the delicious breakfast Sue serves in the morning. Many thanks for having me, until we meet again, Aafke

    Stayed in December 2024

  • Reviewed: 19 January 2025

    10
    Mairenui Rural Retreat
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Queen Room with Garden View
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Nothing

    We had the most amazing hosts! It was a delight to stay in their charming 1900's villa and to hear all about the history and lives of our hosts and family. The villa was very comfortable and had more facilities than we could possibly use. Breakfast was included and we chose to have an evening at an additional cost which were both outstanding! Thank you so much

    Stayed in January 2025

Showing 1 – 25

We Price Match
We Price Match
Low rates • No booking fees • Find cheaper? We'll refund the difference!