8.1

535 reviews

Donegal House

Donegal House

258 Schoolhouse Road, Kaikoura, 7371, New Zealand

Choose dates to view prices

Restaurant

Free Private Parking

Free wifi

Free shuttle

Bar

Sun deck

Tour desk

Private entrance

Donegal House

Welcome to Donegal House, your charming retreat nestled in the stunning landscape of Kaikoura, New Zealand! Just 3.7mi from the vibrant city center and located at 258 Schoolhouse Road, this delightful hotel is the perfect base for exploring the rugged coastline and dramatic mountain views. With enticing prices starting at $99 per night, you can embrace the beauty of nature without breaking the bank.

At Donegal House, there's never a dull moment! Enjoy a delicious meal at the on-site restaurant, sip cocktails at the bar, or kick back on the sun deck while soaking in the picturesque lake and mountain views. The hotel is packed with fantastic amenities, including free Wi-Fi, private parking, and a complimentary shuttle service to make your travels easy-peasy. Don’t forget to check out the tour desk to plan unforgettable adventures or enjoy an evening of live music and performances right at your doorstep!

With over 535 glowing reviews, it's clear that guests love what Donegal House has to offer! Families will appreciate the playful playground and kids' meals available, while nature lovers can revel in the picnic area and beautiful gardens. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful getaway or an action-packed escape, Donegal House has everything you need to make your stay in Kaikoura simply unforgettable!

Start your day at Donegal House with a delightful feast at Restaurant #1, where the family-friendly ambiance makes every meal a charm! Savor traditional Kiwi dishes made with fresh, local ingredients, and watch your worries dissolve with every mouthful. Whether you're tucking into a hearty breakfast before your adventures, enjoying a leisurely lunch, or indulging in a cozy dinner, this restaurant is designed to make your dining experiences as memorable as the views that surround you!

The fun doesn’t stop with delicious food—Donegal House is the ultimate playground for visitors of all ages! After you've stuffed yourself with tasty treats, let the kids unleash some energy at the hotel’s playground while you enjoy a refreshing cocktail from the bar. As the sun sets, the outdoor picnic area turns into a perfect spot for family bonding under the stars or perhaps a romantic evening with that special someone, all while being enveloped by the stunning backdrop of Kaikoura's mountains.

And don’t forget to dive into the local adventures that await just outside your door! The tour desk at Donegal House is brimming with opportunities for whale watching, hiking, and exploring the breathtaking coastline, ensuring every day is filled with excitement. With all these fantastic facilities, friendly staff, and a vibrant atmosphere, your stay at Donegal House promises not just rest but genuine fun and adventure—all at a price that leaves room in your budget for even more exploration!

Closest airports

Kaikoura Aerodrome

4.1mi

Woodbourne Airport

59.7mi

Most popular amenities

Restaurant

Free Private Parking

Free wifi

Free shuttle

Bar

Sun deck

Tour desk

Private entrance

Parking On Site

Terrace

Lake view

Mountain view

Non-smoking rooms

Live music/Performance

Patio

Garden view

Playground

Picnic area

Garden

Free toiletries

Rooms

Garden Facing Queen Room in Donegal House

Show 9 photos

Queen Room, Garden View

1 Double Bed

270 sqft

Lake view

Mountain view

Garden view

Private Bathroom

+

More details

The double room features a private entrance, a tea and coffee maker, a terrace with lake views as well as a private bathroom boasting a walk-in shower. The unit has 1 bed.

Family Room in Donegal House

Show 5 photos

Family

1 Twin Bed

1 Queen Size Bed

270 sqft

Lake view

Mountain view

Garden view

Private Bathroom

+

More details

This spacious, open-plan room offers garden views, a separate seating area with sofa and coffee table, refrigerator and electric kettle. Please note that the price is based on 3 guests. Maximum occupancy is 4 utilizing a fold out bed - (see Hotel Policies).

Studio in Donegal House

Show 3 photos

Studio

1 Double Bed

270 sqft

Private Bathroom

Private entrance

Flat-screen TV

Refrigerator

+

More details

The studio provides a private entrance, a tea and coffee maker, as well as a private bathroom featuring a walk-in shower and a hairdryer. This studio features a carpeted floor, heating and a flat-screen TV. The unit offers 1 bed.

South Facing Queen Room in Donegal House

South, Queen Size

1 Double Bed

270 sqft

Private Bathroom

Private entrance

Flat-screen TV

Refrigerator

+

More details

This spacious room offers a separate seating area with sofa and coffee table, refrigerator and electric kettle.

Show 4 photos

Queen Room

1 Queen Size Bed

Balcony

Flat-screen TV

Refrigerator

Tea/Coffee maker

+

More details

Small, 1 Bed

160 sqft

Flat-screen TV

Refrigerator

Tea/Coffee maker

+

More details

Featuring free toiletries, this double room includes a private bathroom with a walk-in shower and a hairdryer. The double room features a flat-screen TV, a tea and coffee maker, a carpeted floor, as well as heating. The unit has 1 bed.

Guest reviews

8.1

535 reviews

Categories of assessments

Cleanliness

Comfort

Location

Facilities

Staff

Value for money

WiFi quality

Featured reviews:

🇳🇿

Santosh

10

February 2024

The hosts were fabulous and nearly accommodated every request we had. The location was lovely and peaceful. This is an Irish establishment, needless to say, the Irish bar was awesome, and again, the hosts most accommodating and friendly! The grounds are vast and well cared for. Overall, a beautiful stay at Donegal House.

The beds are sprung and the springs are now starting to give way! And if the rooms could get Microwave ovens, that would be fab!

🇳🇿

Annika

8.2

December 2024

It’s nothing luxurious at all but the whole place has a lot of Charme and is really peaceful - as it’s not in the town Centre of kaikoura. Still it’s not far away at all - to the town center we drove about 5 minutes which was great! If you want something luxurious this is not for you but this place was great - it has a lot of character and the staff were so nice ! Great place to eat and to drink as well!

We would loved to have maybe a small table and another chair in the room as that would have made the room perfect. Other than that we didn’t have any outlets next to our bed which was a bit inconvenient.

🇺🇸

Jeff

9.1

May 2024

The owners were extremely responsive and helpful. We did not have reservations for dinner on a busy night and they immediately "found a table" for us. The outside grounds are impressive, one can wander or sit and relax, the food, generous portions and excellent. Loved the location! The place is close to but not in the town, a tranquil setting near the lavender farm. Would definitely book again!

Rooms are very clean, basic. It is our understanding the owners are new and are in the process of upgrading the entire facilities. We were quite happy with our room, it wasn't "updated" but absolutely spotless and in a beautiful setting with amenities for tea and coffee and plenty of space to relax.

🇺🇸

Bruce

9.1

April 2024

The location is beautiful. We got a garden side room and had a wonderful view of the mountains. The garden is also kept in beautiful shape.

This is a minor inconvenience, and is manageable. There is no facility for breakfast. An electric kettle is in the room to make coffee/tea, but there is no microwave. So, no way to heat something up like a breakfast pastry. There is a small fridge though, and I managed with cold breakfast cereal in a cup with milk. Otherwise, one could drive a few kilometers into town and get breakfast in one of the cafes.

🇳🇿

Fiona

8.2

January 2024

The gardens were lovely and I heard other guests saying the same. I loved the big decks overlooking the gardens. It was very peaceful and quiet. It was out of town but not far. The parking was great. And I enjoyed the Murphy’s stout.

I liked the big windows overlooking the gardens but at the same time I felt a bit like I was sitting in a shop window. And it would be good if the doors facing the garden had your room number as you can’t help but look in other guest rooms as you try to work out which is yours. I didn’t like seeing my neighbour sitting right outside my window. Perhaps moving the outdoor seats slightly would put the seats for my room in front of my room, and my neighbour could sit in front of their room. And while there were many large dining tables - I would have liked some smaller tables.

🇳🇿

Jocelyn

8.2

January 2024

General atmosphere of staff and surrounds. All the historical photos and detail of the Boyd and other families. Beautiful setting. We had to change the date by one day due to medical emergency. Staff were very understanding and accommodating and gave us an upgrade. Very unexpected and grateful. Good pub food.

appearance as entered Reception or arrival outside . Would not take alot of work just to sweep the Main Entrance areas x2 outside Car parking areas. Our door entrance from car park side had Big cobwebs on door frames. Easy to get rid of. As entered Entrance to hotel and accomodation from car park area very untidy. Linen Bags and Clening material all piled up. Area could do with a freshening up and store hotel room essentials for staff in a different area

🇳🇿

Linnea

8.2

November 2024

The room was small but comfortable, with the possibility to make a cup of tea or coffee. Shower was good with plenty of hot water and bed very comfortable. Our room faced the beautiful garden and it was a pleasure to sit outside and relax - worth paying the extra for a garden room. The restaurant and bar was very good with delicious food. No need at all to go into Kaikoura to get a meal or drink. Staff were very friendly and helpful.

The aircon was weak and the small fridge quite loud (we just turned it off overnight)

🇬🇧

John

9.1

March 2024

Great place to stay, not in the town but easily accessible to it, set in it's own well kept gardens with an excellent bar/restaurant. The staff were all happy, friendly and efficient. If you're room needed an extra item such as a plate or bowl you only had to ask.

There was one very minor point. The area surrounding the accommodations is dressed with limestone chippings, in dry conditions, as was while we were there, it generated lots of dust which covered all the cars.

🇬🇧

Peter

8.2

February 2024

This place has history and tons of it and the current owners are clearly working hard to get things done. The rooms are fairly basic but in truth that's reflected reasonably in the price. The bed was comfortable enough, the bathroom and shower were fine and the settee provides a seating area as well as seats outside. No table or chairs indoors. The gardens are a delight and the restaurant had a terrific atmosphere in the evening and provided good quality food and drink options.

There is still quite a bit to do to upgrade the accommodation. No breakfasts available but on enquiry bowls and spoons were provided so we could have our cereal!

🇬🇧

Peter

10

November 2024

Staff were so friendly and helpful, food was excellent. Once we had booked in we sat down and enjoyed a drink from there fully stocked bar and sat on their lovely patio enjoying the fantastic views, no need to go out from there premises, we booked a table for the night and had the most delicious meal with drinks. Room was very comfortable and so far has been the best stay of our 6 week tour of New Zealand! Highly recommended!!! 5 star. Pete and Barbara Foley from U.K.

Points of Interest Around Donegal House

Airports

Kaikoura Aerodrome

4.1mi

Woodbourne Airport

59.7mi

Restaurants

Restaurant #1

Ambiances

  • Family Friendly
  • Traditional

Amenities of Donegal House

Restaurant

Free Private Parking

Free wifi

Free shuttle

Bar

Sun deck

Tour desk

Private entrance

Parking On Site

Terrace

Lake view

Mountain view

Non-smoking rooms

Live music/Performance

Patio

Garden view

Playground

Picnic area

Garden

Free toiletries

Stay rules - Donegal House

  • Check-in / Check-out

  • Pets

  • Internet

  • Age restrictions

  • Curfew

  • Parking

  • Children and beds

  • Cards accepted at this property