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Ribbonwood Retreat Bed and Breakfast

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26 Greens Road, Franz Josef, Westland Tai Poutini National Park 7886 New Zealand
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About

#1 of 4 B&Bs in Franz Josef
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
In your quality accommodation at Ribbonwood Retreat, you can relax in the wilderness, wander the gardens and feel your travel tiredness slip away. The surroundings of Glacier Country are at the doorstep to explore. Our accommodation includes two choices; a separate self-contained garden cottage with a king bed and a single bed or the spacious Waiho Rooms on the top floor of the house - where your party have the exclusive use of the top floor with two bedrooms for a double, twin, or a group of three travelling together. Set on an acre of lush, sprawling lawns surrounded by established native trees and private gardens, your secluded Scandi-inspired retreat in the heart of Glacier Country awaits. Nestled on the doorstep of Westland National Park, the generous 40-square-metre cottage boasts spectacular mountain and glacier views. Conveniently located a short 5-minute drive to the town centre of Franz Josef Glacier you can indulge in a fabulous range of cafes and restaurants and venture into the wilderness on one of many iconic hiking trails or guided tours. Experience the West Coasts' incredible sunsets or sip your favourite wine alfresco under the stars on the large deck which eludes off the cottage ranch slider. Sink into your hotel-grade King bed wrapped in crisp 100% cotton line-dried linen. The Waiho Suite encompasses two bedrooms which both have ranch slider doors that open out onto private decks, perfectly positioned whilst enjoying your favourite beverage appreciating the vastness around you that is UNESCO World Heritage. Just a few minutes drive from the village and ten minutes drive from the glacier, our bed & breakfast accommodation has several excellent restaurants nearby, offering complimentary transport. You can relax knowing your hosts, Julie and Jonathan will take good care of you.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Free breakfast
Hiking
Canoeing offsite
Non-smoking hotel
Outdoor furniture
Private check-in / check-out
Secured parking
Wifi
Shared lounge / TV area
Sun terrace
Washing machine
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Room features
Safe
Seating area
Iron
Coffee / tea maker
Kitchenette
Flatscreen TV
Bath / shower
Hair dryer
Dishwasher
Microwave
Refrigerator
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Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
HOTEL STYLE
Charming
Great View
Languages Spoken
English, French, Italian
364Reviews2Q+A75Room tips

Reviews
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Aoife S wrote a review Nov 2023
1 contribution
Ribbonwood retreat is a fantastic location, minutes from Franz Josef. It is a very clean, tidy and comfortable accomodation. Surrounded by lovely gardens and scenery, we were able to relax in the sun. Julie and Jonathan sorted our helicopter ride within minutes of our arrival taking away all stress and deliberation. The breakfast was delicious! Hosts were friendly and always up for a chat, we would really recommend Ribbonwood!
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Date of stay: November 2023
Value
Location
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from Jonathan and Julie, Owner at Ribbonwood Retreat Bed and Breakfast
Responded 5 days ago
Kia ora friends. We had a great time meeting you both and it was a joy hosting you. We love helping with our concierge service and were only too happy to get you going on your flight. This is very kind of you to take the time to review us, thanks so much Aoife! It was a warm feeling as we shared our stories and we loved to present our garden-to-the-plate breakfast to you. All the best, see you back here one day! J and J
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Miranda B wrote a review Nov 2023
4 contributions2 helpful votes
This B&B is amazing we had the most lovely host that you can imagine. They got great tips and can tell you everything about the birds, garden and nature of New Zealand. We got a great breakfast with fresh fruit from there own garden. Highly recommend booking this B&B
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Date of stay: October 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
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Response from Jonathan and Julie, Owner at Ribbonwood Retreat Bed and Breakfast
Responded 5 days ago
Thank you for the great review, Miranda. You make our hearts sing! We really enjoyed having you stay with us at Ribbonwood and are so glad we could answer all your flora and fauna questions! We enjoy sharing our fresh produce for breakfast. Ka kite ano. Kind regards, Julie and Jo
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Tracy F wrote a review Nov 2023
1 contribution1 helpful vote
Julie and Joe have created a very unique and personalised B&B experience. The cottage is private, delightful and immaculately clean and maintained with amazing views. We loved going to the house for a wonderful breakfast with fresh ingredients from the garden and home made bread. Julie and Joe are so friendly and have wonderful stories and recommendations for the area. Highly recommend. Thank you for a wonderful stay. Loved our time at your place.
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Date of stay: October 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
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Response from Jonathan and Julie, Owner at Ribbonwood Retreat Bed and Breakfast
Responded 5 days ago
Thank you, Tracy! You make us feel very warm. Our Bed and Breakfast does have a unique offering with the privacy of the cottage with no other dwellings and great views of mountains all around. We are so glad you appreciated our place here at Ribbonwood and all we have to offer - and enjoyed our garden-to-the-plate breakfast. It's a two-way thing and we loved having you here and sharing our stories. We do wish that we may meet again, Arohanui Julie and Jo
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
VT-NC wrote a review Jul 2023
Charlotte, NC12 contributions4 helpful votes
We had such a great stay with Julie & Jo. The room was perfect, breakfast was delicious, but most importantly - Julie & Jo are a delight to spend time with. They have such great insights into the area and are truly warm hosts. It was tough leaving their spectacular spot in the world, but we gained new friends!
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Date of stay: October 2022
Value
Location
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
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Response from Jonathan and Julie, Owner at Ribbonwood Retreat Bed and Breakfast
Responded 28 Jul 2023
Kia ora and wow thank you for your kind words, we do appreciate you! Julie here - we are so lucky with Jo that I have a resident biologist to call upon when I get asked hairy questions! He has got a vast background in wildlife service and a photographic memory, lucky for me! It is a wonderful location, so close to the bustling village yet just far away enough to be surrounded by trees that attract many bird species and lovely mountain views. We did enjoy sharing it all with you! Thank you also for the best compliment - it was hard for us to say goodbye to new friends x Ngā mihi Julie
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Brittany W wrote a review Mar 2023
1 contribution1 helpful vote
Staying with Julie and Jo was wonderful. Being caught in a storm, we got in a little later than we planned, but we were welcomed with a warm greeting and directions to the nearest open restaurant. We stayed in a big one room cottage next to Julie and Jo’s home. The room was so comfortable and clean. It had so much space and even had a small kitchen area and dinette. The bed was very comfortable, and the shower pressure was fantastic. If this road trip stop hadn’t been just one night, we would have liked to stay longer. In the morning we walked next door to Julie and Jo’s kitchen where we were served a delicious breakfast with hot coffee and tea. Definitely recommend Julie’s crepes! After being on a road trip for so long, it was so nice to sit in someone’s home and have a homecooked meal with warm conversation. Julie and Jo even looked at our road trip itinerary and recommended some of the many stops that were definitely worth it and the best places to park for them. Even the views of the mountains on the back porch got us energized and excited for the day. Highly recommend this bed and breakfast and hope to stay there again someday!
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Date of stay: March 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: Be sure to bring umbrellas and raincoats. New Zealand rains hard sometimes.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
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Response from Jonathan and Julie, Owner at Ribbonwood Retreat Bed and Breakfast
Responded 28 Jul 2023
Kia ora Brittany. Thank you so much for writing this wonderful review. One of our favourite aspects of being hosts is helping guests make the most of their stay. Great to share produce from our garden with you. Jo is my walking encyclopedia of flora and fauna - he has a great memory with his excellent storytelling skills. So glad that you were comfortable during your stay! We take pride in providing quality bedding. Here in Franz Josef, we are very lucky to have excellent choices with our restaurants, it is great for our small village. We loved hosting you both. We would love to see you back one day. Ngā mihi Julie and Jo
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jane P wrote a review Mar 2023
Ipswich, United Kingdom461 contributions236 helpful votes
We stayed here for 2 nights as part of our touring holiday of NZ. From the moment of our first enquiry to the moment we left Julie and Jonathan were most attentive and helpful, ensuring we had everything we needed to enjoy our stay. Ribbonwood is a few minutes drive outside of Franz Josef, so it's ideal if you want to be away from the bustle of the town. We stayed in the main house in The Waiho Rooms which are spacious, private and include a large balcony and luxury bathroom. There are two bedrooms on this floor but if you are travelling as a couple the smaller of the two rooms will be blocked off. Everything we needed was provided including some home made cake, fresh milk for our early morning tea, and lots of help in planning our time in Franz Josef and also recommendations for our onward journey. We felt very comfortable and slept very well here. Franz Josef is a delightful town too - it was one of our favourite locations of the holiday. We were particualry grateful for Jonathan's help when we had a flat tyre on our last day. Thank you both for a lovely couple of days.
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Date of stay: February 2023
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from Jonathan and Julie, Owner at Ribbonwood Retreat Bed and Breakfast
Responded 22 Mar 2023
Kia ora friends. Thank you so much. We are so pleased that you enjoyed the beauty, peace and stunning views at Ribbonwood. Our area has so much to offer with walks, flights, kayaking and so on, so it was great to see you make the most of all the opportunities here! No problem - we love to help. It was a pleasure to have you stay. Ka kite ano. Warm thoughts Julie and Jo
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
justyouraveragejo wrote a review Mar 2023
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania59 contributions20 helpful votes
+1
Our stay at Ribbonwood was more than a clean room and delicious breakfast. Julie and Jonathan are lovely people who go above and beyond to make us feel welcome in their home, which is beautiful. The property sits just a few kilometers from the town of Franz Josef, which lends it a peaceful vibe. My family occupied not only the standalone cottage, but also both rooms on the 2nd floor of the main house. Each was appointed with a tea/coffee service and Julie and Jonathan’s attention for detail was noted everywhere. The huge windows in our bedroom looked out over the lush landscape and gardens, with misty mountains in the background. Our beds and pillows were super comfortable; we slept soundly. Julie and Jonathan provided us with a delicious breakfast- her infamous fruit crepes and homemade bread and rhubarb jam. Most of our breakfast was provided from their land; fruit and veggies from the garden and eggs from the chicken coop. I almost want to keep this place a secret so I am sure to grab a booking the next time we are in the area, but it’s too good not to share.
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Date of stay: March 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip: The cottage and large bedroom in the main house have an additional single twin in their rooms -...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2 Helpful votes
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Response from Jonathan and Julie, Owner at Ribbonwood Retreat Bed and Breakfast
Responded 22 Mar 2023
Kia ora our guests and friends. It was really kind of you to write this review, thank you very much! We are only too happy to do what we can to make your time here special. We love to hear you enjoyed breakfast so much. We wish you well, maybe we will see you and/or family members back this way someday. Until then. Hei konā mai, Julie and Jo
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Pierina s wrote a review Feb 2023
6 contributions1 helpful vote
We arrived to find a chalk board welcoming us and a message to say our host was in the garden, which is exactly where we found Jo. From the get go we felt at home. The cottage was beautifully presented, with everything we could have wished for. Breakfast on both mornings was delicious and we enjoyed the company of Jo and Julie. We would highly recommend The Ribbonwood Retreat
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Date of stay: February 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
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Response from Jonathan and Julie, Owner at Ribbonwood Retreat Bed and Breakfast
Responded 7 Feb 2023
Kia ora Pierinas - we really appreciate you taking the time to write this review. So glad you left with great memories of Ribbonwood having enjoyed the breakfast and bird life! It is always wonderful to share our special place in the Franz Josef with our guests. Hope to see you again one day. Warm thoughts. Mā te wā Julie and Jo
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Vasiliy M wrote a review Jan 2023
2 contributions
Our stay with Julie and Jonathan was nothing short of spectacular! The cottage is simply beautiful, down to every little detail, and the views of the surrounding mountains and jungle are stunning. There are so many thoughtful touches that really enhance the experience, from high-quality bath products to homemade cookies with a story of their origin. The breakfast in the morning was delicious, but our favourite part was the fulfilling interactions and conversations we had with Julie and Jonathan. Can't say enough good things about this stay!
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Date of stay: December 2022
Location
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from Jonathan and Julie, Owner at Ribbonwood Retreat Bed and Breakfast
Responded 13 Jan 2023
Kia ora, well what a treat it was for us to host you both. This is the reason we do what we do! Thank you so much for taking the time to write this lovely review. I do love supporting our guests to make the most of their time with us, matching their interests with what we offer. I think what makes us unique is our desire to do as much as we can that is homemade - just like the old way of doing things! It helps to have a garden, jo is very clever with this. We do wish you well and please come again! It was a joy to host you. Mā te wā Julie and Jo
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lea H wrote a review Dec 2022
1 contribution1 helpful vote
We spent two partially stormy and rainy days in Ribbonwood. Julie and Jo were wonderful hosts, going every possible extra Mile in making our stay comfortable and fantastic. From a very warm welcome, home made cookies and bread for tea time, to an extra room, support in drying our clothes and many great ideas what to do and where to eat. We enjoyed the excellent breakfast, in which they used many ingredients from their own gardens. Definitely a great place to stay!
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Date of stay: November 2022
Rooms
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
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Response from Jonathan and Julie, Owner at Ribbonwood Retreat Bed and Breakfast
Responded 19 Dec 2022
Kia ora Lea thank you from the bottom of our hearts for taking the time to write your thoughts about staying with us. We too appreciated your company. We know how hard it is to get going when it is raining and yet there are many rewards to be had for doing so, good on you! We do enjoy showcasing our bounty from the garden. It was our pleasure to make more space for the two of you. All the best to you both, until the next time, Julie & Jo
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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LOCATION
New ZealandSouth IslandWest Coast RegionWestland Tai Poutini National ParkFranz Josef
NUMBER OF ROOMS
2
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RIBBONWOOD RETREAT BED AND BREAKFAST - B&B Reviews & Price Comparison (Franz Josef) - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Ribbonwood Retreat Bed and Breakfast
Which popular attractions are close to Ribbonwood Retreat Bed and Breakfast?
Nearby attractions include Te Koha Gallery (4.4 km), West Coast Wildlife Centre (4.2 km), and Roberts Point Track (8.0 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Ribbonwood Retreat Bed and Breakfast?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free breakfast, and free parking.
Which room amenities are available at Ribbonwood Retreat Bed and Breakfast?
Top room amenities include a kitchenette, a flat screen TV, and a refrigerator.
What food & drink options are available at Ribbonwood Retreat Bed and Breakfast?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast during their stay.
Is parking available at Ribbonwood Retreat Bed and Breakfast?
Yes, free parking and secured parking are available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Ribbonwood Retreat Bed and Breakfast?
Conveniently located restaurants include Alice May, BLUE ICE RESTAURANT & BAR, and Monsoon Bar & Restaurant.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Ribbonwood Retreat Bed and Breakfast?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English, French, and Italian.
Are there any historical sites close to Ribbonwood Retreat Bed and Breakfast?
Many travellers enjoy visiting Church of St. James (6.7 km).