After a long journey I arrived at the Gingerbread Lodge and immediately felt at home. Didn't have high expectations, just wanted to relax for 2 days. Nathan welcomed me very friendly. The next morning I met Cindy who made me a great breakfast and had a nice chat with her as well. It is really a home away from home. The staff is prepared to help you with anything, you just have to ask. Oh and the wifi works excellent here, was able to use it on 3 devices at the same time.
My wife and I stayed 2 nights. Was the most entertaining 2 nights of our tour of New Zealand being in a homely environment, we were more than happy with our stay there. The wife slept well and enjoyed the electric blanket at night, liking the New Zealand open plan kitchen too :). Location is good for the city, nice quiet neighbourhood.
Overall enjoyed our two nights there, Nathan as previously mentioned being a fun guy to chat too. Breakfast was more than enough for us, cooked and cereals as well. Staying here felt like home after stopping in Motels that were more expensive for less, would come again if back in Christchurch.
I spent 1 night in Gingerbread. Nathan is a enegetic and humorous guy. Location is good with quiet environment. Rooms are arranged with heart and Gingerbread is willing to keep up to a even higher standard. I had a pleasent stay there.
Passed just one night there, when I just arrived here in Chch and I am quite satisfied with my choice. Really nice place, the staff was really nice with me and my wife, helping us with everything. The breakfast was awesome, lot of really nice food, eggs, tomato, bacon, pancakes, really good value for money.
I would highly recommend to go there.
Stayed here for two nights with my husband while on a months trip thru New Zealand.
After reading all the reviews on here plus checking out their website we decided Gingerbread lodge sounded wonderful and looked forward to it after some bland genetic motel and hotel stays.
We arrived at midday and saw another couple walking up and down the road looking for the B&B as well......it's not sign posted at all and just blends in with the other residential houses.
Apparently the council won't let the owner put a sign outside but if he wrote it on the side of his mail box then maybe it would help.
We found the B&B and a note on the door with a number to call upon arrival,we were only 2 hours early for check in but no one was home.
My husband got thru eventually to a guy who told us to go around the side as the door was unlocked,he then asked my husband what room we'd paid for and we had to guess which was our room.
We waited an hour but no one came to the house so we went out to explore Christchurch.
Upon return at 7pm we walked awkwardly into the house and a room of people in the dining area,said hello as we didn't know if they were guests or the owners......no one said who they were and we just got a hello back so off we went to our room!
Later on my husband goes out to make some tea and talks to another guest,turns out the woman who makes breakfast was there when we came in earlier she just didn't introduce herself or tell us anything about breakfast in the morning etc.
The next morning my husband goes into the dining room and has to ask who is in charge,he is asked how he wants his egg cooked but when he asks what are the options for breakfast the owner/guy in charge just says he can have whatever he wants.
My husband just has toast and cereal......it's easier.
The next morning we checked out at 9am as we had a flight,that's the first time I find out which 'face' is the owner as he starts asking me as I'm putting my bag into the car if I want a coffee or anything before we go.
This place feels like a halfway house or a hostel,it's too much money for what it is.
I seriously felt like we were in the wrong B&B-where was this magical 'Miki' and her amazing host skills,where was this family dog I'd read about!?
We didn't get woken with pancakes or a hearty breakfast like the reviews here suggest,I never felt I wanted to leave the room let alone sit and eat breakfast out there,I felt awkward and uncomfortable for the entire time.
Having a welcome note in the room would help if you are not around to welcome guests,maybe a photo of yourself so people know who you are or just firmly introduce yourself when you see a guest you have not met yet?!
A small menu in the breakfast area-maybe a chalk board of the options available would help things in the morning?
Write the name of the lodge on the mail box or on a small plaque on the door if the council won't allow your big sign.
I just felt like I was sleeping at someone's Granny's house not staying in a homely B&B lodge for $120 a night.
I seriously couldn't wait to get away from this place.......
