Chestnut still a top B&B in New Zealand
Kathleen and John Day know how to make people feel welcome.
And it shows. Their B&B, Chestnut Lane Cottage, was listed as the ninth best B&B in the country in the 2017 Trip Advisor Travellers’ Choice Awards.
For three consecutive years, the cottage has held a placing in the top 10.
The couple built on a section in Eldonwood Estate eight years ago, and it was a year later that Workmans owner Sid Workman suggested they turn it into a B&B.
‘‘The plan was never to turn it into a B&B,’’ said Kathleen. ‘‘We built the extra cottage, mainly thinking of our mums, but they have both since passed.
‘‘Sid came over one night and said they are always getting people calling in for dinner and asking for a nice retreat. He rang one day and asked if we had the B&B sorted because he was sending two people.
‘‘We ran around like headless chooks getting it ready, they stayed the night and it all went quite well.
‘‘Our youngest daughter set up a simple website, and we advertised through I-Site and our eldest daughter, who travels frequently, suggested we get on Trip Advisor.’’
Through the many visitors who have stayed at the B&B, the couple’s friend base has expanded globally, many of their visitors have become good friends.
‘‘A German couple who came about five years ago, pulled up in a Juicy van and they wanted a look. She asked where her partner was going to sleep, so we thought ‘oh they aren’t a couple’. It turns out they were married, but he snored terribly and she wanted a separate bedroom.
‘‘They booked one night and stayed four. We continue to keep in touch with them and we even met up with them when we went through Germany on a cruise.’’
Chestnut Lane Cottage is one of seven Matamata B&Bs on Trip Advisor, and judging by the positive reviews it’s easy to see why Chestnut Lane Cottage is consistently among the top 10.
‘‘When people arrive I have home baking for them. I like to sit with people over breakfast, and people like to talk, that’s why they choose B&Bs. You learn who you need to offer space to, and who likes company. We learn about their cultures and they in turn want to learn about New Zealand.’’