Luxury on West Coast
I think it’s fair to say most Kiwis would not associate the West Coast with luxury. Lush bush and rugged seas, yes, and coal. But quality accommodation and Egyptian cotton bedding? Not so much.
Going against the grain is Cowshed 488, a lavish bed and breakfast in a 110-year-old villa in Totara Flat.
The house, on Georgina Skinner and fiance´ Stephen Begg’s dairy farm north of Greymouth, has recently gone through an extensive renovation and is open to bookings from November 10.
As the rain set in across Canterbury, my partner, Josie, and I scampered through a snow storm across the Lewis Pass and through Reefton for a weekend with friends. We arrived at the three-bedroom house as the sun set.
We had a fair idea of what to expect from Skinner’s relentless Instagram teasing to her 1100 followers. She extensively documented the year-long renovation through social media, building hype so much they are fully booked into December and into January.
Original rimu floorboards run through the entire house, down its two long hallways and into each bedroom. Skinner’s style is apparent in all aspects of the fit out, from linen bathrobes in tall dressers to large Slim Aarons prints on many of the walls. Skinner credits Aarons as an inspiration for one of her various creative outlets, Print By George, her photography and prints business.
French doors from the dining and kitchen area open onto a verandah that wraps the entire house. As is often the case, cold weather in Canterbury means warm weather on the West Coast, which we were treated with as we drank our Saturday morning coffee.
The house is bordered on three sides by garden, the other by paddock. Calves roamed past the fence, behind them the classic low hills of the West Coast, clad in thick green bush.
The nightly rate for Cowshed 48 is $250 for two people, with a $25 charge for each extra person.