Briarwood

Perhaps less well known than its neighbour Martinborough, charming Greytown (a one hour drive from Wellington) – whose wonderfully preserved Victorian buildings house quaint cafés, galleries and craft shops – is the Wairarapa region’s oldest town.

Located at the end of historic Main Street, Briarwood is a delightful townhouse offering two elegant suites. The interiors blend European fabrics with an eclectic mix of antiques and New Zealand artworks – and each suite benefits from its own entrance, spacious lounge and dining area, private courtyard and either one or two bedrooms. The bedrooms are stylish and comfortable, with Egyptian cotton linen, mohair wraps and goosedown duvets – and French doors from the bedroom open onto the courtyard.

Owner Liz serves delicious breakfasts – either in the dining room, the garden or in the privacy of your suite. Picnic hampers, anti-pasta platters and dégustation dinners can also be arranged.

Wander down Greytown’s historic and characterful Main Street and discover artisans at work handcrafting chocolates and jewellery. Greytown is a gourmet hot-spot and real foodies can join a ‘Greytown Gourmet Food Tour’ with specialist ‘Zest’ (please contact us for further details). Take time to explore nearby Martinborough with its many wonderful wineries, delightful vineyard restaurants and Wine Centre showcasing fine local wines – and also Gladstone Vineyard in nearby Carteton (ten minutes north of Greytown) which is renowned as being one of New Zealand’s most beautiful vineyards, with different varieties of roses at the end of every row of vines. Also well worth visiting is Greytown’s Cobblestones Museum which tells the story of the early settlers’ heritage.