Peppers Martinborough Hotel

Just an hour’s drive north from Wellington, the Wairarapa – meaning ‘the land of the glistening waters’ – is one of New Zealand’s best-kept secrets. Of the region’s five townships, probably the most well-known is sleepy Martinborough, which sits on the site of New Zealand’s first sheep station and is home to more than thirty boutique vineyards which cluster close to the village square.

Taking pride of place at the entrance to the square, the characterful, colonial Peppers Martinborough Hotel was beautifully restored in 1996 and now has a total of 16 individual guest rooms. Choose between the Verandah Rooms with deep oldfashioned claw-foot baths in the original 1882 building or one of the newer and more spacious Garden Rooms which open out onto the pretty courtyard just across from the main building.

The stylish Martinborough Restaurant & Bar is renowned for its superb gourmet cuisine which features fresh local produce complemented, of course, by the local award-winning Pinot Noir wines. The famed Bar, which boasts a collection of historic photographs, provides a comfortable space for both guests and locals alike to gather around one of the wine barrels and swap stories over a glass or two of handcrafted Martinborough Pinot Noir.

Take time to stroll around the village – leading wineries such as Ata Rangi, Martinborough Vineyard and Palliser Estate are all within walking distance of the square. A ‘must’ is a visit to the Wine Centre opposite the hotel (New Zealand’s first regional wine centre) – it is both a showcase for the local wines and a great spot for lunch! Bicycles can also be hired from the Wine Centre.