Kumara Historic Cottages

We stayed in "Mary's Cottage", a quaint 3 bedroom home on the main road and directly opposite the local pub. It is as advertised, though quite a few of the photos shown on booking.com are for different cottages and other accommodations run by the same owners. It was clean and good for a one night stay, but it's a tiny town and I'm glad we were just passing through. My husband and I took one double bed room, while the other couple with us took the other double. There was a 3rd room with a bunk bed in it, but we didn't use this. The bathroom was clean, and water pressure was ok. We had dinner at the pub across the road which was wonderful. Everyone enjoyed their meals. The older lady who gave us our keys was friendly and happy to welcome us. Advised us to come early for dinner if we wanted to eat at the pub, etc. as it would be busy on the night we were staying due to the roast pork belly special that the chef was cooking.

We found our bed a little too soft and uncomfortable though I realise that's a personal thing. The other couple said that their bed "was ok" when I asked. We didn't cook in the kitchen so I can't rate the oven. There was a newer electric style oven in addition to a very antique looking model that was placed in a closed off chimney area for aesthetics/period of the cottage. Unfortunately, something was making an awful noise in the chimney when we arrived, likely a possum I expect as it was quite active at night in there, but not in the morning. Some of the blinds in the living room didn't work well to open and close for privacy ( though there was no one else around so we didn't bother with it much). I found the younger woman at reception and working in the hotel quite rude and abrupt at times. She informed me when I asked for a dish special that night for dinner, that I couldn't have it because it was "only for the locals" and I "wasn't local". The older lady had told us when we'd checked in to arrive before 6pm for dinner, as the chef was cooking a special and we would need to be seated and order before they ran out. They did in the end provide this particular meal, after a diner at a nearby table made a comment about her refusing to serve it to me (who was a local) and stated that "I was a local for tonight". This same young woman also commented at reception that we were unable to claim the free breakfast as advertised on their site, as I'd booked through Booking.com and was "already getting a good deal". Not a problem, I was only enquiring because I'd seen the ad on their hotel page. Happy to pay for it, but after encountering her rudeness decided we'd go have breakfast elsewhere. This seems to be a family run business that operates multiple accommodation options, as well as the pub.

I got sick and the staff provided an extra night for free.

That I got sick.

Great to have the restaurant across the street. Common areas allow for meeting other travelers. Our room faced away from the road so very little traffic noise.

Plenty of mosquitos, both live and those squashed by previous guests.

We were happy with the cottage room that we had and the common areas.

Bed was comfortable

Shared lounge and kitchen Overpriced