Everything! The host, Leanne, has really thought of everything … and then some! We loved the location just 10 minutes from Kaikoura Centre with epic views of the mountains, valleys, and ocean. Being a bit more “rural” allowed for the view and for the farm stay experience (if you so desire it). We loved getting to meet all of the farm animals and learn their rescue stories and will forever hold Jolene, the 5-day old Farrow deer, in our hearts. The home itself is perfect for a family or couples traveling together as there is plenty of space to spread out and seek privacy, too. The coffee machine is amazing, having access to the washer and dryer a life saver, and there was not one thing we wanted for … and, believe me, we tried to rise to that challenge! We opted to cook at the home with the generous provisions provided and left pay-it-forward NZD to replenish for the next guest. The cubby house is the home away from home that you’ll wish was actually your home!

That we couldn’t stay longer!

wonderful hostess, beautiful and very comfortable house, stunning views. There is nothing wanting-Leanne provides all and more for a very very special stay. We are going back to stay longer!

Nothing! This place is perfect!

Fantastic property and hosts with absolutely everything you need for a relaxing break. Best accommodation we’ve stayed in during our 3 weeks touring the South Island. It has enough sofas for 4 adults to sit comfortably which is rare! Great location to either relax and stay local or to use as a base to explore further afield. Friendly and helpful hosts who go out of their way to meet guests needs. Turkeys, chooks, cows, sheep, pigs, goats, birds, dogs and cat were an added bonus to say hello to. Sad to leave.

Nothing! Would love to come back one day.

From the moment we booked we knew we'd made a great choice! Leanne was an excellent communicator leading up to our trip and on arrival met us as the property to take us on a quick tour and introduce us to some of the menagerie (I miss Merle and Freckles already!). The property didn't disappoint. The views are spectacular and varied, overlooking farmland, mountain ranges and the ocean. Inside was just as interesting with lots of lovely artwork by previous guests and plenty of quirky decorations. Cubby House is really well-equipped and we were pleasantly surprised to find a stocked pantry, plenty of fridge items, a fruit platter and even a top-notch coffee machine stocked with fresh, locally roasted beans (yum!). On arrival I said I'd never want to leave and due to an unexpected medical event our 2-night booking turned into a week. Leanne and Rich couldn't have been more accommodating and helpful as we navigated the medical system and ensured hubby got the treatment he needed. They looked after us as if we were old friends, checking to see how we were going, dropping in additional supplies and keeping the firewood topped up! Although we didn't get to complete our holiday, Cubby House was the perfect location to recuperate and recharge. Cubby House has everything you could need for a relaxing, comfortable stay - with or without kids. We'll definitely come back when we return to NZ to finish our travels :)

The house is fantastic and quirky with everything you need.

Fantastic location with great view. Communication was great and easy, hosts absolutely lovely. The kids loved the animals on the property... :-)

nothing

a real home from home with everything you could want in the kitchen and entertainment for children

it was a little bit out of town but the views made up for that

very big house. on a beautiful location. with a nice view and near Kaikoura. Very friendly host. everything you need is in the house including all kinds of different breakfast goods, herbs, a good koffiemachine etc. the host is very friendly and has allot of animals on the property and she was so kind to show them and we could feed / pet them. our Son loved it. the beds where great to

nothing

I love the varieties of the amenities. Farm animals were so cute. Our family had a comfortable and enjoyable stay. There was plenty of room for a group of 5 of us.

Nearly everything. The view is spectacular! We loved the atmosphere in and around the house. The fire place is a great plus. We loved the animals all around and the very friendly and helpful and warmhearted hosts. Leanne provides her guests with a lot of food, fresh eggs from their own chicken and a barista coffee machine. Highly recommended.

Leanne, maybe it would be nice to have some space in the freezer😉

lovely friendly hosts, generous with time and sharing their space and farm animals, taking photos, yummy extras, they made us feel so welcome. patiently helped with our son who was very fearful initially of the animals

From the farm animals and birds to the hugely stocked fridge and pantry, this property radiates warmth, generosity and individual style.

this is the most well equipped airbnb we have stayed- coffee machine, soda machine and even batteries! the animals are so cute, turkeys will come to welcome you each time you come back. our host is great! you will love this cottage like us. it's a pity that we couldn't make it for the feeding experience, will defintely come here again if we come back to NZ!

Leanne gave us a personal welcome. We arrived at the place and were greeted with such warm hospitality.

We loved staying at the Cubby house - it had everything we needed (and so much more!) to entertain our children and relax ourselves and soak in the farm yard surroundings! There was great communication with Leanne and it was a good location for being near the beach and not in the town! Just perfect for a family get-away!

Fantastic location,and warm and friendly greeting from hosts, (and Trevor the turkey). Great family facilities, lots to explore and some very friendly farm animals.Only regret is we hadn’t booked longer. An 11 out of 10 stay and fantastic value

I love everything this property.

everything! from the sheets, we’ll equipped kitchen, the farm and a greeting lot of animals to Richard and Leanne’s awesome hospitality.

didn’t have llamas, would have been nice if they had a penguin or two

The moment we walked in it felt like home. Leanne had fruit and enough food in the fridge to cover a late night meal. I was so impressed with all the details. Also, the view was fantastic!

I visited the artists retreat for a night with my husband, daughter, sister and her family. We had the most wonderful stay. The views from the property are incredible (snow covered mountains in one direction, beautiful coastline in the other). The property has everything you could need and more! There was a whole toy chest which was great as we were travelling with 2 young children, board games, a guitar, soda stream, barista coffee maker…the list goes on! The hosts left us items to cook breakfast in the fridge which was so long, as well as other pantry items and kindly gave us a tour of the property and all their amazing animals! We wish we could have stayed longer and would recommend to anyone looking for somewhere to stay in Kaikoura.

Wonderful property- the fire was lit and the home warm when we arrived, music was playing softly and choc chip muffins were ready. We enjoyed a walk around the property meeting many of the animals- piglet and ducklings a clear highlight. The views are incredible and the home is very comfortable. It will be a clear highlight of our NZ trip and I really hope we can come back to visit one day - next time we will stay a week.

well equipped with everything you could possibly need

nothing

Beautiful house with literally everything in it. Amazing views. Lovely owners who helped with everything. Didn’t want to leave. Will come back. Only house with a colander and a sieve!

It’s fabulous and will be more so when the owners upgrade the bathroom.

What's not to like?!? The view is so beautiful - 180 degree view of the Kaikoura bay and hills from both floors. Sit with a coffee and just gaze out for the day. You are up with trees around you and you look over the farm to the sea, its stunning. The house itself is beautiful with lovely artwork and design touches. I suppose its quirky in nature, but we loved it. Super spacious so great for a family but equally good for a group of friends. The hosts provide SO much food.....in the fridge was bacon, eggs, potatoes, mushrooms, all types of milk (DF), pasta parcels and a pasta sauce and i've probably forgotten others as well. Then there were the freshly baked choc chip muffins and the bottle of wine and chocolates...and then there was also a big basket of fruit and plenty of canned goods if you needed it. Amazing! There is a massive range of games to play which is awesome, and Netflix (hurray) so plenty of entertainment inside as well as cool animals for entertainment outside - dogs, friendly sheep, tropical birds, chickens, Kuni pigs, a peacock, guinea fowls, geese, goats you name it. Our family loved staying here. It is a short drive out of town but we didn't find this a problem. Oh and there is a laundry area which is also super handy and lighting that guides you into the house and auto turns on when you go the bathroom etc, as well as torches hanging everywhere in case of a power outage - so many great touches. Thanks for the fabulous stay, we will be back!

That we only booked one night instead of our whole trip! I suppose only having one bathroom could be a slight pain if we stayed longer or if it was a group of friends rather than a family, but it wouldn't stop us from booking again in a heartbeat.

We arrived on a chilly afternoon to find the cottage cosy and warm with the log burner lit heating the whole house beautifully. This characterful property has lots of charm and appeal. The kitchen was thoughtfully stocked with provisions- and the attention to detail was outstanding. We loved our stay here- it was a comfortable and relaxing retreat in a wonderful location.

Everything. WOW! There's no other way to describe it. You can even feed the calves and lambs.