I care about sharing!
One of the coolest things about being a travel blogger is meeting the most interesting people. This comes from someone who doesn't think he is alone. Hello, introverts!
A few years ago, when a friend visited overseas, I booked a super cute Airbnb Waiheke Island. New Zealand's hot wine destinations have been attracting me for years. After that, I remained friends with Airbnb's boss Tim. When he turned one of Refton's oldest houses into a Gold Rush-era holiday, you bet I'll be the first one there.
A comfortable vacation? A small fire? history? West Coast? Tell me more!
Over the years, my travel style has evolved. When I grew up, I didn’t travel much. Once I can pay, I will jump as many cities as possible. I want to see all this. By the time I was in my thirties, I had slowed down. It’s nice to take some time, my values converge to slow down and even go back to my favorite place again and again. The place where I live is usually the destination itself.
and West Coast New Zealand hasn't stopped calling me for ten years.
Winemaker's Night Hotel It's different from anywhere I've lived before. The Victorian atmosphere is strong, but don't worry – you don't have to share it with other guests. It is home to legendary brewer Stewart Monteith (Monteith's is a super famous beer in New Zealand), and it has been carefully renovated from the original 1870s cabin.
Elaborately crafted, it mimics the old 19th-century gold mine huts here South Island But there is modern comfort. From 1864 to 1867, thousands of people flocked to the West Coast. Here, once gold is found, prospectors quickly follow.
In 1866, Hokitika was the largest settlement in New Zealand, with a population of more than 25,000 and more than 100 bars. Considering that the entire West Coast population is only 30,000 today, it's hard to imagine. And if you've been to Hokitika today, it's hard to imagine. I think there might be four bars there.
Blink, you might miss it; Refton It was about an hour and a half to the north and inland. The first quartz reefs were discovered in Reefton in 1870.
Reefton was so important that it was the first town in New Zealand and the southern hemisphere, with electricity and street lights, earning the nickname “City of Light”. But, like Hokitika and many other gold mines, the town is dry once the supply is dry.
Nowadays, less than a thousand kiwis call Reefton home, although it starts to do some cool investment projects, such as the launch of a crowdfunding campaign from Reefton Distillery Co a few years ago, bringing people to this quiet town. The first spirit they launched was called Little Biddy Gin, inspired by Bridget Goodwin, a drinking, four-foot-tall gold miner.
Still relatively undiscovered, Refton is an ideal place for a vacation. There are plenty of walks and things to do nearby. Mass Tourism is definitely not here yet.
Refton is a sleepy, historic mining town with some Renaissances in the past few years. This is a place I've been through, but never spent the night. For those who work frequently, Night Hotels in Brewer A few days. I have so many plans to move and explore. But in the end, I was mostly just hanging out on the couch with a fire. This is my holiday.
So many thoughtful touches exceed your expectations from such accommodation. A huge concrete soaking bathtub, copper appliances, linen, historic Rimu Timber walls with newsprint and vintage wallpaper, cozy lighting, hidden wardrobe and large brown leather sofas that will keep you from leaving. Did I mention it is pet friendly?
Brewer's Night Inn features a music room that includes a century-old West Coast piano, turntable and epic stereo system as well as well as well as well curated seasonal music. This is a little lost in me considering my taste in music tends toward Taylor Swift and Shakira, but this room blows me away when someone loves traveling and unique spaces!
It took only a few minutes to drive to the main street of Lefuton and everything about my stay here was perfect. You bet I will be back!
Thank you very much for Brewer's Night Inn for hosting me at Reefton – as always, I keep it real – all opinions are my own, like you expect less from me
