Welcome to Nelson City’s only 5-Star Boutique Hotel

Stay in luxury bespoke accommodation with a complimentary mini-bar, enjoy pre-dinner drinks & canapes and a complimentary taxi service. Then wake-up to beautiful bird song and a delicious chef cooked breakfast – the perfect way to start your days of exploration of the Nelson Tasman region, surrounded by three of New Zealand’s most stunning National parks.

Luxury Suites

Six luxury suites set in a park-like setting provide a very comfortable home away from home. Large spacious villas, each with a bedroom and lounge area to relax in. Venture outside to soak up the atmosphere on the balcony where you are often joined by cheeky fantails, whilst watching weka and quails running across the lawn.

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Luxury Suites

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The History

Our luxury accommodation in Nelson sits on the site of part of the original Nelson Diocese estate, consisting of 158 acres purchased in 1862. The original Bishops Residence was built in 1868 and the Bishopdale Chapel, which is still a working chapel today, was built in 1877. The main house we live in today was the second Bishop’s Residence. It was built in 1925 after the closure and demolition of the Bishopdale Theological College.

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The Gardens

Pihopa Retreat is set in 5.5 acres of beautifully park-like gardens and borders alongside the 2.4ha Bishopdale Reserve. We provide luxury accommodation in Nelson. The grounds are enhanced by heritage landscape trees that are over 100 years old. 14 of these are protected along with heritage woodland.

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Photograph: Ana Galloway

The Gardens

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Photograph: Ana Galloway

Special Occasions

Pihopa Retreat lends itself perfectly as a location for whatever special event you want to celebrate. With its historic chapel, stunning park-like grounds, and luxury accommodation, we can help you create your perfect and unique event.

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The Area

Nelson is a city at the top of the South Island of New Zealand, facing Tasman Bay. It competes and regularly wins the title of the sunshine capital of New Zealand. Surrounded by coastline and mountain ranges, Nelson offers a lot of everything, from National Parks, vineyards, beach life and beautiful food.

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The Area

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What our lovely clients have said...

Perfection

One word “perfection”!!! One if most amazing hotel experiences we have ever had! Tucked away on a beautiful property. The suites were welcoming, immaculate and cozy. The attention to detail was incredible. We wanted for nothing. Sarah and her team were warm and welcoming. The canapés & breakfast were top Chief worthy! Thank you to Sarah for giving us a lift to town so we could spend a few hours and see some of Nelson before we left! That was above and beyond! Truly a 5 star experience!

Donna B

Roland, Arkansas

Heaven on Earth

Pihopa Retreat personifies the ultimate luxury travel experience. Sarah and her team are at your disposal to ensure your stay is beyond perfect. In extensive global travel, never have we experienced such a high level of gracious and attentive service.

Michael F

Phenomenal Stay in the heart of Nelson, NZ

Treat yourself to the Pihopa Retreat! Beyond relaxing with incredible attention to EVERY single detail and service. The owners, the Mellors ,and staff are so very gracious and their hospitality absolutely unmatched. You’ll never forget this amazing experience.

Nancy M

Best Hotel Ever!

This place is magical and without a doubt a must stay if anywhere near Nelson! We were amazed! There are only 6 rooms, cabins really. Immaculate, comfortable, modern, private and perfect! The service is 5 star.

Breakfast is included and very special, served in a chapel on grounds, evening appetizers are served in the pool house and are plentiful, every day in your room there are homemade desserts.

Because there is no restaurant on site, they make reservations for you at terrific restaurants and so that you don’t have to drive, you are given a debit card to pay a taxi to pick you up and bring you back at their expense. Amazing service.
This place doesn’t skimp on anything, service, food, comfort.

One evening we were too tired to go out to eat so we asked if we could just have cheese and crackers, Sarah had way more than cheese and crackers prepared for us and there was no charge when we checked out.
Best place we stayed and most memorable.

Teri L

Sherman Oaks, California

Simply stunning in every way!

Pihopa has the wow factor ! A warm welcome awaits at this amazing retreat. The rooms are sumptuous, with every amenity and treat such as delicious cake to have with afternoon tea. The view from our balcony was amazing, the vista taking you through trees down to the sea. Everything has been thought of to make your stay memorable and the host, Sarah goes the extra mile to make your time at this amazing place feel extra special. Breakfasts were just incredible – a feast for the eyes. We really enjoyed the complimentary drinks and canapés at 6pm in the pool house. A complimentary taxi would arrive to whisk you to dinner in town and was there to bring you back again. We loved every minute of our stay here and hope to be back soon!

TripAdvisor

Bexhill-on-Sea, United Kingdom

A unique and fabulous place to stay

Just WOW! This was our favorite place over a six-week vacation in New Zealand and Australia. Only sorry we couldn’t stay more than 2 nights. As others have noted, it is perfection. The property — once an Anglican retreat and college — has been lovingly and beautifully restored and adapted into a luxurious hotel/5-star B&B. There are only six suites and they are spacious, with every amenity one could think of, and bathrooms to die for. Sarah, innkeeper extraordinaire, is a most gracious and warm host and thinks of everything. Rooms include a complimentary drinks/food bar with good wine, all kinds of treats, coffee, tea and fresh milk, and heavenly pastries baked fresh daily. The beds are beyond comfy and curling up in the leather armchairs before a gas fire each evening, wine in hand, was a delightful way to end the day.

Sarah makes reservations for dinner and cabs to and from the town are complimentary. The on-site breakfast is sumptuous, served in the original church, and a wine and canapes hour every evening was another treat. There’s also a heated pool, a wonderful spot to relax after a day of activity. I can’t say enough about the uniqueness of this place and only wish it were closer to the U.S. so I could visit regularly. If you’re planning to be in Nelson and the Abel Tasman Park area, this is THE place to stay.

TripAdvisor

New York City, New York

One of the top stays ever

By far one of the top places we have stayed at in all of our travel to over 15 countries. The owner Sarah’s hospitality and attention to detail (afternoon treats, making advance restaurant bookings, arranging complimentary taxis, breakfast table items, even doing a load of laundry, the list goes on) was the most immaculate part of the experience. It overshadowed the fact that the rooms were also beautiful and in a picturesque estate. Would not miss out if you can stay here.

TripAdvisor

Pihopa Retreat – absolutely outstanding!

Sarah and Sam are phenomenal hosts. Their attention to detail is exemplary and the accommodations exceeded our expectations. They’ve created an environment of understated elegance, and calm with amenities that are beyond generous, and beyond 5 stars! Having traveled extensively, we’ve stayed at many luxury boutique hotels, chateaus etc; Pihopa Retreat stands out as an oasis of comfort and grace.

The suites are beautifully appointed with classic furnishings that are welcoming and not too formal. The “Afternoon Tea” cakes, tarts and homemade oatmeal cookies were delicious as were the breakfasts – best omelette I’ve ever had – and the evening hors d’oeuvres, also a special treat. In addition, they provided complimentary laundry service and transportation into town. Set in the hills overlooking Nelson, the lovely gardens and landscaping complete this idyllic retreat. If only it was closer to the East Coast of the US, we’d be frequent visitors. Thank you Sarah and Sam!

TripAdvisor

Ridgefield, Connecticut

Amazing

Pihopa Retreat is an amazing place to be. Sarah’s immaculate attention to detail made our stay fabulous. The property is very well looked after. Sarah’s restaurant reservations, advise for day trips, organising taxis made our stay extra special. And not to forget the yummy breakfasts, cakes and pre dinner canapés.

TripAdvisor

Heaven in Nelson

When looking for the absolute possible best of everything in Nelson, look no further than Pihopa Retreat! The property is enchanting and Sarah the owner has anticipated your every need and desire! We arrived to a magnificent elegant english feel cottage equipped with complimentary fine teas, huge nespresso variety, Single Malt scotch, port Sherry, Sauvignon Blanc, juices, waters, freshly baked pastries, dark chocolate bar, potato chips and bowl of fresh fruit. There was a printed itinerary in our room with dinner reservations for two nights. We didn’t have to think of a thing! And restaurants were excellent! Lovely books in our room with the most comfortable bed and bedding. You can select from an array of special pillows and a merino wool blanket. The bathroom was lovely with two separate sink areas. No crowding! Evening, cocktails, and appetizers at 6 PM each night and Sarah arranged for a taxi pick up for us with her credit card to pay. Service a lovely, small gym, hot tub, and pool. Breakfast was delicious in the beautiful historic chapel on property. Without us asking, Sarah printed out Google Maps, highlighting routes and activities of the best of Nelson. Everything was perfect. We look forward to coming back next time and bringing friends.

Joy S

Bexley, Ohio

Welcome to Nelson City’s only 5-Star Boutique Hotel

Luxury Suites

Luxury Suites

The History

The Gardens

The Gardens

Special Occasions

The Area

The Area

What our lovely clients have said...

Perfection

Heaven on Earth

Phenomenal Stay in the heart of Nelson, NZ

Best Hotel Ever!

Simply stunning in every way!

A unique and fabulous place to stay

One of the top stays ever

Pihopa Retreat – absolutely outstanding!

Amazing

Heaven in Nelson

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