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Accommodation
Sails Ashore was opened in Dec 2004 as a boutique luxury bed &
breakfast and offers a perfect base for exploring Stewart Island.
We chose the
name "Sails Ashore" to reflect the close relationship
the Island enjoys with the sea. Overlooking Halfmoon Bay and the
islands of Foveaux Straits beyond Sails Ashore is a short 4 minutes
stroll from the village waterfront, set in a private native and
flower garden.
Guests enjoy
their own wing, each room with a private entrance
Our two guest
suites open directly onto the sun and dining room, with views over
the garden, village and wharf to the open sea beyond. They were
designed by award winning architect Paul Clarke, Crossens &
Clarke, and built by craftsman builder Findlay McCrostie. Completed
in December 2004, each suite has it's own exterior access, ensuite
facilities and original local art.
"Port"
is disabled access, with wet area shower. Otherwise our "Starboard"
suite is a mirror image.
Suite facilities
include :-
- Luxury ensuites,
including heated tile floors, heated mirrors, toiletries, hair
dryers and shower.
- King or 2
king single beds, 100% cotton luxury linen, electric blankets.
- Refrigerator,
local iced water.
- Tea and coffee
making facilities with a selection of fancy brands and home made
cookies.
- Free local
telephone and internet.
- LCD television
and home theatre with a selection of local interest videos.
- Clock and
radio.
- A small safe
for personal items.
"Sails
Ashore" facilities and complimentary services :-
- Sun/dining
room overlooking Halfmoon Bay
- Central heating
in all rooms
- Home theatre
and extensive selection of local interest books and films.
- Complimentary
guest laundry
- Complimentary
digital photo to disc burning
- Complimentary
transfers both on arrival & departure and also to all "Sails"
activities.
- Complimentary
DVD including slide shows, short video and photo album celebrating
Stewart Island.
- Secure gear
storage if leaving "Sails" for overnight hiking trips.
- Meals. The
tariff includes Iris's elaborate continental breakfast.
For evening meals we suggest trying one of the local restaurant
or if desired the hotel menu is available as a delivered meal.
Stewart
Island Tours
The Ulva Island Experience - Ulva Island is an absolute "Must
Do" for visitors to Stewart Island. The Island is now free
of introduced animals and is fast becoming a glimpse into New Zealand's
ancient past. Several species of threatened birds have been reintroduced
to this open sanctuary and are doing very well. In addition the
forest is flourishing without the influence of rats and deer. The
orchids are particularly impressive during their flowering seasons.
Peters duties
as Forest Ranger many years ago included overseeing and managing
Ulva Island. He was involved with some projects that are now an
integral part of Ulva Island management. Our guided walks and commentary
explains these and also subsequent projects that have resulted in
the Ulva Island we now enjoy.
Sails Scenic
Road Tours - "Sails" Tours cater for visitors who
want more. We have a small modern van, never more than 6 guests
per tour so we can focus on what you want to know. Our tours are
leisurely, taking at least 2 hours and cover virtually every road
on the Island (all 28 k).
Your photos
are important to us. We'll stop where ever you ask. And we stop
for several short walks including the Rakiura National Park entrance.
The commentary
celebrates Island life, from earliest Maori to the sealers, whalers
saw-millers and fishermen up to the present and what it's like to
live here now and to bring up a family. We have photo albums aboard
with a selection of old photos the help illustrate the commentary
as well.
A popular time
to enjoy the tour is in the evening, timed to coincide with sunset
at Observation Rock. Here we stop to enjoy, if conditions are suitable,
one of the sunsets that gave the Island the Maori name "Rakiura,
Land of the Glowing Skies"
We are happy
to assist disabled guests enjoy Stewart Island, including those
restricted to wheelchairs.
Tours are on
demand and inclusive of courtesy transfers to/from accommodation.
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