The Caroline Hotel

As you can imagine, we were very excited when Kim and Caroline first approached us with the idea of recreating this national treasure. With both Gary and myself (Brei) having grown up in Central Otago and spent plenty of time at the Cardrona Hotel the touch of it being something so close to home made it all the more special to us. So it’s safe to say it was an opportunity we weren’t going to take lightly - especially not with something as cherished as the Cardrona Hotel. We knew we had to get it right.

For Kim, the connection to the original pub runs deep:

“My first memories are being a student at Canterbury University and driving from Queenstown through the Crown Range in the middle of winter on the gravel road in the late 1980’s with a group of mates. We pulled over and had a couple of beers at the Cardrona Hotel on the way. Since then, we have always travelled to Queenstown/Wānaka most years for skiing and popped in for a beer. It’s been the one pub that we have frequented and looked forward to over the last 30 years. It has a great sense of history.”

The most iconic part of the Cardrona Hotel is the exterior, so we wanted to make sure it really looked and felt like the real thing. From the colours, to the glazing bars on the windows, the door design, and of course the Gaelic Whisky sign that hangs above the door. We even used recycled weatherboards to give it more of an aged feel. Every detail had to honour the spirit of the original. The only thing missing is the 1928 Chrysler 62 parked in front.

The Caroline Hotel is as much a storybook as it is a Little Pub. Inside, you’ll find echoes of the real Cardrona. A schist rock fireplace, red leather seating, historic photos and aged wood finishes. But you’ll also find Kim and Caroline’s personal treasures, including a trio of rugby jerseys, a cherished old clock, and family photographs that span continents and generations

The trio of rugby jerseys includes All Blacks, Chiefs and Highlanders. What’s the story there?

“A rich history. We have been to the last four Rugby World Cups, and were at the 2015 RWC final where the greatest All Blacks team in history won. That was one of the jerseys we wore on the night. I was born in Te Awamutu, Waikato so the Chiefs jersey is my team of origin. We lived in Te Anau for 18 months and worked on the second Manapouri Tailrace Tunnel Project, so adopted the Highlanders when we were there.”

The Caroline Hotel has made its home far from the Cardrona Valley, on a private rural lifestyle block in Waiuku. The Little Pub now sits proudly alongside and perfectly complements another of Kim and Caroline’s passions — their boutique gin distillery. It’s a space created for these active relaxers to pursue their hobby of crafting gins to share with family and friends. “A great stress relief,” as Kim calls it.

It has been a very special journey working with Kim and Caroline to bring this Little Pub to life. It was an extra special honour to have the original Cardrona Hotel give its blessing however the ultimate seal of approval always comes from the client:

“The craftsmanship and attention to detail in the building of the little pub is exceptional and can only be delivered by people that care. It will truly have a special place on our eco retreat and be enjoyed by our close family and friends.”

And as for the name, you may ask?

“The smartest way to get the green light from the Investment Committee was to name it after my wonderful wife, hence the Caroline Hotel.”

Cheers to the Caroline Hotel