Lawn Road Retreat

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Lawn Road Retreat Large Group Accommodation in Hastings, Hawke's Bay. Perfect for Multi-Gen Families, Corporate and Golf Groups.

Multiple living areas, 9 bedrooms, 10 bathrooms, large hot tub, pool, pizza oven, tennis and pickleball courts, putting green, meeting room...

13/10/2026

So, how did Lawn Road Retreat get its name?

Before it was a business, it was our family home - although it was a very different property to the one you see today.

We started renting it out on Airbnb when we went away each Christmas.

While I was filling out the listing form, I discovered I needed a name, and I needed one quickly!

We live on Lawn Road, so that seemed like a good starting point. And I felt the property was a retreat. We’re set well back from the road, and there’s something about being here that makes you feel as though you’ve escaped somewhere.

So, Lawn Road Retreat it was.

I remember thinking I could always change it later if I came up with something better but I never did.

And now, all these years later, I can’t imagine it being called anything else.

01/10/2026

Some gifts don't come in a box.

A few years ago, a family came to Lawn Road Retreat for a stay in November. The following year, the grandmother, the matriarch of the family, rang to book three nights for Christmas.

There was just one problem. We have a five-night minimum stay over the Christmas period.

I explained this, and she went back to talk it over with her family. A little while later, she called back to say they'd decided they wanted to come for the five nights.

What she said next has stayed with me ever since.

They would rather spend the extra two days together than have the value of those nights come out of their inheritance.

They wanted the time. The conversations around the table. The laughter. The memories their children and grandchildren would carry with them.

I thought that was pretty special.

One of our guests staying with us this week has a similar approach to giving. She gives experiences and time together to her family rather than tangible gifts. This year that includes a five-night stay at Lawn Road Retreat.

It got me thinking about how some of the most precious things we can give each other aren't things at all.

They're time. They're shared experiences. They're memories that stay long after the wrapping paper has gone. ❤️

In May 2023, Hawke's Bay became the 12th Great W**e Capital in the world, joining regions such as Bordeaux, Napa Valley,...
24/09/2026

In May 2023, Hawke's Bay became the 12th Great W**e Capital in the world, joining regions such as Bordeaux, Napa Valley, Mendoza and Adelaide.

Getting in isn't easy, and it isn't guaranteed. Hawke's Bay actually tried once before, back in 2009, but wasn't selected.

This time, it wasn't just about producing great w**e. Hawke's Bay had to demonstrate that it was a truly world-class w**e destination — from our w**egrowing history and industry to w**e tourism, education, business and travel, and everything that makes the wider region such a special place to visit.

Hawke's Bay Tourism led the charge, working alongside Hawke's Bay W**e Growers, Hastings District Council, Napier City Council, Hawke's Bay Airport and EIT, supported by New Zealand W**egrowers. It was a mammoth undertaking, taking more than a year of mahi and commitment to get across the line.

We think that the sheer scale of work that went on behind the scenes makes the accolade even more meaningful.

It recognises not just what's in the bottle, but the destination around it — the vineyards, food, hospitality, experiences, knowledge, landscapes, businesses and communities that together make Hawke's Bay what it is.

And here at Lawn Road Retreat, we're lucky enough to be right in the middle of it. One of only 12 Great W**e Capitals in the world.

Not a bad place to gather a group. 🌿🍷

And this October, the story comes full circle. Hawke's Bay is hosting the Great W**e Capitals Annual Conference from 18–22 October 2026, bringing representatives from the world's other Great W**e Capitals to our region. It's an incredible opportunity to showcase, first-hand, the w**e, food, people, landscapes and experiences that helped Hawke's Bay earn its place among them.

**eCapital **e **eTourism

14/09/2026

It is important to us that Lawn Road Retreat is accessible and can work for guests with different mobility needs. 🏡

Here's a little peek at the property before our guests arrived last weekend. I took a little walk through the house, capturing our accessible features on video, as well as a few spaces along the way because they were, well, on the way.

Along with the permanent ramps we have, you'll see our two portable ramps which we put in place over the step up into the kitchen and the step down to the lawn, leading to the pizza oven and pétanque court. You'll also see our accessible bathroom.

We love that Lawn Road Retreat can be a place for everyone to come together. ❤️

"

07/09/2026

Beautiful properties don't stay beautiful by accident!

One of the things people probably don't see when they look at Lawn Road Retreat is just how much work goes on behind the scenes.

When we have guests staying, our focus is entirely on making sure everything is ready for them to arrive and have the most wonderful time. But when we have a free weekend, it's our opportunity to tackle some of the bigger maintenance jobs that are difficult to do when the property is full.

This weekend, the scaffolding was out and James was back up high painting the fascia boards as well as some of the black cladding — which looks fantastic, but definitely needs regular attention under the Hawke's Bay sun! ☀️

We actually bought our own scaffolding because, with a property of this size, there always seems to be something that needs doing up high!

Running Lawn Road Retreat means there is always a list of jobs — painting, repairs, gardening, maintenance and constantly keeping everything looking as good as it possibly can. It's not always glamorous, but it's all part of looking after a place that means so much to us.

Most weekends, we hope to be welcoming families and groups who are here to celebrate something special — a milestone birthday, wedding anniversary, family reunion or simply precious time together.

But when we do have a free weekend, we roll up our sleeves and make the most of it!

The unseen reality of running Lawn Road Retreat. ❤️

27/08/2026

Yesterday we had a visit from some of the newest members of the Hawke's Bay Tourism team, who are getting out and about meeting members and getting to know the people and places that make up our region's visitor offering. 🌿

It was wonderful to welcome new General Manager Tania Burt, along with Liz Grossman, Partnerships Manager – Tourism Trade & Business Events, and Kirsten Simcox, Membership, Famils and Content Coordinator.

Kirsten was behind the camera, so you'll see me walking around the property with Tania and Liz, from our croquet lawn down towards the new pickleball court and putting green. 🏏🏓⛳

It's easy to forget, when you're busy running your own little corner of Hawke's Bay, just how much goes on behind the scenes to support and grow our tourism industry.

So it was lovely to spend some time with three of the people who put in the hard work to connect our tourism businesses and promote Hawke's Bay.❤️

Thanks for coming to see us, Tania, Liz and Kirsten. It was great to have you here, and to have the chance to share a little of what we've created.😊

21/08/2026

There’s been a definite taste of winter around Hawke’s Bay lately but yesterday was one of those beautiful days that reminds you spring isn’t too far away.

The decks were warm, the pool was sparkling, the lawns were green and the whole place felt like it was waking up again. 🌿

If a little spring escape sounds tempting, we still have the first weekend in September available.

Spring is on its way… and we’re ready for it. ☀️

www.lawnroadretreat.co.nz

17/08/2026

One of the things I hadn't really thought about when I started Lawn Road Retreat was how much of my working life would be spent on my own.

I work from home, live on site, and - other than the wonderful contractors who help me keep everything running - it's largely just me. Which is one of the reasons I really value my monthly Business Belles meetings.

Once a month, I get to step away from the day-to-day, spend time with other women in business, share ideas, talk through challenges, celebrate the wins, and have a good laugh with people who understand what it's like to run your own business.

This month was particularly lovely, as I got to provide the venue here at Lawn Road Retreat and welcome fellow Belle Lesley Leech from Raspberry Beret, who gave us a wonderful talk on finding and embracing our own personal style.

I love that the support within the Belles goes beyond simply getting together once a month. Mel from Pixel Project, also a Belle, generously captured some footage from the morning, and Carol from Thelma & Louise Cakes & Catering provided the delicious food. It's a lovely example of how we support each other's businesses - sometimes simply by choosing to use someone we know, recommending them, sharing their work, or giving them an opportunity.

Running a business can be wonderfully rewarding, but it can also be quite solitary. Having a group of women who understand that, and who genuinely want to see each other do well, makes such a difference.

A little glimpse of our morning below. ❤️

www.lawnroadretreat.co.nz

15/08/2026

We loved being a part of this campaign 😊

✨ A very special result for Lawn Road Retreat ✨We've just received the result of our latest Qualmark evaluation and we'r...
11/08/2026

✨ A very special result for Lawn Road Retreat ✨

We've just received the result of our latest Qualmark evaluation and we're thrilled to share that Lawn Road Retreat has now achieved a 5 Star Qualmark rating, while retaining our Gold Sustainable Tourism Business Award! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

When we first received our Qualmark accreditation in March 2022, we were awarded a 4 Plus Star rating and a Silver Sustainable Tourism Business Award. In 2024, we lifted our sustainability rating to Gold while holding steady at 4 Plus Star. Now, following our latest review, we've moved up to a full 5 Star rating while keeping our Gold status. It feels like a genuinely special milestone.

It's a lovely acknowledgement of how Lawn Road Retreat has continued to evolve since we welcomed our first guests in 2017 - not just the property itself, but the experience we want to create for every group who stays here.

A lot has changed over the years. We've continued to invest in the property, add new experiences and amenities, improve what we offer and, most importantly, listen to our guests and learn from every stay.

But one thing hasn't changed: our goal is still to create a place where people can slow down, spend time together and make wonderful memories.

I'm really proud of this result - and especially proud that our small family-owned business, which started by opening our home to guests, has grown into what Lawn Road Retreat is today. ❤️

A huge thank you to everyone who has stayed with us, recommended us, returned to stay again and taken the time to share a review. You've been a huge part of our journey.

Here's to the next chapter. 🥂

Qualmark Gold 5 Star ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Address

150 Lawn Road, RD10
Hastings
4180

Telephone

+6421898973

Website

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