Hulmes Court B & B
Pippy McCurdy:
http://www.unusualstays.com/
http://www.stumbleuponcroatiaslovenia.com/
Down in the deep south - well almost in the deep south - at least in Dunedin - is Hulme's Court B & B. Well known to locals for its distinctive turreted attic at the front of the house, Hulme's Court has been a part of Dunedin for a long time. Built in the 1860s for a renowned surgeon of the time and architecturally designed, it is recognised on the Historic Places Trust register. A notable and interesting building spread over four levels, it also has a generous garden of trees and shrubs, all the while being only five minutes walk from the heart of Dunedin and the Octagon.
Hulme's Court has a number of bedrooms available with various themes being developed to create appeal. It also owns and operates the Victorian style property next door. However it is the turreted room at the front of the house which is particularly unique with its hexagonal sides supporting the turret above. An art-deco style stained glass door separates the en-suite from the bedroom. Essentially this is a generously furnished and an agreeable space with rich coloured wallpaper, interesting art on the walls, and lollypops on the bed. Who doesn't appreciate a lollypop after all? My only regret was that it wasn't possible to actually go up into the turret.
Breakfast at Hulme's Court is a help yourself affair, but there is plenty to choose from and the view out to the harbour is great. A big old marble fireplace in the breakfast room is an attractive feature. I and the cats wished it was going - not that it was cold at all, only that there is nothing quite like a fire for warming the soul.
Hulme's Court is comfortable and pleasant, - more quirky than unusual, but still an interesting and relatively inexpensive place to stay.
Websites: http://www.unusualstays.com/
http://www.stumbleuponcroatiaslovenia.com/