Written by Jane Dennis
When I drove up to Old St Mary's Convent, just 10 minutes out of Blenheim, in the heart of Marlborough's fabulous wine region, I was taken aback by its splendour. The B&B has been restored to its former beauty, and the stunning 100-year-old wooden church which resides alongside it, nestled amongst a beautiful garden on 24 hectares of vineyard, is pretty impressive. I couldn’t help but be enchanted by it all, and have little nuns flashing in my mind (after all, that’s who the building is named after). Instantly I was at peace!
The convent was built for the Sisters of Mercy in Blenheim in 1901, but years on became run down. The building was moved to Rapaura in 1994 and subsequently restored. Because the Old Convent is perfectly proportioned to the garden, swimming pool and the quaint St Michael’s Church, you could be forgiven for thinking it had always been situated in Rapaura. In summer, Old St Mary’s Convent is laden with lavender on either side of the driveway. It is a stunning sight as the purple haze reflects and lends the buildings a similar hue. The convent consists of five guest rooms, all of which have an en suite equipped with the old fashioned claw foot baths to make the whole experience of staying here all the more relaxing. The honeymoon suite, once an old chapel, still has its fabulous stained glass windows intact, and you have your own private balcony which overlooks the garden and vineyard. Definitely the perfect romantic hideaway! Downstairs, the interior of Old St Mary’s Convent has been tastefully decorated and restored to what it was almost 100 years ago. The antique furnishings and gorgeous chandeliers highlight the native rimu, matai and kauri woods. The dining room is welcoming and attractive to the eye while the billiard room, with its rich dramatic curtains, provides a stunning contrast to the guest lounge and library, which offers an elegance and serene feel to the place. Old St Mary’s Convent is about retaining historical integrity yet adding a modern twist for comfort, with air conditioning, SKY TV, DVD players, and wireless internet.
Experience for yourself what Old St Mary’s Convent has to offer next time you’re in Blenheim. I certainly look forward to a return visit! For more information, visit http://www.destination-nz.com/listing/old-st-marys-convent