The lodge sits poised at the top of Oamaru’s South Hill within lovingly maintained grounds. Over the years, we have invested in upgrades and improvements so each of our rooms provides modern comfort without diminishing a sense of historical charm. With pride in place, attentive service and a studied menu, we ensure your stay is wonderful.

2 Nights at the Pen-y-bryn Lodge, Oamaru New Zealand - View Itinerary

While the lodge was built in 1889 we’ve stayed with the times to make sure guests have every necessary modern comfort. Our guests like the ultra-fast fibre internet, laundry and booking services. So too do they enjoy the complimentary soft drinks, tea and coffee, and the use of our small fitness room. Above all they appreciate the little touches – be it a warm welcome and help with their bags, or simply that we stay attentive to their needs, ensuring their time here is as effortless and enjoyable as possible.

Pen-y-bryn is a Victorian mansion that was built in 1889 for John Bulleid, a successful local businessman. Welsh for “top of the hill”, Pen-y-bryn was designed by renowned architectural firm Forrester & Lemon for Bulleid and his wife, Fanny.

The Jameses have owned  since 2010. Born in the United States and travelling all over the world, they arrived in Oamaru and fell in love with the town and the special lodge at the top of the hill.

Pen-y-bryn

James Glucksman had a career in international management consulting and healthcare for over two decades while working in more than forty countries. As a result he’s now fluent in Russian and Mandarin Chinese, has a very good knowledge of French, Spanish and German and some limited Japanese and Hungarian. He is also member of the Slow Food movement (the international organisation that promotes local and sustainable foods) and is Chancelier Honoraire of the NZ branch of the Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, the Paris-based gourmet society.

James Boussy trained as a dentist, working in the US state of Virginia for fifteen years before moving his practice to Beijing. James is also a highly skilled baker, gardener and home renovator and is happy to share these skills at . He’s also made a name for himself among his peers for the exquisite gingerbread houses that he often creates as the centrepiece of the Jameses’ annual Christmas party.

Pen-y-bryn

We love our dogs

We often find guests are missing important parts of their family that may not be able to make the trip with them. That’s where our additional team members can provide a warm service.

We have two Labradoodles, George and Milo. With the energy of youth George and Milo both love spending time with guests who might be missing their own pets while travelling, but of course they are normally kept in our private quarters so guests who may not be as fond of animals need not be confronted by them.

The Jameses have a long history of hosting dinner parties for their friends, showcasing recipes and wines they picked up during their travels. Now those skills are put to work creating the ideal dinner-party atmosphere for guests at the lodge.