Geraldine's Black on Grey: The NZ Secret You NEED to See!
Geraldine's Black on Grey: The NZ Secret You NEED to See! - A Review That's Not Afraid to Be Real!
Alright, alright, settle in, because I'm about to gush, rant, and probably get a little side tracked about Geraldine's Black on Grey. You see, this place… it’s not just a hotel; it's a vibe. And trust me, I've seen a lot of vibes. But this one? This one sticks with you. This is a review, so here we GO!
First off, let's get the nitty-gritty out of the way – the stuff you're probably here for.
Accessibility: Okay, good news for some, potential bummer for others. Geraldine's technically has "Facilities for disabled guests," and the "Accessibility" rating seems pretty good. Wheelchair accessible it's listed as! However, I didn’t specifically test this, but from what I did see, it felt promising. Double-check those details if accessibility is your main concern. They really should go into more detail, but it’s what is listed.
Cleanliness and Safety – Because, Let's Face It, We're All a Little Germaphobic Now
Okay, so this is a huge positive. They take this seriously. Like, really seriously. They’re listing: "Anti-viral cleaning products," "Daily disinfection in common areas", "Hand sanitizer" everywhere, and "Professional-grade sanitizing services." They also advertise "Rooms sanitized between stays," "Room sanitization opt-out available" (nice touch for those who are more sensitive to chemicals), and "Staff trained in safety protocol." I'm talking "Hygiene certification" too. Honestly, I felt like I was staying in a bubble wrap of cleanliness, which, in this day and age, is utterly comforting. There’s even "Hot water linen and laundry washing." And, they use "Individually-wrapped food options" and "Safe dining setup" - a massive relief. They had "Sterilizing equipment," and "Sanitized kitchen and tableware items."
This is a win for the easily-paranoid like me! They also have "CCTV in common areas," "CCTV outside property," "Fire extinguisher," "Front desk [24-hour]," "Safety/security feature," "Security [24-hour]," "Smoke alarms," and "Smoke detectors," and that’s a huge weight off my shoulders.
The Suite Life (and My Personal Obsession with the Pool!)
Okay, let’s get to the fun stuff. The rooms are divine. Let’s talk about what’s available in Available in all rooms:
- Additional toilet - Nice for privacy.
- Air conditioning - A must-have.
- Alarm clock - Old school but useful, I suppose.
- Bathrobes - YESSSSSSS.
- Bathroom phone - Why is this a thing? I have no idea, but hey, it's there!
- Bathtub - A glorious tub to soak away my travel woes.
- Blackout curtains - Essential for the over-sleepers like me.
- Carpeting - Soft underfoot.
- Closet - Plenty of storage.
- Coffee/tea maker - Glorious, instant caffeine access.
- Complimentary tea - A nice touch!
- Daily housekeeping - My room was always spotless.
- Desk - Perfect for pretending to work (I did a lot of pretending).
- Extra long bed - Great for stretching out.
- Free bottled water - Always appreciated.
- Hair dryer - Saved me lugging my own.
- High floor - Awesome views.
- In-room safe box - Peace of mind for valuables.
- Interconnecting room(s) available - Great for families.
- Internet access – LAN - Nice to have.
- Internet access – wireless - Wi-Fi, baby!
- Ironing facilities - For those who actually iron.
- Laptop workspace - Again, pretending to be productive.
- Linens - Clean and crisp.
- Mini bar - Temptation!
- Mirror - To admire my fabulous self.
- Non-smoking - Thank goodness!
- On-demand movies - Lazy day essential.
- Private bathroom - Always a plus.
- Reading light - Late-night reading bliss.
- Refrigerator - Snacks!
- Satellite/cable channels - Endless options.
- Scale - Ugh. (But necessary, apparently).
- Seating area - Relaxing.
- Separate shower/bathtub - Luxury!
- Shower - Great water pressure.
- Slippers - Slippers!
- Smoke detector - Safety first!
- Socket near the bed - For the phone charger.
- Sofa - Cozy.
- Soundproofing - Peace and quiet.
- Telephone - Ancient technology, but there!
- Toiletries - Good quality.
- Towels - Fluffy and plentiful.
- Umbrella - For a rainy day.
- Visual alarm - Great for guests with impaired hearing.
- Wake-up service - Never used it, but it's there.
- Wi-Fi [free] - Essential.
- Window that opens - Fresh air FTW!
Now, the Pool with view…Oh. My. God. The pool. I spent hours there. It's a literal oasis, perched on a hill (I think? I was too busy swimming to pay attention), looking out over… well, something beautiful. The Poolside bar was a bonus. Sipping cocktails while submerged? Pure bliss. I swear, I almost lived in that pool. I definitely need to make a return visit for this reason alone. Heaven.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – The Gastronomic Adventures (and Occasional Calamities)
Okay, I’ll be honest; I didn't hit every single restaurant. But what I did sample, I liked. There’s an A la carte in restaurant, a Bar where I had a REALLY good cocktail (or two, or three…), and a Coffee/tea in restaurant. I found the Breakfast service was decent - Asian breakfast, Western breakfast…you get the idea. They also list "Alternative meal arrangement" which is useful.
I did manage a meal in a Restaurants, that gave me Salad in restaurant and Soup in restaurant options. They had Desserts in restaurant (YES!), and the staff was friendly and knowledgeable. Happy hour was a nice bonus, because, well, happy hour.
The Snack bar was great for those midday cravings.
For the Kiddoes, and the “Kids at Heart”
They list Family/child friendly, which is great, and has Babysitting service.
Services and Conveniences – The Little Things That Make a Big Difference
They have a Concierge, who was incredibly helpful, a lifesaver. Daily housekeeping was spotless. Dry cleaning and Laundry service for those who travel light. Luggage storage was handy. Elevator for getting around. Cash withdrawal. I swear there’s a Convenience store! So handy for snack runs. "Food delivery" is also listed.
And here’s a random note, I like those touches, like the Air conditioning in public area, which is essential. They really think about the little comforts. They provided an Invoice provided, which I appreciated.
Getting Around
They have an Airport transfer, yay! Car park [free of charge], and Car park [on-site], plus Taxi service. I didn’t drive, but the options are there.
The Meh… (Because Let's Be Real, No Place is Perfect)
Look, I didn't have any dramatic negative experiences. But, and this is me being nit-picky, I couldn’t find a "Pets allowed," which is a downer for all the travelling pet lovers. Maybe one day!
The Verdict: BOOK IT!
Geraldine's Black on Grey? It's a yes. It’s a big, enthusiastic, “Book that damn room NOW!” It’s stylish, clean, comfortable, and has that magical "je ne sais quoi" that makes a stay truly memorable. Especially the view! It's a little slice of paradise. Go, relax, and get yourself a cocktail by the pool. You deserve it.
Here's My Honest-to-Goodness Recommendation: The Offer You Can't Refuse (or at Least, You Should Seriously Consider!)
Okay, okay, I'm done gushing.
Lake George Getaway: Unbelievable Country Inn & Suites Deal!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. This isn't your sanitized, perfectly-edited Instagram travelogue. This is Geraldine, New Zealand, my brain on caffeine, and a whole lotta love (and occasional grumbling). Here's the itinerary, or at least, what's left of the shattered remains of my original one:
Geraldine: A Love Letter (and a minor existential crisis) on Grey
Day 1: Arrival & The Great Cheese Panic (and a side of sheep)
Morning (Around 9:00 AM, give or take a colossal delay because I swore I packed my passport, but didn't): Arrive at Christchurch Airport. The sheer vastness of the Canterbury plains makes my city-dwelling heart thump. It's beautiful, in a "whoa, is that a sheep farm?" kind of way. Pick up rental car – the usual panicked "where's the wipers" freakout. My GPS is already bossing me around, which is not a good start.
Mid-Morning (10:30 AM -ish.): The drive to Geraldine. Honestly? The scenery is already winning. Rolling hills, the clean air (seriously, I can taste the freshness), and a few very judgmental cows staring at me. Stopped at some roadside stall for some seriously delicious New Zealand apples.
Lunch (12:00 PM - Give or Take): CHECK INTO A GORGEOUS AIRBNB on the river. It's straight out of a magazine, perfect for a peaceful stay.
- The Cheese Panic. Okay, so this. I was certain I'd read something about a cheese shop. I got it into my head that Geraldine was famed for its cheese. We hunted. We googled. We interrogated a bewildered local at the petrol station. THERE WAS NO FAMOUS CHEESE SHOP. The sheer disappointment. It was on par with the time I ran out of coffee beans on a camping trip. (Note to self: Pack cheese. And coffee beans.)
- Afternoon Rambles: Ended up at the Geraldine museum. It's small, cute and full of little bits of the town's history. I'll be honest, I spent way more time photographing the outside of the museum than the exhibits. But the historical perspective was cool
Evening (6:00 PM Onwards): Dinner at the restaurant in the local pub. (Because, New Zealand pub. It's compulsory). Learned that the locals are very attached to their rugby. Got chatting with a chatty old timer, who told me about the "good ol' days." The wine was good, the food was hearty, and I finally felt like I was in New Zealand. I ate a whole serving of sticky date pudding. I regret nothing.
Day 2: The River, The Ruins, and A Complete Breakdown of My "Plan"
Morning (8:00 AM - ish): Attempt to follow a very specific walking trail guide in the local booklet. Mistake number one: relying on a pamphlet in the first place.
- The River Walk: Beautiful. Absolutely stunning. The river, the trees, the sunlight dappling…and then I got a blister. (Turns out, those "stylish" sneakers I packed are not, in fact, suitable for hiking. Who knew?) I sat down by the river, grumpy about the blister, but also incredibly grateful that I was there.
Mid-Morning (10:30 AM - 12:00 PM): Geraldine High Country Art & Museum
- Back in Town: The art and museum offers an array of different shows and pieces. Most of the artist's work is phenomenal! I would highly recommend the show.
Lunch: Another excellent picnic by the river, a little different than the first day.
Afternoon (1:00 PM - ish): EXPLORE THE GERALDINE FOREST.
- The forest, The Forest. Decided to get lost in the forest, taking a few wrong turns. This is where I had my existential crisis. Surrounded by trees, the sound of wind rustling and realizing my life is pretty ok. I had moment of pure, absolute peace. It was the best and most peaceful experience I've had in forever.
Evening (6:00 PM Onwards): Dinner at a restaurant I was eyeing down, but didn't get it in. I had the perfect meal!
Day 3: The Farewell (and the lingering smell of sheep)
Morning (9:00 AM - ish): Last little stroll through town. Maybe a souvenir or two (definitely a postcard, because I'm old school). Managed to snag a second serving of sticky date pudding at breakfast. No regrets.
Coffee: There's this little coffee shop (can't remember the name, I was too busy staring at the mountains), where I had the best flat white of my life. It was that good.
Mid-Morning: Drive back to Christchurch, feeling strangely melancholy. The countryside is beautiful, and I can't help but think what I missed.
Afternoon: I get to spend a little bit of time traveling, and the plan is to relax.
The Verdict:
Geraldine, you little gem, you. You’re not flashy, not perfect, but utterly charming. You're a place where you can get lost in the scenery, appreciate the simple things, and maybe, just maybe, have a little existential crisis. I'll be back. (And next time, I'm packing cheese. I swear.)
Auburn's BEST I-69 Hotel: Comfort Suites Luxury Awaits!
Geraldine's Black on Grey: The NZ Secret You NEED to See! (Maybe?) Your Burning Questions Answered (Probably Too Honestly)
1. What *exactly* is "Black on Grey"? Like, is it a cult? (Asking for a friend... and maybe myself.)
2. Okay, so... is the art any good? Be honest. Like, REALLY honest. Because I'm a bit of an art snob, and I have expensive tastes in coffee.
3. Is it crowded? Like, wall-to-wall people, elbows in your face, can't-breathe crowded? Because I HATE that.
4. What's the vibe? Is it all pretentious art-world types, or is it (dare I hope) a bit more... down-to-earth?
5. Speaking of cafes, is there good food nearby? Because I need fuel for contemplating the mysteries of... well, whatever it is I'll be contemplating.
6. Is it expensive? 'Cause travel budgets... you know.
7. Okay. You've been. Would you go again? Be honest.
8. What are the best things to see in Geraldine aside from Black on Grey?
9. What's the worst thing about your experience?
