Croydon Lodge Hotel & Restaurant sits on six acres of park-like grounds in Croydon, just two kilometres from Gore's city centre, with views out to the Hokonui Hills. Proudly owned and operated by the Mataura Licensing Trust, the lodge has long been a gathering place for the district — locals fondly remember weddings and events held among its well-kept gardens, sheltered by a beautiful oak tree.
Guest bedrooms all come with free high-speed WiFi, en-suite bathrooms, desks, mini fridges, heating, SKY TV and tea and coffee making facilities, while some rooms add balconies, lounges, minibars or kitchenettes with cooking facilities. Room service is available, and a lobby lounge with a fireplace offers a cosy corner to unwind.
Dining centres on the Blazing Copper Restaurant, open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a children's menu and gluten-free options alongside prime cuts and fish. The Croydon Lodge Public Bar keeps evenings going from 3.00pm until late, Monday to Saturday, with bar meals, platters and drinks. With five meeting rooms, gardens and outdoor spaces, the complex also hosts conferences, weddings and celebrations, and offers free on-site parking.
Croydon Lodge Hotel & Restaurant occupies a peaceful patch of Gore that is bigger than you might expect: six acres of park-like grounds, landscaped gardens and views stretching out to the Hokonui Hills. Just two kilometres from the city centre, the Eastern Southland Art Gallery and the Gore District Library, the lodge manages to feel both convenient and quietly tucked away. In spring, flowers bloom across the grounds and ducklings wander the grass — the kind of details guests tend to remember.
Croydon Lodge is proudly owned and operated by the Mataura Licensing Trust (MLT), an organisation whose vision is to make Southland's rural hub the best place in New Zealand to work, live and raise a family. That community-minded ownership comes through in the service: guest reviews regularly single out the lodge's unique Southern Hospitality and its warm, friendly team.
The property also holds a special place in local memory. Ask around Gore and the surrounding districts and you will likely find someone who attended a wedding, concert or celebration here. That tradition continues today, with the complex hosting everything from intimate gatherings to large-scale events.
Every guest bedroom includes free high-speed WiFi, an en-suite bathroom, a desk, mini fridge, heating, SKY TV, a hairdryer, telephone, and tea and coffee making facilities. Some rooms step things up with a balcony, lounge, minibar, microwave or kitchenette with cooking facilities, while suites add separate living and dining areas — handy for families or longer stays. Room service is available if you would rather eat in, undercover parking keeps the car sheltered, and parking across the complex is free. When the Southland evening turns cool, the lobby lounge fireplace is the place to be.
The lodge's restaurant, the Blazing Copper, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, along with homemade desserts. Breakfast runs from 6.30am to 9.00am on weekdays and 7.00am to 10.00am on weekends; lunch is served 12.00pm to 2.00pm, and dinner from 5.30pm to 9.00pm. A children's menu makes family meals easy, and the kitchen offers gluten-free options alongside prime cuts and fish.
Breakfast is a highlight. The continental buffet covers cereals, toast, fruit, pastries and juices, while The Works adds a cooked option of your choice. From the hot menu come Bacon & Eggs on ciabatta toast, Classic Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon or streaky bacon, a Three Egg Omelette, a vegetarian Potato & Herb Rosti, Apple Cinnamon Porridge and the Blazing Big Breakfast — a full plate of sausage, hash browns, streaky bacon, garlic butter mushrooms and grilled tomato.
Lunch and dinner continue the theme of modern and classic dishes, generously portioned: think soup of the day, blue cod, lamb chops with gravy and vegetables, beetroot salad starters, cheese platters and gluten-free desserts such as dark chocolate dessert and fresh fruit mousse.
Evenings carry on at the Croydon Lodge Public Bar, open from 3.00pm until late, Monday to Saturday. It is a relaxed spot for bar meals, platters and drinks — popular with locals as well as guests for late-night relaxation and socialising.
With five meeting rooms, outdoor facilities and beautiful gardens, Croydon Lodge is one of the district's most flexible event venues. Conferences are supported with projectors and sound equipment, while weddings range from small, intimate celebrations to large-scale affairs, held indoors or out among the gardens beneath the shelter of a handsome oak tree. The in-house team helps plan the details, and with spacious hotel rooms and suites on-site, guests can simply wander back to bed at the end of the night.
Beyond the lodge, the region invites exploring: trout fishing, walking, adventuring and biking are all within easy reach of the front gate. Whether you are staying overnight, running a conference, or simply settling in for dinner at the Blazing Copper, expect clean, fresh facilities, generous plates and the warm Southern hospitality guests keep writing about.