Margaret and I have stayed in New Zealand for the last 10 years, after our third year we found Lorenzo's, it was late at night and were squeezed in with no notice, we immediately felt really welcome.
It was then decided that we should make a longer stay the next time. Now most years we spend our last two nights in "our little Christchurch apartment" this delightful 2 bedroom unit completely private with its own patio for afternoon tea. We have stayed seven times now, this year 2010, three nights and couldn't be happier.
Nothing is too much trouble; one year I wanted to buy some port pipes from Akaroa I asked Mike if I could get them delivered to Lorenzo's and pick them when I visited. "Not a problem Mary's sister lives next-door to the Andrew Firth Glass Studio and will bring them next time she visits", as a result I purchased my pipes and even saved on the postage. Thanks Mary, this makes the port taste even better.
Each year our apartment gets a face lift fresh paint, new items even flat screen TV as standards change. So many motels in New Zealand have rested on their laurels. When you re visit a place, it shows the decline rather than improvement, but not here.
Mary's cookies are a special treat at the end of a hard days touring we return home to find blinds drawn heater and lights on putting a Christchurch winter to bed for another day.
Each morning before you can get the car started Mike has taken a squeegee to your windows so you have a clear view to start your journey.
After a month driving round New Zealand our car is often a little dirty, it is not an uncommon site to find Mike taking a hosepipe and cloth to the dirt whilst we have afternoon tea, "Thanks Mike".
We would recommend Lorenzo's to everyone who wants that special welcome and those little things that can only come from a genuine urge to please, there's no cheesy welcome here that you get in some places, and you know isn't meant. Extract from Trip Advisor September 2010