About Us

Several years ago, we, Robyn and Kees Van Duyn were looking for a new challenge. Our children were grown and left home, and we occasionally found ourselves hosting overseas visitors. To fulfill our dream of restoring an old home, and owning and operating luxury guest accommodation in Nelson, New Zealand, we developed a purpose-built guest wing at the rear of and in keeping with our character villa.

Kees, a retired business-man and Robyn, a Southland-born Kiwi girl, and an administrator, enjoy meeting people, entertaining, gardening, traveling and enjoying the nice things in life. We have both traveled extensively, with Kees revisiting his homeland several times since emigrating from the Netherlands in 1965.  Kees is also an artist and now he is retired, is looking forward to "creating" and using his many and varied talents.   We have an interesting rock-collection belonging to my late father and Kees is intending to carve the cut and polished stones and make jewellery.

We have lived in Nelson, New Zealand for many years and are knowledgeable of the area and the surrounding district in which we live. 

"We aim to offer hospitality with warmth and heart," says Robyn. "We look for ways to make the experience more memorable and we want people to feel at home. Guests frequently tell us we are the best B&B they have ever stayed in - anywhere."

They share Ambleside with their Maine Coon cat, Chelsea, who amuses and entertains guests with her antics.

Our Five-Star Service includes:

On arrival you will settle in with a cuppa and some yummy homemade baking, then choose from the extensive breakfast menu - continental, cooked Kiwi-style, or scrumptious gourmet and decide the time you wish to dine in the morning.

Complimentary refreshments including local wine and beer, filtered water and hot beverages are available. Packed lunches can be provided by arrangement.

Ask us to help you plan your itinerary, recommend restaurants, walks, galleries and the must-do and see sights. As we are agents for the Abel Tasman National Park operators, we are also able to book your trip into the park.  A new service is available to board the new boat owned and operated by Abel Tasman Sea Shuttle, at the Nelson marina which is only a few minutes from us.  Nothing is too much trouble for our guests!

There is a spirit of gracious hospitality at Ambleside and guests are assured of a warm and friendly welcome.

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ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT

Here at Ambleside, we are proud of our efforts and achievements to establish an environmental policy to reflect the current global sustainability ethic. We are doing our best to protect and look after the environment and surroundings in which we live and trust that whilst you are here, you will also help us to achieve our goals to not only provide a safe and beautiful place for you to enjoy but also an environment that will provide a lasting legacy for your children and grandchildren and beyond.

To this end we have put some practices in place, to go some way in helping to provide a clean, green and sustainable healthier environment, at the same time endeavouring to not compromise our standards to provide you with a quality accommodation experience.