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In May this year, my partner and I traveled to Te Anau from Dunedin for our Milford Sound Tour, and we stayed at Annie’s on Milford, a relatively new addition to Te Anau's range of accommodation options, operating since 2021. Our stay at Annie's was marked by the warm welcome of the hosts, Ann and Wayne, quiet, comfortable, well-equipped rooms, and exceptional service. We thoroughly enjoyed our weekend away, and this article covers our experience and everything you need to know about staying at Annie's on Milford.
Arriving at Annie’s on Milford
We arrived in Te Anau on a crisp Autumn afternoon after driving through roadside snow and admiring the white-capped mountain peaks around us. We pulled up to Annie’s at around 3:30 pm, heading up the driveway to find plenty of parking spaces. Immediately after stepping out of the car, we saw the owner, Ann, peeping through her lounge window and smiling at us.
Annie's is a family home surrounded by accommodation units, and the reception is located just inside the front door of the house. After spotting the reception sign, we headed inside and met Ann at the front desk, where she greeted us with a cheerful grin. She chatted with us for a few minutes about our weekend plans in Te Anau and Milford Sound, what it was like driving through the snow to get there, and she also offered us a map of Milford Road and a little glass bottle of milk for tea and coffee.
The greeting was wholesome and personable, and we felt very warmly welcomed despite the chilly weather outside as we made our way to our room.
Our Room
Annie's on Milford is a small, exclusive accommodation complex, with a choice of studio suites, superior studio suites, an accessible studio suite, or a two-bedroom cottage, all with their own parking spaces.
We were booked into standard studio suite number 3, and the room was warm and cosy when we entered, as the heat pump had already been turned on for us before we arrived.The room featured a comfortable king-size bed surrounded by plenty of floor space, a dining table and chairs, a large flat-screen TV, and a kitchenette with a fridge, microwave, sink, plenty of cutlery, bowls, plates, and cups. There was also a nice array of complimentary hot drink offerings, including hot chocolate, green tea, English breakfast tea, and coffee.
We very much appreciated the spacious bathroom, as we've stayed in places that had cramped bathrooms where it was hard to keep clothes and towels dry, so we were impressed with the amount of bathroom space, and we also enjoyed the large shower and great water pressure.
Notable Features
Private and Quiet
Annie's is set back from the road, so our stay was peaceful and quiet, despite being located on the Milord Road Highway, which can be busy at times.
The room felt very private, and because the accommodation was set back from the road, no street lights were shining into the room at night. Falling asleep at night is often difficult for me, and trying to sleep in a room with street lights streaming through curtains and loud traffic sounds can make sleeping nearly impossible, so the peaceful, dark room was a huge bonus for me, and I slept very well during our two nights at Annie's.
Good Location
Annie’s is only around a 2-minute drive to the Te Anau town centre, or around a 10-minute walk, and it is just across the road from the Milford Road Merchant, the pick-up and drop-off point for our Milford Sound Tour.
Despite Annie's not being on the Te Anau lakefront, there are still really lovely views of the Kepler Mountains when walking out to the road. So when we woke up in the morning, we were treated to a gorgeous view of snowy mountains against a clear blue sky as we walked down the driveway to hop aboard our tour coach.
When we were dropped off back at Annie's at the end of the day, the sky was swirls of purple and pink with the mountains silhouetted in front, so the mountain views provided a really lovely beginning and end to our trip to Milford Sound.
Great Service
We walked up the driveway admiring the view and arrived back to a nice warm room where the bed had been made, the dishes were done, our hot drinks were re-stocked, and our bath mat replaced. We had another great sleep at Annie's before heading back to Dunedin the following morning. The room was spotless, spacious, warm, and had a comfortable bed, and we thoroughly enjoyed our two nights at Annie's. We would definitely stay there again.
All About Annie’s on Milford
Who are the Annie's on Milford's Hosts?
Originally from Invercargill, Ann and Wayne opened Annie's on Milford in 2021 after achieving their dream of moving to Te Anau in 2018. Being big on family and top-notch hospitality, they wanted to provide guests with the most important things they look for when travelling: personal, welcoming, and helpful service to accompany comfortable, spacious, private, and peaceful accommodations.
Location
You'll find Annie's on Milford at 236 Milford Road, Te Anau, just a 10-minute walk or a 3-minute drive to the Te Anau town centre.
Annie's is also directly across the road from the Milford Road Merchant, a cosy coffee shop and general store providing friendly service, good coffee, delicious baking, and locally-made artisan arts and gifts.
Room Options
Standard Studio Suites
There are three standard standard suites that can accommodate one or two guests. They provide a spacious bathroom with a shower, a fully-equipped kitchenette with a microwave oven, and a king-size bed that can be split into two single beds on request.
Superior Studio Suites
There are two superior suites that can also accommodate one or two guests and are larger than the standard suites. They offer more room space and a bath to accompany the large shower in the bathroom. They also have a fully-equipped kitchenette with a microwave oven.
Accessible Studio Suite
The accessible studio can accommodate one or two people and offers a king-size bed (or two singles on request), an access ramp, a fully-equipped kitchenette with a microwave, and a spacious, open-plan accessible bathroom.
Suite Connection Option
Superior suite room 6 also comes with the option of connecting to the accessible studio to sleep up to 4 guests.
Two-Bedroom Cottage
The cottage is a great option for families or small groups of four, providing a spacious living area, two separate bedrooms, a kitchenette with a microwave and cooktop, a bathroom and laundry, and its own private setting.
Accommodation Room Prices
Room Provisions
Flat-screen smart TV
Free wifi
Complimentary toiletries
Complimentary tea and coffee
Outdoor deck area and table
Indoor dining table
Free off-street carpark
Jug
Toaster
Microwave
Fridge
Basic kitchen equipment
The two-bedroom cottage also provides a cooktop surface, pots, and pans in the kitchenette area.
Additional Provisions
Outdoor BBQ free for guests to use
Porta cots and cot linens for babies can be provided on request
Reception and Check-in Hours
Reception hours are 8 am-7 pm daily, but the hosts are also available outside of reception hours for anything urgent.
Check-out time is 10 am, and check-in time is from 2 pm
Daily Servicing
Servicing takes place between 10 am-12 pm daily. Housekeepers remove rubbish, do any dishes, replace towels, and replenish the tea and coffee supplies. If you do not want this service, you can hang a ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign on the outside door handle of your room.
Helpful Hosts
The Annie’s hosts are happy to help you with anything you need, offering guidance and advice on the Fiordland area, and they can even help with bookings, such as booking tours, dinner reservations, and equipment hire. You can let them know what assistance you need before arrival, and they will happily assist you.
Who is Annie's on Milford for?
Annie's accommodation would suit couples with a budget of around $280 per night, as well as families or groups of up to four people with a budget of $500 per night.
If you’re after great service and hospitality and you'd like to stay close to the Te Anau town centre but away from the business of the main streets, then Annie's on Milford is a great option for you. You'll receive private, quiet, and spacious accommodation with friendly and welcoming hosts.
Who is Annie's on Milford not for?
For the Te Anau and Queenstown areas, Annie's has fair prices for the quality, comfort, and service you receive. However, if you're a solo traveller or on a tighter budget, then you may want to look elsewhere for a cheaper option, such as the Te Anau Top 10 Holiday Park, or the Te Anau Lake Front Back Packers, or explore the range of Airbnb options in the area.
Annie’s on Milford offers a blend of comfort, privacy, and exceptional service. The thoughtful amenities, convenient location, and genuine hospitality of Ann and Wayne make it an ideal stay for couples and small families. Whether you're visiting for a tour of Milford Sound or simply to soak in the breathtaking Fiordland scenery, Annie’s provides a perfect base for your adventures. We left feeling refreshed and well-cared for, and we highly recommend Annie’s on Milford for anyone looking to experience Fiordland with all the comforts of home.