We built this place for moments like yours.
ABOUT
A property looked after by someone who genuinely loves it.
Lawn Road Retreat is Pen’s creation — she designed it, brought it to life, and shaped every element of the experience. It is a project she has worked tirelessly on, focusing on every last detail. James has been hugely helpful along the way, taking on much of the physical work that keeps the property at its best.
They live on the property, in a private house of their own — close enough to help if you need anything, far enough away that the place is entirely yours.
QUALMARK GOLD
Lawn Road Retreat holds a Qualmark 4 Star Plus Gold rating — New Zealand’s mark of quality tourism. Light Footprint, Safe & Sound, and Warm Welcome endorsed.
OUR STORY
How Lawn Road Retreat came to be.
Early in her career, Pen worked as a beauty editor and in-house makeup artist at MORE magazine — a role that sharpened her eye for detail and gave her an instinct for what makes an experience feel considered rather than careless.
Between that and her children arriving, she managed a shopping centre in Auckland. Property management, at its heart: keeping a complex, busy place running smoothly, attending to the details most people never notice, making sure everyone who comes through the door has a good experience. It turned out to be exactly the right preparation for Lawn Road Retreat, even if she didn’t know it at the time.
When her children came along, she returned to makeup artistry — a way to keep working on her own terms while being at home with them. It was through that work, and particularly weddings, that she began to notice the gap — a place that genuinely catered for large groups, where everyone could be under one roof in real comfort.
When she sold some land and had the chance to invest, she knew exactly what she wanted to create. Somewhere people would keep coming back to. A place that would become part of the stories they told and the memories they kept — with the people who mattered most.
HOW WE LOOK AFTER THIS PLACE
Treading lightly on a place we love.
Solar power. Chickens that eat every food scrap. Natural cleaning products, bamboo toilet paper, and reusable-packaging essentials throughout — plus Casa Lavanda hand soaps, made locally in Hawke’s Bay. Comprehensive recycling — including soft plastics and batteries taken to the local Environment Centre.
Finalist, Hawke’s Bay Chamber of Commerce Business Awards 2024 — Sustainability category. Proud supporters of the Tiaki Promise.
Solar
Powered
Zero
Food to Landfill
Natural
Local Products
Tiaki Promise
Supporter
GET IN TOUCH
Questions? Pen’s happy to talk them through.
Book directly through the website, or get in touch if you’d like to talk it through first. Either way, you’ll always hear from Pen personally.
★★★★★ EXCELLENT · 65+ GOOGLE REVIEWS
★★★★★
We had a large family group stay for 4 nights and we could not fault it in any way. The kids were so well entertained the entire stay with all the activities for them to do. Thank you Pen for being so accommodating and creating this wonderful space for others to enjoy. We will be back!!”
LISA WOOD · Google Review
★★★★★
“Perfect in so many ways — for a large group, activities for both children and adults and close to all the offerings of Hawke’s Bay including cycle trails, golf courses, wineries, walking tracks. Many family memories created. Thanks again to our fabulous host Pen and family.”
DAVID AND SALLY USHER · Google Review
★★★★★
“The retreat is so well equipped, beautifully presented. We just loved everything, including all the activities and sports, the kids Wendy house, the pizza oven! We would absolutely stay again. Pen was amazing to deal with. Thanks for having us x”
CHANTELLE MAGON · Google Review
★★★★★
“An amazing place for family to all stay together. So many activities for all ages. A wonderful spot to have a gathering with your nearest and dearest. Pen was super lovely to communicate with. Very accommodating, the place was nice and clean. Would happily stay again!”
SARA NADEN · Google Review
Read all reviews on Google · Lawn Road Retreat, Hawke’s Bay
