AWARD-WINNING MARLBOROUGH ACCOMMODATION

A Marlborough cottage and garden sanctuary — creating stays that feel unforgettable.

Life as it should be

Step through the gate and the air shifts. The crunch of gravel underfoot. The scent of citrus and daphne carried on the breeze. Birds flit between rhododendrons and fruit trees while light pours through wide cottage windows. 

Guests call Eliza’s “heaven on earth” and “a whimsical experience” — a place where comfort and nature meet, and every detail feels quietly perfect.

Two white wicker chairs with yellow patterned cushions facing each other, with a small matching side table between them, under a large tree with green and purple leaves, in a lush garden setting.

“The garden is amazing with lots of little spots to sit & have a drink and watch the sunset.”

The grounds are beautiful and the house is comfortable, cozy and classy. Walking through the vineyard with our dogs was a real treat before heading off to lunch at amazing restaurants within 10 minutes’ drive.
— Deborah, New Zealand

EVERY SEASON BRINGS A REASON TO STAY

Eliza’s Garden Cottage is more than a holiday home — it’s Marlborough accommodation at its finest

Nestled in Grovetown, just 5 minutes from Blenheim and 20 from the Marlborough Sounds, it’s a retreat where you arrive busy but leave buoyant.

Spring Tulips, rhododendrons, and woodland bulbs in bloom.

Spring


Tulips, rhododendrons, and woodland bulbs in bloom.

Summer Poolside afternoons, vineyard walks, figs and apples to pick.

Summer


Poolside afternoons, vineyard walks, figs and apples to pick.

Autumn Grapes and citrus ripe for harvest; golden garden tones at dusk.

Autumn


Grapes and citrus ripe for harvest; golden garden tones at dusk.

Winter Fires set, robes waiting, your dog curled at your fee

Winter


Fires set, robes waiting, your dog curled at your fee

Whether you’re here for wine, gardens, family, or a peaceful reset, Eliza’s Garden Cottage invites you to slow down & savour Marlborough’s beauty.

EXPLORE LOCAL EXPERIENCES
Award-winning Marlborough garden retreat offering tranquil luxury accommodation

“There is a reason Wendy has maintained 5 stars over 60+ reviews!”

Her place is heaven: a lovely house with comfortable beds and linens, and the most stunning, extensive garden I’ve ever seen. A long expanse of lawn, fruit trees with bountiful Lisbon lemons, and vineyards and grazing sheep on either side. Oh, and a beautiful breakfast with homemade ingredients — above and beyond. — Cristina, San Francisco

Wendy Palmer welcoming guests to Eliza’s Garden Cottage in Blenheim

Behind Eliza’s Garden Cottage is Wendy Palmer

Wendy is the keeper of Eliza’s spirit — a host whose joy is found in the details: homemade bread on arrival, foraged flowers in every room, fires ready to light, a complimentary bottle of Wither Hills Sauvignon Blanc, and a personal note of welcome.

A former London film executive, Wendy returned to Marlborough to give her daughter a Kiwi country childhood and, in the process, fell in love with the land all over again.

Her vision began in 2011, restoring a classic 1960s cottage & its overgrown garden into the sanctuary guests now experience at Eliza’s.

Fifteen years on, Wendy still delights in making guests feel at home. As one guest put it: “Every detail was so thoughtfully designed and perfectly executed.”

Your stay awaits
Romantic garden walkway lined with roses and citrus trees at Eliza’s Garden Cottage

The garden surrounding Eliza’s owes much to Ross Palmer

Wendy’s brother, Ross, is an internationally regarded garden designer whose work has spanned the UK, Thailand, Australia, and Aotearoa. Together, Wendy and Ross shaped the acre of established garden and 100 acres of vineyard into a living, breathing landscape where wildlife, colour, and creativity flourish.

The result is a New Zealand Gardens Trust Garden of National Significance — a place where guests linger longer than planned, captivated by the genius loci — the spirit of the place.

Ross’s garden design brings seasonal rhythm & ecological care; Wendy’s hospitality brings it to life.

EXPLORE THE GARDEN

Recognised & Celebrated

  • A white house with a gray metal roof surrounded by green trees and a well-maintained lawn under a partly cloudy sky, with outdoor furniture and potted plants in the yard.

    2025 Bookabach Bach of the Year

  • A bright kitchen with white cabinets, a marble countertop, a stainless steel refrigerator, a window with outside greenery, a wooden table with yellow lemons, and natural hardwood flooring.

    2025 Airbnb Host of the Year Finalist

  • A vineyard with rows of grapevines on a hillside, a white house surrounded by trees, and mountains under a partly cloudy sky.

    2025 Airbnb Best Nature Stay Finalist

  • A black vase with green fern-like leaves on a round wooden tray on a white marble kitchen island.

    2019 Bookabach Pet Friendly Finalist

  • A gravel pathway in a garden with flowering plants, trees, and a modern wooden shed illuminated by sunlight in the evening.

    2016 Golden Piwa Awards Best Hospitality Bach of the Year

  • A lush garden with tall green cacti, white and purple flowers, green grass, and trees in the background.

    Earth Star Award (New Zealand Gardens Trust)

  • A lush garden with a variety of tall cacti, leafy shrubs, and trees under sunlight.

    Garden of National Significance (5 star accredited New Zealand)

  • A couple sitting outdoors in a garden with lush greenery and plants, smiling at the camera, with the woman holding a small dog.

    Featured in: Life & Leisure Magazine

  • Close-up of tall white bell-shaped flowers with pink streaks, surrounded by green leaves and a blurred green background.

    Featured in: NZ Gardener Magazine

Eliza’s Garden Cottage is award-winning Marlborough accommodation, but more than that — it’s a place where you can rest, reconnect, & create memories that last forever

Step into the cottage, wander the gardens, and let nature, comfort, and genuine hospitality do the rest.

BOOK YOUR STAY