Danseys Pass Hotel

In Central Otago, getting away from it all doesn’t require a long road trip. Just 15 minutes from Naseby, Danseys Pass Hotel offers a tranquil and charming country pub experience that feels miles away from everyday life.

The journey begins as soon as you hit the gravel road, with breathtaking mountain ranges, rushing rivers and endless tussock fields accompanying you along the way. Like many of the buildings in Central Otago, Danseys Pass Hotel is steeped in history, serving as a place to eat, drink and sleep since 1862. 

Today, guests can still enjoy an overnight experience, with 19 double rooms in the original building and eight more in a lodge just 200 metres up the road. The rooms have a sweet simplicity, blending traditional cottage features with elegant touches. Patterned bathroom tiles and whimsical wallpaper adorned with locally made folk art add a unique, joyful character to this boutique retreat.

Sharing great food and drinks with friends is what Danseys Pass Hotel is known for, and there are plenty of indoor and outdoor areas to make yourself at home in. Nestled into the woods outside, a quirky green shed operates as a bar during the warmer months, serving a wide selection of beverages to enjoy in the fresh air with stunning mountain views. Inside, the bar area is enveloped in exposed brick and heavy, dark wooden features, with dark leather couches surrounding a colossal fireplace that evokes scenes from Game of Thrones – minus the gore, plus the toasted marshmallows.

The spacious bar flows into a dining area, where long tables invite hearty feasts with friends or more intimate gatherings. The seasonal menu is filled with comforting classics made from fresh, local produce and prepared with passion. From braised lamb shank to chicken schnitzel and sticky date pudding, every dish is a celebration of flavour, with ingredients like Provenance Lamb, bio-farmed and ethically raised by the Crutchley family in Danseys Pass.

Warm and inviting, Danseys Pass Hotel embraces all who walk through its doors – a place where you’ll want to linger until the late hours, sipping excellent brews and sharing stories with old and new friends.