Ascot Parnell private hotel: Guests Comments & Testimonials
Extract from our guests comments book over the past 10 years .....

Hello Bart, Therese & Khalifa !!!

Lori & Jim Mirazita here, writing from home in southern New Hampshire. We had a *fabulous* remainder of our trip and are already plotting our return to NZ and Australia. What glorious countries ! We *so* enjoyed our stay with you all and have told anyone who will listen that Ascot Parnell B&B is the *only* place to consider if you're heading to Auckland. You guys are just the most gracious and accomodating hosts, and Bart, you cook up a *mean* breakfast. :-)
We hope that, should you venture to the States and make your way to the Eastern seabord, you'll look us up in New Hampshire.

Warmest regards,
Lori & Jim Mirazita

Hello Therese and Bart,

A belated note of thanks from Debbie and I for making our first stay in N.Z. such a happy one. I hope you enjoyed the bottle of wine we left behind...if it wasn't any good now you know to stay away from that vineyard. Our last night at the Ascot Parnell was very quiet, we brought in a salad and pizza and had dinner as if we were home. The Sapphire Princess was incredible, we liked it much more than we expected to but the weather didn't get better it got worse until the day we sailed all around and through Fiordland National Park. That day was spectacular. Please remember to get in touch when you finally get to New York.

With warm regards, Eileen Feeney

Dear Bart and Therese,

We have been meaning to contact you both sooner, but we got right back into the swing of things immediately once we landed in New York. Since vacation, it has been non-stop between work, school, and the holidays!
I couldn't help but to feel awful that we did not get a chance to properly say goodbye to two of the most wonderful hosts weary travelers from New York could ask for. We were spolied at the Ascot Parnel, especially with Bart's breakfasts, and no other accomodation could match up! We loved our stay with you.
We don't want you to forget about us, so please feel free to stay in touch. We hope that your holidays are wonderful and that this e-mail finds you both in good form, healthy and happy.

Kind Regards,

JoAnn and Kevin McAdams
Sayville, New York
jkmc@optonline.net

Dear Therese & Bart

Am back home and have been hard at work at the office. I just wanted to send you a little thank you to tell you that I truly
enjoyed my (short) stay at your beautiful Ascot Parnell. Just that alone makes me want to make a return trip to NZ! Give Kalifa a couple of pats for me.

warmest, Dyan

Bart and Therese!
We've arrived in Rotorua but already we miss your wonderful B&B! We ended up staying in the Princess Gate to be close to town, but thank you for all of your recommendations and plan to check out the others in the next cities!
You were both supreme hosts! Jim and I could have sworn you were raised in the South, USA from your outstanding hospitality! :)
Thanks again for everything!
Kathryn and Jim

Best wishes and warm regards,
Amy Watson

Dear Bart & Therese,
It is 6:15 am and I am on my way. The hospitality was superb. I feel sorry for the remaining B&B's on my itinerary. They have an impossible standard to meet.

Ed Vane (Los Angeles, California, USA)

Hello Bart & Therese,
Thank you for your vision and efforts in creating an absolute beautiful and serene environment. Karina and I truly enjoyed our stay at Ascot Parnell. We really didn’t know what to expect, and believe me our expectations were definitely exceeded. Great breakfast’s, Great conversations, Great people and above all a Fantastic “B & B”. Re : Kalifa. Karina and I are now considering owning a greyhound. Given we travel so much, it may not be an favorable option. Is that how you spell “Kalifa”? We will be back...

Warmest regards.
Elliott & Karine Yancey (Darling Harbour, Sydney Australia).

Hello Therese & Bart,
We're back home in body, but our hearts and minds are still in New
Zealand. We enjoyed meeting both of you and thank you for your gracious
hospitality and wise advice. We see why your B&B has been such a success and will certainly tell our friends about you. Take care.

Warm Regards,
Elizabeth & Snowden Hall (Charlottsville, Virginia USA)

Thank you for making us feel so welcome in your home. Ascot Parnell is a unique nest - very cosy and very warm. Thank you again ! We hope you one day make it to New York. If you do - please let us know, we would love to see you again.

Warm regards, Lorne & Ettie Taichman, Long Island New York.

What a wonderful way to start my trip. I am so delighted to have been here. You both are so nice and hospitable that I'd like to stay for a couple of more days. The breakfasts were fabulous ! I loved the "Flemish Toast", however, so many good breakfasts leave little room for lunch ! Glad to have been here.

Thank you for everything. Loved it. Adam Eastwick New York, NY.

Dear Therese & Bart,
We consider ourselves most fortunate to have stayed with you at Ascot Parnell. It is not often that one comes upon such lovely people and who are so intent in making their guests have a very pleasant and enjoyable experience. You have a lovely place and we will not hesitate to recommend it. Best of good fortune in your new home and that you continue to enjoy it.

Jill & Brian Keel, Adelaide Australia

Only the warmth and friendliness of the hosts surpasses the beauty and comfortableness of the accommodation !

The Gillespies, Toronto Canada,

Therese & Bart,
WOW ! What a way to begin our first trip to New Zealand. We thought your B&B was one of the best we have ever stayed in, your hospitality made us feel like we were visiting old friends. We certainly hope we can return to Auckland again and enjoy another wonderful stay with you.

June & Alex Brown, Toronto, Canada

Thank you Bart & Therese ! We feel so fortunate to have met you and shared memories that will last a lifetime. You two have a "true gift" of making people feel at home and we love your house, your hospitality and your pet ! This truly felt like a home away from home for us. We will recommend you to anyone we know who is heading this way ...

Ron & Kathyt Boyer, Ottawa Ontario, Canada.

Absolutely Fabulous ! The rest of the accommodations are going to pale in comparison. Thank you.

Irene Statham, New Westminster, Canada

Thank you so much for making our last night in New Zealand one of the most wonderful of our trip.

Angela Read & Debbie Shevell (U.K.)

Dear Bart and Therese
I just wanted to say thanks you so much for my lovely stay at the Ascot. It was a perfect place for me to be. Your B&B was so comfortable, and your personal style was just perfect in making one feel welcome and catered for in every way, without feeling intruded upon. Congratulations on getting the atmosphere so right.

Thanks again,
Cathy Kell (South Africa)

Bart and Therese,
We were your guests from the 9th to the 13th of April. We wish to
tell you that we have never stayed in a B&B that was as immaculate. The
breakfasts, too, were exceptional, but best of all was your kind
hospitality. We loved talking with you, and we will remember our visit
for a long time.
Should you ever come to Colorado, please come by for a visit. We'd
love to show you our region.

Again, thank you. Dale and Carol Bartkus

dear bart & therese-
thank you so much for the wonderful time in your charming hotel! we loved our
interactions with you, and really appreciated that the room was actually all
ready for us when we arrived! you are amazing! thank you for making our
anniversary trip so special! (the honey made it home safely with us, and
brings back many happy memories!) and I still think of your french toast!

corinne & dale ruokangas (USA)

Dear Bart & Therese, I have been in NZ for almost three weeks now, and I say with authority that you make the best coffee and breakfasts in the country ! I enjoyed staying at Ascot Parnell and hope to return some day to stay with you again.

Hilary Gilligan, Glasgow Scotland.

I have travelled to a lot of places but I have never seen such a charming friendly place until I came to the Ascot Parnell. It's nice to stay in a place that offers personal service and has owners willing to chat to you after a long hard day sightseeing. I will definitely recommend this establishment to anyone and everyone back home wanting to visit Auckland & NZ. Thank you !

Christopher Brunby, Melbourne Australia
P.S. Why do people stay in those corporate hotels when they could stay here ?

Thank you for this oasis of charm, calm and comfort in the midst of our hectic schedule. We especially enjoyed our talks with you and appreciate your advice and map, helping us to explore Auckland. Follow through on a history of Ascot Parnell ! Hope to be your guest again.

Eleona Baker, Houston Texas.

Abbiamo finalmente trovato all' Ascot Parnell (dopo essere stati in moltissimi hotels in tutto il mondo) un'accoglienza eccezionale che non potremo dimenticare ! Un grazie a Therese e Bart : ci siamo sentiti a casa, benche lodi sia 18,000 km lontana. Ciao !

Emilia & Giacomo Italy.

P.S. We decided to write in Italian because we did not find other Italians in the book !

A beautiful & tranquil place in a great neighbourhood ! I loved the art on the walls and the sunroom ! Thank you for a memorable visit and your hospitality.

Catherine Sweeney

Bart & Therese, What a special hideaway your Ascot Parnell ! And what thoughtful and sensitive hosts you are ! Thank you for everything ! Tres chers amis - l'hotel est un petit "bijou", le jardin "enchante", les hots les meilleurs. Mille mercis, maxi bises.

Carole & Michel Altman Colorado USA.

What a nice surprise to have found such a jewel in the city on our last few nights in NZ ! We are very sorry we cannot stay longer - but we promise to come back !

Cheers Missy Lavender & Kim Readding

Thank you for sharing your beautiful and very hospitable home. The friendliness, warmth and your genuine concern for our comfort and enjoyment set Ascot Parnell apart (and above) others. Please remember us as fondly as we will remember you. Thanks again.

Carol & Flemming French, Seattle WA. USA.

The best Bed & Breakfast we've ever stayed in ! Please don't change jobs or hotels !!

Peter Prost & Inga Wilde, Heidelberg Germany 7 July 1994

Two of the nicest days ever spent anywhere. The house and more importantly Bart & Therese are what a traveller dreams about !! Our thanks to them and Aucklanders throughout the city.

Joe & Nan Bake - Buena Vista, Colorado USA (29 January 1993).