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Reviews of The Signal Box

70 Papaiti Rd Papaiti, 4584 Whanganui, New Zealand

#9 of 17 B&Bs and Inns in Whanganui

Guests' Choice

Review score

Based on 171 hotel reviews

9.2

Score breakdown

  • Cleanliness

    9.5

  • Comfort

    9.5

  • Location

    9.4

  • Facilities

    9.2

  • Staff

    9.3

  • Value for money

    9.4

  • Free WiFi

    9.4

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Showing 1 – 25

  • Reviewed: 28 August 2025

    10
    Beautiful home-away-from-home along the quiet riverside with stunning views.
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Superior King Room
    • Stayed 3 nights

    This location was absolutely stunning and the accommodations thoughtfully appointed. I felt so comfortable and at home there and adored waking up to views of the river and farmstead.

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: 24 August 2025

    9.0
    Superb
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Superior King Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Heaters weren’t very strong

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: 19 August 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Superior King Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Very restful :) Lovely setting, all lovely and clean and comfortable.

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: 16 August 2025

    8.0
    Accommodation with a twist
    • Couple
    • Superior King Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Bathroom was cosy. The wash basin low and small. Hot water kept zoning in and out.

    Very novel/quirky secluded and close to town. Beautiful surroundings

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: 15 August 2025

    9.0
    Superb
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Superior King Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Really cool old building. Great setting.

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: 8 August 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • People with friends
    • Superior King Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    It was all good.

    Loved the style & atmosphere. Very sweet accommodation with a lovely outlook. Would not hesitate to stay here again.

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: 12 July 2025

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Superior King Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Location, tranquility, comfort Felt very homely

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: 30 April 2025

    9.0
    Superb
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Superior King Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Loved the views,surroundings and the decor of the accommodation. Had everything you needed.

    Stayed in April 2025

  • Reviewed: 22 April 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Superior King Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    One of the most relaxed places I have been. Nothing more special than waking up to farm life. Perfect place to rest and reset. Will definitely be going back.

    Stayed in April 2025

  • Reviewed: 28 March 2025

    9.0
    Vintage vibes in an exceptional setting
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Superior King Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Beautifully appointed with modern features while retaining the history of the building . Comfortable bed with a view out to the river, fantails, farm animals and other birds greet you in the morning!! So relaxing - memorable for all the right reasons 💛

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: 12 March 2025

    10
    Had a relaxing time great spot tocome back
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Superior King Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The windows could be washed as the view is special

    Love the setting and deck for a wine in the late afternoon

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: 3 March 2025

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Superior King Room
    • Stayed 2 nights

    Bbque needed a good clean.Windows needed a wash.

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: 1 March 2025

    10
    Mini Paradise!
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Superior King Room
    • Stayed 1 night

    The property was a little far up the river from Whanganui, but those with a vehicle should find this no reason not to book.

    When you pull into the drive of the Signal Box, you'll see a house under renovation to your left. Pay no attention to that, but look straight ahead; the unit above the garages is the large, lovely room you'll have all to yourself. Enormous windows look over the bucolic property, which gently slopes down to the Whanganui River. It's really like a mini paradise and owner Renee couldn't be nicer or more helpful. Highly recommended!

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: 26 February 2025

    9.0
    Very comfortable and relaxing in this quiet semi- rural setting.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Superior King Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    No complaints from us.

    Great location; what is not to like being surrounded by nature; ducks, cows, pigs, chickens, trees and water?n

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: 24 February 2025

    10
    Wonderful location lovely design
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Superior King Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Having to leave

    Everything

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: 21 February 2025

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Superior King Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    No TV and very small sink in bathroom.

    Nice, quiet rural setting with a range of birds and animals to add to the ambience

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: 20 February 2025

    10
    Such a relaxing treat , could easily spend many days there
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Superior King Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Peaceful , beside river and beautiful garden/ orchard Thoughtful hosts , and great nz literature in bookshelves

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: 11 February 2025

    10
    Stunning serene and scenic location with a gorgeous river outlook - pai mutunga !! [wonderful]
    • Leisure trip
    • Group
    • Superior King Room
    • Stayed 8 nights

    nothing

    Such an awesome tranquil location overlooking the Whanganui Awa [river] surrounded by a very peaceful rural 5 acres with chooks, kunikuni pigs, ducks and various orchard fruit tress - felt like you were in a private treehouse with all the mod cons - beautifully tiled and designed walk-in shower cleverly incorporated with lots of space inside an old historic former Railways building - loved the front door threshold which had worn smooth grooves from all the foot traffic over many decades - also enjoyed hearing and watching the daily morning and evening rowers passing by both ways training/racing - the local paddle steamer boat was also a highlight to hear coming around the corner with friendly waving tourists/guests. Nearby friendly hosts Aaron and Greta were also keen to share their local knowledge and look after whatever you needed [even washed all of my cycling kit after NZ Masters Games' events] Stayed 8 nights and absolutely loved it there - would definitely stay there again !! :) Wayne - Snells Beach, Warkworth

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: 30 January 2025

    9.0
    Perfect location to kick back and relax in nature.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Superior King Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Nothing to dislike about The Signal Box. Cooking arrangements might be a little challenging for a longer stay would be our only comment.

    Peace. Serenity. If you were Jamie Bennett (Colin Firth) in Love Actually, this is the kind of place that you’d go to write your book! Oodles of natural light, birds, trees, nature and the occasional passing paddle steamer on the river. Pleasant stroll to the excellent cafe at Upokongaro and close enough to Whanganui for a short drive in for supplies. Hosts were responsive to messaging but left us to our own privacy.

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: 26 January 2025

    10
    loved the signal box
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Superior King Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    we loved the signal box, beautifully renovated to a high standard, location was stunning .

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: 24 January 2025

    9.0
    Calm and Tranquil Stay
    • Couple
    • Superior King Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    White Window blinds were getting dirty and marked. No AC

    A relaxing and quirky place to stay and chill out on the outskirts of Wanganui with a lovely view over a garden and down to the river.

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: 20 January 2025

    10
    Slice of heaven by Whanganui River
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Superior King Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    I think it would be good to have a hook or two indoors to hang dresses or other long clothes on. This is a suggestion only.

    The Signal Box is perfectly formed- well considered in every way. The setting is amazing, a rural scene overlooking the beautiful Whanganui River. Chickens and ducks, and a wide range of fruit trees lie between the Signal Box and the River. The large trees are home to native birds. There's always something to watch or contemplate on. It is so peaceful. The Signal Box is set up for two people so don't bring the family . You need to be able to climb a flight of stairs to get there but once inside the 180 degree outlook is a wondrous thing. And all of this just 8 minutes drive to town! It would be a great place to have some alone time.

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: 15 January 2025

    9.0
    Superb
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Superior King Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Lack of clothes storage

    Quiet location. Super spot. Hosts have thought it through.

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: 10 January 2025

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Superior King Room
    • Stayed 2 nights

    within easy distance to family

    Stayed in January 2025

Showing 1 – 25

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