Attendees Information
Nestled in the picturesque town of Hanmer Springs, New Zealand, Hanmer Guest House has become a popular destination for both domestic and international visitors seeking outdoor adventures and natural attractions.
Over the past 13 to 14 years, the majority of guests have been domestic tourists, making up approximately 71.5% of visitors, with the remaining 28.5% being international tourists from various corners of the globe. The guest book of Hanmer Guest House, which contains 66 languages or dialects, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, is a testament to its international appeal. Remarkably, every continent except Antarctica has been represented in the guest book.
Tony Hanmer, a resident of Georgia since 1999 and Svaneti since 2007, has been the driving force behind this welcoming establishment. He has been a weekly writer and photographer for GT since early 2011 and also runs the "Svaneti Renaissance" Facebook group with over 2000 members.
Visitors to Hanmer Guest House come to experience the outdoor activities the area has to offer. The Hanmer Forest and Botanical Reserve, with its network of walking and mountain biking tracks, is a favourite among trekkers. For those seeking a shorter trek, the Conical Hill Track offers panoramic views over Hanmer Springs and the surrounding plains. The guest house also provides access to other nearby walking and hiking routes in the Canterbury region.
Most trekking groups consist of 14-18 people, with some visitors both trekking and camping, fully kitted out with a heavier backpack and their own food. Some groups even come to do volunteer work in the village, while others have arrived to work for room and board.
Accommodation options cater to families or groups, with most visitors staying in larger accommodations suited to their needs. The Hanmer Guest House, which boasts a rating of 9.8 on booking.com, offers a warm and comfortable stay for all its guests.
The season for Hanmer Guest House runs from May through late October, with winter months spent in Tbilisi. Despite the occasional interruption, such as the 16-month gap during the Covid-19 pandemic, the guest house has continued to attract visitors seeking adventure and relaxation in the beautiful Hanmer Springs area.
In recent years, the biggest three guest countries of origin for Hanmer Guest House have been the Czech Republic, Germany, and Poland. However, the guest house has a rich history of welcoming visitors from Ukraine, Poland, and Israel, among many other nations.
For those planning a visit, bookings can be made a month or so in advance, a few days in advance, the same day, hours ago, 15 minutes ago, or as simple walk-ins with no booking at all. A playground set, donated from the USA, was supplied and installed next to the outdoor sports stadium, adding an extra touch of fun for younger visitors.
While many visitors return to Hanmer Guest House, it is not uncommon for them to fall hard for Svaneti and choose to extend their stay. For those who cannot stay, the memories and experiences they take away are sure to last a lifetime.
[1] Statistics based on a 13-14 year period from 2008 to 2021.
- Travelers at Hanmer Guest House often find adventure beyond the guest house, with many enjoying the exploration of the Hanmer Forest and Botanical Reserve, which offers a network of walking and mountain biking tracks.
- With the guest book reflecting entries from every continent except Antarctica, Hanmer Guest House has become a popular destination for adventure-travel seekers, offering a diverse lifestyle experience that connects people from around the globe.
