Holdens Bay B&B up for sale

LAKE EDGE: Holdens Bay bed and breakfast venue The Lake House is on the market for the first time in six years. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER 190214SP19

The Lake House B&B owner Ken Saxby always wanted to walk out of his house on to a beach.

When he bought the house at Holden's Bay six years ago he knew his, and wife Carol's, dream was fulfilled.

However, the couple have decided to sell the bed and breakfast and relocate to Wanaka to be closer to family.

They bought the nearly 2700sq m property as a family home, but retained it as a B&B, Mr Saxby said.

"We've thoroughly enjoyed our time here, there have been so many interesting guests stay from many walks of life."

Operating a B&B is seasonal with the peak times between November and March.

Holden's Bay is well known for safe boating and swimming, Mrs Saxby said.

The house has a capital value of $975,000 and sleeps four guests in two bedrooms with ensuites, plus a bunkroom for two children. The owner's residence is upstairs.

In 1923 the 127 Maori owners sold 64 acres and 35 perches of Owhata 4B Block between Te Ngae Rd and the lakefront to farmer and sawmiller Duncan Steele.

Steele sold the land in 1924 to Horace Douslin who built a Dutch colonial style house, now Te Amorangi Museum, and bred Ayeshire cattle.

In 1941 Colonial Ammunition Company manager William Whitney bought two plots of land and built The Lake House, which he used as a holiday house until the 1960s.

The Lake House was awarded certificates of excellence from influential travel website TripAdvisor in 2012 and 2013.