Love Letters
We recently had the most amazing day at LaValla for our son’s wedding and wish to express our sincere thanks to the LaValla team and in particular Dolly who looked after us right from our initial meeting many, many months ago. Dolly’s warm and cheerful personality immediately place you at ease and her assistance and suggestions made the process of planning the day so much easier (and less stressful). We also really appreciated the team that clearly had a late night/morning on the evening prior to changeover from a different function to our wedding reception set up. This allowed us to come in early on the wedding morning and add our special touches. Then there was the team that looked after us all on the day, the organisation, the lovely meal, the service and assistance was fabulous and everything just flowed beautifully. Michelle was great and couldn’t do enough for us to make sure everything was just right. You have something very special with the beautiful venue and your wonderful team and we again say a very big thank you for helping to make this a truly memorable and special day.
Glenn and Tania Karam (Jared & Magan married November 2019)
Yesterday we held our Babyloss NZ fundraiser here. We went with the high tea option and am so pleased we did! It was AMAZING!! Bernie and her team made everything run so smoothly, the food was to die for and the venue itself is out of this world beautiful! All of our guests commented on what an amazing venue we had chosen. Thank you to Bernie and all of her wonderful team, we will be back again.
Hannah Smith (BabyLoss NZ Fundraiser, October 2019)
I was honoured to officiate for a beautiful couple a few weeks ago, my second time performing a ceremony at LaValla. This venue is so versatile with guest accommodation, a lounge for Brides & Grooms to prepare, indoor areas for the reception and ceremony as well as a lush green lawn and garden for outdoor summer ceremonies. Event co-ordinator Dolly was so helpful and pleasant to work with. Thank you, Kimberly
Kimberly Sanders (Wedding Celebrant, June 2019)
We have managed to catch our breath after Alyssa and Doug’s wedding and all the overseas visitors. We have been meaning to write and just say a big thank you. We could not have asked for anything better. The helpfulness, friendliness and quality of the service and food at LaValla Estate were exceptional. You and your staff did a tremendous job and made the whole weekend flow without a hitch. All the guests we have spoken too were full of praise and commented on what a fabulous venue and wedding it was.
Colin & Renee Wells (Alyssa & Doug married March 2019)
Had our wedding here on Thursday and the whole experience from booking, to the actual event was nothing short of incredible. The staff really did go above and beyond to make everything run smoothly. Such a beautiful venue and the food is divine!! Would highly recommend.
Xana & Cam (married February 2019)
I whole heartily agree that our day went fabulously yesterday thanks to you and all of your team. The band, DJ, Combi van, decor, even the xmas crackers, your staff, and most importantly the second to none catering, as always have done you proud. The Directors, Managers and all staff have been full of compliments today for all of the above reasons. We will certainly be booking next year!
Yashili Christmas Function (December 2018)
We got married at La Valla and found the whole process extremely easy, the staff were insanely great and the food was incredible. The food and service are the talk of the town. Our wedding photos came out AMAZING and the stunning gardens and grounds had a lot to do with it. We have since been back for brunch and again everything was amazing!
Boyd & Beka Carlson (Married October 2018)
Well what can i say about our Wedding at LaValla...... Beyond my vocabulary.... I just want to say on behalf of myself and Alex and all of our guests... WOW!!! From the initial consultation and walk around the property to the day I picked up all my paraphernalia afterwards :-)..... We were blown away by everything and fell in love immediately! Bernie, Dolly, Michelle and David were THE most amazing team to deal with and we couldn't have wished for a better day. From start to finish, we laughed.... we cried (I think I saw some tears from Michelle and Dolly during the speeches :-) haha!) We danced, we ate, we drank and we slept :-) All under this amazing "Roof" and We couldn't have wished for a better day! EVERYTHING was on point and just perfect! DAVID..... you cooked us THE most amazing food (as usual) which I know will be one of the talking points for many years to come! Michelle and your team - you guys were amazing.... Dolly and Bernie... you really did keep me grounded and there was no signs of Bridezilla at all during my planning because I knew that you guys always had my back! Even with impending weather... nothing was going to spoil our day! You have a sign on your Bar.... "Enter as Strangers - Leave as Friends" you could not have chosen a better Motto!!!! We truly love everything about your venue..... food, surroundings, and most of all the STAFF.... actually they aren't staff.... they are FRIENDS! Looking forward to many many more delicious meals there xx
Alex and Lindsay (Married March 2018)
Your staff were outstanding. They were quietly attentive and sensitive to every need. Alternations and amendments to the programme and timetable were accommodated with a smile ... The meals, morning and afternoon teas were superb. Dietary requirements were personally supervised by the Chef and attended to with sensitivity. The venue and gardens were a wonderful environment for our function and were commented favourably on by members and partners attending.... the quality of the service and the outstanding catering were all enjoyed. Please accept our thanks and appreciation for LaValla's part in making the 30th Anniversary Conference the success it clearly was.
Max Barclay (NZ Vintage Tool Collectors Club Conference, November 2017)
Found this place quite by accident and booked to stay for one night. Worth going a little out of your way for if you want something exceptional but low key. We had a family room which was spacious, beautifully furnished, had a fantastic wet room type shower and was so comfortable I enjoyed my first nights good sleep in two weeks of travelling. The grounds are fantastic, worth exploring and take time to befriend the pig. The staff were superb, so very very helpful. They kindly arranged to receive and keep some post for us as we were travelling. Now here's the deal clincher: breakfast! My word. I have not enough vocabulary to describe it. All I can say is see photos and make sure you leave enough time in the morning to enjoy it. Really savour it, there's lots to enjoy and you will not be hungry for the rest of the day . All home produce and delivered in the cutest little box. Delicious.
Travelled with family (Stayed June 2017)
My team stayed here for 2 nights and what an amazing venue and experience. We were treated to some great food from an outstanding chef that was tailored from our product range, the attention to detail from planning to execution was fantastic. I would highly recommend using LaValla for a team meeting or team building retreat. All the feedback from the team was that it was the best food they had ever had at a meeting! Thanks to the team at LaValla.
Tony H (Mars Confectionery Conference, June 2017)
I’d like to say a massive thank you for making Robert’s 30th party a truly special day! It has been an absolute pleasure dealing with all of you and the service has been exceptional and you're all so wonderfully friendly and accommodating :) The day ran so smoothly and the food and games were incredible - all our guests were happy throughout the day and complimented the venue and the food. It was an enjoyable day had by all. I'm sure everyone who attended would highly recommend LaValla to their friends and family for future events. Many thanks again.
Simone Jenkinson (Robert's 30th Birthday, January 2017)
On behalf of the Te Kauwhata & Districts Lions Club I wish to thank you for an evening to remember. To your very efficient staff who were excellent, polite and very attentive, a grand job, well done. A special thank you to Chef David, for a great selection of food, nicely present and certainly plenty of it. Thank you again for a very special evening, at a wonderful venue. Wishing you every success in the future.
Phil Rogers (Te Kauwhata & Districts Lions Club, December 2016)
Nicest Place Travelling for a Month. This is by far the nicest place we have stayed in through New Zealand. We have done holiday parks, farm stays, high rise hotels and musty Ole motels. I was so happy to check into this place. The linens, carpets, fixtures, absolutely everything seems brand new. The towels were fluffy and abundant. The linens of good quality. No paisley print bedspreads from the 70s here! Even the bed products were sumptuous. Ordered a breakfast basket and was even pleasantly surprised by that. Delicious jams, cereals and yogurt parfait. No complaints at all. The Internet was fast too. Almost forgot to mention the pleasant hosts. Everything was perfect and the price was right too. Why battle traffic and pay for parking in the city. Less than an hour away from airport and so much better.
Travelled with family (Stayed August 2016)
It was a real pleasure working with the whole LaValla “family” Jess & David & his family were amazing as well as your family- it will talked about for a long time to come as one of the best events in RW Top of the North’s history!!
Fiona Gower (Rural Women NZ, April 2016)
Thank you so much for the incredible retreat we had last week at LaValla Estate. They say the true meaning of experience is something that leaves an impression and you and your team have most certainly done that to ours! Your location is something special and you most certainly assisted us to make the most of it, with dining outdoors an absolute highlight. Your facility offering allowed us to create an environment that was conducive to learning and building our team, they came away refreshed and focused. The location was great, the food was amazing and the service could not be faulted. There are few places that can say nothing is a hassle however you really made us feel that way, everyone is talking about when we go back! We cannot recommend you highly enough there were so many small touches that really made it a special retreat, the accommodation both on and off-site was great and service was consistent across both.
Cushla Howie (Y.M.C.A Conference, February 2016)
LaValla was the perfect reception venue for us. With its rustic landscape it proved to be a beautiful location for post ceremony photos and guest enjoyment (many of our guests played soccer out the front and strolled in the dusk while they waited). Bernie is flexible and friendly, two-musts for a bride organising her big day.
Stephanie Winchester-O'Sullivan (Married December 2015)
LaValla Estate in Tuakau is amazing! Bernie Jackson and her team are everything you could ever wish for when planning a wedding. We got married there in March and had the most fabulous day ever. The whole day ran smoothly, the staff are great, the food is delicious and the grounds are stunning! I cannot recommend them enough!! Go and check it out for yourself and meet Bernie.
Brooke Holmes (Married March 2015)
“A very big thank you, to you all for helping make our wedding day so wonderful. Thank you for the amazing venue, food and relaxed atmosphere. We loved LaValla and all that it offered for us, the whole package – ceremony, reception, photography location, accommodation and wet weather back up plans. Special thanks to Bernie for being there for us throughout the whole experience from pre-wedding to the day itself. Thanks so very much.”
From the Rogers (Married March 2015)
“Thank you so much to Bernie and the LaValla team for their warmth and care with every detail of our special day. Bernie has the patience of a saint and was always ready and willing to accommodate any of our wishes for our wedding. This helped make the planning of our wedding so much less stressful and the day ran without a hitch. LaValla is such a unique and special place, you feel a world away in the tranquil country setting. The accommodation we were able to extend to our guests was immaculate, warm and cosy. We were so well looked after from start to finish and I can’t thank Bernie and her team enough for their help in making our wedding beautiful and absolutely perfect. This is a top notch venue, great value for money and I am so thrilled that we held our wedding here. Thank you again Bernie, for everything you did for us!”
Antonia and Rob (Married February 2015)
My Sincere thanks to you, and your team for Saturday Night!! I had the most relaxing, fun, crazy party and what a spectacular venue!!!! Absolutely awesome. Everything went well. Friends and family are still messaging me to saying how lovely the venue was and how perfect the night went. Thank you for making my birthday EASY. CAN’T THANK YOU ALL ENOUGH!!!
Dee and Gerard (Dee’s 40th Birthday, 2014)
Just to let you know, LaValla is absolutely an amazing venue. We had our wedding there on Saturday and everything went amazingly. They did an amazing job of setting everything up and having accommodation on site was the best idea ever!
Marie and Sam England (Married November 2013)
