Carey's Bay Historic Hotel

The Carey’s Bay Hotel is steeped in history. The hotel was designed for Port Chalmers Mayor, Henry Dench by renowned Dunedin architect Mr David Ross (who also designed the Otago Museum, “Fernhill”, the Moray Place Congregational Church and the Empire Hotel). Built in 1874 of locally quarried Port Chalmers bluestone, the hotel’s original use was as a family hostelry containing “24 rooms, besides offices and bathrooms”. The Otago Witness reported in 1874 that “The building is two-storeyed, and will be as substantial as could be desired, and its fittings and furnishings will be most elaborate. There is to be hot and cold water, either salt or fresh, laid onto the bathrooms which are situated on the upper floor…” The hotel was known for more than 100 years as the Crescent Hotel in the bay originally known as Mansford Town. The name of the bay changed to recognise the early pioneering family of David and Hannah Carey and the hotel eventually became known as the Carey’s Bay Hotel.