Ross cottage has very well preserved spirit of past, yet warm and comfortable enough. Hosts are super friendly and will make sure that you have enough firewood :) (or you can use heaters as well). We came for skiing with two boys (4 and 6) for four nights, and half of the time kids were sick and it was raining outside, but we never had a dull moment - there was so much stuff to entertain them. Special credits to the gramophone with a bunch of old plates and a piano.
Close to Mt Somers tracks (no access to Sharplin Falls track due to rockfall at the time of writing), 40 min drive to Mt Hutt skiing area. It's a countryside so don't expect too many things around, probably the main downside is lack of supermarkets in immediate proximity (Methven is probably closest grocery shop, but we stocked up upfront in Timaru)