Te Wepu Pods Akaroa — Hotel in Banks Peninsula Community

My husband and I have just spent a wonderful 2 nights at Te Wepu pods. We arrived at 4 pm on Friday and had advised that we had a 4wd vehicle (and were confident off road driving) so were allocated pod 'Ruru' which you can drive to. There is the option to bush walk 20 mins to it or get driven there ( both options with your gear being transported for you).||We had opted for the weekend food hamper which we recommend. 4 pieces of delicious steak, 4 sausages, delicious cob loaf, crackers and cheese, vegetable skewers, fresh beans, tomato & feta salad, panini, smoked salmon and cream cheese, eggs, wine, juice, fruit, chocolate and more. Plenty of food for 2 dinners a lunch and 2 breakfasts. So convenient and easy when you dont have to think about taking food yourself. We also took a few more beers and they were nicely cooled in the chilly bin provided. Webber bbq and separate gas element to cook on, and boil water for the dishes.||The queen bed was very comfy and we opted to leave the door and window open all night as it was pleasantly warm. There is solar panels for lights and to charge your devices in the sleep pod. Composting toilet in its own pod. Kitchen sink area separate too. We spent a lot of the time, day and night, in the wood fired hot tub looking out at the beautiful view over the harbour. Wonderful seeing the Kereru/wood pigeon flying around the trees. The birdsong in the morning reminding us of the wonders of nature. Currently no fire ban so we sat around the fire pit at night toasting the provided marshmallows. ||It was about a 25 minute drive in to Akaroa to peruse the shops but we couldn't wait to get back to our 'paradise' and relax in a bean bag on the deck with a beer on a sunny afternoon.||Te Wepu has a produce stall and honesty box at the driveway with eggs, honey and their avocados (southern most NZ avocado orchard).||We stopped in for coffee and cake at the recently reopened French Farm deli next door after we checked out on Sunday. A lovely end to a perfect weekend. Highly recommend...

I can't speak more highly of this experience. My wife and I checked in for the 2 night experience with a 1 night hamper. It was brilliant. Everything from the ultra comfy bed, the great food and wine in the hamper, the excellent hot tub (once we got the fire going), and just the solitude and peacefulness of the whole experience.||||The whole concept of comfortable but with simple amenities is excellent. All of the items are high end from the Weber BBQ to the linen to the crockery. Between the BBQ and the gas ring you can work culinary wonders, and the ice box kept all our chilled items 'chilled' for the whole weekend. The food in the hamper was high end and excellent, and actually did us for the whole weekend with us only needing to provide extra snacks and drinks.||||An unexpected bonus that isn't mentioned on the website were the high end outdoor bean bags, the foldaway table, 2 chairs to use at the table, and then you get a se[arate small area with sofa and firepit. Unfortunately the fire ban meant we couldn't use the firepit (not Te Wepu's fault), but we still mamaged to toast the marshmallows they gave us in the hot tub wood firebox.||||There is something magical about soaking in the hot tub, toasting marshmallows, sipping wine in the pitch black, looking at the stars.||||A couple of nit-picking constructive suggestions are;||- provide a small table either side of the bed to put your cup of tea down. A log standing on end will do the trick. Might save a nasty, messy accident.||- provide a couple of hooks for the bedroom pod to hang your clothes on. Saves dropping them on the floor.||- a bit of maintenance to the undergrowth and the path back down the hill (especially the steps) wouldn't go amiss.||||But overall it was brilliant, and we will definitely be going back. Kate & Ritchie are running a...

After a family member let me know about this comparatively new venture, I knew it would be the perfect choice to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary. We were not disappointed with our decision and enjoyed an amazing two nights staying in the Ruru pod enjoying being surrounding by beautiful nature. The serenity and isolation was just perfect for winding down and just relaxing. Our only company was the various native birds that were a constant backdrop.||||Highlights of our stay were the wonderful hamper of local produce which we dined on over several meals, the friendly hospitality of our hosts Kate and Richie, and of course the wood-fired hot tub.||||The walk up to the pods is through lovely lush greenery, but is a decent workout in parts so keep the option of a ride up from Richie as a valid option! Also be aware that the bio-loo won't be everyone's cup of tea but it fits well with the philosophy of the venture.||||We cannot recommend Te Wepu highly enough - if you are looking for a relaxing getaway where you can just enjoy the simple pleasures of just reading a good book, soaking in the amazing view, while soaking in the tub, then this is the place for you. We will definitely...