Elements of Castor Bay — Hotel in Devonport-Takapuna

This was definitely the most upsetting and traumatic experience I’ve ever had. I am very shaken by the communication and verbal abuse this family projected on myself and my family. Although I was extremely excited for us to experience the beautiful luxuries of this home, as others had spoken highly of, this stay has left a bitter taste and a deeply disheartening effect.

After such an overwhelming and stressful experience with last-minute cancellations of previous bookings, we were very grateful to have found this alternative stay while traveling from another country. The feeling of being stranded and unable to find accommodation was discouraging and unsettling. My family and I paid $3,600 upfront before receiving any access code, confirmation of booking, or house rules.

Due to being double-booked previously, I reached out to Rochelle, who initially dismissed our booking, claiming it was impossible to accommodate us even though it was through a third party. I expressed my deepest desperation, explaining we had flown overseas and needed to accommodate my family urgently. She finally agreed to let us in after we provided proof of payment and identification, and everything initially ran smoothly.

During our conversation with Rochelle, it was clarified that a host would be present on the property but situated in a separate home, which was understandable. Normal guidelines were discussed, including lights out by 10:30 and keeping noise to a minimum.

Upon arrival, however, my cousins were not given any access codes or keys and had to rely on Rochelle to open the gate and door. Not only was this inconvenient, it was concerning given the significant payment we had made. The “host” assigned to us was her underage daughter in school uniform, staying in a room within the house. This felt highly inappropriate with full-grown adults in the home and difficult to understand as professional, especially given third-party booking standards.

Within minutes, my cousin realized that much of the home was shared with the host, with cameras in almost every corner, making the advertisement feel misleading. When my cousin communicated to Rochelle that we were holding a small family BBQ, there was no response for over an hour. Shortly after, I received a distressing phone call where Rochelle verbally attacked me, swearing and yelling, claiming we had threatened and traumatised her daughter and demanding that we leave immediately. There was no loud noise, no inappropriate behavior—just a long needed family gathering. Her aggressive, intimidating, discriminatory, and profane approach left me almost in tears.

While we have been assured a refund by the property owner, the experience was overwhelming, traumatic, and deeply disappointing. Between the verbal abuse, misleading advertisement, restricted access, the presence of an underage host, and invasive cameras, this stay was wholly unacceptable and left my family and me shaken and...

I recently had the pleasure of staying at this stunning accommodation in Castor Bay, and it truly exceeded all of my expectations. The facilities were absolutely fantastic, especially the pool area. The pool was pristine and offered a perfect place to relax and unwind. The outdoor space was beautifully designed, the ideal spot to watch the sun rise.

Inside, the accommodation was equally impressive. The rooms were spacious, stylish, and thoughtfully decorated with high-end furnishings. Everything was spotless, making my stay feel incredibly luxurious and comfortable. I highly recommend this property to anyone seeking a relaxing and...

Elements is absolutely gorgeous and luxury at its best. The views are stunning with morning sunrises and evening sunsets. You can just sit and enjoy throughout the day from every room. The art and decor is beautiful. It is well stocked for every need with all the best finishing touches from luxury linens to your favorite beverage or cocktail. The house is warm and inviting with heated floors to keep you cosy. Restaurants and shopping nearby make it convenient. You can access a beautiful beach walk but I bet you’ll spend most of your time like we did enjoying the beautiful home. The hosts are lovely made sure everything was perfect...