Ara Roa Villa and Boutique Lodgings — Hotel in North Island

Great accommodation…not so sure about the “Indulgence Package”…|We are a well travelled, middle-aged, professional couple and had a delightful stay at Ara Roa Villas (Te Kahu house). The house was as described, beautifully appointed, comfortable, with stunning views. It was warm inside when the weather outside was quite cool. The bedroom was well appointed and comfortable, and the connected walk-in wardrobe and en-suite were spacious and airy with views from many angles. There were two further bedrooms and another bathroom, if more than one couple were staying. The living area had a lovely sense of open plan expansiveness extending to the landscape beyond. There was a well equipped kitchen, a deck with BBQ and a general sense of having a gorgeous home in beautiful surrounds all to oneself. Communication with the hosts was very prompt and responsive.||We opted for the Winter Indulgence package, which was supposed to include French champagne and a cheese platter on arrival, followed by two days of catered breakfast and dinner, and a 1.5 hour massage (we had to pay extra for the second massage). ||The Balinese massages, delivered side by side in the lounge area as the afternoon sun began to set, were excellent. The chef (Brad) then cooked us a delicious three-course meal, which included full service (though we had to provide our own wine), all of which made us feel very pampered. He left us another delicious two-course meal for the next night, as well as packages to make up two substantial breakfasts (fruit/yoghurt/muesli mix plus savoury quiches). He also left us some extra muffins and slices that he had whipped up that day.||In contrast to our otherwise very positive experience, our only real disappointment was the cheese platter with champagne provided by the hosts. We had informed the hosts that we did not drink red wine and that a white wine or a champagne would be fine with the cheese platter. The wine provided was a $20 bottle of Chardonnay, hardly the equivalent of a French champagne, and the cheese platter consisted of 3 supermarket cheeses and two tubs of supermarket dip, one expired, plus some chips and crackers. There was also a packet of smoked salmon and some chocolates. ||In summary, the “indulgence package” component, which cost us $1470 on top of our accommodation cost of $595 per night, was not great value. On the positive side, it meant that we did not need to leave the house for dinner, and it was great to be pampered by the masseuses and personal chef. However, the quality of the welcoming cheese platter and accompanying alcohol should have been far superior. If one generously factors about $170 for the cheese platter/champagne, and $300 for the two massages, one is paying about $1100 extra for two dinners and breakfasts, which are certainly pleasant and convenient, but not mind-blowing. In that sense, at $550 just for each breakfast+dinner (without any alcohol) for two, it is definitely an...

I was given this accommodation (Ara Roa - Te Huia) as a birthday present at $455 NZD a night for a couple we expected much more than what it was. The location is great, beautiful part of New Zealand, even with an overcast weekend we could see an amazing landscape. On the location front there are no complaints whatsoever 10 out of 10.

The house itself while clean, smelt like horse or a smell we couldn't decipher. The amenities are great, the house is great but just normal. It is not luxurious or boutique which are their main selling points on the website and the reason, I am sure, why they charge such rate per night. Please do not go here if you are expecting luxury or boutique. You will not get any related to that. If you want beautiful views at a high price by all means go ahead.

The worst part of all is that when emailing the hosts with our respectful opinion the only thing we received was "never had a complain in 18 years" and in regards to the smell they say "we must have stepped on horse poo ourselves" when the smell was there from the first moment we stepped in. Perhaps it's just us that don't seem to understand paying close to $1000 for 2 nights for what is a very basic country house with nice views.

You will be better off finding an AirBnB for $200 a night around the...

We booked Te Kahu for a 2 night Honeymoon package. All I can say is 'Wow' this was exactly what we were hoping for! It was such a blissful couple of nights with Paul and Susanne making sure we were well catered for. The property was lovely and spacious with amazing views. The package included a chef in house one night which was the treat you didn't know you needed on your honeymoon - the food was delicious and the chef was really personable and friendly. The preprepared meal on the second night was also super tasty and it was so nice not to have to go anywhere to enjoy amazing food - it came to you! I am celiac and we had gluten free cereal and bread provided plus a lovely antipasto plater and bubbles on arrival. Not to mentioned the relaxing massage just to top it all off on the last morning. I am already planning a birthday early next year with friends in one of the larger properties. Needless to say - we highly recommend. Thanks...