The Boatshed Hotel — Hotel in Waiheke

Waiheke Island is a place you'll want to spend a few days in if you're on the tail-end of your NZ trip. It's a laid-back, nature-centric place with above-average wineries and a handful of excellent restaurants (most are at the wineries, not coincidentally). And The Boatshed couldn't be better located. It's just east of Oneroa, facing Oneroa Bay, so you have the views and a location that's walking distance to town. People come here to decompress and relax, and our travel agent was very right to have this at the end of our trip.

There are only five suites and two bungalows (with three suites and a lower level kitchen/breakfast area if you're traveling with your family or small group). We had a bungalow and were very pleased with the accommodations, which marine-themed but in a very tasteful manner. The bungalows are across a side street from the main building, maybe twenty meters, and they have a tree-covered patio area with cafe string lights overhead for evening illumination.

Jonathan, the owner and GM, is hands on and very capable. You'll see him and his capable, friendly team frequently as they prepare your evening canapes/cocktails and meals. Excellent quality as well, but due to The Boatshed's small size you won't have a traditional dinner menu to select from --- it's chef's choice. Both dinners were great; at breakfast you'll have two choices plus a daily special dish to select from.

Be sure to have Jonathan (or your travel agent) get you a wine tour with Ananda Tours, who can accommodate couples as well as larger groups, as they know all the best places on Waiheke.

Highly recommended small hotel to base out of for your Waiheke...

WOW! We stayed here for 3 nights on our honeymoon and would highly recommend it for a special trip. Yes, this is a more expensive place to stay, but it is well worth it! Everything is taken care of down to the finest of details, and the meals were amazing. Some of the highlights included: Breakfast - there was a cooked savory and a sweet option each morning which varied daily, in addition to a beautiful buffet of fruit, breads, yoghurt, fresh juice and barista-made coffee. Their two options were better than any I've seen on a breakfast menu of any length. It was cooked beautifully and there was so much, we really didn't need lunch! In-room bar - a wide range of non-alcoholic drinks were provided free of charge and topped up throughout our stay. Lovely home-made biscuits were provided each day which we thoroughly enjoyed. Turn-down service - while at breakfast and dinner, the fire in our room was lit, and other little touches provided. Jeep hire - we hired the jeep and went around the island for a day. Petrol was included and this made the process so easy. View - the view of the water/beach is spectacular. You can sit there for hours. There is always someone in the main building who is happy to make you a drink or answer any questions. Garden - much of the fruit/veg is grown on-site, and the grounds are much larger than we expected. We enjoyed walking through the garden. Pick-up and drop-off from the ferry was so easy, we just let them know the time of the ferry we were getting on and they were there...

The Boatshed is a genuine find -- so beautiful and comfortable that you won't want to leave. We enjoyed three nights there at the start of a six-week trip through New Zealand and Australia and it was a perfect launching pad for our trip. Jonathan and his team are wonderful hosts and he is also a fantastic chef. We enjoyed breakfast every morning and a fabulous lamb dinner one evening, plus an impromptu late lunch one afternoon. He has impeccable taste; the public spaces are lovely, and we loved our room, The Bridge, which was spacious, with a wonderful view of the bay below. The bed was supremely comfortable and the room had every possible amenity, including a straw beach bag, with towel, hat, suntan lotion, etc. ||It's an easy walk into town, about ten minutes, and also minutes to a pleasant swimming beach across the street. The island is a mini paradise, with wonderful walking paths and good restaurants (although Jonathan's meals can't be beat). Now I just wish it weren't so far from NYC or I'd plan...