Werekataba

We made the best of our 9 nights by spending full days at Newcastle's beautiful beaches, but the accommodation wasn't what the website led us to expect. We thought we'd booked a private four-bedroom place with its own pool. Instead, it was part of the owner's home, separated by a locked door, and the pool was in their garden and had to be requested. The outdoor seating wasn't enough for four, the area was dusty, and there was very little cupboard or wardrobe space for our family of four. The extra charge at checkout was the final frustration. We had paid the advertised fixed price for all four beds and had explained when booking that our two sons would join us later. When we returned the keys, we were asked for another $50 for extra guests, even though there were only four of us once they arrived. The website hadn't said our sons would count as additional guests. In hindsight, I feel we were scammed, especially since we cleaned the place and washed the sheets and towels before leaving.

We had a great stay with my wife and our then two-year-old, and we're booking again. The chickens were a hit with my daughter, and being close to the trees made it feel like a different setting. There are play areas on site, too. The house has a lovely, cosy feel, with design choices that work well together. I especially liked the bathroom, which felt distinctive rather than standard. My only small gripe was the bed setup: one queen and two singles, and a larger second bed would have been nice. Still, I slept like a log and woke up really late.

John made our stopover at Werekataba feel special, greeting us with fresh brownies and a tour of the accommodation. He went well above and beyond to help, which we really appreciated, and we'll be back. The place is warm and homely, with spacious bedrooms and a bathroom that has a spa and amenities. The gardens and wildlife are magnificent. John also offered us a high chair, cot, and baby bath, which made travelling with our little one easy.

We've just moved our family back to Australia, and this has been a lovely place to stay while we figure out where to live. The granny-flat-style accommodation is comfortable for our family of five, and it's peaceful among the beautiful trees. Our children enjoy the pool and chickens, and the hosts are lovely. A really nice getaway.