Rataview Accommodation

We stayed for our wedding anniversary and had no idea what a gem we’d booked. It could work for a wedding, honeymoon, anniversary, or family retreat. There’s strong WiFi, and we were able to call home. The 180 degree views and sunsets are fantastic. There’s a huge front deck with two picnic tables and chairs on one side and a fire pit on the other. Inside, there’s a lot of space and beds for eight, though our bed was very uncomfortable. The beds fold against the walls. There’s disabled access, a large accessible toilet and shower, and five toilets in total. The kitchen is huge, with two catering size gas stovetops and electric ovens, plus cutlery, crockery, pots and pans, and cleaning supplies. We couldn’t find a chopping board. The laundry has a separate entrance at the back. The gap between the bench and washing machine is very narrow, making the dryer and light switch hard to reach. The catering linens and towels are left on the bench, where they pick up moisture and dryer fluff. A narrower cupboard with doors could store them better. The extensive glass means there are no blinds to block the western sun’s heat or the cold after sunset. There are spiders everywhere, inside and outside, under furniture and up in the rafters. I worried one would drop down on its web at night. For families, there are plenty of board games, DVDs, two TVs, lots of tables and chairs, easy chairs, and a table tennis table. The larger TV has good sound. There’s also a gas fire, which we didn’t need, ceiling fans, and fancy lights for a wedding atmosphere. I’d highly recommend the place and would return if we could afford another holiday in New Zealand. Bring your food, though, since the nearest decent sized grocery store is in Greymouth, 30 minutes away.

The villa was comfortable and quiet, and the facilities were more than adequate. The view was awesome, and the sunset on the night we stayed was incredible. Great little place.

The views were awesome, and our hostess was lovely and very helpful.

Rata cottage is a quiet spot for resting and taking time out. It’s on Hwy 6 between Westport and Greymouth, about 16 kilometres south of Punakaiki and a short distance from the knife turning activity in Barrytown. There’s no nearby store, so bring groceries and toiletries. Soap and shampoo are supplied, and mosquito or sandfly repellent is a must. Depending on the season, bring sunscreen too. We stayed in Rata cottage. It’s partly furnished, with two bedrooms, a dining area, a kitchen with cutlery, an oven and a refrigerator, plus a large, clean bathroom and toilet. The place is cleaned daily. You get a glimpse of the sea from the dining area. Rataview has a much nicer sea view from its balcony, so ask for it when booking if you can. Rata cottage was still nice.