Bethells Beach Cottages

Magical and genuinely relaxing. The hosts were excellent, and the place felt like a home away from home. There are fabulous beach views, with the property tucked into a sheltered spot, and lots of thoughtful details to make the stay comfortable.

The beach and dunes were such a treat to visit, and the views were absolutely epic. John was an excellent host, with plenty of words of wisdom. It’s a remote place, about an hour from Auckland, just what you want if you’re looking to get away. We also had a once-in-a-lifetime stay. I live 16 hours away by plane, so I’ll probably never get back, but I’m grateful for the memories. If you have time, I recommend Rotorua and PIha beach too. Thanks, John, hope to see you again someday. Keep being awesome! Bethany and Abiel

We mostly just relaxed with those amazing views, though there’s a hot tub, table tennis, and an outdoor BBQ fire stove with firewood supplied. John and Trude made us feel at home in the cottage, and John told us about the property’s history and places to explore if you’re adventurous. The drive is straightforward once you’re past Swanson, and the trip is worth it. There was also a good range of wine available if you hadn’t had time to buy any. We’ve just got engaged and would love to have our wedding here. ✌️

John was pleasant and welcoming, and talked us through things to do in the area. He even provided drinking water since the mains water wasn’t pleasant at the time. The location is unique, and it should have felt romantic and relaxing, but we left feeling let down and as if we’d been robbed. We paid $240 a night and were very disappointed, especially after stays elsewhere for weekend breaks that cost $150-$240. The website seemed outdated and misleading for what was an expensive stay. Cleanliness was poor: the bed hadn’t been changed after the previous guests, the bathroom floor was filthy, and the kitchen chairs were so uncomfortable that eating dinner was hard. Overgrown plants blocked the view we expected from the apartment windows. We could also hear the homeowners moving around upstairs because the apartment is underneath the main house, which really put us off while trying to relax. We asked for a late checkout and were told it had to be 11 sharp because others were staying in the room. When we left, we found out nobody was arriving until the next day, so we couldn’t understand why we’d been told that. There wasn’t enough shampoo to wash our hair despite what the website said, and the fresh flowers were another disappointment.