Oceans 88 Whitianga Coastal Suites

We went for a birthday weekend in early October, and it felt like a special little getaway. The garden was beautiful, the pool was great, and the spa was fun. At high tide you can kayak out from the back gate, which we loved. The clean, well equipped rooms were restful, and it was easy to walk into town or to the hot pools. The setting itself is gorgeous.

The manager was lovely and gave us good tips on beaches and places to eat. Downtown Whitianga, with all its cafes and restaurants, is only a 5-10 minute walk away. The waterfront has a small dock, a sparkling medium sized pool, and a hot tub. We stayed in the Manhattan Suite, which had a well stocked kitchen, a comfortable sofa area, a large TV, and three single beds. There was also a separate bedroom with just enough room for a queen bed, plenty of bathroom towels, and all the accessories we needed. From here it was a 30-40 minute drive to Hot Water Beach, Cathedral Cove, Opito Bay, and Matarangi Beach.

Check-in was welcoming, and they gave us useful information. The rooms were modern, roomy, and comfortable, with a kitchen that had plenty in it. There's free laundry too. Despite being central, it was quiet, and the price felt like good value.

The spa pool had a fantastic waterfront view, and the staff were so friendly. Our room had everything we needed. It's handy for bars and restaurants, and I'd happily stay again next time we're passing through.