HOH - Hazel's Homestead

Location was great, close to everything we needed, dairy, New World, restaurants. Loved the air con on for arrival as we were very hot and bothered after our long drive. I slept on pull out couch and was the best sleep I've had in months! We all enjoyed watching Netflix and having everything on hand, just like being home, it was perfect!

Check in was easy and without hassle, house was homely, cool in the warm weather and very clean.

It was very spacious. Lots of light from the windows. Comfortable beds

It was tooo hot which ruined the experience. A/c was not able to cool it down, we had to sleep with fans inside the rooms which created lots of noise and I basically could not sleep at all. Also when it got dark, there were lots of spiders and some jumping bugs all over. Kids were freaking out right before the bed time. I’m glad I’ve only booked for 1 night there.

I had such a wonderful stay at The House of Hazel. The place is beautifully presented, spotlessly clean, and has such a warm, welcoming feel the moment you walk in. Everything was thoughtfully set up — from the comfortable beds to the well-stocked kitchen and lovely little touches that made it feel like a home away from home. The location is perfect too. It’s close to town and only a short drive to Hobbiton, which made it super convenient. Check-in was easy, communication was great, and the whole experience was smooth and stress-free. Thank you to the hosts for creating such a peaceful and comfortable space. I’d happily stay here again and would highly recommend The House of Hazel to anyone visiting Matamata.

There was nothing I could advise - it really was a very positive experience

Large enough to relax with family and had all amenities.

Not hosts fault but Neighbours playing loud music late at night (was about to call council after 11 but someone else must have).

The location was good for Hobbiton, the community felt safe.

I don’t usually leave negative reviews, but I feel it’s important to share our experience to help others make informed decisions. We stayed as a group of four in a property advertised as suitable for up to seven people, but it was not comfortable. The mattresses were extremely thin and unsupportive, and the linen felt worn. The couch in the living room was too small to relax on, and the bean bags provided weren’t a suitable alternative for adults. The house appears to be artificially divided into two properties, with what looks like foam in the doorway — which detracts from the sense of privacy and cohesion. There was clutter in the bedroom cupboards, which gave the impression of poor upkeep. While the home is styled nicely for online photos, it lacks practicality in person. The kitchen was under-equipped: all the knives were blunt, there was only one chopping board, and cleaning supplies were minimal. Basic items like oven mitts, foil, cling wrap, and baking paper were missing — which made cooking difficult. Even the sugar provided was stale and rock solid. The bathroom had no exhaust fan, and instead a plastic dome was placed over the shower to prevent mould — which felt like a makeshift solution. The shampoo, conditioner, and body wash had separated over time, suggesting they’d been sitting there unused for a while. The laundry facilities were shared and access was restricted to certain times. The listing mentioned a fireplace, but it turned out to be an electric heater with artificial flames and a crackling sound — not the cozy feature we expected. Overall, the vibe felt a bit off, as if the property was set up once and not thoughtfully maintained. It doesn’t seem like much money has been invested in making the space truly comfortable. To put it in perspective, we spent the same amount on two nights in a five-star hotel in Auckland as we did for three nights here — and the difference in quality was stark.