The Retreat - Luxury Hillside villa at Te Ngaere Bay

My stay at this retreat in New Zealand was truly magical. Relaxing on the balcony with a cup of tea, overlooking the ocean and breathing in the pristine air, offered me a sense of complete healing. I cherished the moments walking along the peaceful trail connected to the property and resting on the outdoor deck. The highlight, however, was the night sky—sitting on the balcony sofa under a blanket of stars and the southern hemisphere’s Milky Way was a breathtaking, romantic experience I will never forget. Beyond the stunning nature, what made this stay truly special was the host, Angela. From the first day, when she rushed over to help us with the keys and guide us through the home, her kindness was evident. The true testament to her character came after we checked out. Having arrived in Auckland—four hours away—to prepare for our flight home, I realized I had left my bag containing my passport in a drawer. When I contacted Angela, she immediately hurried to the house, recovered the bag, and went above and beyond to find a reliable person. She arranged for the bag to be left with a kind young man named Kipp, who was heading back to Auckland. This allowed us to safely pick it up within Auckland without having to drive all the way back to the Retreat. Thanks to her extraordinary efforts and coordination, we were able to head home with peace of mind. I have always heard about the legendary New Zealand hospitality, but meeting Angela allowed me to experience that warmth firsthand. Her selflessness in our time of need moved me to pray for God’s blessings upon her and this beautiful place. If you are looking for a clean, wonderful stay where you can enjoy New Zealand's breathtaking scenery and meet a truly remarkable person, this is the place. Thank you, Angela, for everything.

Nothing at all. The stay was absolutely perfect. Our group of four adults had more than enough space to relax comfortably. The kitchen was exceptionally well-equipped with plenty of dishes and high-quality cookware, allowing us to prepare and enjoy a wonderful, grand feast together. Everything was impeccably clean and exceeded our expectations.

Beautiful location, well appointed rooms, good amenities but best of all amazing views. The host Angela was so accommodating when we asked for a later check out so our baby could sleep last minute

Nothing

Not having some larger saucepans, frypans and more crockery.