I absolutely loved staying with Raewyn and her family! Everyone made me feel welcome and at home, they invited me to share their dinner and we spent the evening together watching TV and conversing. I learned more about NZ and Kiwis in one evening than I had in my entire trip so far. The room (with a private bath) is beautiful and spacious like the rest of the house with a fantastic view. If it was an hotel, it would be a five star resort, except that no resort would provide the warmth, friendship, care and personal attention that Raewyn did. She served me a delicious breakfast with freshly cut fruit and organic eggs from her chickens cooked to order! I also appreciated all the excellent suggestions of places to go, things to do and best itineraries for the rest of my trip. I really wished I had planned to spend at least two days there as Taupo is wonderful, but mostly because Raewyn and her family welcomed me with open arms in a fantastic home. I was sad to leave.