I have stayed here before, and love how peaceful it is, yet still close to Tauranga (you do have to have a car). Everything you need for a short stay is here, plenty of space, air-con.
It is not to far to The Crossing, with food options, a Mall, Movies PaknSave etc. Then so many more options for takeaways at Greerton. I used Jenna's as a base for day trips to Rotorua, and Whakatane/Ohope. I will be back again.