While we expected Sophie's place to look like the photos, and it does, it's even more sweet, more comfortable, more welcoming than it appears- fresh flowers and everything dazzling clean. Just a few minutes to an incredible beach, we were also close enough to walk to a couple beautiful restaurants, all of which are included in Sophie's guide and reccs once you arrive.
You'd be hard pressed to find better value or location in this area of New Zealand, where you're a mere 10 minute drive from a downtown strip of cool cafes, shops and restaurants, and an incredible little hike up Mount Maunganui. We loved it here- could have stayed the week and never ran out of things to check out.