Our 3 night stay at Del and John's place was one of our best bnb experiences. They provide the ideal bnb experience, whether you enjoy a little or a lot of interaction with your hosts. They are there if you have questions or just want to chat, otherwise you can see them just when you arrive and depart.
The unit was spotless, comfortable and well equipped. The Murphy queen bed was very comfy. The bed is a genuine Murphy, meaning that it can be pulled up and down effortlessly. We left it down the entire time and still had plenty of room.
The bathroom was a good size with a large shower stall. We used the kitchen to prepare a dinner, and found everything we needed. Del's fresh loaf of bread smelled wonderful and was very delicious! The gas stove top worked well and has a handy cover that gives more counter space when not in use. We didn't use the Weber barbecue. The wifi worked well, as did the front loading washing machine in the unit.
You won't be at a loss for things to do. Del has a long list of local activities and ways to access them.
If you don't already know the area, you may ask yourself whether you should stay at Cook's Beach or Whitianga. We recommend Cook's Beach. You will be much closer to Shakespeare Cliffs/Lonely Bay, Hot Water Beach, and Cathedral Cove. There are more than adequate places to eat at Cook's Beach, though the supperette seems to have limited hours. The passenger-only ferry between the ferry landing and Whitianga ($7 return at this writing) takes less than 5 minutes to cross. While there are some nice eateries in Whitianga, there isn't that much else there except for supermarkets.
We hope to return to Del and John's place for a longer stay. We give them top marks as hosts.