Mark's place is perfectly hidden away, with amazing views that make you want to hang out on the deck all day. The private beach is a nice spot for stingray watching and makes for easy access to the property via kayak/boat from Raglan (there is a ladder and stairs to reach the property if arriving from the beach). The spa pool is modern and clean, and was lovely to relax in after a day of exploring. The driveway is steep and loose stone, so you need a 4X4 or all-wheel drive and take it at a run to avoid rutting out the driveway. It is a long drive to the store, and you won't want to leave after arriving anyway, so suggest you get everything you need before making your way to Te Akau. The house itself had everything we needed, it could have been cleaner, but it certainly wasn't dirty and it was tidy and organized. Mark was a great host, he left us to it and very kindly offered to shuttle us across to Raglan for an afternoon. All in all, it is a rare find and we loved our stay.
Thanks Mark! We hope to come back and enjoy your pad with friends next time.