This place was amazing. Within easy range both of the unique urban environment provided by Wellington and the wild and beautiful coastline at Makara Beach, it has been interior decorated with a nod to both elegance and practicality and would provide the ideal base for an extended stay in the Wellington area.

We appreciated the well appointed kitchen (some places can be a bit sparse), the very comfortable double bed, the fine photographs of Antarctica on the walls and (not least, after a few wet days) the availability of a washer and dryer.

The large picture window to the living area allowed us to sit inside in comfort looking out at the rich green of the surrounding garden and bushland. Birds were abundant and the morning chorus made the best possible start to the day.

I would particularly recommend the walks south along the coast from Makara Beach. When I took it a strong wind and a swell had filled the bay with white water and the beach was covered with driftwood. I found an abalone shell to bring home for a souvenir and a thin straight branch for a staff to help me make headway against the wind.

As you may have guessed from the general tenor of this review, we will be back if it is at all possible.