We loved staying at Susie-lee and Mike’s place just outside of Kaikoura. The place is, as has been described in many other reviews, very interesting and heartfelt in its design and renovation details. The place is even a bit bigger, and even more exciting in all the fine details of the place than the photos suggest. We are travelling in New Zealand for a couple of months, and are staying in many lovely places. However I would say that many of the wonderful places that we have been staying do not have a feeling of caring for their guests, and for the building itself, that the Pohutukawa Cottage does. Indeed it is about a 10 minute pleasant drive from town, but given how busy Kaikoura is, especially during the day, this can be a positive. The train tracks are right beside the place, but there are only a couple of trains per day/night, and it was not a problem for us at all. The beach is perhaps a 5 minute walk away. Mike and Susie-lee live just next door, so they are there to help, if required, but there is lots of privacy. Thanks to Susie-lee and Mike.