Stephen & Etty made all the difference for my stay in Rotorua with their immense generosity.
The house is almost like a mini Rotorua attraction in its own right. It fronts directly onto Lake Rotorua, with a large curated garden featuring a pagoda and seating. There are kayaks you can use to paddle out onto the lake itself - this would surely cost $20-40+ as a standalone activity, and is a huge reason to stay here.
The bedroom is neat and clean, with a gorgeous view of the garden and lake. The room is larger than it seems in the photos, which is a nice surprise. Heaps of room for one or two people. The bed is very comfortable and warm. The bathroom is clean and functional too.
The most striking aspect of staying here was the hospitality provided by Stephen & Etty. The first thing they did after picking me up from the city centre was to offer a tour of the free attractions around Rotorua. They also ensured I got to my next destination link on time by driving me to town early in the morning. This was incredibly helpful for me since I do not have a car. We had dinner together in the city which was nice, and breakfast was provided in the morning including cereal, toast, tea/coffee, and orange juice.
I highly recommend this place to anyone who wants to spend a few days right on the waterfront in a quiet suburban area with extremely generous hosts.
P. S. Etty bakes amazing cookies and cakes if you're lucky enough!