We booked Treetop Cottage for a week of peace and relaxation. Though we don't have a car, we didn't intend to do very much and were happy to take the walk into Portobello and back occasionally.
So we were surprised on arrival to find a construction site next door and a number of vans in the driveway. The next morning we were woken not by the sound of bird song but by a concrete mixer delivering a fresh load. During the week, the group staying in the main house got ready to leave for work at about 7.15am. With the best will in the world, 11 people with equipment in 6 vehicles cannot be that quiet. We rather wished we'd known about it all before we arrived.
However, it's best to judge somewhere on how it deals with its mistakes, and when we contacted Guyon he came straight over. He offered us alternative accommodation (though we couldn't take it without a car), to help us find somewhere else to stay (but an internet search had revealed nothing nearby) or a discount. We decided to accept the discount and put it towards more daytime activities, taking us away from the site as much as possible while it was active.
The cottage is spacious, clean, well equipped and comfortable. It got quite chilly while we were there, but there were heaters and blankets aplenty. Guyon answered our queries about things like where to put the rubbish out very quickly.
When quiet descended in the evening, it was great to sit outside and look over the estuary. At that time we could hear the birds, the sheep on the opposite hill and the buzz of insects along with clear starry skies.
Once the house next door is finished (and you can't blame people for wanting a house there!) it will once again be a peaceful retreat - apart from the 11 people and 6 vehicles in the main house. If you have a car and can get out and about at will, the small-scale site probably wouldn't even bother you too much.
Otago Peninsula is beautiful. We came for the albatross but saw so much more.