Gary and Ruth are such gracious hosts and will be there if you need anything, but also give you your space even though they are only a carport away. The apartment is very private with the way it is landscaped and has beautiful views of the amazing gardens - 5 acres of gardens! Being a gardener myself, I was in awe of the gorgeous landscape and enjoyed getting a tour of the gardens while trying to absorb all the information Gary so willingly shared about the plantings. There is a herd of cattle close by, as well as a few sheep and chickens, all off which added to the magic of this place. The bird chorus in the early morning was amazing, and there are resident tuis, fantails, and blackbirds (and a lot more I can’t name) that you can observe in the garden. We had a couple of rainy days, and the window seat was a perfect spot to sit by the cozy fire while watching the rain and listening to the thunder. The kitchen was good for cooking simple meals, with the grocery in Ōtaki bring convenient for supplies,. There is a dishwasher although I didn’t us it with just 2 people, but there were a lot of plates, silverware, etc, that we could have just kept using dishes and run the dishwasher once had we chosen to do so,. The rest of the living space was very comfortable, and the shower is amazing with a special type of shower head almost like a rain shower. Do not hesitate to book here if you are looking for a gorgeous peaceful place to relax.