We stayed at Muriel and Evan’s Bush Studio Apartment on a romantic weekend trip to Whitianga to celebrate our anniversary. The only regret we have is that we should have stayed longer. Muriel and Evan made us feel at home right away showing us the house they built and their interesting art and hobbies. The apartment is light and airy with sliding doors opening to a balcony with great views over the native bush. I did not want to close the doors at night to let in the sounds of the bubbling brook. We heard kiwis in the bush below and watched the fantails patrolling the ferns in the morning for insects, all from the balcony while having a coffee. The apartment was spotlessly clean with fluffy fresh towels provided, one of the cleanest that I have encountered through AirBNB. We used this as a base to visit The Lost Spring in Whitianga, which was a nice experience but overpriced and artificial in comparison. This is a hidden gem and a destination in its own right. Also get some recommendations from Muriel and Evan about the local area, we regret not saving some appetite for Lukes Kitchen in Kuaotuna, one of their recommendations. John and Christa