Carol was very communicative and accommodating despite our last minute booking. The room was spacious and well equipped.
Side note about Whitianga--most of the restaurants were closed by 9 pm, so the options were very limited after that, but maybe that varies by season (we were there in November and only stayed one night).
But it was a beautiful area and we enjoyed our stay. Carol and her husband were very nice and we would recommend and/or stay there again.