My dad and I stayed at Ara Station for a few days at the end of our holiday where we travelled from Christchurch up to Auckland. Even though we stayed in tons of great places along the way, our time at Ara Station with Mary Ann was the highlight of the trip! A perfect ending in paradise! Te Henga/Bethells Beach was amazing! The rainforest juxtaposed to the beautiful sand dunes of the lake on one side and the gorgeous rocks and waves of the beach on the other side was breath taking! The house had great views of it all! I couldn't get enough of the sights. All the rooms had great views and we loved eating outside at the picnic table and enjoying the wonderful scenery and landscaping. The house was an absolute dream! Perfectly clean but still wonderfully cozy. I felt so at home there and even joked about moving in permanently. So much charm! And I'm not just talking about the decor. Mary Ann was the perfect hostess. Super sweet and very accommodating. Breakfast was great as well (she makes a lovely latte). I can't recommend this hidden jewel enough. If I'm ever lucky enough to find myself up in the Auckland area again, I know exactly where I'll be spending my time! The location is pretty isolated from shops and the city hustle, but don't let that deter you, that's what makes the place so special!