Carol's cottage in Ngongotaha is an absolute treasure. Nestled right next to Lake Rotorua, it is one of the loveliest places I've ever stayed in in New Zealand. Even on a grey, rainy day, the view from the cottage over the lake is truly stunning. And waking up to the gentle sound of the wave lapping on the shore of the lake just a few meters from the door of the cottage is truly special, nurturing experience.
I booked this place on a bit of whim as we were passing through Rotorua on our way to Whangarei from Auckland. My family has lived on various continents and travelled to numerous countries around the Asia Pacific region over the last 25 years. but even my hard-core teenage kids, who can always find something to grumble about, were unanimous in their desire to spend longer at Carol's place. They didn't want to leave after one night, and said they would love to spend a week in this place, soaking up the view and the magic of the cottage. Higher praise could not be had!
As a relatively infrequent visitor to the country of my birth, I can safely say that I would not hesitate for one second to book Carol's cottage again, and would love to spend more time there soaking in the atmosphere of the place and enjoying the wonderful amenities that this little slice of paradise offers!