Well, if you are ever in this area, this is the place to stay! We've had a wonderful time with Emma, Gary and their friendly dog Carter with several great, unexpected and very enriching surprises. Both Emma and Gary are fabulous hosts who have lived exciting and unusual lives and what more, Emma is a writer! We loved listening to the story how Gary hunted a wolf in Alaska (sorry Gary, now you will have to tell it at least a thousand more times!)
The accommodation is very comfortable, cosy and set in glorious gardens. It has everything needed to live there for months, so a few days was simply idyllic. Waiting for us in the fridge was a generous assortment of breakfast items, and the kitchen area had every utensil needed for cooking other meals if desired. We even baked a cake!
We really enjoyed using the spa too. There is nothing like a midnight dip in the jacuzzi on a clear night with all the stars overhead in this quiet place (especially on New Year's Eve!). A covered parking area is also provided just in front of the studio front door, which made arrival and departure packing so easy. Information on the local area was also quite comprehensive and Emma & Gary had plenty of suggestions for day trips in the area.
Woodbank is close to Nelson and the Abel Tasman National Park but even closer to Motueka to one side or the atmospheric villages of Ruby Bay (lovely beach) and Mapua to the other and the unspoiled Rabbit Island (excellent long quiet beach) reachable by car or tiny ferry from Mapua, popular with bikers. The Great Taster Bike Trail goes virtually past Woodbank B&B so it would make a welcome stop over.
The Jester Café (just across
the road), voted the best café in New Zealand in 2014, is well worth a visit. Don't miss out on the tame eels!
For many reasons, Woodbank is definitely not going to be beaten in our books of B&Bs of the world very easily.
Many grateful thanks for everything Emma and Gary! Very much enjoying reading your engaging book about life in Alaska and beyond and can't wait for the next one (two) to come out!
Me te aroha nui ki a kōrua ...
Květa and John