I took my Mum to Kathleen's Sunset Retreat as a birthday treat. We loved our stay there. A lot of care has gone into the beautiful decor of the house, and there was plenty of room for us. I took the bespoke master bedroom upstairs with a view over the sea, while it was convenient for my mother to use a bedroom on the ground floor. The location was great for walks along the beach. You can learn about the Manawatu Estuary Bird Sanctuary, which has international importance - I even spotted some Godwits who have arrived after their long flight from Alaska. I appreciated the little touches and excellent quality, like the cashmere blend throw for the bed, and the high-tech electric blanket! Check-in and out was easy, and Kathleen was responsive to any queries. The place was super clean, and the linen was fresh. It's also close to Foxton, where there's a historic centre, windmill, cafes and shopping.