We had a great time at Cook's Beach in this nice, quiet guesthouse. The apartment itself was cosy and well appointed (the fully featured kitchen was a bonus and the upstairs bedroom was really nice). There's beach access directly from the property.
Having a car would definitely be a good idea - giving you easy access to Hot Water Beach (sadly, Cathedral Cove is inaccessible for the time-being due to storm damage). If, like us, you don't have a car, it's a bit of a hike to get to Ferry Landing and Whitianga (~45 mins each way) but it's a lovely stroll along the coast so we had no complaints.
I'd highly recommend the spot to anyone looking to take a few days out from the hustle and bustle of modern life and take it easy in this serene little slice of the Coromandel.