We stayed at Rory's place in the forest while on a birding trip around the South Island, with the goal of seeing an Okarita Kiwi (success thanks to a Kiwi Tour Guide). While it is a bit isolated, it's in a lovely part of the West Coast. Rory and his wife are excellent hosts and the studio is very comfortable. Our bedroom and bath were extremely comfortable. I wasn't aware that the kitchen/lounge area were shared when booking, but as there was no one staying in the second locked bedroom/studio, we had the place to ourselves. They also run a business called Blackfern Botanical and offer samples of their products in the studio. The Manuka soap and water were great. Highly recommend if you are looking for a stay in this area.