We stayed five nights here and really enjoyed ourselves. It's a good central spot to take a day trip north to Golden Bay, Wharariki Beach and Farewell Spit. Then take another day for a tramp on the Abel Tasman Coast Track.
The *outdoors* upstairs/downstairs split of the apartment wasn't a problem for us. It's a little weird but the important thing is that the bathroom and bedroom are together upstairs so you don't have to go outside and down the stairs in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom.
Barbara and Dietmar were extremely helpful and friendly and we really enjoyed talking with them.