Even at 2am when we finally dragged ourselves into our airbnb apartment in the middle of suburbia (‘Ha, wouldn’t it be funny if this was the wrong house mum?’) we could see we’d struck gold. We had booked a 1 ½ bedroom apartment downstairs from the owner’s main house at the base of Mount Wellington. Bigger than a granny flat and with everything we needed, this comfortable well-stocked accommodation was more than we hoped for.

What was so special about Helen’s place? Was it the home baked fruit cake waiting for us? The fridge stocked with staples including wine and beer (and a realistically priced honesty box) for the first few days? Was it the fresh muffins left at the back door the next day? Was it the beautiful lagoon pool and spa outside our door, ours to use whenever we wanted? Was it Helen and her husband sharing a glass of champagne with me on my birthday? Or the midnight visit of Cocoa the cat?

Whatever it was, it was totally a home away from home (if my home was as tidy and beautiful as this which it isn’t) and the owners were totally welcoming; friendly, accommodating and available but not intrusive. Our stay gave my two teenagers space to hang out and me escape when necessary. With a sunny spell over the summer weeks we were there, the pool and spa surrounded by the perfect mix of exotic plants and statues, were a luxurious escape at the end of the day.