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Willowbark Ranch B&B
133 Koutunui Road Rd 1, Waihi Beach 3177 New Zealand
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About
#3 of 6 B&Bs in Waihi Beach
Location
Rooms
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Nestled on a plateau in a new subdivision above Athenree Harbour you will find Willowbark Ranch. We have top quality B&B accommodation and can provide a horse riding experience to remember. With 18 acres of parklike grounds with a wild life sanctuary on our boundary you will enjoy the peaceful atmosphere with nature at its best. We have no doubt that you will leave Willowbark Ranch with special memories.
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Property amenities
Wifi
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Spa
Room features
Kitchenette
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HOTEL STYLE
Romantic
Hidden Gem
Location
133 Koutunui Road Rd 1, Waihi Beach 3177 New Zealand
Getting there
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We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
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Detailed Reviews
This place was a great find. Lovely apartment with quality furnishing and lots of lovely little extra touches such as fluffy blankets folded on the end of each couch to keep you extra snuggly while watching the TV. Shona is a great host and very welcoming. The raspberry and white chocolate muffins she made us were divine!!! Thank you so much for a relaxing couple of nights away from our hectic life. I would highly recommend a stay here if you are in the area. Waihi Beach is beautiful and we did the Karangahake gorge while we were here too on bikes. Easy trail and beautiful scenery.
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Date of stay: July 2016Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Shona E, Owner at Willowbark Ranch B&B
Responded 25 Jul 2016
Thank you for your wonderful review! We are one of those best kept secrets who love to please in a very simple way.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
If you like peace and quite, great views and a taste of Kiwi hospitality at its very best, come to Willowbark Ranch. It's close to Waihi Beach and has a stunning environment of its own. And the host family are the loveliest ... Can't rate this place highly enough.
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Date of stay: December 2015Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Shona E, Owner at Willowbark Ranch B&B
Responded 31 Jan 2016
Thank you so much for your lovely review. We have a new little puppy called Polly here now. A bit of a rascal at the moment though. Wishing you a great year! Shona.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Just returned from a weekend at Willowbark ranch, myself and my husband had such a great weekend. The views are beautiful, lovely to wake up too, you can sit in bed and soak up the views due to the large window in the bedroom. Shonah is very welcoming and friendly. The quality of the suite is great, very clean, spacious and everything you need. The farm is great to walk around, would recommend to anyone and will be back in summer.
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Date of stay: June 2014Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
If you want a quiet place away from Waihi beach, then Shona will look after you. Her warmth and willingness to go the extra mile was superb. Our 2 night stay with breakfast and great hospitality was just what we needed at the end of our beach holiday. Shona's daughter gave my wife the best massage of her life and on top of this Shona saddled up her horses for a trek around the farm for her and my son. A wonderful place to stay. We will definitely be back!!
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Date of stay: January 2014
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I have been here 3 times now and can not wait to book my next trip. You will not find a more helpful and caring host to help you make the most of your time here. She cured my fear of horses ...which had been around for a good 20 years or more ...great place for a nice couples weekend away with a relaxing trek to the pub on horse back or a weekend away with kids who will be begging you to come back before you have even left...
Book it you will see what I mean...
Book it you will see what I mean...
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Date of stay: May 2013Trip type: Travelled with family
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Room Tip: Pop down to the hot pools just down the road ...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Shona E, Owner at Willowbark Ranch B&B
Responded 14 Dec 2013
Thank-you Chris for your awesome review! Sadly due to WBOP Council restrictions we cannot offer the horse-riding to the beach or to the boat club. I can however take the children for a horse ride around the farm. Willowbark Ranch is still a great place to relax and unwind and now we have Rebecca living here offering a magical in house massage. Look forward to catching up with you all in the New Year! Shona.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We only stayed for 2 nights and loved the place and the friendly hospitality .
It's a great place to relax!
We done some horse riding there too, and thanks to Shona - you're just the perfect person to have around when riding along to the beach.
We definitely will be back and recommend you to other friends -
as we got recommended too - and we just loved our getaway..
thanks
Chris & Liz
It's a great place to relax!
We done some horse riding there too, and thanks to Shona - you're just the perfect person to have around when riding along to the beach.
We definitely will be back and recommend you to other friends -
as we got recommended too - and we just loved our getaway..
thanks
Chris & Liz
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Date of stay: August 2013Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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Room Tip: Book the upstairs room - big, beautifull, 360 view, you'll love it
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Shona E, Owner at Willowbark Ranch B&B
Responded 3 Sept 2013
It was a great weekend for me. You two were meant to come to my place to share some special stories and such an enjoyable horse ride. A bit of a shame the weather was a little cold but at least it stayed fine for us. Wishing you all the very best with your venture. Shona
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We wanted to stay one night and ended up to stay... I can't remember, at least 5 nights. Shona, our host, was so kind with us, she took us for rides with their beautiful horses and showed us around. The rooms are spacious, the beds super comfy (and with decent sheets!), everything is spotless. The place is surrounded by nature. The breakfast couldn't be better, provided that you are able to cook some ham and eggs yourself. I wish we could go back there one day, this is a hidden paradise.
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Date of stay: April 2012Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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Room Tip: Both are great.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Shona E, Owner at Willowbark Ranch B&B
Responded 3 Sept 2013
Thank you for your generous review. It was hard case to see you loved the sheets, it is comments like this that give us the confidence to enjoy our job. I know self serve breakfast is not that great but you can have it any time of the day and I will clean up after you. You are always welcome to paradise. Shona.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We visited Willowbark Ranch just for one night on our way to Mount Manganui, we arrived later than expected Shona the owner was very welcoming and the accomodation was second to none, the added bonus was the scenery and of course the animals. The accomodation itself was beautifully maintained and very comfortable the breakfast provided very generous all in aall a memorable trip.
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Date of stay: January 2013Trip type: Travelled with friends
Value
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Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Shona E, Owner at Willowbark Ranch B&B
Responded 3 Sept 2013
Thank you for taking the time to review Willowbark Ranch. We are a bit of a secret and the animals are pretty special. I am so lucky I get to meet some very awesome people. Shona.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We are delighted to be the first to review Willowbark Ranch. It is located on the top of the Athenree peninsula in probably one of the best locations there and has great views to the back and front. It is also a small farm and the easy walks around the farm along beautiful grass tracks were very special. We stayed there for 3 nights at the start of our North Island tour and it is a great place just to relax or as a base for touring the area. We stayed in the upstairs unit, which was well equipped and spotlessly clean, and the balcony overlooking the estuary was a perfect spot for breakfast, drinks etc. The hostess, Shona made us feel extremely welcome. We took the option of a horse ride along Waihi Beach, which was a fantastic experience. We thought it was good value, particularly if you take the summer special by staying 3 nights or more, All in all we can highly recommend Willowbark Ranch.
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Date of stay: January 2013Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: The upstairs unit has the views, space and balcony!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Shona E, Owner at Willowbark Ranch B&B
Responded 3 Sept 2013
Thank you for giving me a glowing review for my very first one. The lovely little farm walk we have here has now been enhanced by our neighbour DOC who have developed the wetlands area into ponds and walking tracks which can be accessed from Wiilowbark Ranch. Along with some new pet ducks, a dog and ponies the ranch is looking great and gearing up for another brilliant summer. Shona.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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LOCATION
New ZealandNorth IslandBay of Plenty RegionWaihi Beach
NUMBER OF ROOMS
2
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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Claim Your ListingWILLOWBARK RANCH B&B | Reviews (Waihi Beach, New Zealand) - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about Willowbark Ranch B&B
Which popular attractions are close to Willowbark Ranch B&B?
Nearby attractions include Waihi Beach (4.7 km), Orokawa Scenic Reserve (4.8 km), and Anzac Bay (1.4 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Willowbark Ranch B&B?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include a spa, kids activities, and internet access.
What are some restaurants close to Willowbark Ranch B&B?
Conveniently located restaurants include Surf Shack Eatery, Flatwhite, and The Beach House Cafe.
Are there any historical sites close to Willowbark Ranch B&B?
Many travellers enjoy visiting Historical Athenree Homestead (3.1 km).