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"Recognised as one of the best couples Sanctuary's in New Zealand" Sanctuary Palms takes its name from the haven it provides, offering a stylish and tranquil retreat nested in a private setting, native bush and sub-tropical gardens. It is away from the tourist hustle & bustle, offering spectacular sea views over the Bay of Islands and only five minutes walk to the beach, cafes, restaurants and wharf where all the water attractions depart from. You are invited to restore your mind and relax in this luxurious tranquil setting. Accommodation Sanctuary Palms contains four beautiful Suites each with their own individual character: The Penthouse Suite - 200sq metres of "pure luxury" The Moulin Rouge Suite - 85sq metres of "sophistication and elegance" The Pacifika Suite - 70sq metres of "sophisticated nauturals with a twist of urban contemporary" The Waterfall Suite -60sq metres of "peace and tranquility" All Suites are individually themed and totally self-contained.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Luxury
Trendy
Languages Spoken
English
Location
31 Bayview Road, Paihia 0200 New Zealand
Sanctuary Palms
4.4 reviews
Getting there
Great for walkers
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We were in the Pacifica apartment and it lived up to expectations. The decor was a cut above the norm, with such detail taken to enhance the 'pacific' theme. Everything was so clean, the tiled bathroom was beautiful, with a huge walk in shower area and a two person spa bath. The full kitchen (not a kitchenette) was so well appointed. Granite surfaces etc. The lounge and dining areas, both cozy and high spec, looked out onto the bush, with the sea view to the side. Lots of bird song. The road winds up behind the town area, and while it is steep we had no problem walking back up .... and we are not young. If you don't think you could make it --- drive. The hosts were very nice, helpful, and offered advice about local places to eat. We liked the fact it was aimed at couples, with under 14's no allowed. So no screaming kids, very peaceful. The car park for this apartment is not under cover, but if that is an issue for unloading or loading bags etc, park next to the entrance door which is under cover, then park your vehicle. It isn't rocket science. This is one of the best places we have stayed at, and we have done a lot of travel. I am not sure why this lovely place received some bad press in some other reviews.
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Date of stay: May 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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.
My husband and I stayed at Sanctuary Palms for 2 nights at the very end of a 3-week trip traveling around the South and North Islands. I had been there in 1986 and wanted to share many of my experiences with my husband (who was my boyfriend back then). Paihia and the Bay of Islands were definately on our must see list. We booked the Moulin Rouge apartment and it was wonderful! Perched high above the the town, it offered breathtaking sunrises each morning and the sights and sounds of the town and water activity below in the evenings as the sun set. We highly recommend Sanctuary Palms for anyone looking for private luxury and outstanding amenities.
There are so many activities available to tourists here. One stands alone, however - sailing on the R. Tucker Thompson. We spent 5 and a half hours on this working tall sailing ship. It was definately one of the most enjoyably, relaxing days during our time in New Zealand.
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Date of stay: March 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Kitchen staples are a bit sparse for basic seasonings/cooking compared with other locatiions we...
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.
The apartments were in a spectacular location, but up a steep narrow road and driveway. Not good for walking into the town as there is no footpath and it's very steep on the way back.
The room was well set up with a small kitchenette but the dining options in the Paihia township were outstanding. Don't bother cooking!
There are endless possibilities for things to do in and around Paihia - the most interesting is to get across the bay to Russell.
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Date of stay: October 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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.
We stayed in this small ‘boutique’ complex in early feb 2023. I get the concept and when it was first opened over 10 years ago it must have been rather special. It’s an interesting one now and I can see why some might love this place and some would not.
Its advantages are/were; small complex with only 4 accommodation units, no children, quiet location away from the town in an elevated position, no smoking, pretty good range of equipment (iron, fridge, washing /dryer machine, smart tv, jacuzzi bath, microwave etc), friendly staff when on site and the impressive welcome food/drink pack on arrival was a quality touch within an obvious attempt to provide something special with regard to accommodation.
On the other hand; you definitely need a car, parking on site is tight, if you go out and drink/eat and can’t get a taxi back (you have to order one as there are no taxi ranks in the town) then the walk back up the hill is a killer and could not be done by anyone with mobility issues. It isn’t 5 minutes unless you’re an Olympic athlete! One apartment has a view over the bay which is probably spectacular but the others do not.
We stayed in The Waterfall, or as it is now renamed The Garden, suite. This is the smallest of the 4 accommodation units. It had everything that you’d need for a comfortable self catering stay. It was commodious and aspects were ‘luxurious’ eg the large bed and the jacuzzi bath.
However, we were disturbed by noise from upstairs and this was an obvious downside, there was no view except a small, although pleasant , garden/rain forest/outside trees by the lounge which is actually the top of the bank leading down to the road (and from the bedroom window you’d see the office and from the front door you’d see a wall) and there is nowhere you’d see the bay from, the waterfall was switched off or broken and there was nowhere to sit out in the evening (unless you count the doorstep). All of this was a shame.
It was nice in many ways and I’m being picky but we had a dining table with 4 chairs (2 were ripped) when you could not get any more than 2 people in the apartment, a coffee machine that had a broken cup stand, couldn’t work out the tv in the living room (which was inferior to the one in the bedroom ?), a broken plastic toilet seat, a bit of kitchen panelling held in with sticky tape….and I mention these things not because they seriously affected our stay but because offering luxury standard accommodation requires a better attention to detail. I cannot comment upon any of the other three units.
Basically, it’s a nice place and had some nice touches, and we enjoyed it, but we would have enjoyed it more if it had benefitted from a bit of TLC and greater attention to detail and we had had somewhere to sit out in the evening (such as a decking area by the lounge). And, given that that views of the bay of islands are spectacular from other properties in this town but there were none from this apartment ( and only from one in the complex) and that is one if its USPs then, perhaps, it’s advertising is a touch imaginative.
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Date of stay: February 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:If you want the view then you have to book the appropriate room.
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.
This place is not a 4 star hotel. We paid almost $AUS700pn for the Pacifica suite but got something labelled 'room 4' - there is no way of knowing if this is what you paid for... The entry to our suite was a single damaged painted door in the garage. Our car park was in the weather at the side of the garage, narrow and next to a vertical drop. The 'suite' was musty with dust on many surfaces, curtains had tape holding them together. They provide a dehumidifier... The balcony was small and south facing, the plants almost dead and the bbq grubby. The 'ocean' view is a tiny glimpse sideways when standing on the balcony. Generally the place has not had an upgrade for at least 30 years. Do not stay here ....
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Date of stay: March 2023
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:Room at front has ocean view balcony, maybe called the penthouse. You will never know if you get...
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.
We have travelled extensively in NZ and worldwide. This accomodation would be the poorest value for money we have ever had. It was heavily discounted from $650+/night to around $290 and quite frankly it is $150/night accomodation. The place is very dated, the are no sea views as shown in photos, the fittings are very modest, there are broken window latches and some of the windows have no blinds or curtains. The TV and sky operations are quite challenging and if you need Netflix you need to log into your own account (not a lot of help for overseas tourists). There are a lot of sites in the area that are much better value and we would recommend you shop around, this place is very, very, average.
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Date of stay: June 2021Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Avoid this place….
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.
a little hard to find but worth it as this place is quiet, peaceful and very comfortable. Loved the giant bathtub! Host was kind enough to supply us with wine, coffee, milk, juice and water which was appreciated. 10 min walk to town but be prepared to walk up hill on the way back.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: January 2021
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.
Our party of 4 stayed in the penthouse for 3 nights and although we did enjoy our stay very much as the penthouse was spacious with excellent views and a great location for the centre, the overall condition of the penthouse was disappointing in that the decor was tired and very dated. The balcony furniture is not good either and the BBQ only had one working burner. The spa bathroom did not live up to expectations either and is a potential hazard as the tiles become very slippery when wet. The beds were comfortable and clean. I’m sure that very clever photography has earned this penthouse a lot of bookings. With some overdue TLC and attention to detail this penthouse would be amazing.
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip 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.
We stayed here for 3 nights on Labour Weekend in the Penthouse Suite. It is very well appointed in that it has everything you need should you wish to self-cater. The view is just beautiful and the sun deck inviting, Summer or Winter this would be a great place to stay. You can walk down to the main dining strip and moan your way slowly back up the hill if you are unfit like me. My only inconvenience (minor) was the parking. This is only a concern if you are staying in the Penthouse and have more than 1 car (as we did due to travel arrangements. There is parking for an additional car at the bottom of the property on the road. Enjoy the spa bath with candles and bubble bath or bath salts and complimentary wine... all inluded.
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Date of stay: October 2020
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:Penthouse has the view.
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.
Lovely, spacious apartment. Very convenient to Paihia and with views over bay. Easy to access Paihia ferries, and walk or shuttle to Waitangi treaty ground. Be aware the property is on a steep hill, so walking up is tiring at the end of a day out. However, we thought the beautiful view worth it, with balcony to appreciate the panorama. Only negative, was although there were a few basic provisions in the fridge, a full pint of milk rather than jug would have been appreciated as we stayed for 5 nights.
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Date of stay: February 2025
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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.
There are more places to choose from in the Paihia area.
PRICE RANGE
$293 - $429 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
New ZealandNorth IslandNorthland RegionBay of IslandsPaihia
NUMBER OF ROOMS
4
Prices are provided by our partners for one room, with variable occupancy rules as provided by the property, 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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