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Operatic, artistic, iconoclast, sensual and enigmatic are just some of the words that have been used to describe The Donkey Bay Inn. As you enter through the intriguing garden tunnel and come out into the inn’s private courtyard, we are sure you’ll find your own words for the unique and wonderful world of Donkey Bay. Fully energy sufficient and cooled under a huge living roof, this architectural masterpiece will truly take your breath away with its cavernous rooms, imaginative angles and breath-taking views at every turn. There is only one Donkey Bay Inn...
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
Trendy
Luxury
Languages Spoken
English
Location
38 Long Beach Road, Russell 0202 New Zealand
Donkey Bay Inn
5 reviews
Getting there
Car recommended
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
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Donkey Bay Inn is a private secluded home away from home.
Each of the 4 luxury guest rooms have balconies looking out onto Donkey Bay and the private naturalist beach. The resort showcases amazing, bright artwork and furniture and each room is decorated with its own unique pieces. It's perfectly situated just 5 minutes from Russell Town Centre, rich in history, featuring New Zealand's oldest operating restaurant.
Included in your stay at Donkey Bay Inn is a vintage Rolls Royce with driver for your transfers to and from dinner in town. The heated floors in the main dining, living area are a lovely touch on crisp mornings while you enjoy your coffee and delicious breakfast prepared by your hosts.
Everyone is so kind, courteous, welcoming and helpful with any questions about the property, town and its surroundings. It truly was one of the most magical places I have ever stayed at and I will be back again to soak in the spa perched on the cliff edge!
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Date of stay: July 2021
Service
Room Tip:Private, secluded, best views, beach
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 took all 4 rooms at Donkey Bay for two days for our family and they unusually allowed us to have our reception at the Inn. The accommodation is stunning. It is so different to anything one would normally experience that one can only be blown away by it all. With amazing views, a beautiful beach, some amazing art in the Inn and in the grounds and staff to make you so 'at home' at the Inn, no one could be disappointed with their stay. They absolutely rocked our reception too.. Aircon is absolutely unnecessary, the location and design of the Inn make it superfluous. Paul Baines and Penny Hamilton
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Date of stay: February 2020
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:All the rooms are amazing but the Emeror stands out
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 AmeliaG3714, Manager at Donkey Bay Inn
Responded 17 May 2020
We were honoured to be able to host your special day at Donkey Bay Inn. Having the place booked out exclusively is always a great vibe and we love getting to know the guests and extend family and friends over this time. We wish you both well for your future together and hope to see you again for a visit soon. Take care, Amelia & the team at Donkey Bay x
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Stunning at every turn. We stayed 6 nights and settled in so comfortably that it felt like home. We were joined by friends and family for a couple of nights and everyone was thrilled. So informal and relaxed in this expansive but brilliantly proportioned home that was sparkling clean. Swims in the ocean (yep fairly cold!) but a warm sheltered bay, shower with a view and then outside bath on a wee peninsula overlooking the bay - so good. We had the place to ourselves for a few nights but then another guest couple arrived and became like an extension to our group due to the home-like environment. Ideal location for someone with walking disabilities as well with wet area showers and level throughout the ground floor. In true Italian style we felt very much part of an extended family where staff were treated like family as well Looking forward to our next visit
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Date of stay: August 2020
Value
Rooms
Service
Room Tip:Everyroom is spectacular
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 Donkey Bay, General Manager at Donkey Bay Inn
Responded 23 Aug 2020
Ian, what lovely comments. It was an absolute pleasure to be able to host yourself, your family and your close friends for your wee NZ holiday with us. We are so glad you enjoyed the time you spent here. It was great you braved the cold to swim in the Bay below so you could enjoy the outdoor baths! Thank you for all the chats, we all enjoyed having you all to stay with us. We hope to see you again in the near future. Kind regards, Amelia & the team at Donkey Bay Inn x
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This was our second visit to Donkey Bay and the place was just as superb as ever! You don't just stay at Donkey Bay you experience it! From the minute you arrive Amelia (the manager) greets you like an old friend. Nothing is ever too much trouble and Amelia and the other staff members are always incredibly helpful and go out of their way to ensure your stay is exceptional. The interior continues to be as spotless and stunning as ever. We loved using the outdoor baths over looking the bay, the location and views are heard to beat. We are looking foward to coming back next year. Thank you again Amelia and staff for all of your help and looking after us all so beautifully.
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Date of stay: July 2020
Value
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 Donkey Bay, General Manager at Donkey Bay Inn
Responded 26 Aug 2020
Thank you for coming to visit us again Lea and bringing your lovely family with you! It was a pleasure to look after you all and have you take the whole hotel for two nights. It definitely is a completely different atmosphere when you have a family take the whole house and we love it! We really hope to see you again and we are so glad you enjoyed your stay with us. Kind regards, Amelia & the team at Donkey Bay x
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Donkey Bay Inn is without doubt the epitomy of high end accomodation in NZ. Not for the closed minded though as this isnt a sterile off the peg hotel. The setting, eco design, architecture and decor would be enough on their own but add the can do attitude from the entire on site team led by Amelia and the larger than life owner Antonio Pasquale and I guarantee a truly unforgettable experience. If you are the type who appreciates fresh eggs for breakfast, handcrafted Gin or being chauffeur driven to local reastaurants in the Inns Daimler, this is for you. Sophisticated, Quirky and Faultless from start to finish
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Date of stay: July 2020
Value
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 Donkey Bay, General Manager at Donkey Bay Inn
Responded 18 Jul 2020
Thank you for taking the time to write us this beautiful review. We are so pleased you enjoyed your stay, our aim is always to make guests feel comfortable and special so to see this result is really heart-warming. We wish you all the best and hope to see your return in the warmer months! Kind Regards, Amelia & the team at Donkey Bay Inn x
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Not sure how to describe this property. The views were incredible, but the accommodation was not up to par. The furnishings are definitely "quirky" a style that may interest some but for us it was definitely not worthy of the price they charge. Old and needs a refurb. There is no soundproofing and you can hear everything. Lack of curtains in the rooms = lack of privacy. Some of the design choices were interesting to say the least. Breakfast very nice.
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Date of stay: April 2021
Value
Location
Service
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 stay at Donkey bay inn. Eccentric concept and decor making it a fun and exciting destination. Welcoming staff who made us feel at home and were always happy to help and provide advice on restaurants and activities. Host/owner Antonio really goes the extra mile to meet guests. Stunning views and plenty of space to relax and enjoy our surroundings. All amenities we could wish for. Short walk to a lovely beach. Delicious continental breakfast with option of cooked eggs in the mornings. Best and most luxurious bath I have ever had. Would love to visit again.
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Date of stay: February 2021Trip 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.
Response from Donkey Bay, General Manager at Donkey Bay Inn
Responded 7 Mar 2021
Thank you for such a great review, we really appreciate your feedback and kind words! Would love to have you both visit again soon! Amelia and the team at Donkey Bay
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Warm, inviting, exquisite attention to detail and a story and drama to immerse yourself in the art of luxury and relaxation. Beautifully appointed rooms, luxury bathrooms and a view and private Bay to simply wile away time. The staff relaxed, discreet, so friendly and accomodating, in every way. Sumptuous breakfast and stunning sunrise and sunsets to bathe in the panorama.Generosity towards guests with art and thoughtful gestures to enjoy. Spa and sauna to relax. From all my travels around the world this place beats any hands down. Did I mention the Rolls Royce at your disposal to dine out. Thankyou Thankyou!!
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Date of stay: June 2021
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:Any room is wonderful.
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 the Emporer's Suite for 2 nights for an 0 birthday celebratory weekend. Amelia and Brooke are so welcoming and nothing is too much trouble. The Inn itself is eclectically unique in all the right ways - more is definitely more! Go by yourselves and meet new people or book the whole place for 8 of you - you definitely won't be disappointed and there are surprises around every corner :) Already saving up for our next stay. Thanks again for having us.
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Date of stay: July 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.
Room was gorgeous, with views that match the best in the world. We have stayed at supposedly five star places in NZ and have been somewhat disappointed. This has everything and more...staff are professional, friendly and just lovely; Brekkie is a great start, with fresh fruit, eggs, delight cereal, etc., rooms and decor so different, the whole place makes you smile and oh soo relaxing! Perfect birthday ! With egg shape baths on the corner of the cliff, Tui birdsong, warmth of the spring sun, with exquisite Bay views...can’t recommend this Inn enough...booked to go back already!
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Date of stay: September 2020
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:All rooms are fantastic we have stayed three times now...and loved every room! All quiet, all...
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 Donkey Bay, General Manager at Donkey Bay Inn
Responded 14 Sept 2020
What a lovely review! Thank you so so much Mel, you and Russ are some of our favourite guests as you well know! It's always a pleasure to have you stay here and we look forward to having you stay in the future. Happy to hear you had a great birthday!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
There are more places to choose from in the Russell area.
PRICE RANGE
$956 - $1,143 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
New ZealandNorth IslandNorthland RegionBay of IslandsRussell
NUMBER OF ROOMS
4
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