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The guest cottage at the Connells Bay Sculpture Park is located on a very private beach on Waiheke Island...it is suitable for 1 or 2 couples but not suitable for children. Guests have free use of kayaks on the property and free access to the sculpture park.
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After a friendly informative greeting by Ben and Rachael we settled into the immaculate, cosy, delightful, Connells Bay Cottage. Beautifully presented, everything we needed for our weekend stay with friends. A delicious breakfast provided, top range BBQ, and a kitchen packed with the best of utensils, comfy beds and two bathrooms. You cannot fault this cottage - sand and sea a few footsteps from the front porch. The Sculpture Park, what a highlight, with map in hand we walked around the tracks taking in the most amazing sculpture. It was a brilliant experience. John and Jo opened their gallery in the afternoon and we were fortunate to watch videos of artists at work and study their Marquettes. A drive to Passage Rock for lunch, delicious and the best service, followed by popping into the Waiheke Distilling, very enjoyable. Yes we will return. Thank you to Jo and John for your hospitality and giving us the opportunity for a relaxing fun weekend stay. …
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Date of stay: September 2023
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Trip type: Travelled with friends
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 cottage, incredible artworks, beautifully curated and well-loved nature, daffodils in the cottage, immaculate lawns, the gentle lapping of the ocean in Connells bay, the warm welcome from Ben and Rachael, fireside snuggles with JJ the cat, to watching young snapper catch the light as they safely cruised around the pier was all complimented by deep sleeps and gorgeous walks each day around the property. We were lucky enough to have 3 days of blue skies…we’re all feeling very complete and happy, our reservoirs of joy filled up - magic in paradise.
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip 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.
I felt utterly spoiled. Besides breathtaking views, two decks and a comfortable sleep/shower, this cottage felt like home. Fresh flowers from the garden (bedroom, bathroom, kitchen) made me feel welcome. Sounds of the fireplace and soft waves of the ocean was just what I needed after facing traffic and city life every day. I can see that summer holidays spent here would be unbeatable but a winter breakaway is highly recommended. Secluded and private spot *hire a 4WD if you don't bring your own *bring boots for walks as it was quite muddy in the rain
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Date of stay: May 2023Trip type: Travelled solo
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.
Always love our stays at Connells Bay.Lovely caretakers looked after us very well this time.Bed very comfortable .The whole set up is magical!!!Love the sculptures and being able to just walk through at any time if you rent the cottage.Icing on the cake is JJ the owners cat.Cottage always spotless and nice breakfast things including milk and fruit left in the fridge.Would highly recommend and have done so this time to a friend and she has booked for May.
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Date of stay: February 2023Trip 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.
Everything is perfect. I don't know what is the most beautiful : the view, the private beach, the sculpture park, all the native trees or simply the light. Definitely paradise on earth. But a paradise with all the modern facilities.
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Date of stay: February 2023
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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.
My wife and I stayed in January 2023. The weather was really exciting! I think that would be the best way to put it! Not that that spoiled our stay in any way whatsoever. Connells Bay was just exquisitely relaxing, welcoming and peaceful. John and Jo were very kind to us and made sure we were happy throughout our stay. The setting, with the cottage, its verandah, and white picket fence with a gate opening literally onto the beach is just too delightful to adequately describe. The drive across Waiheke Island to get to Connells Bay is beyond pretty with many places along the way to stop and admire the view in all directions. John very kindly allowed us to use their 4x4 to get up and down the fairly steep drive down to the house which was absolutely fine. Inside, the cottage felt very homely with two double bedrooms, two bathrooms, a sitting room and a dining room. It was very comfortable and spacious. Waking up in the morning to hear and see the water gently lapping up on the beach is just wonderful when one comes from the urban sprawl of Woking in England! We could not recommend Connells Bay highly enough. Just practically perfect in every way!…
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Date of stay: January 2023Trip 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 partner & I had a wonderful 4 day/3 night escape to this amazingly cool cottage in mid-winter 2022. The cottage was immaculate, well-stocked with everything one could need (it even had an iron & board!) and is situated right by the water with a beautiful view. The hosts were very helpful (even though they were isolating from Covid) and made sure the cottage was warm & welcoming for our arrival on a cold, wintery day. The open fireplace was very atmospheric, the bed super comfortable and the kitchen and bathrooms spacious. I'd highly recommend this cottage for a getaway - we'd love to return.
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Date of stay: July 2022
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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.
Two couples shared the Guest Cottage for two nights last weekend. From the moment we arrived the whole experience was exceptional. Rachael and Ben, the caretakers, greeted us and were perfect hosts. The cottage was present in immaculate condition and is loaded with convenient facilities, and the breakfast provisions were more than enough. The Cottage has been extremely well renovated, sympathetic to its heritage but with all the modern conveniences you could wish for. The weather wasn't the best and the Cottage was toasty warm. It must have fantastic insulation. We lit the open fire in the lounge, not because we needed to be warm but because it added to the atmosphere. We could not recommend this more highly. it was our first visit but we will be back again for sure. We have been to Waiheke many times and this is easiy the best accommodation for a couple we have ever experienced. In summer, with the gorgeously private beach it must be even more stunning. The sculpture part is amazing. See other review for that.…
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Date of stay: May 2022
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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 enjoy sculpture parks, then this is without a doubt a must. Cute, well appointed cozy cottage in a secluded part of Waiheke. Peace and privacy to wander at leisure around the amazing landscape and artworks on site and pretend for just a moment that it is all yours.
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Date of stay: March 2022
Value
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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.
Peaceful, excellent hosts, very comfortable cottage in this unbelievably beautiful, secluded bay. It also has a park with amazing sculptures (love The Vanishing) for our daily walk. Waiheke has several very good restaurants in vineyards, such as Poderi Crisci, very close to the cottage.
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Date of stay: February 2022
Location
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.