Disappointingly we only had time to stay for one night & arrived much later than expected. This didn’t appear to be a problem for Johan & Nancy who were perfect hosts, & couldn’t have been more friendly or welcoming. The house & surrounds are amazing, stunning views, overlooking native bush. Our room was air conditioned, comfortable & very clean, best nights sleep I’ve had in a long time. Great value for money, Continental breakfast was included in the price, which was delicious. Thank you both for being so hospitable, & Johan many thanks for sharing your local knowledge.
We had a great time in Warkworth. It is so centrally located. There was enough to do for weeks using Warkworth for a home base. Nancy's garden was clean, welcoming and the owners were so helpful and friendly. Breakfast was more then just the continental breakfast that I was expecting. Nancy made us eggs and John kept the coffee cups full. Such a wonderful visit.
My wife and I were needing to find a place to stay in Warkworth and we found this property on google. We had just finished a busy day in Auckland and this town and just wanted to rest. We first booked another rporperty but it looked awful so we kept looking. Nancy's Garden is listed as a B&B but operated by two very nice people who operate it like a 5 star hotel. All the rooms look out over an amazing Vally. It is so quiet there it is perfect for a good rest. At the same time, it is only a 3 minute drive to shops and restaurants so it gives a secluded feel but is very confveneint. The breakfast is included with amazing coffee. The hospitality is excellent. I highly recommend this property when you want to relax or have a base for side trips in the region.
This was an overnight stop on our first night in New Zealand, and we really feel that our flying visit did not do the place or the area justice. Johan greeted us in our own language (Welsh), and showed us to our clean, well equipped, and large double room. My wife crashed out but I returned upstairs and had a really interesting hour chatting with Johan about the area, and his wide travelling experience (and rugby). Would not hesitate to recommend, and would hope to call in again as we arrived too late, and left too early to do the place justice.
I must say I am so impressed with the reception and overall accommodation from hosts Johan and his wife Nancy (dba Nancy’s Garden). The property is on a high estate (over 3 acres apx) overlooking nature, trees and lots of greenery-the kind you’d expect to see in a National Geographic magazine and you could only dream of. I’m beyond grateful I was able to experience this first hand with my hubby on our 5th anniversary. Our room is clean very private and modern with fast WiFi, guests shared kitchen area with fridge, microwave, cooking range, etc. We just wish we had more time to enjoy the property and learn more about the area and it’s history. Thank you Johan and Nancy! It was such a pleasure meeting you! We definitely recommend staying here! You will feel at home!
We were quite pleasantly surprised with this ‘off the beaten path’ bed and breakfast!! Johan and his wife were such incredibly nice hosts and were more than excited to take care of our every needs. They reside in the upper level SE of the building while the rest of the property is free for you to enjoy. A small coffee bar upstairs with wine fridge and amenities for you to use st the owners discretion; full-blown great room with tv and patio deck with incredible views of the Warkworth/Leigh área. If you chose to enjoy breakfast, (addtl fee) they have a chicken coup, green house, Manuka honey hives and other amenities on site to prepare a splendid spread. If not, downstairs, where the clean and spacious rooms are, you’ll find a full-sized fridge and kitchen area to prepare your meals. Each room has its own patio to enjoy the crisp, clean air this area offers. The only difficulty we had was with our international wire transfer, yet after speaking with Johan that was easily resolved. For such a fair price I can’t see how you could find anything better on the North Island!!…
Beware the Ogre of Nancy’s Garden! You know how sometimes you get to the end of a long days’ drive latish in the afternoon, and you just want to be shown to your room so you can have a “comfort stop”, and then to put your feet up for a while before dinner, and the host is intent on delivering a 20 minute spiel on his antiques and the district, including a 10 minute rant against Australia and the Australian government?? Well that’s what happened to us. Us: “May we see our room please. We would like to have a little time to relax before it’s time to go out for dinner.” Us: “Oh! This room won’t do – we especially requested a room with twin beds – due to different sleeping habits we need to sleep separately.” Ogre: “Uh! That can’t be, otherwise I would have included that in my notes.” Us: “Sorry, but if you haven’t allocated us a twin room we will have to go elsewhere; we definitely booked a twin.” Ogre: “Please wait; I will ring my wife and see what we can do. Would you like a coffee?” Us: “No, thank you; not if we to go elsewhere; it’s now ten-past-five and we have to find something suitable for tonight.” Few minutes later Ogre: “If you can wait a little while my wife will quickly clean the bathroom in a two-room suite that someone else is in; two rooms will suit you even better.” Us: “Ok” Shortly, after Ogre’s wife had had time to clean bathroom, and observing a couple who appeared to be host’s personal friends relocate into the main house Ogre: “If this room is OK, we can do the paperwork.” When I returned to the room after doing the paperwork (ie paying the bill) wife commented on room. By now, obviously, we are tired and anxious to get settled for the night. Wife: “This bed has been slept in; the pillows and bedding are crushed. The sheets haven’t been changed since they were slept in” Self: “Would you like me to speak to host.” Wife: “No dear, I will handle it.” Few minutes later Wife: “He was quite rude – said we were meant to use the two single beds in the small second room off the main room.” After some discussion we decided to grin and bear it for one night. Later, as we were heading out for dinner …. Ogre: “I can’t believe you expected the use of three beds?” Wife: “No, but …. Ogre: “I wasn’t talking to you – I was talking to your husband.” Hosts then put clean sheet over the top of the used bed while we were at dinner – as we had locked the room and left our personal things in it we felt this was an invasion of our privacy. Though single beds were comfortable we felt personally uncomfortable in this facility and we left without breakfast in the morning. Also, the shower curtain and fabric on chairs were badly stained, among other faults.…
Lovely place, friendly hosts, beautiful seeing in a ridge overlooking rolling hills. We shared a twin. The bathroom is amazing. Lots of birds around the property. The common area is warm and welcoming.
We had a weekend here while visiting family. Simple rooms but all facilities were there. WiFi connection was easy and consistent. The hosts were warm and welcoming. Very helpful for things to do. Nice breakfasts.
We turned up around 4pm without pre-booking as we saw they had rooms available and it was a last minute decision. We were not particularly welcomed and we felt like we were inconveniencing Johann although Nance was more welcoming. When we were taken to the room we felt like we were going into their private space but this wasn't the case, all the guest rooms are downstairs and they open to a lovely outlook. The night was spoilt by two roosters in the garden competing to be the noisiest. Rather an odd atmosphere and we won't return.
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