Waitakere Resort & Spa  

In Waiatarua, about 30 minutes from Auckland, this boutique resort perches on the edge of the Waitakere Ranges. Close to Piha, Karekare and Bethells beaches, it’s a family-friendly base for rainforest hikes and black-sand coast days.

Choose Deluxe or Premier rooms, or spread out in self-contained apartments and villas with kitchens and living areas. Rooms feature private bathrooms, tea/coffee facilities, flat-screen TVs and daily housekeeping, with rainforest, garden or Auckland-city views that feel cinematic.

Soak in indoor and outdoor pools, unwind at the Wairua Day Spa with massages and body treatments, or detox in the sauna and fitness center. A library and fireplace in the lobby add quiet corners, while a tour desk books walks, cycling and horseback rides—plus complimentary Wi‑Fi keeps you connected.

A conference center (about 861 sq ft / 80 m²) and meeting rooms support events and weddings, with free self-parking and express check-out. Practical extras include laundry/dry cleaning services and accessible facilities.

The on-site restaurant dishes up premium New Zealand cuisine with outstanding local wines; enjoy a bar/lounge vibe or limited-hour room service. Cooked-to-order breakfasts are served 7:30–10:00 for a fee, and weekend High Tea adds a leisurely local flavor.