Guest Comments .....

"Hi Susanne. We stayed in your lovely guest house up the hill last March and it was the high point of our visit to your beautiful country, if not our whole trip, as we continued on to south island then Sydney and Singapore. South island is stunning and mountainous but if we had to choose anywhere on the planet it would be where you are. We have so many nice memories. It was lovely meeting you and we hope to return. Kind regards John & Helen, UK." - March 2009

"Superb location, Beautifully designed, Professionally maintained"

"Excellent! Next time we need longer" Marie Cassidy - Australia

I cannot recommend Ara Roa highly enough within this price range, unlike many NZ properties this one delivers. "
James Purves - UK/Singapore

"Some of the finest views I've seen. Tremendous place" Capt Edmund Wilkinson - MY Tatoosh

" A haven of peace and tranquility "

".....a truly idyllic spot in the universe"

".....relaxing, refreshing, rejuvenating"

".....what a great place! This will be the best that "Friars" has to offer...we (and others) will definately be back...actually, can we buy it?"

"Wonderful spot, very well equipped - the perfect end to our holiday"

"I'm reluctantly back in the UK now, but wanted to send a quick message to say thanks again for the days in Ara Roa: definitely the best place of its kind I have ever stayed. A truly beautiful area and a perfect house. The Bay of Islands was good, but I would (hopefully, will) come back to your place given first choice. We were both really happy there. All the best"
Nick Drake

"Dear Suzanne and Paul,
Finally we are home and rested after a really long trip in New Zealand. I miss AraRoa dearly. It was the best part of our entire holiday and was truly worth the long drive up. I wish we had spent more days there. If we ever go back, you can count on us showing up at your doorstep! During our trip we went to different places like the Bethells Beach Cottage and another place in Waiheke. Nothing compares to the magic of AraRoa. It's not just the natural surroundings but the persoanl resting place you guys have so thoughtfully put together. Definitely the best facilities all round. I would say its up there on the world class list. I am too much of a coward to tell the other places how to improve their facilities so I'd rather just tell you guys to keep up the amazing place that you've created. Norah Jones was the CD of choice during our stay there. At home, whenever she sings, AraRoa and your hospitality come to mind."
Thank you. Warmest regards, renita (eugene and ryan) - Malaysia

"We spent over a week at Ara Roa in August, and hope to return again. We have both travelled extensively, have fortunately enjoyed hospitality at all levels. For our family (2 boys, 6 and 3 years), Ara Roa offered us the perfect escape. The house itself is very comfortable and well thought out. Very peaceful with magnificent views. While you are close to well known places like the Bay of Isles, the simple fact is that you can occupy your time by just exploring locally. Many lovely secluded coves, beaches, and walks without long travelling distances. The main thing that makes Ara Roa special are the hosts. They can offer you any level of hospitality you desire. Should you wish a meal to be cooked or shopping to be done, simply ask. If you wish them to show you around the area simply ask. If in turn you wish to be left alone, just do your own thing and no one will bother you. "
Russell Paul and Family - Australia/Singapore

"We have travelled to New-Zealand for the first time in 2002. We chose Ara Roa Retreat as we were looking for a quiet and nice place to stay. We went back to Ara Roa this year for the very same reasons. We did it because we love the people, the place, the region around Ara Roa and also (it is certainly the main reason), because Suzanne, Paul, their children, their friends family and that we met during our stay are adorable. There are many places you can visit, many activities that will keep your family busy while discovering a wonderful country. We have already planned to go back there next year, and Ara Roa retreat is definitly a place I would recommend to my family and friends."
Pascal and Sandrine Dondereau - France/Thailand

"Susanne Olsen has asked me to give you some independent views about their property. I am British and live in Singapore with my Malaysian wife. We spent one month driving around New Zealand in January 2003, with 3 children under 4 years old (including twins!) and staying in 12 different properties in both North and South Island on our trip. 11 of those properties were self-catering and all ranged in price from NZD200-350 per night for the whole family.
Without a doubt Ara Roa was the single best property and the fact that it also represented best value for money was a bonus. It is well thought out, designed and built. Though not a huge property, for two couples OR a couple and (3-4) children it would be perfect. When you add to this the glorious setting, access to beaches/walks and the wonderful hospitality of the owners (who can cater for you to some degree if desired) then it would be my number one recommendation in NZ within that budget. (If you have children between 3 and 8, they might even find some play friends in the owners children, who live down the hill). Indeed we have recommended it to numerous friends, some of whom have visited it since.
If you are looking for a place to escape and relax, this is it. The Bay of Islands is about 90 minutes drive away, Auckland is 2 1/2 hours South and there are a few things of interest in between but overall this is an area to relax and enjoy the natural peace and beauty of the place."