An oasis of calm, and a hidden gem in every sense of the phrase. About 10 mins from Whitianga, you turn off on to a well maintained gravel road that leads down in to a river valley, away from the tourists in Whitianga, and everything else for that matter - and not in a bad way.
We rented a room with a BBQ, which allowed us to cook some of the great local produce, although there are cooking facilities provided at the Lodge for all to use. We also used the outdoor bath, which is housed in a hut that opens into the rain forest. A nice touch, and very romantic. We also took advantage of the walks on site, which were short but enjoyable.
All in all, this is a lovely place, with lovely owners, all wrapped up in a lovely, secluded setting. My wife's parents are travelling to NZ in a year, and we have told them to stay there if in the area. A highlight of our trip, and it was our first stop on our road trip.