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Stunningly Private Piha Retreat

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Retreat
Deck and view to Lion Rock on Piha Beach
Bath nestled in the forest
Retreat in rain forest
Access via steps

Reviews

9.8 out of 10

Exceptional

2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 4

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
    Parking available
  • Washer
    Washer
  • Barbecue grill
    Barbecue grill
  • Fireplace
    Fireplace
  • Dryer
    Dryer
  • Outdoor space
    Outdoor space

Explore the area

Map
Piha, Waitakere Auckland
  • Waitakere Ranges
    2 min drive
  • Karekare Beach
    14 min drive
  • Piha Beach
    16 min drive
  • Auckland (AKL-Auckland Intl.)
    48 min drive

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Noodle Box

1 Queen Bed

Wasabi Suite

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

Stunningly Private Piha Retreat

The Miller Family purchased a 7 acre native bush block in 1924. It is now registered with the Queen Elizabeth Trust and has an open space covenant on it i.e. protected native forest. There is a labyrinth of bush tracks and an old dam on the property. The property is 7 kms from Piha Beach with beautiful bush and sea views over the Tasman Sea and Lion Rock.

There is also another original bach on the property which is advertised under "unique bush property" Yes, you can even book out the 2 properties if you require larger separate accommodation. The houses are all private from each other.

This fabulous new Retreat was designed by Chris Tate who won international acclaim for his "Glasshouse" in Titirangi.

The decor is beautiful, you will watch the sun go down from the deck at night; and have an amazing peaceful sleep on the NZ made Cotton and Latex mattresses. The 2 queen-size beds are the only sleeping facilities - no fold-out or portable beds are provided.

It has a special feel about it, with a quirky design "feature" of an outdoor kitchen sink. And our guests love the outdoor bath (with hot water). The open plan living room has an enclosed fireplace (for use of winter months), small tv with freeview & dvd player. There is a heatpump in the lounge and electric blankets on both beds. The lounge has a fireplace with firewood provided over winter months.

What else can we say ..... you will love it

The Retreat is self catering. There is a small Breville bench-top oven - called a "smart oven", an electric frypan, small slow cooker, rice cooker, 2 solid elements, pots and pans + the Webber BBQ (out on the front deck).

We provide:
Filtered drinking water
Tea/coffee/sugar
Salt/pepper/cooking oil
Firewood (provided over winter months only)

As we are part of the Waitakere Ranges we are on tank water so supply may be limited in summer months. The very occasional power outages in the area means that no water will available during any outage because of the electric pump - this doesn't happen often.

This property is not suitable for pets.

A request from us - when you send your booking request please include some details about your group e.g. who they are and what they do - this is very special family land and we like to have a little information about our guests.

My nephew Michael is our custodian and lives in another house on the property - he will usually be there when you arrive.

Our property is not suitable or available for events or parties so please do not be offended when requests such as these are declined. Thank you for your understanding.

Special conditions:
No Smoking inside
No pets
2 car maximum

Property manager

Jane Brenan

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Washer
Dryer
Outdoor space
Parking available
Barbecue grill
Fireplace

Similar properties

House Rules

Check in after 2:00 PM
Check out before 12:00 PM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Piha

Located in Piha, this holiday home is by the sea. Alberton House and Manukau Heads Lighthouse are local landmarks, and some of the area's attractions include Auckland Zoo and Whoa! Studios. Crystal Mountain and Action World are also worth visiting. Surfing/body boarding and swimming offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking nearby.
Map
Piha, Waitakere Auckland

What's nearby

  • Waitakere Ranges - 2 min drive
  • Karekare Beach - 14 min drive
  • Piha Beach - 16 min drive
  • Eden Park - 27 min drive
  • Auckland Ferry Terminal - 29 min drive

Getting around

  • Henderson Sunnyvale Station - 12 min drive
  • Auckland (AKL-Auckland Intl.) - 48 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Blair's on the Beach - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Tandoor Flame Indian Restaurant - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Piha Surf Life Saving Club - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪The Piha Cafe - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪The Olive Kitchen and Bar, Titirangi - ‬7 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Stunningly Private Piha Retreat pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Stunningly Private Piha Retreat?

Check-in begins at 2:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Stunningly Private Piha Retreat?

Checkout is at 12:00 PM.

Where is Stunningly Private Piha Retreat located?

Situated by the sea, this holiday home is 1.7 mi (2.7 km) from Waitakere Ranges and within 6 miles (10 km) of Karekare Beach and Piha Surf School. Karekare Falls and Piha Beach are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 65 out of 77 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 11 out of 77 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 77 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 77 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 77 reviews" "

9.6/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

brian t.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sarah M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Friendly and gorgeous environment
The area around the house was gorgeous with bush trails and very lush and tropical. The owner was very nice and we met him both when we got there and when we left and I wish we could have stayed longer!
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jasmine K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful Retreat
Our stay at this very special property was one super recharge! Absolutely loved every aspect. The family history and journey toward making this home a place to share is so very commendable. Birdlife and clean air will slow you down to the rhythm of your own heart...nothing else matters. Would definitely recommend to friends and would stay again.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Carmen C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect Place for some Rest, Relaxation & Rejuvenation
Stunning views over beautiful native bush towards Lion Rock at Piha Beach. Has its own bush tracks which we explored all of them. Outdoor bath is a treasure used it every day! Fire place kept us cozy as its winter time and was lovely after each day of walking. We explored all our favourite tramping tracks in the area. Comfortable and cozy beds we liked the kitchenette set up and really enjoyed our stay. Thanks for sharing!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

8/10 Good

Amelia A., Auckland, New Zealand

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cool place with great views
The views from the property were amazing. It's also very peaceful there. The outdoor bathtub was not usable, though. There was no microwave at the property but an oven and stoves were available. The beds were not as soft as I'd like but over it's comfortable. Heating was available in all rooms. The bush walk tracks within the property area were really cool. Overall we really enjoyed our stay and wished we had booked for two nights instead of one.
Stayed 1 night in May 2022

6/10 Okay

Lana H.

Liked: Communication, location
Beautiful spot high with stunning views across the bush towards Piha.
We arrived to a friendly welcome from Mike. We were immensely pleased with the location and setting. The home was tidy and clean, although the windows were quite grubby which impinged on the view. Good kitchen facilities and lots of wood for the fire. The outdoor bath was a special treat to soak in after a day walking in the bush and along the beaches. Comfy lounge furniture and a good outdoor eating area too. A very nice retreat from a busy life.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

leo z.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fantastic Location
Lived up to my expectations. (-:
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Melinda C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A True Retreat
This was truly a relaxing experience... exactly what we wanted. The fire kept us cosy and the outdoor bath and panoramic views were absolutely beautiful. A gorgeous place. We'll be back, for sure!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2021

8/10 Good

Sally L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Bliss away
The only thing hard to adjust to was the bed. Everything else was bliss Nature peace quiet secluded Will def stay again when we need to hide from our Auckland business Thank you
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2021

10/10 Excellent

Tara T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful tranquil setting
We have 6 children and wanted somewhere to relax and unwind without the kids Could not have been a better spot Highly recommend

10/10 Excellent

johann b.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Piha Retreat
Perfect finish to a lovely summer trip around Northland. Loved well designed and stylish bach in bush-clad surroundings of the Waitakere's. The perfect spot to unwind and connect with nature. Looking forward to hopefully returning one day.

10/10 Excellent

Raewyn H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Special place
Didn’t want to leave as had many more hidden treasures to find.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2020

8/10 Good

Derryn G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great view to Piha. Peaceful
A lovely place to retreat to. Very peaceful and surrounded by bush. Unfortunately the bed was very hard and difficult to sleep comfortably on. Driveway unpaved but short and ok to navigate.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2020

10/10 Excellent

Sharon H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Magic Setting
A great escape from the hustle and bustle of life, nestled in native bush with great views through the valley to Piha Beach. Very comfortable but with rustic charm appeal which was relaxing and cute.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2020
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Fabulous property in a beautiful location.
Fabulous property in a beautiful location. Secluded in the bush you feel like your in your own private haven but only a few minutes drive to the beach. The retreat is well appointed and has everything you need for a comfortable and relaxing stay.

10/10 Excellent

Shelley H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Slice of NZ HEAVEN! Stylish property!
Exceptional NZ property. Heritage bush and a beautiful build, a rare combination! Hosted well, very friendly and flexible. I will be back and recommend to all on my social media. Stunning location, Karere waterfalls, the beach, the caves, the view! Thank you.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Ryan C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very relaxing getaway
We loved this place! The photos just don't do it justice. The highlight for us was having the fire going on a rainy night, turning all the inside lights off and turning on the outside spotlights that light up the trees, spectacular! Would certainly recommend for any weather.

10/10 Excellent

MArgaret C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A lovely getaway.
The property is really well situated with a great view down to Lion Rock Piha. Lovely tracks through the bush. Barbeque and eating out on the deck watching the sun go down was a treat. Highlight was the moreporks arriving after dark every night sitting in the kauri trees outside the deck hunting for moths and swooping low in front of us! Thank you so much.

10/10 Excellent

Emma C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
With a view like that ... definitely will be back
That view, those sunsets ... magical. The Retreat is fantastic, excellent layout with everything you need to enjoy BBQ meals on the balcony and your morning coffee watching the ocean out the floor to ceiling windows. We had a fun afternoon exploring the pathways near the house. So many secret finds!

10/10 Excellent

Joao M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family adventures in the bush and loving the Piha vibes!!
We had a stormy weekend which made the place all the more beautiful, staying warm and cosy with the fire. We ventured down and up and around and up again in-between showers into the bush. Amazing trees!! There's so much history and mauri (life-force, energy) in this place, our boys and all had a fantastic experience. Weather cleared up on our last night with a beautiful sunny day out on the beach to finish it off!! Thank you so much for sharing it with us! We'll be back again soon!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2019

8/10 Good

Carbery C.

Amazing View
Awsome house, great views and cool Bush walks. Only qualms were that we were not aware of the fact that it doesn't have a full kitchen only kitchenette with the sink outside. Not a major though. Also we had a family staying directly behind us in the main house which looks directly at the outdoor bath, be nice if it was a bit more private, maybe a screen? Very relaxing and enjoyable stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2019

10/10 Excellent

Kristi M.

This is a beautiful, peaceful, rejuvinating spot.
We loved waking up to the sound of birdsong, looking down to the beach and Lion Rock, and sipping coffee quietly on the deck. We would absolutely come back here!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2019

10/10 Excellent

Ben S.

Great bush retreat
Lovely house, amazing view - a perfect hideaway in the bush
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2019

10/10 Excellent

Chantelle H.

A M A I Z I N G
Such a beautiful place so relaxing! The veiws are just priceless no words can describe... loved the walk around the land. It was just our kind of place we will definitely be back again!!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2019

10/10 Excellent

Rachael W.

All about the views (and the outdoor bath)
Amazing location and breath taking accommodation focused all around the view of Piha beach and lion rock. Everything you need is provided. Short drive to Piha beach. Hosts were very accommodating.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2019

About the host

Hosted by Jane Brenan

Host profile image
This unique land has been in our family since 1924 and comes under the Queen Elizabeth Trust which provides extra protection to the rain forest. Managing the 2 houses, on our piece of paradise, is a shared job between 2 sisters, and supported by our nephew who lives on site.

Why they chose this property

The Retreat was completed in 2010. It was built on the one clear piece of land in the entire property. The project included the wonderful Chris Tate, and a long process of approvals and building something very special to share was finally completed. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

Because we want to share the experience of staying high in the rain forest with as many people as possible.

What makes this property unique

Architecturally designed Retreat house, the rain forest, the sunsets, the peace and quiet, wood pigeons, the view down to Lion Rock, the 15 mins drive to Piha Beach .... and so much more.
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