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Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location
Host

9.6

Exceptional

4 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 6180 sq m

Popular amenities

Pet-friendly

Barbecue grill

Outdoor space

Kitchen

Air conditioning

Dryer

Explore the area

Rotorua, Bay of Plenty

Lake Rotoiti1 min walk
Hell's Gate and Wai Ora Spa7 min drive
Lake Rotoiti Hot Pools12 min drive
Rotorua (ROT-Rotorua Regional)14 min drive

Most relevant reviews

10/10 Excellent

We had the best time here, my fiancé and my mum from Australia stayed here for 3 nights and we honestly could have staye...

Nicole M.

Apr 15, 2023

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bunk room

1 Single Bunk Bed

Loft beddroom

1 Single Bed

Lower floor double bed room

1 Queen Bed

Master bedroom.

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Down stairs lower floor level

Toilet · Shower only

Master bedroom ensuit

Bathtub · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio

Porch or lanai

Kitchen

Balcony

Garden

Dining Area

About this property

A character 1960 Scandinavian holiday home - great for families

A character 1960 Scandinavian holiday home.
Easy access to the lake edge and great walks.
Relax on the deck with fantastic sunsets.
Rotorua is only 20 minutes away for your shopping.
There is lots of peace and quiet at our bach.

Property manager

Tim Mahoney

Premier Host

Amenities

Kitchen

Dryer

Pet-friendly

Free WiFi

Air conditioning

Lake view

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Free WiFi

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM

Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

Pets allowed: less than 25 kg per pet (limit 2 pets total)

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

Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

About the area

Rotorua

This holiday home is located in Tikitere, a neighbourhood in Rotorua, and is in a rural area and on a lake. Skyline Rotorua is a popular attraction and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Lake Rotoiti and Redwoods Whakarewarewa Forest. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at Racing Rotorua or Rotorua International Stadium. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

View more Holiday homes in Rotorua

Rotorua, Bay of Plenty

What's nearby

Lake Rotoiti - 1 min walk
Hell's Gate and Wai Ora Spa - 7 min drive
Lake Rotoiti Hot Pools - 12 min drive
Polynesian Spa - 22 min drive
Skyline Rotorua - 27 min drive

Getting around

Rotorua (ROT-Rotorua Regional) - 14 min drive

Restaurants

‪Terrace Airside - ‬14 min drive
‪Okere Falls Store - ‬17 min drive
‪Robert Harris Cafe - Airport - ‬14 min drive
‪Robert Harris Tea & Coffee Specialists - ‬11 min drive
‪Okawa Bay Takeaways - ‬13 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is A character 1960 Scandinavian holiday home - great for families pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows pets (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 25 kg per pet.

What time is check-in at A character 1960 Scandinavian holiday home - great for families?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at A character 1960 Scandinavian holiday home - great for families?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is A character 1960 Scandinavian holiday home - great for families located?

Located in Tikitere, this holiday home is steps from Lake Rotoiti and within 3 mi (5 km) of Lake Rotoiti Hot Pools and Hell's Gate and Wai Ora Spa. Te Amorangi Museum and Haiku Pathway are also within 12 miles (20 km).

9.6

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

Learn more

8.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

Nicole M.

15 Apr 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Unique, quirky, loads of fun!!!

We had the best time here, my fiancé and my mum from Australia stayed here for 3 nights and we honestly could have stayed for 2 weeks. So secluded and beautiful, Tim’s Bach has absolutely everything you need for the whole family (or two!). Short drive into Rotorua, super close to Hell’s gate thermal springs and mud baths too. Tim and Hannah communicated so well with us and gave us lots of local recommendations. If ever back in NZ we will look to stay here again.

Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Emily

25 Mar 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, communication

Lots of space! Many rooms and lounging areas. Fully equipped kitchen and laundry. A shower and a bath. Beautiful views, great location for relaxing alone but also close enough to town (driving) to see everything.

Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rustam

23 Mar 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication

a unique house with a kind soul. wonderful and hospitable host. thank you. we'll be back for sure.

Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

8/10 Good

Carl D., Balgownie

12 Mar 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

one of a kind

One of a kind

Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kerry C.

18 Apr 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fabulous stay

This was a return visit and we enjoyed it even more than the 1st time. The property is fantastic, plenty of space and everything you need is there including Kayak which got plenty of use by the teenagers. Tim gave us loads of local activity recommendations which were new and fun. We thoroughly enjoyed our few days and will definitely return again

Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

12 Apr 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful time!

Place is amazing! It seems it came out of a book, we were delighted to stay in such romantic and cosy house! Great for views and dinners also close to lots of interesting sites! The host is so dedicated and available, gave wonderful tips and directions. The on site manager also super helpful and cheerful. Will definitely be back on summer!

Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Donna M.

3 Apr 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful & Tranquil

The Views are amazing ,bird life is incredible , Comfy beds & lovely linen. Thoroughly enjoyed our stay. Appreciate everything Tim .Thank You very much . John & Donna.

Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

6/10 Okay

Anna G.

21 Mar 2024

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Disliked: Cleanliness

Quirky!

This could’ve been a 5 star stay due to the location and the uniqueness of the property but the cleanliness was an issue and there were many large spiders as well. It’s a super cool location and home but if you want to have separate spaces for people it’s kind of tricky as two of the bedrooms are open to the common area so hard to have some quiet if there are others. Getting luggage up the stairs is challenging too as they are spiral. There is one shower in the basement and a tub upstairs off the master. You can only do a squat shower there. We did enjoy the hot water beach that you can wade to!

Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Nathan S.

23 Feb 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Awesome bach!

What a cool place! The views of the lake are fantastic. The host Tim gave us a list of options to do in the area and was welcoming. I had no idea that we would have a pretty little beach all to ourselves on the island viewable from the deck. Bach had everything we needed and more. I wish I could live here!

Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cath D.

27 Jan 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A Proper Bach

If you want a modern house with clean lines - this is not the house for you. We loved our stay in this bach - clearly a loved home with history and not a generic holiday rental. Magical views. House had everything we needed and air conditioning was running for our arrival so it was nice and cool to step into, but we didn't need this once doors and windows were open. Fresh bedding and clean unstained mattress protectors. Only here for 4 nights - too many things to do in Rotorua and sadly we did not get enough time to enjoy the house and the lake - kayaks and SUPs were provided for use.

Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

robyn s.

25 Jan 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely quiet getaway

A Great location in the bush, would be great for kids a big open field next to the house with wallabies at night, easy access to the beach. At this time of year it is easy walking access through the lake (shallow) to the hot water beach island. Good view of the lake in the evening. Thank you for sharing your home with us.

Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mereana T.

16 Jan 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Bonding with our Mokopuna 💜

Very cosy gorgeous place for a getaway our 4bmoko ages 5 to 12yrs loved it plenty of things to do especially swimming at the little island and at night trying to sight the Wallabys They want to go back 😊

Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Anne B.

31 Dec 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice house

House was nice, lots of room for large groups. Well supplied for most of your needs. Nice location away from town. Very quiet and great views.

Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mereana M., Auckland, New Zealand

25 Dec 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful couples getaway

Absolutely amazing stay! Lovely views, and was even left with a lovely wine!! Thank you so much, my partner and I especially enjoyed the beautiful view from the deck, and waking up to that beautiful picture on the sunrise. Would recommend a hundred times over- the couples retreat that you would dream of!

Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

nadia g.

20 Dec 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful views

Best location with great hosts in a character home.

Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Heather W.

24 Nov 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great stay!

House was wonderful for our family. Just what we needed. It felt like home from the moment we walked in and had everything we needed for a great vacation :)

Stayed 6 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Micaela W.

20 Nov 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Getaway

We had a wonderful stay at this little piece of paradise. Great host and we loved the quirkiness of the house and tranquillity of location. Bach has everything you need and more! Close to the lake for a nip across to the hot pools, trout fishing and even a private island to dig your own hot water pool and explore on the kayaks.

Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Pooja M., Auckland

9 Nov 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Heaven on Earth

This property offers everything you need for a delightful stay. My family and I had an exceptional experience during our time here. The interior of the house is charming, adorned with beautiful antiques on the walls, and it boasts a lovely living area. The most remarkable aspect is the mesmerizing view it provides. The kitchen is well-equipped with all the necessary amenities, and the property manager was incredibly helpful, ensuring that we enjoyed our stay in this splendid house. I want to express my sincere gratitude to Tim for being a wonderful host. I wholeheartedly plan to recommend this place to my friends. Additionally, I intend to share videos and photos on my social media account because this place truly deserves more recognition. Cheers Pooja 😇

Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Alastair M., Waiheke Island, New Zealand

30 Oct 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Very sweet quiet bach with loads of character.

A lovely spot overlooking Rotoiti, fully supplied with everything you could need this classic 80's back is great for a few quiet days away. Both owner and manager friendly and communicative. Highly recommended. We will use again if available.

Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

8/10 Good

Caryn T.

18 Oct 2023

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Rural and relaxing

Great stay, the property manager was easy to contact when we had an issue with the water. There was a large green space adjacent to the house which was perfect for the kids to run around on and there was easy access to the lake. A short walk to a secret hot water stream made for a great outing! Views from the property were beautiful and kitchen had everything we needed.

Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

8/10 Good

May Thu T.

7 Oct 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice holiday getaway

Overall, my experience during the stay was pleasant. The house was nicely decorated and spacious. Thanks for the wine and the chocolate!

Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jane G.

5 Oct 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lake Rotoiti Chalet

Fabulously located lakeside chalet, home away from home very peaceful and relaxing

Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Bruce M.

1 Oct 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Awesome Getaway

We all loved the unique and family friendly design of the house and the tranquil setting. Even the the weather wasnt great, our stay was! The owner and the property manger were very helpful with great ideas of things to do.

Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

8/10 Good

Pat Hargreaves n.

8 Aug 2023

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Winter stay

Check in was easy. The place was warm when we arrived, and the complimentary wine and chocolate was a nice touch. Tim was friendly and helpful and gave us lots of tips for exploring the immediate area. The bach was very well sorted for games and music and videos which was cool. The kitchen was a bit limited in space and in the size of the pots and pans, but it is a bach so, I don’t criticise this too much. The garden is big and with a couple of swings in thr trees is an amazing place for kids to run around. The view on the lake and the forest is beautiful and its a peaceful calm place to be. All in all we enjoyed our stay a lot.

Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

8/10 Good

Emma H.

24 Apr 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Amazing find

Incredible location and such a unique and quirky place. Has all the kitchen amenities you need apart from a blender. Over all Tims house is such an inspiring, characterful house. Could really do with a bit of a an update of a few things and a deep dust (kids sneezed ever time we went back)…. But apart from that it was the most unique and special place we’ve ever stayed at.

Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

About the host

Hosted by Tim Mahoney

We live in Auckland and love our retreat in Rotorua.
After busy weeks working in business in Auckland, it's always great to leave the hustle and bustle of the big city behind and recharge the batteries.
The lakeside bach is great whether you're going to Rotorua for an event, visiting family, mowing the lawns, or just taking a break. Every visit is a treat.
Now, we are offering the bach so others can enjoy its charms.
We greatly enjoy seeing locals, out-of-towners, and overseas visitors enjoying their say at Old Charm.
We also enjoy sharing the hidden treasures and places to visit that most people do not see or find while in Rotorua.
We take great pleasure in the feedback and dialog from all travelers and strive to ensure that all visitors enjoy their stay with us.

Why they chose this property

The treasures are the peace, tui singing, dragonflies, wood pigeons, and incredible lake views.

What makes this property unique

We love the unique design of the house. It reminds us of being back in Sweden many years ago.
Its open plan on the upper and lower floors is more like a Kiwi house design.
We've kept the family atmosphere here with board games, music CDs, movies, a BBQ, and old-fashioned decor.