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Beachfront hotel / resort - walk to cafes?

Brisbane, Australia
Destination Expert
for Brisbane, Noosa
6,195 posts
148 helpful votes
Beachfront hotel / resort - walk to cafes?

Hi all

We are looking to base ourselves at Paihia in early August this year for 6 nights. We have previously stayed at Coopers Beach and loved it, however we are looking for something with more cafes and restaurants this time.

We are late 60’s and love to walk. We will have a rental car to explore. We are not fond of guest houses or bnb’s. We also don’t want to squish in a hotel for 6 nights.

Recent Trip advisor accomodation reviews are not so appealing.

Can anyone suggest somewhere that might meet our needs?

Cheers and yes we are packing wet weather gear!

7 replies to this topic
Dunedin, New Zealand
Destination Expert
for Dunedin, New Zealand
4,343 posts
38 helpful votes
1. Re: Beachfront hotel / resort - walk to cafes?

What about motels? Check out Bay of Islands Gateway - it is top rated but there are several others on Marsden Road (which runs along the waterfront).

Rarotonga, Cook...
Destination Expert
for Rarotonga, Waiheke Island, Southern Cook Islands, Auckland Central, New Zealand, North Island, Cook Islands
29,475 posts
82 helpful votes
2. Re: Beachfront hotel / resort - walk to cafes?

Kia Ora surfoz, welcome to the Paihia forum.

One time my family and I stayed at the Anchorage motel. Lots of room to spread out inside our unit, and plenty of parking in the spacious grounds. Across the road from the bay, with views from the upstairs units. Absolute walking distance to the cafes, wharf, and grocery stores.

NZ motels offer great value and are well furnished; including a full kitchen or kitchenette.

Brisbane, Australia
Destination Expert
for Brisbane, Noosa
6,195 posts
148 helpful votes
3. Re: Beachfront hotel / resort - walk to cafes?

Thank you both for your ideas, much appreciated.

Some places are booked for our dates, still searching!

Brisbane, Australia
Destination Expert
for Brisbane, Noosa
6,195 posts
148 helpful votes
4. Re: Beachfront hotel / resort - walk to cafes?

Hi all

We are back from our wonderful holiday and here is where we stayed.

Movenpick Auckland, 2 nights - harbour view

Copthorne Bay of Islands, 4 nights - The best view and bed ever!

Ramada Suites Orewa , 2 nights - Harbour view

Movenenpic Auckland, 1 night - harbour view

We loved the hotels, locations were perfect for our little road trip and for our needs.

Edited: 1 year ago
United States
620 posts
5. Re: Beachfront hotel / resort - walk to cafes?

Copthorne looks lovely but is sold out for our dates.

Any thoughts on Kingsgate auto lodge vs Breakwater motel?

96 posts
6. Re: Beachfront hotel / resort - walk to cafes?

We stayed at breakwater for 3 nights and found it clean, comfortable and nicely located to the ferry, cafes and shops.

New Zealand
Destination Expert
for South Island, Nelson-Tasman Region, New Zealand, Tonga
28,101 posts
512 helpful votes
7. Re: Beachfront hotel / resort - walk to cafes?

#6 welcome to TA and nz forums em a - the op has been and gone as the post was June last year and they were travelling in August 2023.

Im surprised your first post for nz was such a dated post.

i travelled to paihia last year and we had a great stay at the waterfront suites and we booked through airbnb. This year we are staying paihia waterfront pioneer apartments after checking out what was on offer. its right across the road from many restaurants and a few minutes walk to ferry sailings, supermarket etc,

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