Aimeo cottage is a complete delight. We snuck here for a week’s pre-Christmas break and were blown away. This is a solidly built, comfortable, quality holiday home & we will certainly return here.
We booked with Annie, the owner, who was extremely efficient, helpful, accommodating and friendly. She also bakes awesome bread!
We had exclusive use of the property for the week - although this spot would be good for families sharing with friends, as there is a studio unit on the garden-level, which had the same quality and comfort as the main house.
We were looking for a private spot with great views and easy access to the water. We found this and more in a clean, very well equipped & maintained holiday home:
Parking on a private driveway only a few minutes from the ferry, ( no- there was no noise ferry at the house) - this enchanting cottage greets you with an exquisitely tended, sun-drenched garden – a lovely spot with solid wood garden set & umbrella inviting you to stop, yet the flowered path beckons you closer toward the house, past a selection of herbs, up a step to a welcoming entrance & into a great open plan layout : kitchen, to dining to lounge and spilling out onto wrap-around deck with superb views over the waters of the Bay of Islands. The hints of sailing around the world are seen in the furnishing and the place has a sense of exotic travels.
A very comfortable bed with clean linens, meant waking well-rested to warm sunlight streaming in, taking tea and breakfast on the deck, followed by a stroll to the nearby beach or planning various day trips (all must-do!) on the Phantom sailing yacht, a fishing trip, lazy stop at the nearby Winery, a few Long Beach wave-frolicking hours, even a drive to a local secret surf beach, off the beaten–track, meant we were happy to be home for late-afternoon naps, sundowners and taking in the awesome views over Russell. A well-equipped kitchen & clean BBQ meant we were able to prepare all manner of suppers from local fare in Annie’s kitchen, which we enjoyed on the fabulous long dining table in the cozy warmth on cool evenings.
We think fondly of this holiday and hope to return to recharge our spirits in this gem again this year.
All bookings are direct with the owner 