The house was spacious, quiet, and very clean. Pictures don't do it justice. Sue has done an amazing job decorating - we loved all the artwork and cozy throws! Sue and Eddie were the most gracious hosts during our stay. My family of four spent a week during the winter and found that the house could easily have accommodated more people. We used the kitchen primarily for coffee and breakfast, but along with the outdoor grill it was ready for all sorts of cooking adventures. The location was perfect; it was the highest point in the area for spectacular views, but still an easy walk down to two pristine beaches (Manly or Tindalls). We particularly enjoyed being able to walk for dinner and drinks at the Manly Bar & Grill. The ferry to Auckland (and Tiritiri Matangi Island) was just a short drive and much easier than trying to drive into the city, especially for someone from Boston used to driving on the right! There’s also a lovely park for day hikes a few km past the ferry – we honestly felt like we never needed to leave Whangaparaoa. Winter was great, BTW (nice weather, no crowds). Highly recommended.