Warm Earth Cottage in Katikati. There is a beautiful spot to read a book or have a picnic down by the river about 200m from the cottage. Photo/supplied
Warm Earth Cottage in Katikati. There is a beautiful spot to read a book or have a picnic down by the river about 200m from the cottage. Photo/supplied
Looking for a romantic break away? Michele Hunter checks out Warm Earth Cottage, perfect for couples and honeymooners
Written in chalk on the verandah of our colonial- style cottage are the sentiments of couples who have enjoyed an experience best described as unforgettable at Warm Earth Cottage in Katikati.
The faded words talk of reignited romance, the flame still burning after 30 years and magic weekends full of reminders of why they fell in love.
Settling in for a two-night stay I find myself daydreaming about the couples and their love stories. Wondering if their relationships have weathered the storms of places less idyllic than this, or if the honeymooners are now living the futures they dreamed of while here.
At eight months pregnant and with a busy toddler at home it's the simple pleasures that seem indulgent on my and my husband's babymoon at Warm Earth.
Sleeping in past 7am, abandoning routine and spending uninterrupted hours relaxing, free of guilt.
The sun is shining on a brilliant Bay evening as we drive down the winding driveway to the stunning property owned by Jan Wagtendonk and her father Walter Wagtendonk.
The grass is lush and green, the gardens blooming with shrubs, flowers, birds and bees and the huge organic vegetable patch laden with summer fruit.
A cosy log cabin with rustic dining room overlooks the valley and cobbled paths lead down the hill to two colonial-style cottages and the beautiful river beyond.
This is a place of pure escape. A chance to spend time and talk with your partner away from the distractions of technology, family and work.
Candles replace electricity in the cottages. The starlit nights are unbroken by the harsh glow of iPads or cellphones and text message tones or cellphone rings are replaced by the sound of the running river.
At 5pm each night Jan arrives to light the fire under the outdoor bath at each cottage, ensuring they are hot for an after dinner soak. In winter she also lights the cottage wood burners, setting the scene for a cosy, romantic evening.
When we wake in the morning a cane picnic basket full of venison sausages, bacon, hash browns, tomatoes and more is sitting on the table outside our door - charmingly decorated with fresh flowers from the garden.
After a hot shower nearby, offering better pressure than we have in town, we turn on the gas barbecue to cook breakfast and boil the whistling kettle for a hot cuppa, looking out over the secluded garden and lawn.
A sunny Saturday is spent reading on deck chairs, taking a refreshing dip in the river and wandering the grounds listening only to the noises of nature.
The breakfast hamper made by Jan and delivered to the cottages each morning for guests to cook. Photo/supplied
Any previous plans to drive to nearby Katikati are quickly abandoned - there is no desire to leave this haven of tranquillity.
When Jan first viewed the property with a real estate agent on a rainy day in 2011 the land and river were the first things she wanted to see and their impact on her soul was instant.
"I knew I had to belong here. I'd never felt that I belonged so well anywhere else."
She and Walter closed the gate for six months and gave the property a makeover. They added to the cottages and Jan worked tirelessly on the gardens and grounds.
Since then they have had three weekends where the two cottages haven't been booked - despite not taking bookings from people simply looking for a bed for the night.
The cottages are a place to recharge and reflect - an experience worth planning for, savouring and in many cases repeated.
"Most of the regulars become friends and it's like them coming home," Jan said.
Gourmet cuisine When former Masterchef New Zealand contestant Shelley Robinson stayed at Warm Earth Cottage, it marked a new era for the business.
Popular sister duo Shelley and Trudie finished in the top five of the 2014 series and have now teamed with Jan and Walter to provide a series of culinary experiences at Warm Earth - some of which we were lucky enough to sample during our stay.
Former Masterchef contestants Shelley and Trudie (left) Robinson are cooking for guests at Warm Earth. Photo/Andrew Warner
The partnership also inspired Jan and Walter to add the newly-completed ranch-themed dining room to the existing log cabin, where they will host meetings, lunches and intimate dinners cooked by the culinary sisters.
My husband and I enjoyed an exquisite candlelit dinner from entree to dessert, including some of the best beef I have ever eaten, sourced locally from Katikati Village Butchery.
The sisters also prepared a pizza and raw salad gourmet hamper - beautifully presented in Jan's rustic style - for us to enjoy an al fresco dinner on Saturday evening.
The blooming business partnership could soon see Warm Earth hosting mid-week garden tours, intimate weddings (adult guests only) and food tours aimed at cruise ship passengers sampling organic produce from the property and surrounding Bay region.
Meanwhile, for those wanting some luxury pampering during their time away, Warm Earth also offers guests massage and beauty treatments.
Teena Cooke from Tease Botanix offers facials, massages and other beauty treatments upon request and Helene offers relaxing therapeutic massage.
While massages can already be enjoyed on the river bank, Jan is also considering transforming a small garden shed on the river's edge into a room dedicated to luxury beauty and massage.
Big plans for the future * Wellness weekends * Gourmet dinner for 12 and high tea by the water's edge * Requests for weddings (adult guests only)
