Tim Roxborogh checks into a unique B&B on the Tawharanui Peninsula
Location: At the start of the Tawharanui Peninsula; a five-minute drive from Matakana village and 15 minutes from Warkworth.
Rooms: Three suites, the premiere of which sits at the top of a turret and is entirely circular. I've never slept in a round hotel room and the novelty didn't wear off. Our suite came with separate his-and-hers bathroom vanities, a full walk-in wardrobe and you get that massive rooftop balcony to yourselves. The sunrise views over the islands of Kawau Bay from the curved windows as seen from the king-size bed made getting up a challenge.
Style: Think a combination of Art Deco, Greek stucco and pre-87 stock-market crash opulence. There's little like it anywhere in New Zealand and that first look of the place — circular turrets and all — when you head down the driveway is striking.
The property: Set on three-and-a-half acres of rural New Zealand countryside overlooking green hills, trees and small, forested islands. There are water features, gardens and sun lounges on-site, not to mention use of the living and dining room at the base of one of the turrets that's exclusively for the guests.
