TaighNaMara B&B 2-- a relaxing haven at the beach

Room in bed and breakfast in Kūaotunu, New Zealand

  1. 3 guests
  2. 1 bedroom
  3. 2 beds
  4. 0 shared baths
Hosted by Carol
  1. 11 years hosting

Listing highlights

Top 5% of homes

This home is highly ranked based on ratings, reviews, and reliability.

On the beach

This home is right on Kūaotunu Beach.

Exceptional check-in experience

Recent guests gave the check-in process a 5-star rating.
Some info has been automatically translated.
This beautiful b&b offers 2 bedrooms each with ensuite bathroom, sleeping up to 3 guests in each. This listing is for the Scallop Room (Rm 2) which has a king size double bed. The rooms are large allowing plenty of space to add a separate single bed if there are 3 guests. As a hosted b&b, Vaccine Passes are required and validated on arrival. Set in lovely gardens with the beach just a short walk away, it's a great base for exploring the area. A place to relax, unwind, and enjoy great food.

The space
Taigh Na Mara is a purpose built bed and breakfast, located in Kuaotunu on the Coromandel Peninsula. Guests have their own rooms which can each sleep 1-3 people, with own ensuite bathroom, outdoor area and private entrance. Both rooms are approximately 20 square metres in size, and bathrooms 4 square metres. The room is sunny and spacious, with comfortable chairs and a coffee table. Tea and coffee making facilities and a small fridge are available in the room, along with a small amount of cutlery and small plates. An outdoor shower is available for rinsing off after a swim and beach towels are provided. Access to washing machine and dryer by arrangement, and may incur a small charge. There is a shared lounge with TV, and a piano which guests are welcome to use. The kitchen is not for general use, however, you are welcome to use the microwave, plates and cutlery etc if you want to have your own picnic style meal. Free WiFi available (excessive or illegal downloading not permitted). You are very welcome to enjoy the garden and sun loungers are available. Your host has private rooms at the other end of the house. Board games and outdoor sports equipment also available for guests to use. The house and garden are beautifully designed, offering spacious living and outdoor areas, with a cosy fireplace for winter months. A playing field, and a children's play ground and tennis courts are located on one side of the house, with another open area next to the other side. There is a petanque court in the front garden and a large vegetable garden and fruit trees in abundance. The beach is just a very short walk away. Taigh Na Mara offers you a place to relax and unwind, and a great base for exploring the wider area. Please see my other listing for information and booking for Room 1, The Paua Room.

Guest access
Taigh na Mara is located just over the road from the beautiful white sands of Kuaotunu beach. No view of the beach but you can hear the sounds of the waves and it takes just a couple of minutes from the house to the water. The village of Kuaotunu is a 5-10 minute walk away, with a general store and a café and restaurant (do check Luke's Kitchen website for details of when they are open). Kuaotunu is known for its relaxed, seaside vibe. The village hall is popular for weddings in the summer and yoga and pilates classes are frequently available. Whitianga is only a 15 to 20 minute drive and offers several restaurants, cafes, and pubs along with shops and hub for activities on the Coromandel. Kuaotunu is in an ideal location for those wanting to explore the peninsula and there are options for different loops that you can drive. Coromandel town on the western side is just a 30 minute drive and from there you can head up to the northern tip of the peninsula which offers a great day trip from here. Cathedral Cove and Hot Water beach are very popular with visitors to the region and just an hour's drive away. Closer to home are the stunning beaches of Otama, Opito, Whangapoua, and New Chums. Plenty of walking options are also available. Having a car is definitely the easiest way to get around the Coromandel and there is plenty of room for safe parking at the b&b. Otherwise there are shuttles and tours available which I can help you arrange, and a daily bus and passenger ferry comes from Auckland to Coromandel town (seasonal) as do flights to Whitianga. Come and enjoy this very special part of the country.

Other things to note
Accommodation prices listed are for two people. If you are travelling solo, a $20 reduction in tariff is available and I can apply this when contacted about a booking. An additional tariff of $35 per person (adult or child) is charged per night where a third person is to be accommodated. Please note that no more than three are allowed in the rooms, however, a small baby may be able to be accommodated in addition. If you are travelling with a baby or small child under two years of age there is no charge but please do advise. A port a cot is available for use at an extra charge of $10. Meals will generally be shared with other guests (subject to current Covid 19 requirements and/or preferences). I am fully vaccinated and do require guests to have a Vaccine Pass which will be validated on arrival. Breakfast is included in the daily tariff. Guests have the option of a continental style breakfast and/or a cooked breakfast. Muesli or other cereal, fruit, yoghurt, toast or home made bread with a selection of jams and preserves made on site, fruit juice, tea and coffee form the basis of breakfast. Eggs and bacon are always on offer and you are welcome to discuss any other options. If you need to leave early in the morning, a packed breakfast option may be available (muffins, fruit, juice). I'm happy to talk with you about your particular needs, including any special dietary requirements (will accommodate these where possible; notice may be required). Other meals can be provided by arrangement, at an extra cost. Dinners are a popular add on at the b&b, served "family style" and shared with me and sometimes other guests and friends. You might also like a picnic lunch to take away with you for the day; have some soup and home made bread; a special afternoon tea; or perhaps a platter pre dinner or as a light meal. I love to cook and will happily work with you around this. An option for having a cooking class while you are here is also available for guests. At this stage a fresh pasta making class is on offer, as well as the opportunity to make some special meringues. You can contact me for more details.

Sleeping arrangements

Bedroom
1 king bed, 1 single bed, 1 crib

Amenities

Shared beach access
Wifi
Free parking on premises
Paid washer – In building
Paid dryer – In building
Unavailable: Carbon monoxide alarm

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Rated 4.96 out of 5 from 51 reviews.

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This home is in the top 5% of eligible listings based on ratings, reviews, and reliability
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Overall rating

  1. 5 stars, 96% of reviews
  2. 4 stars, 4% of reviews
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  5. 1 stars, 0% of reviews

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for cleanliness

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for accuracy

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for check-in

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for communication

Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars for location

Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars for value

Where you’ll be

Kūaotunu, Waikato, New Zealand

Kuaotunu is one of the hidden gems of the Coromandel. It is located on the Eastern side of the Peninsula, 17 km north of Whitianga, and 27 km east of Coromandel town. While providing a great base for exploring the wider peninsula, Kuaotunu itself has much to offer. Once a thriving gold mining town dating back to the 1880s, it is now a small coastal village, offering beautiful north facing white sand beaches that are safe for swimming. It's a great area for all water sports with fishing, kayaking, snorkelling and diving all on offer. The Black Jack reef can even offer great surfing when the conditions are right, and visits from dolphins are not an uncommon sight. Surrounded by native bush, and farmland, there are also plenty of opportunities for walking in the area. Golf and tennis are available nearby. The village store can provide you with essential items and great icecreams, with supermarkets available in Whitianga. Lukes Kitchen serves up delicious pizzas, seafood, and other fare, with local musicians often playing, while the café serves up the local LaLa coffee and tasty baked goods. Please note the restaurant is closed week days during the off season months and it is recommended you check their website regarding opening dates and times. . There are more fantastic beaches close by, including some great attractions such as New Chums Beach, Cathedral Cove and Hot Water beach, with Whitianga offering a cinema, pubs, restaurants, The Lost Spring thermal pools and day spa, and plenty of other activities for both children and adults. It really is a great place to visit, offering the opportunity to just unwind and relax, and to enjoy all the local environment has to offer if you wish.

Hosted by Carol

  1. Joined in March 2015
  • 88 Reviews
  • Identity verified
I was born in the Orkney Islands off the north of Scotland and chose the name Taigh Na Mara for the Bed and Breakfast in acknowledgement of my Scottish heritage (it means "House by the Sea"). I have lived most of my life (when not travelling or living overseas) in Auckland and moved to live in the Coromandel in February 2015. Kuaotunu is an area I am very familiar with, my parents having lived here for over 30 years. My great passions in life are travel and cooking. I have travelled extensively, taking in cooking courses whenever the opportunity presented itself and I am really excited to now be able to share this with others, in a corner of the world that I feel is hard to beat. I provide meals here at Taigh na Mara and also offer cooking classes to guests. Gardening and kayaking are other keen interests and Taigh Na Mara also allows me to indulge in these activities. I'm a social worker by profession and have worked particularly in the fields of health, and loss and grief. I would love to welcome you to Taigh Na Mara and share what this very special part of the world has to offer.
I was born in the Orkney Islands off the north of Scotland and chose the name Taigh Na Mara for the Bed a…

During your stay

I am happy to interact with guests as much or as little as you wish. Your privacy will be respected. I will often join you for coffee over breakfast if you are okay with this, and am happy to help you with any travel or activity plans while you are here. I may join you in the lounge or outside in the evenings. I offer evening meals and these are generally a shared occasion--with myself and sometimes with other guests. If you prefer to have a meal in your own area then this is also possible. I'm always up for a chat if you would like. One of the great things about B&B accommodation is that it gives you a chance to get to know both your host and other guests if you want, as well as having the opportunity to gather some handy tips on local spots and activities--or you can have your own space if you prefer.
I am happy to interact with guests as much or as little as you wish. Your privacy will be respected. I will often join you for coffee over breakfast if you are okay with this, an…
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  • Response time: within an hour
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Things to know

Cancellation policy
House rules
Check-in: 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Checkout before 10:00 AM
3 guests maximum
Safety & property
No carbon monoxide alarm
Nearby lake, river, other body of water
Smoke alarm