Apartment

WARU Whakatane: <br>Waterfront Apartment, Restful and Uplifting<br>

Photo gallery for WARU Whakatane: <br>Waterfront Apartment, Restful and Uplifting<br>

Parking
Comfortable king size bed.
Main bedroom showing balcony access and water view
Peaceful outlook of Ohinemataroa and the Heads.
Ensuite bathroom.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 4110 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Gym
  • Air conditioning
  • Hot tub
  • Dryer
  • Washer

Explore the area

Map
Whakatane, Whakatane
  • Mataatua: The House That Came Home
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Te Manuka Tutahi Marae
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Whakatane Hospital
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Whakatane (WHK)
    ‪15 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Master Bedroom

2 Single Beds

Second Bedroom

1 King Bed and 2 Child Beds

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Ensuite

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Kitchen
Balcony
Separate dining area
Dining Area

About this property

WARU Whakatane: <br>Waterfront Apartment, Restful and Uplifting<br>

Quietly tucked away around the corner from the i-Site, WARU is an exclusive sub penthouse apartment (with lift access) which has stunning views of the river & ocean and a lovely outlook towards the native bush and the CBD.

WARU is a spacious & comfortable, 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment - sleeps 4 guests. Location right next to the CBD makes it an extremely convenient place to stay.
While more suited to adult accommodation, families with well-behaved and supervised children are welcome.

With over 100m2 there is enough room for everyone to be comfortable. The balcony area allows you to catch the early morning sun, sit back and take in the view to Moutohora/Whale Island, Ohinemataroa/the river and the harbour entrance.

WARU is as close as you can get to the river and CBD. What this means is that within minutes you can walk to cafes, restaurants, shops, the movie theatres, children’s parks and much more. In fact with Roquette Restaurant directly downstairs you don't even need to leave the building for coffee, lunch or dinner (except on Sunday). Two secure car parks are also available. Make sure to pack your walking shoes!

The kitchen is very well equipped if you prefer to cook. The dining and living areas are open plan and very comfortable. The smart TV with Freeview and Sonos allows you to listen to music, most radio stations in the world, watch Netflix, DVDs or surf the net. Complimentary Wi-fi is part of the package.

Both bedrooms are tastefully furnished with quality beds, linen and towels. The main bedroom has delightful views of Moutohora Island, Ohinemataroa River and beyond toward the harbour entrance. It also has a walk-through wardrobe to an ensuite bathroom.

The twin room has views to the bush clad hills, the waterfall, both lookouts and into the CBD. Books, toys and games can be found on the bookshelf for both children & adults to enjoy.

The main bathroom is located next to this bedroom & also includes a washing machine and dryer.

The beautiful & best loved Ohope Beach is only a 10 min drive away.

There are 5 local golf courses in the Eastern Bay of Plenty within a 30ish min drive from WARU. Fishing, diving, kayaking and sightseeing information and tours are available from the Information Centre which is less than a minute walk away as is Moutohora Island Tours available from Pee Jays. The wharf and passenger pick up places are only a short walk from WARU.

Price Includes:
Milk, coffee & a selection of teas
A welcome gift.
Complimentary Wi-fi & Netflix
All Linen, towels and beach towels
Toiletries - soap, body wash, shampoo & conditioner

Off Site Owner Manager
Special conditions:

* The owner/manager will arrange a time to meet you and explain access, security and answer any questions.

*. All codes to be kept confidential. Visitors limited to four people, and they must be buzzed in.

* Not suitable for venues and because this is part of a complex, we expect consideration to other residents with regard to noise.

* No additional guests staying beyond those booked.

* No smoking, vaping, pets or parties.

Property manager

Michelle (Shelly) Wilson
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Safety latches on windows. Children’s books & toys
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
No smoking inside or on balcony. Thank you.
Please keep codes confidential. Visitors to be buzzed in - push button 12 at the entrance, answer phone and then push open door button to let them in.
Please hook up & use door jambs when bringing up & taking down luggage to protect paintwork.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
Property Registration Number 20033794

We should mention

A car is not required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Whakatane

Located in Whakatane, this apartment is in the city centre and on the waterfront. Whakatane River Walk and Whakatane Aquatic Centre are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Wairere Falls and Pohaturoa. Scuba diving and power boating offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking/biking trails and mountain biking nearby.
Map
Whakatane, Whakatane

What's nearby

  • Whakatane River Walk - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Wairere Falls - 5 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Mataatua: The House That Came Home - 5 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Te Manuka Tutahi Marae - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
  • Whakatane Hospital - 5 min drive - 3.5 km

Getting around

  • Whakatane (WHK) - 15 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Turkish Kebab House - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Robert Harris Cafe Whakatane - ‬9 min walk
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬19 min walk
  • ‪The Quay Cafe/Licensed Restaurant - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Quart House Bar - ‬4 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is WARU Whakatane: <br>Waterfront Apartment, Restful and Uplifting<br> pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at WARU Whakatane: <br>Waterfront Apartment, Restful and Uplifting<br>?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at WARU Whakatane: <br>Waterfront Apartment, Restful and Uplifting<br>?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is WARU Whakatane: <br>Waterfront Apartment, Restful and Uplifting<br> located?

Located in the heart of Whakatane, this apartment building is within a 5-minute walk of Whakatane River Walk, Wairere Falls and Mataatua: The House That Came Home. Te Manuka Tutahi Marae and Pohaturoa are also within 5 minutes.

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 72 out of 76 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 76 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 76 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 76 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 76 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Josephine C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
What a lovely hostess
A wonderful accommodation great location and a fantastic hostess we had a wonderful time
Stayed 24 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lela I.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful stay
Amazing place with an amazing view!! Michelle is amazing!
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ross H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Whakatane apartment with a great view
Very clean, tidy and well-appointed Whakatane apartment. The apartment has everything you need for a relaxing stay.The view from the balcony is very relaxing - a place to spend many quiet hours. Centrally located in downtown Whakatane this apartment has everything you could ever need. Owners excellent to deal with. Would definitely come back.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Stephen F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Excellent Centrally Located Apartment
Clean tidy and central. Thank you for the nice touches like personalised check in and food and beverages to add to the appeal. Off street parking and easy to find. Recommended.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

SARAI V., Sydney, Australia

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful stay!
We were very impressed with this property. The location was excellent and it was very neat and tidy.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

JJ S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Brilliant place and location in Whakatane
By far the best experience we have had staying and dealing with the owner. Shelly’s pride and passion is evident throughout the apartment and dealing with her made it fantastic. Thank you Shelly for allowing us to stay at your place. See you again!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lynn S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Whakatane R & R
Absolutely wonderful place to stay. Very clean, everything provided and really lovely host. Location is very convenient for walks, shopping etc and has a beautiful view. I highly recommend staying at Waru - you will love it!
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Guy C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great stay
Great location, lovely host and everything you need in a beautifully kept apt. Will be back.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sacha L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very Cosy & Has Everything You Need
We really enjoyed our stay here, Shelly was great to deal with, apartment had absolutely everything we needed, the bed was SO comfortable and Showers were amazing.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

C F.

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great
Excellant location
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

susanne w.

Wonderful location, beautiful views, walking distance to everywhere in town
Wonderful location, beautiful views, walking distance to everywhere in town. Loved our views from our bedroom too. We slept with windows and doors opened. Felt very safe.

10/10 Excellent

Margaret E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Best accommodation in Whakatane
Wonderful, friendly hostess who went the extra mile to ensure our stay was memorable. Beautiful location overlooking the river, handy to all amenities with a top restaurant on the ground floor. Spacious, airy apartment had everything you needed with super comfortable bed and living areas, well equipped kitchen and laundry facilities and lots of extras - books, puzzles, even some home baking and snacks. Our favourite place to stay and can't wait to return. Excellent value for money.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

PETER L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing Apartment
Would thoroughly recommend this wonderful holiday apartment. Shelly welcomed us on arrival and gave us all the information we needed. The apartment is exquisitely furnished yet homely and very comfortable. Brilliant location, right on the waterfront and close to all the shops in Whakatane.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Summer S., New Zealand

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great host, perfect location
Michelle was very lovely and a warm welcome. Her place is stunning with the views overlooking the water and the best location to be. Everything was just a stroll away. She also allowed our 11 month old, soon to turn 1 that weekend to stay as well which was awesome! Would return again!
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sharalon S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fabulous Stay
We had a fabulous stay at Waru! Shelly a wonderful host. Gorgeous apartment with sea and river views, close to everything we wanted for nothing apart from the sun it was sadly missing from our recharging long weekend but we relaxed and enjoyed ourselves nevertheless!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Isobel W.

The apartment was very comfortable and had all the facilities (and more...
The apartment was very comfortable and had all the facilities (and more besides) that we needed for a restful break. We have rented holiday residences in many parts of the world and this apartment is one of the best we have ever stayed in. I just hope that future guests also appreciate the high quality touches. Shelly met us when we arrived, showed us around and left us to it but made it clear that she was available if necessary. This is an absolute gem of a place if you’re in the area.

6/10 Okay

Ivan. And Lois B., Tauranga. New Zealand

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location
Disliked: Check-in, listing accuracy
Review
The property was excellent. Easily the best we have stayed in. But we will not use Book a Bach again. The process of booking was difficult if not nearly impossible for us oldsters. We were on the point of giving up when the 7th or 8th try we finally got the booking done.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Luc V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Shelly is a great host, the property is beautiful and everything that you could want is included,
The only thing is that the place needs air conditioning, you can open windows and get airflow, but the outside noise is very loud The place is beautiful and so well located and AC would make it a 6 stars place to stay We couldn’t sleep well at night because it was too hot Sorry I wanted so badly to give her 5 stars as she is awesome, but we couldn’t sleep well at all
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kat H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Overwhelming Incredible
Waru was a wonderful apartment with an amazing view from the balcony . It was clean and very spacious. A minute walk from shops, cafes and restaurant located directly underneath. Shelly’s hospitality is unmatched, a full tour of Waru and great communication throughout. What a wonderful host and a stunning apartment. We will definitely be back. Thank you Shelly and Grant!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Dave W.

Peaceful home from home
This is an amazing apartment that we cannot recommend highly enough. Shelly is a great host so all in all it’s a winner. The apartment is huge running the depth of the building from the kitchen past a huge dining table to the double sofa living space and out to the spacious balcony. The front bedroom and living room both have panoramic views of the river front and beyond to the sea. The kitchen is fully equipped with nice touches such as cooking oil and other provisions in the fridge. There are two bathrooms and laundry facilities too. The location is perfect being a few steps from the Strand and White Island Tours We loved our stay and thank you for providing such a lovely home
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2018

10/10 Excellent

Charlotte M.

Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Noeline T., Auckland

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Quiet, relaxing with lovely river views
Lovely spacious apartment, right on the river so great views. Everything you need for a very comfortable stay with lots of lovely touches. Central for eating out and with Ohope beach just over the hill. Thanks Shelly
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Bob H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect Stay
As the star ratings suggest at all 5 star, this was an outstanding property and it would be extremely hard to find anything to dislike. We were met by Shelley on checkin and shown what was what and received very clear and helpful advice as to how the apartment was set up and facilities on offer. The apartment is finished to an extremely high level of finish and decor along with very comfortable furnishings and beds etc. The home made cakes and biscuits were great and a very nice welcoming touch. This apartment is so good we will be recommending this to any of our family who may also visit NZ/Whakatane. Thanks again to Shelley for the experience.
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2020

10/10 Excellent

Shanie M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Relaxing in the heart of Whakatane
If you are looking for a place that has it all WARU is the place. Amazing view of White Island and the convenience of local restaurants only a short stroll away. WARU has all the comforts of home and more. A secured car park was a bonus. Highly recommend WARU if you are visiting Whakatane and will definitely be back.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2020

10/10 Excellent

Sarah Q.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very nice accommodation, great location
Everything is made to feel comfortable and Shelly was very welcoming.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2019

About the host

Hosted by Michelle (Shelly) Wilson

Host profile image
I was born and have lived in the Eastern Bay of Plenty almost all my life. My mother is Maori and my father is from Jersey. I have lived in Edgecumbe which is a 20 minute drive west from Whakatane for over 30 years and where both my husband Grant and I went to school. We love living here.

We have a daughter and a son and also two mokopuna (grandchildren). We are both teachers. I manage WARU with assistance from Grant when needed & we also do the cleaning.


WARU is a dream come true for us. I enjoy meeting our guests and letting them know about the many and varied attractions and activities the Eastern Bay has to offer.

Our life motto - Attitude to gratitude, Choose to be happy and in control, Live in the present.


Why they chose this property

WARU delivers on all aspects, location, views, comfort, attention to detail, privacy and security.

My intention is to provide guests with a warm and friendly welcome so that they leave WARU having thoroughly enjoyed their stay and with wonderful memories of Whakatane and the Eastern Bay to take away with them. We are open to any suggestions guests have to improve their stay


What makes this property unique

The views are amazing, whether you are into water or bush views you will not be disappointed. Bird watchers will be delighted with the abundant bird activity. Sitting on the balcony watching the everchanging views of the river due to the incoming and outgoing tides is a lovely way to relax and recharge.

At over 100m2 there is a lot of space for you to enjoy, whether you are on your own, as a couple or family, or group of four.

Being able to walk within minutes to cafes, restaurants, shops and CBD is really convenient. It allows freedom for guests to please themselves when and where they go. No need to take the car.
If you have small children then the walk along the river either way will take you to impressive children's playgrounds where parents can sit and supervise and enjoy what many locals consider to be our slice of paradise. There is also a skatepark and places where you can fish from the wharf. If you enjoy stand up paddle boarding there is a small landing near the iSite where you can launch from.

Two lookouts visible from the kitchen and second bedroom are only a short walk away and well worth the effort.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests