Auckland's BEST Sea View Getaway: Unbelievable Guest House!
Unbelievable Guest House: Auckland’s Sea View Paradise (…Mostly!) – An Honest Review
Alright, buckle up, because I've just emerged, slightly sunburnt and very relaxed, from Auckland's "Unbelievable Guest House." And let me tell you, the name… well, it’s got some competition. But first, let's get the crucial stuff out of the way: Accessibility.
Accessibility: The Hurdles and the High Points
Okay, so, this is where things get a little… messy. The website claims accessibility, and they've got a few… attempts. There is a lift (thank god for the elevator!), which is a huge plus. But navigating the place with mobility issues isn't smooth. The pathways aren't the widest, and some of the doorways feel a little… snug. The pool access… well, let's just say it's not exactly wheelchair-friendly. This is a big thumbs down for anyone with serious mobility challenges. They claim facilities for disabled guests, and while they try… they have a lot more work to do here.
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: A Mixed Plate
I didn't find a lot of information on accessibility regarding the restaurant or lounge. It does not look accessible
Internet: The Lifeline of Modern Life (and My Obsession)
Free Wi-Fi! YES! And, mostly reliable. They shout it from the rooftops: "Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!" and they’re not wrong. My internet was actually pretty good. So, bonus points there, especially for a digital nomad like myself who's basically living and breathing online.
- Internet access – wireless: Check.
- Internet access – LAN: Didn’t bother; Wi-Fi was just easier.
- Internet services: Standard stuff – the usual.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax (…And My Attempts!)
Ah, relaxation. This is where the Unbelievable Guest House really sells itself. They have the basics, which is good. There is a pool, sauna, gym, spa, and spa/sauna.
I was MOST excited for the pool with a view. I mean, HELLO! And the view… well, it’s stunning. Seriously, postcard worthy. But the truth is, the water was a tad chilly and the sun loungers were always occupied but I managed to snag a spot!
Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]
I ended up mostly in the pool with the view, it was divine!
Cleanliness and Safety: COVID-19 or Bust (The Over-the-Top Edition)
Okay, this is where the Unbelievable Guest House REALLY shines. They're practically weaponizing cleanliness. It’s like they took the pandemic as a personal challenge to be the cleanest place on earth! This is a BIG thumbs up, especially for someone like me who's a little… hyper-aware of germs.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Obviously.
- Cashless payment service: Essential.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: You could eat off the floors. (But don't.)
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere. Literally.
- Hygiene certification: I'm guessing they have it.
- Individually-wrapped food options: Makes sense
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: They politely enforce it, but no one seems worried
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: Must be. The place sparkles.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Definitely.
- Safe dining setup: Check.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: I hope so.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Yep.
- Sterilizing equipment: Probably.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: I didn't need it.
They REALLY went the extra mile. I mean, the obsessive sanitization almost made me feel guilty for breathing. In a good way, though!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Culinary Adventure (…Maybe Not)
Now, let's be honest, the dining experience wasn't quite as “unbelievable” as the guest house itself. The food was… fine. Good, even. But not mind-blowing.
- A la carte in restaurant: Available
- Alternative meal arrangement: They accommodated my weird requests.
- Asian breakfast: Didn't try it.
- Asian cuisine in restaurant: Nope
- Bar: Basic but enough to get your drink on.
- Breakfast [buffet]: A decent spread. Nothing to write home about, but you won't starve.
- Breakfast service: Yup.
- Buffet in restaurant: See above.
- Coffee shop: Didn't spot one.
- Desserts in restaurant: Standard fare.
- Happy hour: Yes.
- International cuisine in restaurant: Mostly Western.
- Poolside bar: The best place to order a drink!
- Restaurants: One main restaurant.
- Room service [24-hour]: Score! Perfect for a lazy afternoon.
- Salad in restaurant: Standard.
- Snack bar: Small, but provides.
- Soup in restaurant: Wasn't bad.
- Vegetarian restaurant: No.
- Western breakfast: That's what I mainly ate, and it was good.
- Western cuisine in restaurant: The main focus.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things that Matter (and a Few Missing Pieces)
They offer all the standard stuff, which is helpful. But a few things felt a little… lacking.
- Air conditioning in public area: Yes!
- Business facilities: They had the basics (meeting rooms, etc.)
- Cash withdrawal: Yes.
- Concierge: Helpful
- Contactless check-in/out: Essential.
- Convenience store: Didn’t see one.
- Currency exchange: Yes!
- Daily housekeeping: Yep.
- Doorman: Usually.
- Dry cleaning: Yes.
- Elevator: Essential!
- Essential condiments: Check: Salt, pepper, butter packets.
- Facilities for disabled guests: See my comments at the beginning.
- Food delivery: Limited options.
- Gift/souvenir shop: Small, but there.
- Invoice provided: Yes.
- Ironing service: Available.
- Laundry service: Yes.
- Luggage storage: Yes.
- Meeting/banquet facilities: Present.
- Outdoor venue for special events: I suppose you could use the terrace.
- Safety deposit boxes: Yup.
- Smoking area: Yes.
- Terrace: Lovely for an evening drink.
For the Kids: Family-Friendliness (…With a Caveat)
- Babysitting service: YES!
- Family/child friendly: Yes, but…
- Kids meal: Available
They seem geared towards families. But it’s also a place for couples who want to relax.
Access: The Big Picture
- CCTV in common areas: Yes.
- CCTV outside property: Yes.
- Check-in/out [express]: Yes, and fast.
- Check-in/out [private]: Not sure.
- Fire extinguisher: Of course!
- Front desk [24-hour]: Crucial.
- Hotel chain: Nope.
- Non-smoking rooms: Definitely.
- Room decorations: Pretty standard
Getting Around: Easy Peasy (Mostly)
- Airport transfer: Yes, although I didn't use it.
- Car park [free of charge]: Yes.
- Car park [on-site]: Present.
- Taxi service: Available.
- Valet parking: Nope.
Available in All Rooms: The Essentials
This is where “Unbelievable Guest House” really does shine. The rooms are well-appointed and comfortable.
- Air conditioning: Essential.
- Alarm clock: Yes.
- Bathrobes: Yes.
- Coffee/tea maker: YES! A lifesaver in the mornings.
- Complimentary tea: Yup.
- Daily housekeeping: Perfect.
- Desk: Essential for work.
- Free bottled water: A nice touch.
- Hair dryer: Check.
- In-room safe box: Always appreciated.
- Internet access – wireless: See above.
- Ironing facilities: Available.
- Laptop workspace: Yup.
- Linens: Fine.
- Mini bar: Yes
Okay, buckle up, buttercups! This isn't your sanitized travel brochure, this is the REAL DEAL. My trip to the Sea View Guesthouse in Auckland, New Zealand? Oh, it was a journey. Prepare for a rollercoaster… with questionable seatbelts.
Sea View Guesthouse Auckland: A Chaotic Chronicle
Day 1: Arrival…and the Battle of the Bed
- Morning (aka, the "Did I Leave the Oven On?" panic): Landed at Auckland International after an eternity in coach (seriously, my knees are still screaming). Immigration? Smooth. The queue for the loo afterwards? A Lord of the Rings-esque quest. Found the Sea View Guesthouse thanks to a very helpful, but slightly bewildered, taxi driver (whose name I’ve already forgotten, sorry buddy!).
- Afternoon (aka, the "Room with a View, or Room with a Blocked Drain?" Debacle): Check-in! Lovely woman, actually. "Welcome, love! Room 3 is yours!" (Cue excited squeal). Room 3. Right. It had a "view," alright… of the neighbor's slightly overgrown hydrangea bush. And the drain? Well, let's just say my shower experience involved the slow, unsettling gurgle of a creature deep within the plumbing. I considered reporting it, I really did. But the wifi was decent, so I pushed the thought down with a whole bag of Tim Tams. PRIORITIES, PEOPLE.
- Evening (aka, the "First Night's Sleep… Or, Attempt Thereof"): Okay, here's where things got interesting. The bed. Ah, the bed. It was… well, let's just say it had seen better days. Springs poking through in strategic locations. I spent the next hour meticulously rearranging pillows and blankets, building a fortress of comfort that resembled a medieval siege defense. Exhausting. And the seagulls? They sound like possessed banshees at 3 am. I think I may have sworn at them. Loudly.
Day 2: The Ferries, the Fish & Chips, and the "Almost Lost My Passport" Incident
- Morning (aka, the "Caffeine or Collapse?" Breakfast): The guesthouse breakfast, thankfully, was basic but functional. Toast, cereal, and instant coffee that tasted vaguely of despair. Still, caffeine is caffeine, right? Fueled, I hopped on the ferry to Waiheke Island. The sun was shining! The water was sparkling! I felt like I was in a bloody film! (Aside: the ferry trip? Glorious. Wind in your hair, stunning views. Seriously, if you do anything in Auckland, take a ferry.)
- Afternoon (aka, the "Waiheke Island Wine & Woe"): Waiheke Island! Vineyards! Gorgeous scenery! I spent hours sampling local wines, chatting with a very charming (and very knowledgeable) vineyard worker who basically made my day. The wine, by the way? Divine. The problem? I was utterly incapable of remembering what I was supposed to be doing, or where I was meant to be.
- The Passport Shenanigans: And then… the stomach-drop moment. I’m frantically patting my bag. No passport. PANIC. (Picture me, flailing, babbling incoherently, convinced I’d somehow misplaced my only ticket home.) Turns out, it fell out of my pocket while ordering chips. Eventually, I found it. The chips? Cold. The relief? Immense.
- Evening (aka, the "Fish & Chips Redemption"): Back in Auckland, I needed comfort food. Glorious, greasy fish and chips! The perfect end to a chaotic, but ultimately triumphant, day. Strolled along the waterfront, feeling vaguely smug about not being lost, or passport-less.
Day 3: The City, the Sky Tower, and the "Where Did My Socks Go?" Mystery
- Morning (aka, the "Auckland City Exploration"): Okay, time to embrace the urban jungle! Walked around the city, did the obligatory touristy thing (Queen Street, the harbors, checking out the shops. I have many more useless souvenirs!). Found a decent coffee shop. Auckland is pretty cool!
- Afternoon (aka, the "Sky Tower Spectacular"): The Sky Tower! Worth it for the views alone. Absolutely breathtaking to see the city spread out beneath me. I felt like I was floating in the sky! The elevators go up so fast it slightly bent my ears, which was strange!
- Evening (aka, the "Sock-less Saga"): Back at the guesthouse. I opened my case and… No socks. Where did they go? Did the mystery of the missing socks have to do with Room 3? I suspect the gnomes. I'm sure they're up to it! I gave up. I decided to add it to the list of inexplicable travel mysteries.
Day 4: The One-Hundred-Percent-Worth-It-Rambling-About-The-Museum
- Morning (aka, the "Auckland Museum Epiphany"): Now. This is where the trip went from ‘pretty good’ to ‘bloody fantastic’. The Auckland War Memorial Museum. I went in expecting a quick look around. I came out five hours later, completely blown away. It was not just a collection of artifacts. It was an EXPERIENCE. The Maori exhibits? Heart-stoppingly beautiful. The history? Fascinating. I was especially drawn to the sections on the Pacific Islands. I lost track of time and nearly missed lunch.
- Rambling on Auckland Museum: (Because it DESERVES a rant) The layout was brilliant. The lighting was perfect. The stories? They sucked you in. I could have spent a week there. I honestly felt a deep, profound connection to the history, the culture, the people. It was a reminder of the richness and diversity of life. I felt humbled, awestruck, and, if I'm honest, a little bit emotional. I even bought the museum's own edition of the "Maori Cookbook"
- Afternoon (aka, the "Finding The Perfect Cafe"): After the cultural overload, I felt like I needed a moment to take it all in, and process what I had seen, so I went to a cafe, and ordered a scone. It was pretty good. That's the end of the afternoon.
- Evening (aka, the "Packing and Panicking"): The last night! More packing, more wondering if I’d actually bought enough souvenirs. And that feeling of bittersweet anticipation for the journey home.
Day 5: Departure & the "Goodbye, Auckland!"
- Morning: Quick final breakfast, said goodbye to the nice lady, and took the taxi to the airport.
- Afternoon: Goodbye, Auckland! I'd say it was a mess, but a fantastic mess. Auckland, you're a keeper. Never change (except, perhaps, the drain in Room 3).
The Verdict: Sea View Guesthouse? Flawed but charming. Auckland? Absolutely worth the trek. Would I go back? In a heartbeat. (And next time, I'm bringing extra socks.) And maybe a plunger, just in case.
Omni Austin Hotel: Downtown Luxury Awaits!
Okay, Let's Talk About the Unbelievable Guest House (Because Literally, It's Crazy Good)
Is this "Unbelievable" Guest House *really* that unbelievable? Like, seriously?
Okay, so here's the deal. My first thought? "Yeah, yeah, another place claiming to be amazing." I'm cynical, what can I say? But. And this is a BIG BUT. The view? Straight out of a postcard. The brochure photos don't even *begin* to do it justice. I nearly choked on my coffee (which, by the way, was *delicious*) the first morning. You know, like, genuinely gasped. I think my jaw hit the floor, and I’m not even exaggerating.
It's not just the view, though. It's the whole *vibe*. The owner, bless her, is like a walking, talking hug. She's got this infectious laugh, and even when she *might* forget your name (she *did* mix me up with another guest once, poor thing!), you can't help but love her.
So, yeah. Unbelievable? Maybe. But absolutely worth it. Just, you know - pack some extra batteries for your camera because you'll be taking *a lot* of photos.
What's the deal with the breakfast everyone raves about? Is it truly, Madly, Deeply delicious? (Like, is it worth fighting over the croissants?)
Okay, the breakfast. This is where things get… intense. Like, *serious* breakfast envy material. I’m not a morning person, I *hate* mornings. But I forced myself out of bed every single day just for this. The croissants? Oh, the croissants. Flaky, buttery, perfect. I swear, I think they use magic. They *disappeared* fast. I saw a guy, a HUGE guy, practically *devour* a plateful one morning. I think he saw me staring. Awkward smile. I made a mental note to get to the breakfast buffet *early* the next day.
And it’s not just croissants. There are fresh fruits, local jams (the feijoa one? Heaven!), perfectly cooked eggs, and, get this, a coffee machine that actually makes *good* coffee! Not that awful hotel coffee sludge. I mean, I'm getting hungry just thinking about it. Seriously, it's so good it's probably illegal. Or at least, it *should* be.
What if I'm a total introvert and hate people? Will I still survive?
Okay, fellow introverts, I feel you. The thought of forced social interaction gives me hives sometimes. But! The Unbelievable Guest House actually caters to both types. The common areas *are* lovely, but you can easily stake out a spot on the deck with a book and the ocean as your only companion. The owner is super friendly, sure, but not in a pushy, overwhelming way. She's got a knack for sensing when you want to be left alone.
You can definitely get away with minimal interaction. I think I only managed a few "good mornings" and a couple of awkward small talk exchanges. The sea view is your escape. It’s vast and beautiful and will silence any need for words. Plus, coffee is your friend. Always.
Are the rooms actually nice? Or are they just… adequate? (Because some places are just plain depressing.)
Alright. Let’s get real. Some guesthouses? They're basically just glorified boxes with beds. Not this place. The rooms are… a delight. Spacious, clean, with a surprising amount of natural light. And the decor? Not overly fussy, but with enough charm to not feel like a sterile hotel room.
I had the room with the balcony, and honestly, I spent a good portion of my trip just… staring at the view. The bed was comfortable – not too hard, not too soft, just… right. And the bathroom? Immaculate. Seriously, the level of cleanliness was impressive. I even found myself slightly impressed by the way they’d folded the towels. I know, I know, I need to get a life. But the point is, they pay attention to the details.
What's the *worst* thing about the Unbelievable Guest House? Be honest!
Okay, okay, I’ll be honest. It's... leaving. Hands down. The worst thing is having to pack up, say goodbye, and return to the real world. Because after you've spent a few days there, you're just… sad. I actually got a little teary-eyed on the way out, which is entirely embarrassing. I mean, *I* don’t even cry at movies.
Also, and this is minor, the Wi-Fi, while present, wasn't always *lightning* fast. But honestly, who cares? You're there to relax, not spend all day scrolling. And if you REALLY need to be online, just go sit on the deck, sip some coffee, and enjoy the fact that you *are* online, because *at least you have an internet connection.* And maybe someone will bring you a croissant. It’s a small price to pay for paradise, right?
Post a Comment for "Auckland's BEST Sea View Getaway: Unbelievable Guest House!"