Top 10 North Island Beach Hotels and Campsites

New Zealand’s North Island “is a rewarding destination for beach lovers” with brilliant blue water and gorgeous stretches of white sand” and offers “many brooding vistas where wild seas meet rocky shores,” writes The Guardian’s, Dan F Stapleton.

According to Stapleton there are three areas on the North Island which are especially enticing for beach lovers. sub-tropical Bay of Islands with its abundant marine life and scenic ferry trips, the sun-drenched Coromandel peninsula and considerably more rugged Hawke’s Bay are the most enticing areas for beach lovers.

Bay of Islands

The sub-tropical Bay of Islands with its abundant marine life and scenic ferry trips is one of New Zealand’s tourist hot spots. For those used to holidaying in the Mediterranean or Australia’s east coast, however, it will seem rather quiet according to Stapleton.

His favorite places to stay at are…

1. The Duke of Marlborough, located in the historic port town of Russell is only minutes away the attractive Long Beach, boasts stunning 20th century furniture and local craft beer rules in the restaurant.
2. The Arcadia Lodge in Russell consists of three nautically themed suites, has a genuine home feel and the hosts Brad and David are some of the friendliest you’ll find in Russell.
3. Allegra House, located in Paihia is run by enthusiastic European expats Heinz and Brita Marti. Each of its three bed-and-breakfast rooms boasts a balcony with postcard views of the bay and the beach is only a quick stroll away.
4. The Beachside Holiday Park in Paihia looks out over its own small bay, with a pebbly beach that’s ideal for a tranquil stroll. Behind the site there’s dense bushland and plenty of birdlife

Hawke’s Bay

There’s plenty to do in Hawke’s Bay with vineyards to explore, wide beaches, and lush, hilly hiking terrain.1. The Crown Hotel in Napier, a seaside town that was almost completely destroyed byan earthquake in 1931 and then rebuilt in art deco style, offers great value for independent travellers.

1. The Art Deco Masonic Hotel in Napier is the perfect place for a full art deco experience.
2. The Waipatiki Beach Holiday Park has a peaceful, cut-off vibe. The water off the compact beach can get rough, but lifeguards patrol during peak times, and there’s a shallow stream for young children to splash about in.

Coromandel Peninsula

The Coromandel’s white-sand beaches are some of the most impressive in New Zealand, and according to Stapleton several still feel undiscovered.

1. Otama Beach Hideaway is a single studio apartment with impressive views of Mercury Bay islands. It’s sheltered by bushland and does not have any near-neighbours, which makes it a real “get away from it all” hideaway.
2. The Hahei Holiday Resort is a family-centric campsite; Hahei beach is an excellent spot for kids to splash around and for adults to kayak. The Resort offers spade-hire for kids, a pop-up pizzeria that operates during the warmer months and the on-site shop now serves Auckland-quality espresso.
   Auckland

Stapleton also included one Auckland beach accommodation in his list.

1. The Bethells Beach Cottages is an unpretentious property run by fifth-generation landowner Trude Bethell and her husband. Bethells Beach
   is fringed by dramatic hills and home to dark sand and crashing waves.

Article Source: The Guardian, Dan F Stapleton, March 14, 2016

Image Source: Facebook – Hahei Holiday Resort