Eagles Nest

New Zealand’s natural beauty is so phenomenal, they can get away with some truly understated place names. Imagine the most spectacular place the name “Bay of Islands” could possibly describe, and you still won’t be prepared for the real thing. It’s notable mostly for its unique geography, but this region is also home to a world-class hotel, namely Eagles Nest.

This hotel is a legend around New Zealand, but it’s not as well known overseas, perhaps a function of its small size; comprising just four villas, with an absolute maximum capacity of 22 people at a time, there’s a limit to the number of evangelists this place can produce.

Those who do manage to secure a reservation here are bound to go home raving about the place. The four villas are luxurious homes, designed in an utterly modern style, with brushed-metal appliances in the full kitchens and glass-walled showers in exhibitionist boutique hotel style. Villas sleep as many as eight and as few as two, in the honeymooners’ favorite called First Light Temple (that’s the one with the glass shower, as you may suspect). The larger villas have their own infinity pools and private Jacuzzis, and all come with such necessities as LCD televisions and gas fireplaces.

There’s an infinite variety of dining options, all centering around the essential question of how much you wish to make use of your personal chef — though self-catering is an option, and there are a number of restaurants nearby.

And there’s an embarrassment of choices for activities as well, from sailing and deep-sea fishing to spa treatments, swimming, or old-fashioned idleness. The one thing there’s not: shared public spaces. Each villa is rather like a self-contained mini-hotel, making it one of the most intimate escapes available anywhere.

How to get there:
Eagles Nest is approximately a 45 minute trip from Kerikeri Airport. Guests can drive the entire way besides a 5 minute trip using the Opua car FERRY to get to the Russell peninsula. There are ferries every 10 minutes and prices vary according to your vehicle's size.