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India House - Bookabach Bach of the Year Awards Unique Category Bronze Winner!

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A swimming pool with a covered patio area, a hot tub, and a stone wall.
An aerial view of a large estate with a main building, multiple smaller structures, and extensive landscaped gardens.
A cozy living room with a fireplace, two green sofas, a television, and a window with curtains.
A forested path leading to a white gate with a sign indicating a bed and breakfast offering self-contained accommodation.
A cozy room with two beds, a window with a view of greenery, and artwork on the walls.

Reviews

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • Bring your furry friends
    Top-rated for creating memorable stays with your pets.
  • Centrally-located
    You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.

Popular amenities

  • Spa pool on site
  • Swimming pool
  • Dog-friendly
  • Barbecue
  • Breakfast for a fee
  • Refrigerator

Explore the area

View map
Whareama, Wellington Region
  • Place, Basil Bodle Reserve
    ‪29 min drive‬
  • Place, Riversdale Beach
    ‪31 min drive‬
  • Place, Castlepoint Beach
    ‪52 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

Twin Room

2 Single Beds

Twin Room

2 Single Beds

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

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

Spaces

Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

Add dates for prices

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Property grounds
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  • Ocean view
  • Kitchen
  • Pet-friendly
  • Outdoor space
9.4 out of 10, Exceptional, (80 reviews)
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About the area

Mangapakeha

Located in Mangapakeha, this cottage is in a rural area. Castlepoint Rock and Castlepoint Lighthouse are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Otahome Beach and Basil Bodle Reserve. Surfing/body boarding, fishing and swimming offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking nearby.
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Map
Whareama, Wellington Region

What's nearby

  • Basil Bodle Reserve - 29 min drive - 26.2 km
  • Riversdale Beach - 31 min drive - 26.9 km
  • Riversdale Beach Golf Course - 37 min drive - 28.7 km
  • Henley Lake - 50 min drive - 52.2 km
  • Castlepoint Beach - 52 min drive - 48.8 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Tinui Cafe And Pub - ‬29 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does India House - Bookabach Bach of the Year Awards Unique Category Bronze Winner! have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

How much does it cost to stay at India House - Bookabach Bach of the Year Awards Unique Category Bronze Winner!?

As of 5 November 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at India House - Bookabach Bach of the Year Awards Unique Category Bronze Winner! on 2 December 2026 start from NZ$532, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

Is India House - Bookabach Bach of the Year Awards Unique Category Bronze Winner! pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet.

How much is parking at India House - Bookabach Bach of the Year Awards Unique Category Bronze Winner!?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at India House - Bookabach Bach of the Year Awards Unique Category Bronze Winner!?

Check-in begins at 1:30 PM.

What time is check-out at India House - Bookabach Bach of the Year Awards Unique Category Bronze Winner!?

Checkout is at 10:30 AM.

Where is India House - Bookabach Bach of the Year Awards Unique Category Bronze Winner! located?

Situated in a rural location, this cottage is within 16 miles (25 km) of Otahome Beach, Basil Bodle Reserve and Riversdale Beach. Karaka Reserve and Riversdale Beach Golf Course are also within 16 miles (25 km).

Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 46 out of 65 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 16 out of 65 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 65 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 65 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 65 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy
Pet friendly, cosy house, clean and friendly hosts
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Charming historic property

Great place for a peaceful country retreat within easy drive to fabulous beaches ….dog friendly and lovely hosts
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 20 November 2023
Thank you Alison for your kind comments - it was lovely to meet you!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely spot, with great hosts

The hosts were very lovely and even towed us out of the mud when we got stuck! The house is cosy and well equiped. Highly recommended!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Christmas stay

Just what we needed to get off the grid this christmas. Beautiful wee retreat, our family were asll thrilled staying here.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 6 January 2025
Thank you for your lovely review Jessica - it was a pleasure to host you!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great little farm house for winter getaway

We loved our stay at India House. It’s a cosy little farmhouse with a fireplace and no Wi-Fi or cellphone reception – perfect for a winter getaway. The grounds are great for a stroll, and the hosts were friendly and helpful.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 4 June 2025
Thank you for your lovely comments Jules, although we must add there is Wifi and cellphone reception (if you really need it), but you have to leave the cottage and walk into the garden to pick it up!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
It was exactly what we needed :)Beautiful tucked away cottage.Carmen and Dick are wonderful hosts. They even had the log burner started for us before we got there.Will definitely come back again :)
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 3 September 2025
Thank you for you lovely comments Elliot - it was a pleasure to host you guys!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely

Beautiful spot for a quiet and cosy getaway :)
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fabulous cottage for a getaway.

Lovely property. Cottage has everything you need to enjoy the tranquility of the surroundings. Kitchen well equipped. The beds are super comfortable. Great hosts very welcoming and helpful.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful country stay

A beautiful countryside property. Absolute bonus to be able to use the swimming pool at the main house - especially in the Summer heat. Carmen and Dick were great hosts - offering help with anything we needed. Good to be able to take our dog on holiday with us.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy

Great tramping place

This would be an amazing place to stay if you were tramping or if you have small children. The beds are very comfy, the fireplace works well and the owners are very accommodating. The bathroom has a rudimentary shower only. The kitchen has most things and is workable. Nice setting and relaxing.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 16 April 2024
It was a pleasure to host you. Sorry you didn't quite get the 'bath' you were expecting, but thank you for taking the time to make a review of our property.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Recharge

What a place, no cell reception or wifi makes this the perfect place to recharge and relax. The cottage had everything you could need and would go back without hesitation. Highly recommend
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 21 January 2023
Thank you for you great review Tim, guests like you are always welcome back!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful and relaxing

India Cottage is like a secret get away - surrounded by trees with a view of a pond, it's a beautiful, relaxing setting that feels like the middle of nowhere. But if you feel like doing something it's fairly close to beaches and walks - Castlepoint, Riversdale and for some yummy food and a game of pool head to the pub at Tinui. The cottage is lovely and has everything you need, and we loved the pool. Not much in the way of wifi but even the teenagers admitted it was nice to unplug and hang out. Dick and Carmen are lovely, welcoming hosts.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 4 February 2025
Thank you for your kind comments and review Gillian. It was a pleasure to host your family here. This really is the place to unplug and unwind in - lol!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Heavenly

My daughters (9&12 yrs) and our dog loved our stay. The kids had their own room, bonus! The frogs sang for us (relaxing). The pool and spa a treat. Beaches near by for the girls boogie boards. We stayed 10 nights and did not get bored. Do note no Wifi in the cottage so not a place for a work getaway (phew!) and kids need to be more creative - but very doable!! :-) You can access WIFI on property and bring DVDs. Hosts were fabulous. Thank you Carmen and Dick we really loved our stay. Such a beautiful relaxing spot.
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 18 January 2023
Thank you for such a lovely review Melanie - it was a pleasure to have your family stay with us!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely historic cottage.

Ideal rural retreat for a peaceful getaway with the simple pleasures of yesteryear . Lovely fire and use the spa at the homestead was an added bonus. Picturesque vista and a warm welcome from our hosts . Many thanks for a great weekend break .
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cosy Cottage with Winter Comforts

Loved our stay, especially moonlit spa and luxury log fire. Fascinating history of India House an added interest. Accommodating our beloved pooch a bonus, thank you to our friendly hosts, Carmen and Dick.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A relaxed stay in a hidden gem

Truly a hidden gem, the owners Dick and Carmen really make this a special place to stay. Plenty of space to roam, loads of privacy, a great poolside setting and access to beaches nearby to mix it up. Perfect
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quiet. However, a great break away.

No issues at all. Hosts were very welcoming. Basically left us to it, bit always Available if needed. Would definitely look to return
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Would highly recommend!

This is a perfect spot for a rural retreat, with easy access to the beach, but all the loveliness of countryside :) Carmen made the whole experience really straight forward, and we had a really comfortable stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

India House

Great quiet cottage and getaway
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect rural getaway

The cottage was beautifully cosy with comfortable beds, well-stocked kitchen and plenty wood for the fire! Very rural location but easy to get to Masterton. Friendly welcome from Carmen with easy communication prior to our stay. Lovely to make use of the spa pool at the main property also.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 28 June 2021
Thank you for your lovely review Aoife - it was a pleasure to host your group!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Short stay at Whareama

Lovely historic property in a sunny, sheltered spot. Lovely outlook. Everything our 2 adult, 4 children group needed packed into 80m2. The spa pool and outdoor pool made the trip for the kids. Visited both Castlepoint and Riversdale from here easily. Better than a beach bach booking for the area as the beaches can be wild. Lovely hosts Carmen and Dick were very welcoming, while still allowing privacy. Limited wifi and cellphone reception encouraged the kids to use their imagination again. Great!
Response from VrboOwner on 3 May 2021
Thank you for leaving such a wonderful review. What can we say - limited wifi and cell phone coverage does have it's advantages..... our place is 'off the beaten track' - somewhere to relax and chill out in!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing retreat

Perfect place to just relax and get away from it all. Dick and Carmen were great hosts and we can't wait to go back again.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Whareama

We had a lovely relaxing time here. It was a perfect quick weekend away.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful and private

Great spot to relax, our dog loved the pond and the sounds of the frogs was lovely. Spa and swimming pool were a great bonus and we found ourselves in the perfect place to chill out or go explore Castlepoint & Riverside.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful and cozy

Had a lovely stay at the house, beautiful property and it was the perfect place to relax for a few days. Owners were very helpful and accommodating.
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