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

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

A room with a sliding glass door leading to a balcony with a view of a river and trees.
A living room with a sofa, a coffee table, and a dining area with chairs and a table.
A neatly made bed with a tufted headboard, two bedside tables with lamps, and decorative items on the nightstands.
A modern kitchen with white cabinetry, a central island, and a built-in oven.
A parking lot with several cars, a view of a body of water, and a mountainous landscape in the distance.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • Beach equipment
    A rare find — beach equipment ready to go for your days by the sea.
  • Centrally-located
    You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.
  • Discover nearby landmarks
    Walk to Wairere Falls

Popular amenities

  • Balcony or patio
  • Spa pool on site
  • Toys
  • Free internet
  • On-site fitness centre
  • Air-conditioning

Explore the area

View map
Whakatane, Whakatane
  • Place, Whakatane River Walk
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Mataatua: The House That Came Home
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Wairere Falls
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Airport, Whakatane (WHK)
    ‪19 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

Add dates for prices

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About the area

Whakatane

Located on the waterfront, this apartment is in Whakatāne Town, a neighbourhood in Whakatane. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Ohope Scenic Reserve and Tauwhare Pa Scenic Reserve, while Mataatua: The House That Came Home and Whakatane District Museum and Gallery are cultural highlights. Whakatane Aquatic Centre and Julian's Berry Farm & Café are also worth visiting. Scuba diving and power boating offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking and cycling nearby.
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Map
Whakatane, Whakatane

What's nearby

  • Whakatane River Walk - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Mataatua: The House That Came Home - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Te Manuka Tutahi Marae - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Wairere Falls - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
  • Te Papaka & Puketapu - 11 min walk - 1.0 km

Getting around

  • Whakatane (WHK) - 15 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Gibbo's Fresh Fish - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Moxi Cafe - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪Kfc - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Ohiwa Oyster Farm - ‬11 min drive

Frequently asked questions

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

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at WARU Whakatane: <br>Waterfront Apartment, Restful and Uplifting<br>?

On-site parking is available at the 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 Whakatāne Town, this apartment building is within a 5-minute walk of Whakatane River Walk, Mataatua: The House That Came Home and Wairere Falls. 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.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 73 out of 77 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 77 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 77 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 77 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 77 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Response from VrboOwner on 8 January 2024
Sarai and her two daughters were delightful guests. I would highly recommend them to other host.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Response from VrboOwner on 17 February 2025
Josephine's parents Brian & Jeanette were a lovely couple, & simply fantastic guests who looks after your place like it is their home. Really enjoyed meeting them and big thanks for the gifts they left me. Highly recommend to other hosts. Nga mihi
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Response from VrboOwner on 20 January 2025
It was a delight to meet Lela's and her group who took great care of the apartment and left it beautifully. Would highly recommend to other hosts.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Response from VrboOwner on 27 April 2023
Thank you Lynn & Janet for your kind words & booking WARU. You left the apartment so beautifully that guests like yourselves make hosting very easy & joyful. You will always be welcome back.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Response from VrboOwner on 13 February 2023
Thank you Guy for your kind words (7 for leaving some of your special tea!). So pleased you had great weather which allowed you both to enjoy the activities you had planned.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great

Excellant location
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 5 April 2023
It was a pleasure to meet Caren & her daughter Aomihia. Their group left the apartment very neat & tidy & I would welcome them back anytime. Nga mihi.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Excellent!

Better than a hotel, lovely and clean. Beautiful attention to detail, lovely linen, kitchen well set up.Great location.Host was so friendly and informative.Best bach we have ever stayed in by far!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 5 May 2025
Thank you so much Kristina for your absolutely lovely review. It is a nice feeling when guests appreciate the small things we do to make the stay a memorable one. You and Laura were really great guests and I'm so happy that you enjoyed your stay and hope to see you again.
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

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.
Response from VrboOwner on 17 March 2020
Thank you Susanne for your lovely review. So glad you enjoyed your stay.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Response from VrboOwner on 4 January 2025
Thank you Stephen for your kind words. Enjoyed meeting you & having you stay & happy you enjoyed WARU.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Response from VrboOwner on 4 December 2024
Thank you so much for your very kind words. It was an absolute pleasure to meet JJ & Elsa who are lovely people and the kind of guests hosts love having to stay. I look forward to seeing you next time!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Response from VrboOwner on 13 February 2023
It was lovely to meet Summer & her whanau. Happy you enjoyed your stay. Nga mihi.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Response from VrboOwner on 7 March 2023
Thank you Peter for your kind review. It was lovely to host you & I look forward to you returning.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Response from VrboOwner on 7 February 2023
It was lovely to meet Sharalon & her mum who were guests hosts love to have stay. Bit sorry about the lack of sun but happy you were able to relax and enjoy the space. Thank you for your kind words.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Response from VrboOwner on 26 January 2024
Nga mihi maioha Margaret for your kind words. You and Rick are the kind of guests hosts love & like you I can't wait for your return. Happy you enjoyed the snacks and extras.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Response from VrboOwner on 14 March 2025
Ross was an easy guest to communicate with and very appreciative and respectful of the apartment which was left beautifully. He is the kind of guest hosts love to have stay and return. Thank you Ross for your review, it's aways a plus when a guest enjoys the space.
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

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.
Response from VrboOwner on 17 March 2020
Thank you so much for your lovely review of WARU. It was a pleasure having you and Peter to stay. Thanks again.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Response from VrboOwner on 24 January 2023
Thank you for your kind words. It was lovely to meet Luc, his wife & friends. I was very sorry to read that you were unable to sleep well. While we do not have air con, the main bedroom doors can be left open safely which allows a natural air breeze to flow and there is also a portable dyson fan (which we discussed) that could have been used in the second bedroom to help cool the room. Your group were fortunate to have experienced some of the best weather this summer which did mean it was hot at night & unfortunately you weren't able to ventilate your rooms as well as you might have. All the best for the rest of your stay in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

6/10 Okay

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
Response from VrboOwner on 10 August 2023
Ivan & Lois were lovely guests to host. Very good communication & glad they persisted in booking. I’m sure the 3 stars refers to their difficulty booking their stay. Would recommend this couple.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Response from VrboOwner on 13 February 2023
Thank you Noeline for your kind words. Good to know you enjoyed your stay.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Response from VrboOwner on 17 March 2020
It was a delight to meet Bob & Liz. They are friendly & easy to talk to and they also were very appreciative of the location & facilities WARU offered and left the apartment as if it was their own home. They are the kind of guests host love having stay. Nga mihi maioha.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Response from VrboOwner on 17 March 2020
Nga mihi Shanie for your lovely review. Just a little correction Whakaari/White Island is hidden by the pohutukawa tree but there is a great view of Moutohora/Whale Island :-). It was a delight to host you and I'm really happy you enjoyed your stay. Nga mihi maioha.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Response from VrboOwner on 17 March 2020
Nga mihi Sarah for your review. It was lovely to meet you all and I'm pleased to hear you felt comfortable and welcome. Hope to see you again.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Superlative accommodation

A beautiful appointed apartment to it’s location on the waterfront and close to the Main Street. Host provided very tasty gluten free coconut biscuits … we highly recommend both the biscuits and accommodation :)
Response from VrboOwner on 17 March 2020
Thank you Max and Janet for your compliments. You are welcome back any time. Nga mihi.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Immaculate and very comfortable apartment. Great to have a lift, as on 3rd floor with great view.

Shelley made us very welcome on arrival. Great amenities ensured a very comfortable stay. One of the best apartments ever.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 17 March 2020
It was a pleasure to meet Christine and her mum Laurene. Absolutely loved having them to stay and very happy they enjoyed themselves. Would have them back in a heartbeat. Nga mihi.
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