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Elegant light-filled retreat - minutes to city, Ponsonby, harbour and cafes.

Photo gallery for Elegant light-filled retreat - minutes to city, Ponsonby, harbour and cafes.

Light, airy spaces and sea breezes.
So close to the city but your own private haven.
Loads of room for families or groups
High ceilings and loads of light in the mid-level living area.
Being the sunshine in and the living out on the North facing deck.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6240 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Air conditioning
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

Map
Auckland, Auckland
  • Sky Tower
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • SkyCity Casino
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Auckland Ferry Terminal
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Auckland (AKL-Auckland Intl.)
    ‪25 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Larger downstairs bedroom

1 Double Sofa Bed and 1 Queen Bed

Master Bedroom

1 King Bed

Small downstairs bedroom

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms

Downstairs Bathroom

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

Ensuite

Soap · Toilet · Shower only · Hair dryer

Spaces

Kitchen
Kitchenette
Balcony
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Elegant light-filled retreat - minutes to city, Ponsonby, harbour and cafes.

Bathed in year round sunshine, our home-away-from-home is perfect for groups or families with teens looking for space and privacy for everyone. We're always open to longer stays for corporates, too.

Upstairs, a large, open plan primary bedroom and living space offer million-dollar views out to Rangitoto Island and the city from a private deck and peaceful, cozy living area. Downstairs, two bedrooms, a bathroom and kitchenette facilities mean there's privacy and space for everyone - ideal for family or work groups.

Meet in the middle for a BBQ or drinks and nibbles on the deck, relaxed dining, or movie night from the comfort of large leather armchairs.

As keen travellers ourselves, we know what it's like to have to make a home our own, so we ensure the pantry is well stocked with all the basics. There's a cafe-style espresso machine and all the kitchen amenities you'll need.

Working from home is never fun, but we try to make it as painless as possible, with ultra fast broadband, monitors and a laser printer. We're EV friendly, too - feel free to plug in to charge in the garage for free.

Coming in early or leaving late? We're always happy to be flexible on check in and check out times to better align with long haul arrivals and departures - just ask and we'll see what we can do.

The house is only available for limited nights each year, and once we've hit the limit, we close the calendar down - so be sure to book ahead.

*Please note: there are two internal staircases - this house may be not be suitable for people with mobility concerns. It also has high balconies, so close supervision of children is a must.*

Property manager

Susi Maclean

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Steep steps and high balconies make this property
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Quiet time after 10pm out of respect for neighbours

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property

We should mention

A car is not required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Auckland

Located by the sea, this holiday home is in St. Mary's Bay, a neighbourhood in Auckland. Queens Wharf and Auckland Ferry Terminal are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those in the mood for shopping can visit Princes Wharf and Queen Street Shopping District. Looking to enjoy an event or a game? See what's going on at Spark Arena or Eden Park. Power boating and sailing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with cycling nearby.
Map
Auckland, Auckland

What's nearby

  • Sky Tower - 3 min drive - 2.2 km
  • SkyCity Casino - 3 min drive - 2.2 km
  • Princes Wharf - 4 min drive - 2.5 km
  • University of Auckland - 4 min drive - 2.9 km
  • Auckland Ferry Terminal - 4 min drive - 2.9 km

Getting around

  • Auckland Kingsland Station - 6 min drive
  • Daldy Street Tram Stop - 19 min walk
  • Auckland (AKL-Auckland Intl.) - 28 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Fusion Cafe - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Salta Espresso - ‬7 min walk
  • ‪Dear Jervois - ‬9 min walk
  • ‪Dida's Wine Lounge & Tapas Jervois Road - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Paris Butter - ‬7 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Elegant light-filled retreat - minutes to city, Ponsonby, harbour and cafes. pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Elegant light-filled retreat - minutes to city, Ponsonby, harbour and cafes.?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Elegant light-filled retreat - minutes to city, Ponsonby, harbour and cafes.?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Elegant light-filled retreat - minutes to city, Ponsonby, harbour and cafes. located?

Located in St. Mary's Bay, this holiday home is within 2 miles (3 km) of Ponsonby Road, Sky Tower and Auckland Ferry Terminal. Eden Park is 2.8 mi (4.5 km) away. Daldy Street Tram Stop is 19 minutes by foot and Gaunt Street Tram Stop is 20 minutes.

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 27 out of 30 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 30 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 30 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 30 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 30 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Matthew B.

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

LOVE THIS PLACE!

The property and location are truly stunning & Susi is absolutely fabulous. My family and I stayed here for several months while I was visiting Auckland University on a research and study leave from the US. The home has tons of cozy places to enjoy every day with unobstructed views of the city skyline and a nearby volcano! There’s a busy street outside, so you can hear traffic at times from the top floor; it never bothered us at all and the flip side of that is easy access to highway, public transportation, etc. Very walkable neighborhood with all sorts of restaurants and shops nearby. The homeowner, Susi, is wonderful—friendly and responsive as a host, but also just a joy to be around. We stayed long enough that we became friends as well as guests and invited her to coffee just to socialize. We stretched our budget a bit to rent this place and I’m so glad we did—it was worth every penny and truly defined our wonderful experience in Auckland. We already made plans to stay here again!
Stayed 99 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Brett D.

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

St Marys Bay magic

Fabulous location and walking distance to lots of excellent local eating, drinking and shopping.
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Frederick K.

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

Awesome place

We loved this place. Great location, nicely furnished, lots of space. We could not have hoped for anything better.
Stayed 8 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lance K.

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

Nice place, helpful owner, great location

In a great area near lots of good restaurants and fun shops. We happened to go just after one big cyclone and during another, and Susi was great at checking in with us.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2023
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Keith J.

A very lovely house in a great location

The house was perfect for the 3 guests attending a conference in Auckland. The facilities are very good and it is in a very handy location.
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2017

10/10 Excellent

Cathy S.

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

Comfortable space

Large comfortable house with plenty of amenities!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Christine M.

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

Great home in a great neighborhood

We really enjoyed the location - it was a perfect base for us to explore Auckland and do some day trips. Susi was great to communicate with and the place was very neat and tidy. I strongly recommend this place.
Stayed 14 nights in Dec 2022
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Gerald & Elly M., Kola

Great place to stay

We were very pleased with our stay in this home. Any little issues we had were very quickly addressed by Susi. Location was good. Traffic noise was a bit of a constant but that is life in a city. Outdoor sitting area was so nice.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2017

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth J.

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

Amazing House, Great Location

The house is perfect. Great location, walking distance to many shops and restaurants. It is close to many items as well and an easy drive to others as well. The host is great! So wasy to communicate with and very understanding of people traveling from far away. I cannot recommned this property enough.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Michael P., Hilo, Hawaii, USA

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

Wonderful house

My family of 5 stayed here over Xmas. Wow. Amazing views, great host, cute neighborhood short walk away, downtown very close/ but just far enough to have peace after hours. My wife is a runner, lots of paths to run nearby. All in all great time. The total package!
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2022
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

fiona j., eskdale,cumbria

Amazing

Having grown up in the Herne bay /Ponsonby area when I was a child in was really excited to be back when I found this house it was ideal and central for what we needed it well and truly exceeded our needs the house was amazing and the views were unbelievable. It had everything we needed and more was so impressed and am really disappointed I didn't book this for the whole of my visit I would definitely definitely stay here again and would highly recommend again I can't rave about it enough
Stayed 13 nights in Nov 2016
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Gary S.

Fantastic Auckland Pad

We have just returned from 4 weeks in New Zealand, having attended all 3 Lions tests. We spent 11 nights over two different periods at Susi's house. We really got to love the place, and the wonderful internal design made us feel so at home. As two couples, it was great for each couple to have their own space, whilst being able to share the common lounge, dining and kitchen areas. Shelly Beach Road is a great base for central Auckland, which can be reached in about 15 minutes on foot, although obviously, buses and taxis are readily available in the area. We are missing our Auckland home already, and will return to beautiful New Zealand in the future, to appreciate even more your beautiful, beautiful country. Thanks so much Susi, and hopefully we will see you again in a couple of years.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2017

10/10 Excellent

Morna M., Harrogate North Yorkshire

Great house in a wonderful location.

We stayed here for 40 days. Susi is an excellent communicator, getting back to us very quickly with any queries we had. The property was spacious, clean with lovely large bed and bed linen in main bedroom. The other bedrooms were great too! Lots of towels, shampoo etc provided. The views from the house were superb , and the house had two very spacious terraces to sit out on. The location was perfect, not just for a huge number of local shops/cafes/restaurants on Ponsonby Rd. but also for catching buses to the city centre and beyond. We had no complaints at all but must admit we did miss terrestrial TV ( just for the News etc! ). Also a BBQ would have been an excellent addition to have . We highly recommend this property and have already booked to return next year !
Stayed 40 nights in Jan 2018

10/10 Excellent

Kathy F.

Wonderful long-term rental in the PERFECT location

We lived here for six months during my husband's university sabbatical and could not have had a better experience. The house was perfect for our family of four - our school-aged girls had their own space downstairs, so we weren't on top of each other. The living area was comfortable, and the kitchen was well-enough equipped to cook regularly for a family. The Master was lovely and the office was spacious. But the terrace - ideal for coffee or wine - with views you'll love! I can't say enough great things about the house! The location is fantastic - heaps of restaurants on Jervois and Ponsonby - all within easy walking distance. Even walking to the CBD via Westhaven marina and the Viaduct was easy and beautiful. The area of town is beautiful, surrounded by bays and local beaches with friendly people and is very safe. Susi is so easy to work with and very responsive. She's reasonable, understanding, and knows a lot about the area. One review mentioned that there's not a bathroom on the main living floor and that's probably the only thing I'd change, but it's certainly not a big deal if you're good on stairs. You won't be sorry if you stay here - we'll always remember our time in Auckland SO fondly and our time at Susi's home has given our family memories to last a lifetime.
Stayed 151 nights in Jul 2017

10/10 Excellent

Heather B., United States

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

Holiday in Auckland

Susi was great with communication and information she provided. Any request we had were meet. The house was a great size for our family and the location was awesome.
Stayed 9 nights in Dec 2019

10/10 Excellent

Dick S.

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

3 week stay

Great location. Only 1.5 miles to downtown and the inner harbor. .5 miles to a super market. Nice shopping and restaurant district is only a block away. The house has a great view of harbor and downtown. The house has two patios with views. We enjoyed our stay very much.
Stayed 22 nights in Nov 2019

10/10 Excellent

Jeffrey C., Traverse City

Amazing home in a perfect location!

We loved our stay at Susi's home! Beautiful, large home, with amazing views of the Auckland Skytower, downtown, and the harbor bridge. Also within walking distance of many wonderful shops and cafes - a perfect Auckland home base!
Stayed 10 nights in May 2019

10/10 Excellent

Jo V.

Perfection

What an absolute find! The house is amazingly homely and has everything you could possibly need. The views from the house are priceless! Location is perfect for a nice walk or short bus ride into the city. Would have no hesitation in booking again.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2019

10/10 Excellent

Bill M., Harrogate, Yorkshire

Great house in great location

This is our second visit to Susi’s house in Ponsonby and again we were delighted with our stay over Christmas and New Year. It is so easy to get to all points within the CBD and beyond that this makes city shopping and further excursions very accessible. The views from all of the North and East facing windows are terrific and far reaching whilst the views and ambiance from the deck on the top master bedroom house are fantastic. A glass of wine, a good book and the views are highly recommended. The accommodation is ideal for us and our often visiting grand children. The kids bedrooms are on the ground floor level and we are two floors above in relative peace. Susi is an excellent host who is contactable at just about ant time. She has a great attitude and will do everything she can to make the renters stay as easy and comfortable as possible.
Stayed 45 nights in Dec 2018

8/10 Good

Patti R.

Great location in Auckland

House is located in a very nice area, accessible to great restaurants on Ponsonby Rd and the CBD. We loved going to the German Bakery for coffee and breakfast. Great views of the bay on 2nd and 3rd floors. Enjoyed sitting outside in the warmth of the sun. The master bedroom is very nice with views. Other 2 bedrooms are on bottom floor. Took off a star because queen bed did not have sheets and there were limited towels, wash cloths and hand towels. Also, cleaning items (vacuum, mop, cleaning cloths) were left out. Overall we were pleased with the accommodations awaiting the departure of our cruise.
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2018

8/10 Good

Jeff L.

Great location and great views of the city

We came for a family wedding and found the Ponsonby location on VRBO to be central and conveniently located and we were not disappointed. Great views of the city and Harbour Bridge and walking distance to shopping and coffee shops and restaurants. The cupboards are filled with the essentials like tea,coffee,salt&pepper etc...so all we needed to buy is the groceries we needed for our stay. The outdoor deck was awesome for morning coffee or evening wind down after sightseeing the city. Views are so tranquil. Thank you Susan for providing us a wonderful place to stay and we hope to be back soon. One suggestion is a BBQ for the outdoor deck would be awesome to cook some New Zealand lamb or the catch of the day! kia ora rawa atu-Thank you heaps! Jeff(Can-iwi=Canadian Kiwi)
Stayed 10 nights in Mar 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Valerie L.

Wonderful accomodation

We had a wonderful time staying at Susie's home. The open living space area was perfect for gathering for meals but we still had so much privacy with the two separate sleeping areas. The views through out are amazing, the location to the motorway was excellent, and the local shops in walking distance carry everything. Susi was so helpful and accommodating. Thankyou for sharing your home with us Susi!
Stayed 10 nights in Apr 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Bruce E., Nanaimo

Great spot

We all enjoyed our stay would of been nice to have a toilet on the main floor .
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

MARTA M., San Diego

Beautiful House, Lovely views, Excellent location

Three single women booked this lovely home. It was everything the listing said it was. The home is beautiful yet very comfortable. Everything we needed was there. Access was easy, location was great - very close to town in a nice shopping area, bus stop to town very close. We found street parking easy right in front and found the owner to be very responsive when we had a question. There are several sets of stairs but we managed just fine & enjoyed the views from the upper living room and top level bedroom and there is a nice private accessible yard. We'd highly recommend staying here, we'd stay again!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Paul C.

Great position. Great views. Very nice house

Stayed for 5 days. The property was nicely situated for walking to the harbour and city wit bus stops close by. Consisted of 3 floors with living and kitchen are on the miďdle floor as is the outside veranda. Master bed with dressing room and bathroom on the top. Its all very comfortable. Susi (owner) is very responsive and good to deal with. We had a great stay and would use the property again without hesitation.
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2017

About the host

Hosted by Susi Maclean

Host profile image
We're a family of 4 who live to travel and love to travel well. We spend so much time in apartments, hotels (and yes, VRBO properties) that we know what it is like to land in a new place and turn it into 'home' for as long as it needs to be. We hope you'll enjoy our sometimes-home as much as we do, and that we are able to provide an environment as comfortable for you as it is for us.

Why they chose this property

Live the City of Sails Life in this beautifully furnished, 3 storey architecturally designed house just a few minutes walk to Ponsonby Road one one side, the the water on the other.

It’s the perfect spot to get away from it all or be part of the city action, with a world of fun on your doorstep, and two spacious decks just waiting to welcome you home.

At the very top, watch the sun set as the bridge and city light up as you kick back with a chilled wine or beer in your own private outdoor retreat. Or throw all the doors open and curl up with a good book on the deep, comfy outdoor sofas on the long middle deck. Whatever the mood, there’s a spot in the sun for you here.

Come nightfall, take your pick from renowned Ponsonby cafes and bars. Or take a five minute Uber ride or 20 minute easy stroll down the hill to the city centre, jam packed with some of the best eating and night spots the Southern Hemisphere has to offer.

What makes this property unique

There's loads of space and natural light, along with high ceilings and doors that open to make the most of the temperate Auckland climate. The three levels offer both privacy and comfortable communal areas, with enough privacy for couples or families traveling together that everyone has their own space. Guests tell us they love the indoor/outdoor flow, the relaxing deck areas, and proximity to everything Auckland has to offer. As big travellers ourselves, we know what it's like to have to kill time after or before a long flight. Our house is a home, not a hotel, so we leave plenty of time between guests for our housekeeping team to do a job they can be proud of, and also so we can accommodate an early check-ins or late check-out wherever we can. Just ask!

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English
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