Best List of Unique Accommodation Bay of Plenty

This Best list of Unique Accommodation – Bay of Plenty takes you from a kiwifruit orchard to the beach to the lake. With an eclectic range of styles from a retro family caravan, a high end designer barn, cool beach baches and eco-friendly treehouses and chalets.

The Bay of Plenty’s motto is ‘sure to make you smile’ and the region sure is one of New Zealand’s top holiday destinations with natural beauty, great summers, white sand beaches, hot pools, and outdoor adventures. See more…

What’s on Offer?

Location: Bay of Plenty | North Island | New Zealand
Type of Accommodation: Quirky | Bach | Eco-friendly and Organic

Price Range: $ – Cabin/Hostel | $$ – Budget | $$$ – Mid-range | $$$$ – Luxury | $$$$$ – Super Luxe
Prices can vary depending on the season.

Links are to: Booking.com and VRBO/Bookabach

1. Stunning Lake Views Famous for Trout Fishing – Lake Rotoiti

Caravan Lake Rotoiti - Unique Accommodation Bay of Plenty

Best for: Affordable Caravan, Swimming, Fishing, Playground, Children Welcome, 4 Guests, $

Enjoy million dollar views from this quirky caravan stay on the shores of Lake Rotoiti. The caravan has been renovated into a comfy ‘cheap as chips’ holiday retreat, with bedding and linen for four guests.

The kitchenette includes a microwave, tea/coffee making, cutlery, utensils, two-burner stove top and fridge. Eat outdoors in the garden looking over the playground to the lake.

Things to Do: Swimming, Fishing, Walk Hinehopu Hongi’s track (2.2kms), Manupiria Hot Springs (boat access).

Good to Know:

Internet available
Queen-size bed, heater
Bathroom and laundry are separate from the caravan in the host’s house
Check prices and availability at the Caravan at Lake Rotoiti

2. Little Blue Bach – Mount Maunganui

Little Blue Bach - Unique Accommodation Bay of Plenty — Unique Accommodation Bay of Plenty

Best for: Affordable Bach, Nostalgic Beach Holiday, Family-friendly, 4 Guests, $$

This quaint one-bedroom bach is an affordable and comfortable stay in the heart of Mount Maunganui, near the beach, shops, eateries, supermarket, Bayfair Mall and Baywave Swimming Pool.

The Little Blue Bach is a real New Zealand-style holiday home and spotlessly cared for, with a double bed in the bedroom, a sofa bed and single bed in the lounge. A dining table and chairs are also in the open-plan lounge.

The bathroom includes a shower, toilet and basin. The simple kitchen has a microwave, fridge and washing machine. With lovely balmy weather at the Mount in summers, the outdoor dining setting means you can enjoy al-fresco dining every day.

Good to Know:

Free WIFI
Outdoor lawn and garden area
Off-street parking for two cars
Plenty of linen and towels supplied
Glasses, cutlery, utensils, crockery
Check prices and availability at Mount Maunganui Little Blue Bach

3. Tiny Houses in the Bay of Plenty

Check out a modernist tiny house near the beach in Mount Maunganui, a tiny house on a farm near Ohope Beach, and an ethereal tiny cottage on a farmlet in Tauranga…see the List of Tiny Houses here…

Rangimarie 123 Tiny House Ohope Beach — Rangimarie 123 Tiny House – Wainui (Ohope Beach)

4. Tui Ridge Retreat – Katikati

Tui Ridge Retreat Treehouse - Unique Places to Stay in the Bay of Plenty

Best for: Eco-friendly Chalets, Treehouse, Romantic, Pet-friendly, Gardens, Chooks, Walks, Hot Tub, 2 Guests, $

Cute little chalets, rustic cabins and a treehouse sit in a garden at this Katikati kiwifruit orchard. Each accommodation at Tui Ridge is rustic and eco-friendly with solar power, and is part of the Travel Sustainable Programme. Pet buddies are welcome at the Ark and Morepork Cabins.

The owners grow their own veges which they share with guests in season. You’ll find a shared kitchen if you feel like cooking, a Summerhouse with a BBQ, and a shared lounge (with WIFI) for relaxing and meeting your fellow travellers.

Tui Ridge Retreat - unique eco chalets in a kiwifruit orchard — Unique Accommodation Bay of Plenty

Good to Know at this Unique Accommodation – Bay of Plenty:

Linen and towels provided
Waterfalls, swimming and walks in the Kaimai Ranges are nearby
Parking on site
Outdoor Furniture
Check prices and availability at Tui Ridge Retreat

5. List of Luxury Glamping Bay of Plenty

Belle Glamping by the Sea Bay of Plenty — Belle Glamping by the Sea – Katikati

Plot your next escape to a luxury glamping tent with gorgeous Moroccan-style interiors and furnishings. Set next to a river in Whakamarama, with beanbags, stylish outdoor furniture, hot tub, and room for 5 guests, it’s camping in-style!

The next glamping retreat is Belle Glamping by the Sea in Katikati. Set in a tropical setting by the sea with a large pool and a thermal pool, relaxation is assured!

Oakridge Glamping is in Rotorua with contemporary belle tents to accommodate up to 4 guests, an outdoor fireplace for cosy star-lit nights, landscaped surrounds, and picturesque rolling farmland. Read the List of Luxury – Bay of Plenty here…

6. Moanarua Cottage – Ohope Beach

Best for: Māori Bed and Breakfast, Beach Location, Free WIFI, Hot Tub, 2 Guests, $$

Experience amazing Māori hospitality at this Bed and Breakfast only a couple of minutes walk to Ohope Beach. Choose from a garden cottage with a kitchen and bathroom, or the Pohutukawa Room with shared bathroom in the owner’s home.

Every day you’re served a delicious breakfast, which you can enjoy on the upstairs deck with panoramic views of the beach. After a long day of beach adventures, a soak in the hot tub is pure relaxation.

Things to Do at Ohope Beach: the beach is 14kms long and patrolled by surf lifesavers during the summer months so perfect for swimming, beachcombing, picnics, snorkelling and kayaking. Tours at Ohope Beach include mountain biking, helicopter rides, and kayaking. Check out Tripadvisors list of tours here.

Happy Guest at Moanarua Cottage:

This place was paradise, the Māori culture the beautiful warm hearts of these two was amazing.

Good to Know:

Free Welcome Drinks and Snacks
Flat screen TV
Outdoor furniture and BBQ
Check prices and availability at Moanarua Beach Cottage

7. The Barn – Designers Dream Beach Hideaway – Waihi Beach

The Barn Waihi Beach - Unique Accommodation Bay of Plenty

Best for: Luxe Apartment, Near Waihi Beach and Anzac Bay Beach, Outdoor Copper Shower, BBQ, Courtyard, 2 Guests $$$

Every centimetre of this gorgeous hideaway is thoughtfully designed with creativity and high end designer interiors. Everything is top notch from the Turkish linen to the stunning art and furniture to the gourmet kitchen appliances.

The bedroom is on a mezzanine level with a king-size slat bed and snuggly Ecosa matress with organic cotton linen. The elegant en-suite includes a sunken bath, walk-in shower and special lights. The contemporary kitchen includes a dishwasher, washing machine and dryer.

You’re near beaches, park reserves, Waihi Village (for eateries and boutiques), and you can even use the basketball courts and coin-operated tennis courts at Pio Shores nearby.

The Barn Waihi Beach - Unique Bay of Plenty Accommodation

Good to Know:

Smart TV with Netflix, Unlimited WIFI
Outdoor Dining and Loungers
Delicious coffee and food at Surf Shack Café
Anzac Bay has a Coffee Cart through the summer months also offering real fruit ice cream, and smoothies
Check prices and availability at The Barn – Designers Dream Beach Hideaway

8. 98 Steps to the Beach – Waihi Beach

Best for: Large Holiday House, Modern Interiors, Beach Location, Washing Machine, 10 Guests, $$$

This big beachy holiday home has plenty of room for the whole whanau. Stylishly renovated with 4 bedrooms, open plan lounge/dining/kitchen, sleep-out, large section for the kids to run around and ’98 steps to the beach’!

The bedding is set up for a maximum of 6 adults and 4 children. FYI: Bedroom 3 only has external stair access to the rest of the house. The sleepout is a gorgeous little cottage perfect for teens.