Luxury hotel holiday The Sanctuary at Bay of Islands Bay of Islands

The Sanctuary at Bay of Islands is an exclusive, luxury retreat near Paihia. From here, take to the water in the Bay of Islands, and explore the serene waterways of this picturesque archipelago. Elsewhere, explore the rainforest, beaches, Cape Reinga, Whangaroa Harbour and Doubtless Bay. Finally, this luxury lodge provides a wonderful position from which to explore the rich Maori history of New Zealand, particularly at Waitingi Treaty where the covenant of the nation was signed in 1840.
Included in your Expressions holiday
  • Accommodation in a double or twin room on bed and breakfast
  • Scheduled flights with Air New Zealand or other airlines
  • Car hire for the duration of the holiday
  • Concierge service and Expressions Holidays regional helpful hints
  • Optional room, car and flight upgrades. Details on request

Luxury bespoke holidays and tours to The Sanctuary at Bay of Islands

The Sanctuary at Bay of Islands provides an exclusive and romantic retreat in a beautiful natural location. Each guestroom offers supremely comfortable accommodation and sublime views, and guests will adore the fantastic spa, wholesome cuisine and homely atmosphere.

Facts in brief

Location On a hilltop, 20-minutes' walk from the beach and Bay of Island Marina

Annual opening All year

Closest airport Auckland International Airport

Distance from airport The Sanctuary at Bay of Islands is approximately a 3-hour and 45-minute drive from Auckland International Airport

Hotel facilities and services

Restaurant, Infinity pool, Spa including full range of treatments, Terrace, Lounge and Dining room.

Land sports

Yoga.

Out and about nearby

Just a 5-minute drive from the tourist infrastructure of Paihia, The Sanctuary provides a serene location from which to explore the best of the Far North of New Zealand. Here, the highlights of this iconic region are all within a 90-minute drive, and frequently - this is much less.In the Bay of Island's, much of life revolves around the sea. For example, this area was immortalised in Zane Grey's 'The Tales of An Angler's Eldorado', but sports other than fishing are also readily available. Choose from sailing, power boating, kayaking, snorkelling, parasailing and scuba diving. Land lovers will be equally well catered for. From the Rainbow Falls and Puketi Rainforest in Kerikeri to the famous Ninety Mile Beach north of Kaitaia, and on to Cape Reinga with its postcard lighthouse, and its vista of the Tasman Sea meeting the South Pacific Ocean. To humbly suggest that the Northland and Bay of Islands region is beautiful, would be doing a great disservice to the majesty of the landscape. Here, a whole manner of activities are on offer for interested guests. Golfers should head to Waitangi for breath-taking vistas, or to the famous Bay of Islands club in Kerikeri. Explorers may opt for the idyllic Whangaroa Harbour in order to climb the striking St Paul's, or instead take a scenic flight to the Cape. Half an hour's drive from Kerikeri is also Doubtless Bay. Stop here for a world famous Mangonui fish and chip shop which overlooks the bay from a restaurant built on poles resting on the ocean floor. Explorers should also note the popular Northland Wine Trail which will take in the local vineyards that produce medal-winning wines. Be sure to stop in the iconic Fat Pig, Bent Duck, Morepork, and Kapiro vineyards for a true taste of the North Island. Finally, this area is steeped in pre-colonial history, with a number of impressive sites found near to your luxury accommodation. Choose from Stone Store, Kemp House, Waimate Mission House, the Hokianga, Cape Reinga, or instead head to Waitingi Treaty where the covenant declaring the nationhood of New Zealand was signed in 1840.

What particularly impresses us each time we use your services is that ‘what we expect we get’ eg car hire, rooms selected, all with no hassle. Not sure how you do it!!
Mr W, July 2022

Holiday price guide A stay at this hotel is usually part of a tailor-made touring holiday of New Zealand which would include stays at several hotels and a variety of transport arrangements. We calculate the price of each tour on a tailor-made basis and include all arrangements. If you want to book this hotel on its own with flights and transfers as a stand-alone holiday, then please contact us for prices.

From about

Holiday Code EXH5024

The prices displayed here are a guide only. Each holiday price will be tailor-made at the time of booking to reflect all actual costs including up-to-date special offers.

Luxury bespoke holidays and tours to The Sanctuary at Bay of Islands

What particularly impresses us each time we use your services is that ‘what we expect we get’ eg car hire, rooms selected, all with no hassle. Not sure how you do it!!
Mr W, July 2022

Holiday price guide A stay at this hotel is usually part of a tailor-made touring holiday of New Zealand which would include stays at several hotels and a variety of transport arrangements. We calculate the price of each tour on a tailor-made basis and include all arrangements. If you want to book this hotel on its own with flights and transfers as a stand-alone holiday, then please contact us for prices.

From about

Holiday Code EXH5024

The prices displayed here are a guide only. Each holiday price will be tailor-made at the time of booking to reflect all actual costs including up-to-date special offers.

Luxury bespoke holidays and tours to The Sanctuary at Bay of Islands

The journey and how you get there

For a holiday to The Sanctuary at Bay of Islands in Port Opua, Expressions Holidays includes flights from London to Auckland with Air New Zealand (flying time is 24 hrs). Auckland is served by a wide variety of international airlines and we can include other airlines in your holiday. The chosen airline will depend upon any stopovers you might want to make en-route to New Zealand. The Sanctuary at Bay of Islands is usually included as part of a tailormade touring itinerary of New Zealand and you can reach the hotel by hire-car.

Additional information

Children: The Sanctuary at Bay of Islands Mahu Whenua welcomes children of any age.

What particularly impresses us each time we use your services is that ‘what we expect we get’ eg car hire, rooms selected, all with no hassle. Not sure how you do it!!
Mr W, July 2022

Holiday price guide A stay at this hotel is usually part of a tailor-made touring holiday of New Zealand which would include stays at several hotels and a variety of transport arrangements. We calculate the price of each tour on a tailor-made basis and include all arrangements. If you want to book this hotel on its own with flights and transfers as a stand-alone holiday, then please contact us for prices.

From about

Holiday Code EXH5024

The prices displayed here are a guide only. Each holiday price will be tailor-made at the time of booking to reflect all actual costs including up-to-date special offers.

Luxury bespoke holidays and tours to The Sanctuary at Bay of Islands

Highlights of Northland and the Bay of Islands

If a diver, dive the Rainbow Warrier site or in the marine reserve at Poor Knights Island, Take the car ferry from Opua to Okiato and drive to Russell, Drive along the stunning coast from Whangaroa to Matauri Bay passing the Cavalli Islands offshore, Swim with dolphins in the Bay of Islands, Walk and tramp through the Bay of Islands Maritime and Historic Park, Visit the Waitangi National Reserve with the Treaty House and Maori war canoe.

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