The Heads hotel, Omapere.
Lorna Subritzky checks into the The Heads, Omapere.
Location: Omapere is a tiny settlement on the south shore of Hokianga Harbour, near Opononi (about 270km northwest of Auckland). When we visited, construction of The Heads was not yet finished and signage wasn't up, so it took us a
while to realise we were actually staying within the grounds of the locally-owned Copthorne Hotel and Resort Hokianga. The Heads website also omits this information.
Check-in experience: As with all staff we met, those on reception were friendly and laid-back. There was no wait to check in and the hotel facilities were briefly pointed out on the way to our brand-new accommodation.
Room: Not so much a room as a private villa, with a fenced courtyard containing a table, chairs, spa pool and sun loungers, and an open-plan Scandi interior. The summer temperatures meant we didn't use the striking central fireplace that services both the bedroom and lounge. There are flat-screen TVs in each room, the mini-bar fridge is roomy, and we liked the complimentary bottled water, as well as the Nespresso (I've never seen so many coffee options). We also appreciated the walk-in wardrobe with fluffy robes and slippers. My concern about our peace being shattered by the big wedding taking place on the hotel grounds was unfounded, with the villa proving fairly soundproof. The only negative? No Wi-Fi in the rooms (although it was available elsewhere on the property). Good chance to digitally detox (or use the hotspot on mum's phone, if you're my daughter).
Views: Because The Heads is built at the rear of the property, there are no views — but it's only a few steps to the golden sands of Omapere Beach so this seems a small trade-off for relaxed privacy.
