Price Range: $30-220
What makes it special: If you love a room with a view, then you've got to check out this place. Their cafe deck overlooks Manu Bay and watching the waves roll in keeps guests well entertained - no flat-screen TV required!
Wandering through all the flourishing gardens and quirky accommodation types (night in a caboose anyone?) you quickly get the sense that this place has a spark of magic to it. It has been slowly added to over the years and has developed into a Raglan icon. Yoga classes and permaculture workshops run regularly at Solscape, and in the summer you can treat yourself to all manner of raw, organic delights from their Conscious Kitchen Cafe.
Wildcoast Eco Cabins - Affordable getaway for couples
Where: Ruapuke Beach (30 minutes drive from Raglan)
What: Two self-contained cabins set on the mountainside
Price Range: $180-200
What makes it special: I loved the movie 'Into the Wild'. Here is a place where you can escape from the world and fulfill your wilderness yearnings. Their two eco-cabins WindyFlax and WaterSong are embedded into the mountainside at Ruapuke beach, with a gorgeous view of the bush. Completely self-contained, you can forget about traffic noises, however be preparing for the occasional clomping of hoofs in the distance as the owners also run Wildcoast Horse Treks.
Earthstead Villas - Eco-luxury
Where: Cambridge, just 30 minutes drive from Hamilton
What: Gorgeous self-contained accommodation including a French Studio, an Earth House, and a Cob Cottage (built from straw and plaster).
Price Range: $150-399
What makes it special: As the saying goes, 'it's the people that make a place', and Suzie and Alistair Osmond personify this at Earthstead. Warm, welcoming, and both incredibly good cooks, you won't want to leave once you're settled into one of their beautiful accommodation options - all built with love by the clever pair themselves.
Small details grace each of the rooms artwork made by Alistair's Dad, recycled wood from unusual sources such as timber telephone poles, and pleasingly mismatched drawer knobs.
They have created their own little paradise just outside of Hamilton, and love sharing it with guests, so be prepared for a friendly chat over your glass of freshly squeezed orange juice and (if you're anything like my fiance Seb), you'll come away inspired with new ideas for building your own sustainable home.
