amazing motel, great views,and just a short drive from Paihia. Norm and Shelagh are great fun and really know their area. All their recommendations were excellent. Great accommodation, great shower highly recommend it, can't wait to go back.

(Firstly, apologies to Norm and Shelagh for taking so long to write this; approximately a year on from our stay!).

We (my wife, 11 month old son and I) had a lovely break at Cook's Lookout Motel during our three week holiday in New Zealand during November time.

Our trip to New Zealand was built around a family wedding in Wellington and so tried to cram in as much travelling around the North Island as we could around the 'main event'. As such we wanted to be able to have a 'mini holiday' within our trip to be able to relax away from the rest of the family who were with us. Having done some research back in England before we left we decided on staying in the bay of islands, and after some researching found Cook's Lookout Motel which looked to be just what we were after with good reviews to boot.

The views you see on their website are spot on, and really added to the feeling of tranquility whilst we were staying there. The location is great to be able to get around without the stress of being down on the coast (which was great for us as a young family as we wanted to be a bit away from the hustle and bustle). Norm and Shelagh were lovely hosts and very accommodating to our needs (including the provision of a baby bath on request).

If you're looking for somewhere affordable to stay in the area which is away from the busy beach areas but within easy reach of the islands etc then you can't go wrong with Cook's Lookout Motel.

Would definitely recommend and stay again in the future if we are up in the bay of islands again.

Great room with excellent view and friendly hospitality. John had a successful fishing trip catching 4 good size snapper which we shared with our hosts. Norm and Shelagh were very helpful and arranged all our trips and fishing charter even taking John down at 6.30 am fro his fishing day. Highly recommend this motel and would go there again tomorrow.

We were made so welcome by our hosts and they made sure we saw the most important sights, drawing us maps and generally providing helpful tips on half and full day's out.. We saw far more of Northland because of their help and advice. The accommodation was a delight with views to die for and so comfortable too. We stayed an extra night as we couldn't bear to leave!!