Flutes is a wonderful gem in McLeod Bay, Whangarei Heads. If you like being pampered then this is the place for you.

We stayed in the Bayview room and a you do get a beautiful view of the bay. Kay has ensured that the room has everything you need - from fabulous bath robes, to cotton buds to homemade chocolates and a small bottle of champagne! You get your own private deck outside the bedroom so you can sit outside and admire the view.

Kay is a wonderful chef and the choice for breakfast is awesome - homemade muesli, fruit, cooked breakfast, a choice of homemade muffins! It really sets you up for the day.

Whangarei Heads has a lot to offer. Mountains to climb and fabulous beaches. The Deck is a great place for having a meal - we loved their roasts. It is also a perfect location for exploring Northlands - the Bay of Islands is not far. Andy runs trips to various locations which makes life very easy.

We will definitely be returning here.

We stayed for four nights in Flutes in our week in the area waiting to embark Oriana for a part world cruise. As there were 4 of us we booked both the rooms and had an absolutely amazing stay. It was a highlight of our whole trip and you could not fault any aspect of the accomodation or the food. We fully intend to return to New Zealand and would certainly return to Flutes. We visited the beautiful Bay of Islands taking the car ferry across to Russell, but even that area did not have the Wow factor of Ocean Beach or Mount Manai which you get a sensational view of from Flutes. We would recommend a visit to Helena Bay gallery for a coffee with a view. Top Sail restaurant exceeded expectations as did the whole stay really. Thank you Kay and Andy and please dont change a thing!!!

In September I spent ten days at Flutes and found it to be a fantastic bed and breakfast in an excellent location Kay and Andy the proprietors were very welcoming and I was delighted with my Bay View room. The home comforts were very evident: a comfortable armchair,television ,fridge and ample tea and coffee. I was also happy to find hanging space for clothes, plenty of hangers, an iron and a hairdryer .

Having arrived after dark, I was delighted when I opened the curtains the following morning to discover the spectacular view over Mcleod Bay and was content to sit with a cup of coffee and watch the ever changing panorama of the Bay . I was tempted to open the hand made chocolates but decided to leave that delight for later.

After a good breakfast Kay and Andy were happy to share their knowledge of the area, the places to visit and the places to eat. The Deck just down the road has a warm friendly atmosphere and dinner at Top Sail should not be missed.

During my stay I spent many hours in the conservatory watching the wild life in the garden. It is an ever changing scene with the birds, rabbits ,ducks, and the pukekos who visit eagerly awaiting Kay providing a variety of food to suit them.

I would highly recommend Flutes and look forward to revisiting in the not too distant future.

This impeccable B&B 30 minutes outside of Whangarei is a true gem. I am an American who lived in Whangarei for a year, and I have stayed in several Auckland and Northland area B&Bs. Flutes was one of the best, if not the best. I have to admit that Americans are used to large, plush mattresses and cozy duvets, both of which Flutes provides (many NZ B&Bs do not and are far simpler). There are no bathtubs, but the showers are newly remodeled and spa-like. Kay and Andy are excellent hosts. In addition, Andy took my husband and I, along with our infant daughter, to the airport as part of Flutes' transportation service. We had to borrow an infant carseat from a friend for the drive, and Andy was kind enough to drop it by back my friend's place after driving us to Auckland. We also had an appointment in Auckland on the way to the airport, and Andy took us straight to the appointment and waited in the van for 30 minutes until we were done for no additional charge. He is also great conversationalist!

Kay is a WONDERFUL chef. She makes homemade chocolates that are to die for! My husband still talks about them. We loved everything she made. I have never met a better or more tireless hostess.

Both Kay and Andy are very knowledgeable about the Whangarei Heads area. Flutes is sandwiched in between McLeod's Bay and Mt. Manaia (which is an excellent 4-hour hike). It is an easy 10-minute drive to beautiful Ocean's Beach and it is under 2 hours to the Bay of Islands. The views off of the deck are of the bay and the mountain -- stunning. (You get a wonderful deck if you stay in the guest room, which is the room I am familiar with.)

I would definitely recommend Flutes to any traveler staying in the Whangarei area. It might seem like a hassle to stay 30 minutes outside of town, but I assure you it's worth it. You definitely feel like you are getting the NZ experience. The prices are also quite fair for a B&B of this quality.