I went away for the weekend to get away from my family! Simple really! I wanted to stay in a lovely environment that would give me time to rid myself of some stress and to relax! The Saltings is just beautiful... very French looking... in the middle of a beautiful vineyard just near the sea. What an idyllic environment. There is lots to do nearby in Matakana village with its art and farmers market, music and entertainment and delicious places to eat. Maureen and Terry were very welcoming and respectful of my request for peace. They have their own wine for sale and this was a very tasty treat with some lovely cheese bought from the Farmers Market. The Merlot Suite was geared up with a fridge, freezer and every convenience and the bed was very comfortable. I had such a lovely time at the Alegria Beauty Farm for the most sensational Claudia and all in all was a 10 out of 10 stay for me. I enjoyed it so much I have booked my husband and I in for a romantic getaway soon.

We stayed at Saltings for three nights while touring the Northlands. Maureen and Terry made us feel right at home with tips about restaurants, where to buy groceries and a wonderful bakery in Matakana. Our one bedroom lower level apartment suited us very well in terms of comfort and amenities, and Maureen provided a few groceries for our first breakfast which was a very nice touch. Just down the hill from the apartments (there are two, one upper and one lower) is Saltings vineyard and beyond that is a beautiful view of the water and islands in the area. It was lovely to be in a more personal setting after spending the previous three nights in a more traditional hotel.

We arrive in New Zealand after an upsetting and exhausting journey that lasted 36 hours. Our trip's purpose was to attend our daughter's wedding and we were hoping to spend some precious time with our daughter and her fiance. Immediately after being greeted by our daughter, her fiance and his family, we were wisked off to the Saltings Estate cottage in the vineyard with our daughter and her fiance. There we spent 3 lovely unforgettable days! This cottage is such a gem - quiet and peaceful with one of the most beautiful views! My daughter and I loved the little kitchen - it was beautifully appointed (LeCreuset cooking utensils and other delightful dishes & eating ware), even with a dishwasher & microwave. We were able to fix lovely breakfasts/dinners that were fun to prepare in that precious little kitchen. (We also found some great places to eat out in the area - ask the hosts for recommendations. We were also able to find a couple grocery stores pretty close for our needs.) There was a wood burning stove in the cottage for heat, if we needed it. We had a comfortable leisure area where we could read (they have a wonderful library in the cottage) or watch movies - this area having French doors to the outside deck. And we could retire to our own bedrooms in the evening where the beds were fitted with high quality sheets/blankets, open the windows and fall asleep listening to the sounds of nature in the vineyard! We each had doors in our bedrooms that opened to the outside deck surrounding the cottage (there were grapes growing along the edge of the deck!). We each had our own bath - we had a claw-footed tub and a beautifully tiled shower & bathroom!

The hosts were wonderful - offering their services with anything we needed and leaving us alone to enjoy ourselves & this enchanted cottage. We never wanted to leave!

What a truly delightful 'home away from home'! The apartment was extremely well-equipped with everything you could possibly think of. Great kitchen facilities so we could cook a lovely meal to have on the deck overlooking the vineyard and bay. The hosts were very welcoming, greeting us with a basket of fresh fruit on arrival. Two nights were not enough for us, so we will have to return for a longer stay! A truly fantastic place!