After another month hiatus I finally got around to doing my first travel review from one of our stays during our two week trip to this summer. In case you missed it, Paul and I went to Tahiti and New Zealand to relax, explore, and watch one of the Women’s World Cup soccer games (catch up on vlog #1, vlog #2, vlog #3 and vlog #4). In no particular order, I wanted to post a few travel reviews featuring some of our accommodations throughout the trip. One of my favorites (and first up in this travel series), was Mudbrick Winery, which was the last stop of our adventure. From Auckland, we took Fuller’s Ferry about 45 minutes to Waiheke Island. Well known for their wineries, we decided it only made sense to stay at one while on the island. Mudbrick Winery is situated about 5 minutes from the ferry terminal and sits atop a hill giving you amazing fews of the vineyards and Hauraki Gulf. You can even see the Auckland skyline on a clear day. We booked our stay in the Merlot cottage well in advance, but because it was winter (off season), there seemed to be more availability. If you are looking at visiting in the summer, I imagine the two cottages and the lodge fill up well in advance as Mudbrick is also a well-known wedding destination.
Mudbrick Winery & first impressions:
Our first day on Waiheke Island was very rainy and windy, so I think the wineries were quieter than normal. However, during off season, I don’t think you have to worry about large crowds to begin with. Paul and I checked in at the main Mudbrick restaurant, where we met the accommodation host, who stored our bags until our cottage was ready. It gave bed and breakfast vibes with the welcoming nature and homey feeling. I’m not even sure the other cottage or lodge was occupied throughout our stay. Because we had some time to kill, we did a quick wine tasting in the Mudbrick tasting room before calling up the same taxi driver who picked us up from the ferry terminal (we ended up driving with him or his boss every single time we needed a ride). After a quick lunch in Oneroa (which features a small main street on Waiheke Island), we ventured back to Mudbrick to check out our cottage.
Our Cottage:
We stayed in the Merlot cottage, which featured a main suite, small room with a twin bed, full bathroom, living room, and semi-complete kitchen. There was even a washing machine, dishwasher, and private hot tub. The cottage itself looked like something out of a fairy tale, with gorgeous views throughout. You could tell that the Mudbrick team put so much attention to detail because the decor was complimentary of the beautiful scenery surrounding the cottage. On a warm summer day, I bet guests love to sit on the outside furniture and sip wine overlooking the Auckland skyline.
Side note, I had no idea what to expect because there are very few pictures of the accommodations online. I was thinking we would either be pleasantly surprised, or caught off guard. Thankfully, the cottage exceeded our expectations! Hopefully, someone researching a stay at Mudbrick comes across this blog post and finds it helpful!
Each evening between 4:00-5:00pm, the Mudbrick team dropped off a continental breakfast for the following morning. It consisted of fresh juice, creamer, granola, yogurt, bread, and fresh pastries. The kitchen is stocked with tea, instant coffee, and each guest receives a complimentary Mudbrick prosecco upon arrival.
Food at Mudbrick:
It is important to note that during off-season, food options are lacking at Mudbrick. I don’t believe the Bistro (the more casual restaurant at the winery) was open at all during our stay, so if you want to eat onsite, you’ll have to opt for the fancier main restaurant. We made reservations the first night and enjoyed a romantic two course meal. When we arrived on Waiheke Island, we stopped at a small grocery store in Oneroa where we picked up some snacks and drinks for our cottage. I definitely recommend doing that if you are staying at Mudbrick and want snacks and drinks within reach while staying onsite. Throughout the rest of our time on the island, we ate at a few local restaurants in Oneroa, which were accessible via taxi.
Overall thoughts:
I highly recommend staying at Mudbrick while visiting Waiheke. It was such an unexpected and unique experience and it ended up being one of our highlights of the trip. Not knowing much about the island, or even New Zealand itself, it was a spur of the moment decision to spend two days in Waiheke when comparing what to do near Auckland. If you don’t want to stay at Mudbrick, there are other accommodation options such as Airbnbs, bed and breakfasts, and small inns. Many people also choose to visit Waiheke for the day and opt for the hop on hop off bus pass available through the ferry company.
Our travel agent Lisa (also my mom) organized our Tahiti and New Zealand vacation and ensured our trip was 10/10. If you’re thinking about booking a vacation, reach out to Lisa with Lisa’s Dream Destinations. Working with a Professional Travel Agent can save you both time and money and in turn, reduce stress that comes along with travel planning. Contact Lisa today and let her know you were referred by Miss Olivia. Says: Destinationsbylisa@gmail.com.
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xoxo Olivia
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