Cape South Estate – International award-winning country estate with Pacific views

You know what? I’ve stayed at a lot of places around Hawke’s Bay, but Cape South Estate actually surprised me – and I don’t say that lightly. The drive out to Waimarama is gorgeous once you get past Havelock North (about 20 minutes of winding coastal road), and honestly, that’s part of the charm. You’re not going to stumble across this place by accident.

The estate sits on this ridge overlooking the Pacific, and when I say Pacific views, I mean the kind that make you stop mid-conversation and just stare. The building itself has this understated elegance – it’s clearly upscale but not flashy about it, if that makes sense. My room had these massive windows that framed the ocean perfectly, and the sound of waves carried up from the beach below. The décor feels authentically New Zealand without being kitschy – lots of natural wood, local art, that sort of thing. What really impressed me was the attention to detail… like, the coffee was actually good (proper beans, not hotel instant), and someone had clearly thought about things like reading lights and power outlets near the bed.

The staff genuinely knows the area – when I asked about hiking tracks, the woman at reception didn’t just hand me a brochure, she drew a little map showing me the best spots to catch sunset at Te Mata Peak and warned me about the tide times for walking on Waimarama Beach. Speaking of the beach, it’s literally a five-minute drive down the hill, and it’s one of those black sand stretches that feels completely wild. I mean, you might see a few surfers, but it’s nothing like the crowds at Napier. The estate has this relaxed vibe where you can wander the grounds with a glass of wine from the local vineyards (they’ll point you toward some gems you’ve probably never heard of), or just sit on the terrace and watch the light change over the water. Check-in was smooth, parking’s easy, and honestly, the whole place just feels like someone’s very sophisticated cousin invited you to stay at their country house. The only thing I’d mention is that you’ll want a car – this isn’t a walk-to-restaurants kind of location, but that’s exactly why it works. It’s proper countryside luxury without the stuffiness.