Executive Oceanside Apartment

Look, I’ve stayed at a lot of places along the Mount Maunganui strip, and honestly? Executive Oceanside Apartment is one of those finds that makes you want to keep it secret. Unit 6C sits right on Marine Parade – and I mean RIGHT on it – so you’re literally across the road from Main Beach. No walking for ages with your beach gear, no hunting for parking near the sand. You just grab your stuff and you’re there in thirty seconds, which is actually pretty huge when you’ve got kids or you’re carrying surfboards.

The apartment itself feels way more spacious than most beachfront places around here. I mean, a lot of these Marine Parade spots are basically glorified motel rooms, but this one’s got proper living space where you can actually spread out. The kitchen’s well-equipped too – not just a mini fridge and microwave situation. You know what I really appreciated? The balcony catches the afternoon sun perfectly, and you can watch the surfers without feeling like you’re in a fishbowl yourself. The whole building’s only got a handful of units, so it never feels crowded or touristy in that overwhelming way some of the bigger complexes do. Parking’s sorted (trust me, this matters massively during summer), and the whole setup just feels more like staying at someone’s well-appointed beach house than a rental.

What really sets this place apart though is the location knowledge you get. You’re close enough to walk to Astrolabe Road for coffee – there’s this little spot called Macadamia that does incredible flat whites – but far enough from the main Pilot Bay chaos that you can actually sleep in without drunk backpackers stumbling past your window at 2am. The Mount’s walking track starts basically at your doorstep, which means you can do the sunrise climb without driving anywhere or fighting for parking spots with tour buses. And honestly, being this close to the base of Mauao means you get these incredible views without paying resort prices. Winter’s actually amazing here too – way quieter, and you get those dramatic storm-watching opportunities from your balcony that make you feel pretty smug about your accommodation choice. The only thing I’d mention is that Marine Parade can get a bit busy during peak summer weekends, but the apartment’s well-insulated so road noise isn’t really an issue. Plus, let’s be real – if you’re staying beachfront at the Mount during January, you’re expecting a bit of action anyway.