Kerikeri Blue Chair B&B

Look, I’ve stayed at my fair share of B&Bs around New Zealand, and honestly? The Kerikeri Blue Chair surprised me in the best way possible. It’s tucked away on Greenway Drive – you know, one of those quiet residential streets where you actually hear birds instead of traffic – and the whole place just feels like someone’s really thoughtful friend decided to open their home to travelers.

The first thing that got me was how the owners actually seem to care about the little stuff that makes or breaks a stay. I mean, yes, there’s the whole “charming cottage” vibe you’d expect, but they’ve clearly thought through what people actually need. The WiFi works properly (shocking, I know), there’s decent coffee that doesn’t taste like it’s been sitting around since morning, and – this might sound weird – but the shower pressure is genuinely excellent. You’d be amazed how many places get that wrong. The rooms have this lived-in comfort without feeling cluttered, if that makes sense. Real wooden furniture, not that flat-pack stuff, and windows that actually open wide enough to let in those Bay of Islands breezes.

What really sold me on this place, though, is how perfectly positioned it is for exploring Kerikeri without being stuck in the touristy chaos. You’re maybe a five-minute walk from the Stone Store and Kemp House area – you know, where all the day-trippers cluster around taking photos – but when you head back to Greenway Drive in the evening, it’s just… quiet. Peaceful, actually. The kind of quiet where you can sit outside with a wine and hear the tui calling from the native trees they’ve kept around the property. And if you’re planning to hit up the weekend farmers market or grab breakfast at one of those cafés near the Basin, you’re close enough to walk but far enough away that you won’t hear delivery trucks at 6 AM.

The owners clearly know their stuff about the area too – they’ll point you toward the less obvious swimming spots (there’s this little beach about ten minutes’ drive away that’s basically empty even in summer) and actually useful advice about timing your visits to avoid the cruise ship crowds. Parking’s never an issue, which sounds boring but trust me, you’ll appreciate it when you see people circling around the main strip looking for a spot. The only tiny downside? The walls are a bit thin between rooms, so if you’re a super light sleeper and there’s a chatty couple next door, you might hear some conversation. But honestly, most guests seem to be the quiet, respectful types anyway.

I’d definitely go back – and that’s saying something, because I usually like to try new places rather than repeat. But there’s something about the Blue Chair that just works. It’s got that sweet spot of being comfortable and well-run without feeling overly polished or impersonal. Perfect if you want to explore the Bay of Islands properly but still have a genuinely relaxing place to come back to at the end of the day.