Property grounds

Reviews of Iconic Historic Seaside Cottage

Iconic Historic Seaside Cottage
Purakanui Inlet, Dunedin City

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 353 out of 386 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 29 out of 386 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 386 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 386 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 386 reviews" "

9.6/10

Cleanliness

9.4/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

8/10 Good

Ian W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Good
Enjoyed
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Richard G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fabulous location and accommodation
This was a dream come true! I had seen this property during walks in the area and finally got to stay here for a couple of nights. Very well appointed, super comfortable, very relaxing and so peaceful!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Julie B.

Liked: Cleanliness
unrivalled location.
Enjoyed listening to Moreporks and the lap of the ocean at night. Charming property.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Joanne M.

Liked: Cleanliness
A Little piece of Paradise
A fantastic place to stay and take time out to relax. Thank you so much
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful
Beautiful wee cottage right on the water. Very relaxing watching the tide and listening to the birds.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Monique S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Paradise near Dunedin
A unique and tranquil place to stay right by the water. We loved spending a couple of nights here while we explored the surrounding area. Well equipped and warm. Highly recommended.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Elissa P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful spot
As you like it was perfect for our 2 nights in Dunedin. It was so nice and quiet being on the water and the cottage was set up perfectly. The separate buildings set up was really quaint, and made it feel like it might have felt years ago to holiday there. The views were beautiful. It rained for a lot of our stay which made the cottage feel really warm and comfy.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jane W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Stay at Purakanui
Wonderful, memorising spot to watch the tides changing, and enjoy birdlife. Thankyou for preserving such a special part of NZ history. We loved it
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Katrina A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Peace and quiet.
Beautiful little cottage with a fantastic view right on the door step. It’s so quiet and relaxing, we were so lucky with the weather for this time of year. Not sure if suitable when very cold weather hits as going outside to the bathroom may not suit some . It would be perfect in summer particularly for swimming and fishing. The cottage was warm and cosy with the two heaters on. We tried the coal range but only got smoked out. We loved our stay and the area.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Helen M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Retreat
Perfect place to recharge the batteries.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Christel

Travelled with family and small children
An absolutely beautiful heritage home, directly on the water. Very quaint and peaceful. Can’t wait to visit again but next time for longer.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Magical spot
Have had a wonderful 3 days. The cottage is full of character and has everything you need in a fabulous location. Highly recommend.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rowena O.

Liked: Cleanliness
Delightful spot.
It’s. Lovely wee place to stay and has everything you could need. Very clean and tidy. The coal fire place does smell bit. Would recommend some oil infusion sticks.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 2 Mar 2024
Unfortunately there have been a few users who have let the coal range smoke out the place. I’m currently washing walls and cleaning blinds!

10/10 Excellent

Vasu G., Wellington

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful cottage
We loved our time at the historic cottage, was so peaceful and quiet and just next to the water. Will definitely come back again. Thank you Barbara for the stay!
Stayed 6 nights in Feb 2024

8/10 Good

Joyce G.

Beautiful and love the history
We really enjoyed our stay. The house is amazing. We did find the residual coal scent a bit strong. Overall we loved our stay. Thanks
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tim B., Blenheim NZ

Liked: Cleanliness
Magic Cottage by the Sea
Ann especially magic place right by a deep-water part of a lovely little estuary. Fish, birds and seals! A beautifully restored cottage!!
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Nicole A.

Liked: Cleanliness
A really special place
Not sure what to add to the praises heaped upon this gorgeous and unique place, just that we loved it and would return in a heartbeat. It's a whimsical and exquisite piece of local history, and no matter what the weather threw at us (hot and sunny, wild and woolly), it was an absolute pleasure to be there. Watching the tides and the birds, reading books, going for walks along the inlet and beach, lounging in the sun, feeling cosy inside with movies on a chilly day - it was all good, we parked the car and didn't touch it again until we left a few days later. A sweet jumble of buildings, full of character and certainly with some quirks, but that's to be expected. Pretty much everything you need for a holiday is there. It's impossible to measure the joy of staying somewhere like this and we can't thank Barbara enough for the time that we had there.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Conan n.

Liked: Cleanliness
Paradise
Absolutely fantastic place to get away! Recommend to any and all. Everything about the property is on point, if you couldnt relax here you wouldnt be able to relax anywhere! Great location and piece of history thats been cared for. Will be back
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Julie B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Stunning
Absolutely stunning. Was our second time and we will defintely come back.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Candace B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect weekend away
We were blessed with good weather and the most wonderful stay at As You Like It. The crib is absolutely
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Thera S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Magic
It was so peaceful looking out the window to see ducks glide past like being in a boat
Stayed 6 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Suzanne W.

Liked: Cleanliness
A little piece of paradise
We had a lovely few days watching the tides ebb and flow, collecting kai moana and kayaking. The inside of the cottage is lovely, and has everthing you need (although I would have love to have has some binoculars with me) and the greatest enjoyment came from sitting outside watching the day go by.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Hannah H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Always a treat
We always love returning to As Ye Like It. Jumped in the bay for a swim at full tide each morning when we woke. It’s just gorgeous here. I prepared for my wedding here, our ceremony was held at the mouth in wild wind. And reception and dinner at Long Beach Hall. As Ye Like It was a peaceful and serene location to start the day. We enjoyed using the kayaks too. Thanks Barbara for sharing this treasure.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023

8/10 Good

Kim B.

Relax in Solitude
What a unique location for our Christmas vacation. It was so wonderful being on the estuary watching the tide ebb and flow eaxh day. The bird life on the water was so enjoyable to watch as well as catching the odd fish from the front of the property The hose is well appointed thoufh it did get a little warm on the hotter days. The bathroom being in a separate building was manageable but not great when the Dunedin rains set in. Be prepared for the walk in and out of the proerty but it does add to the charm of As Ye Like It.
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Michelle C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Magical
Stunning spot to stay. Wouldn't choose anywhere else in the wider area.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Caroline A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Magical little place
Like stepping into a 1920’s picture book. Idyllic, cosy, scenic and one we’ll never forget. Kayak, stroll, visit the blue penguin reserve, picnic, watch the ebb and flow of the tide with spoonbills and seals. Don’t hesitate.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Julie B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Purakanui gem
Absolutely stunning. Favourite place ive ever stayed. Watching inlet change amazing, so quiet, birds, no traffic. Just stunning. Thanku.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

rodger g.

Liked: Cleanliness
Historic cottage
History, location, granduer, good facilities a delightful place to enjoy for a few days For the international traveller it would have been nice to know.... no shops, no fuel, no resturaunts close by Howevet value for money and wondeful views
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 8 Dec 2023
It is 15 minutes to supermarkets, restaurants and service stations and best to get stocked up on your way there. I shall add this info to the access instructions.

10/10 Excellent

Jim M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Marvelous
A unique getaway, we loved it.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Shelley P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Just what we needed
Absolutely beautiful place to stay! So peaceful, calm and relaxing. Almost everything you could need is there. Bathroom and extra bedrooms are in separate buildings close by.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Bernice S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Charming waterside cottage
The most beautiful quaint rustic cottage set in a wonderful location. It was comfortable and well equipped with everything you could need. Lots of thoughtful touches. There was a very friendly duck which appeared morning and evening to be fed!!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Paul Emma & C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Exquisite
even better than anticipated, a beautifully restored original , not prissy' authentic ,oozing character, wished I had the gear to repair leak in rowboat, and wonderful coalrange definitely needs good dry kindling and coal supply, otherwise all one could want!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 21 Nov 2023
Thanks for letting me know about the leak in the dinghy. Unfortunately guests haven't owned up to damaging it. Given it is the second boat which has been ruined, I shall probably not offer a boat for use. As far as the fire goes, I had just washed the smoke residue from the kitchen ceiling and had hoped that the warmer weather would discourage use of the coal range, although I usually supply coal if asked. I’m glad you enjoyed your stay, regardless.

10/10 Excellent

Clayton H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great place to relax
It's a wonderful place to relax and unwind Thanks for letting us stay
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jen M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wow!
We had a magical 4 nights at "As you like it". The cottage jad everything you need and more, but the location is the best bit! You cant help but unwind! We will be back!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Marieke M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Peaceful and Serene
A step back in time when the world was simple and perhaps a little easier. This location is peaceful and serene. A welcome respite from daily reality. 5* we look forward to visiting again.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

lesley m., Christchurch

Liked: Cleanliness
SBC trip version 2, 23 yrs later
I have stayed here before and it was exactly as I remembered from the first time. My London friend oohed and aahed and was also happy.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Emily W.

Liked: Cleanliness
A piece of paradise
This was our third time at the cottage and it did not disappoint, the kids love every minute and especially the water, even swimming despite the weather!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

BEVAN M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Quaint, beautiful
Ultimate period Batch
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ilze S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Quintessential Kiwi Bach
This was just what we needed, a short sharp break from life. The setting was perfect and even though the weather was a but wet during the night and on Sunday, we were cozy and warm. Lovely Kiwi Bach.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Denise H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Not telling you
I don't want to tell you how AMAZING this place is. I commend Barbra and her family has made this very special family gem available for me and not you to enjoy. Ive never stayed in anywhere like this and boy i will again without a doubt.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ginene Holmewood n.

Liked: Cleanliness
Stunning location!
Absolutely unique location, loved watching the tide coming in and out each day! Very peaceful. Historic and comfortable accommodation with a well-appointed kitchen. Looking forward to visiting again!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lisa T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Purakaunui Paradise
We stayed two nights at the Boat house. The environment is one of a kind. Such a beautiful space to be. The wee houses themselves allow for the group to have privacy. We liked how available the host was. Looking forward to returning in summer. We arrived in time for a wintery snow blast!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Olivia A.

Liked: Cleanliness
A piece of paradise
Beautiful place to rest and recuperate, thank you so much Babara for sharing your lovely place with our family.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Timothy F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wave Watchers Cottage is a dream!!
We loved our stay! The seas were wild , the wind was strong and the rain side away at times but what a glorious place to stay and view from the cottage. We absolutely loved our little cottage, it was just perfect!!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Hitchen C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Purakaunui
Awesome beautiful spot
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jane P.

Liked: Cleanliness
The most beautiful spot
This is our 4th stay at this beautiful little cottage. We just love it here! The location simply can’t be beaten. To sit by the water or sit in front of the cosy coal range - both are just fabulous!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jo L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect
This was idyllic! The location and everything about the place was just perfect. Absolutely recommend, and would definitely love to return. Thanks Barbara for great communication and sharing this little gem
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Catherine W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Slice of paradise
A very relaxing time at Purakanui Inlet. Peaceful and quiet. Lots of bird life. Perfect for photography and long walks
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mary M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect holiday spot
We love staying here - a wonderful, very well cared for crib in a magical place. Thank you!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kim L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Idyllic experience
Such a stunning place and full of history. To be able to take our dogs with us was perfect.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023