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The Sanctuary @ Bay of Islands

5.0 star property
Ocean views create a peaceful backdrop at this coastal sanctuary where attentive staff ensures guests can fully embrace their seaside getaway experience

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The Sanctuary @ Bay of Islands sits right by the sea, offering a peaceful escape from everyday life. Travelers can enjoy meals at the restaurant, relax on the sunny terrace, or spend quiet hours with a book from the property's library.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Pool
  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Restaurant
  • Laundry
  • 24/7 front desk

Room options

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View all photos for Deluxe Suite, Sea View

Deluxe Suite, Sea View | Premium bedding, individually decorated, desk, iron/ironing board

Deluxe Suite, Sea View

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(4 reviews)

Highlights

Balcony
Individually decorated
Heating
Flat-screen TV
Ceiling fan
Premium bedding
Bathrobes
Private bathroom
  • Sea view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
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About the neighborhood

Located in Opua, The Sanctuary @ Bay of Islands is in a rural area and by the sea. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Bay of Islands and Tapeka Point Historic Reserve, while Russell Museum and Pompallier Mission are cultural highlights. Makana Chocolate Boutique and Action World are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with kayaking and parasailing nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with ecotours and hiking/biking trails. Visit our Opua travel guide
Map
0241, Opua, State Highway 11

What's nearby

  • Russell showing a bay or harbor and tranquil scenes
    Bay of Islands
    10 min walk - 0.9 km
  • Paihia Beach showing a pebble beach and a bay or harbor
    Paihia Beach
    4 min drive - 4.4 km
  • Paihia Wharf featuring a bay or harbor and a coastal town
    Paihia Wharf
    4 min drive - 4.8 km
  • Russell Beach which includes a sunset and a bay or harbor
    Russell Beach
    19 min drive - 10.3 km
  • Bay of Islands Marina
    15 min walk - 1.3 km

Getting around

  • Kerikeri (KKE-Bay of Islands)
    23 min drive

Restaurants

  • Orange Frog
    6 min drive
  • Charlotte's Kitchen
    5 min drive
  • CBK Craft Bar & Kitchen
    6 min drive
  • Mako Beach Bar
    5 min drive
  • Hone's Garden
    20 min drive

About this property

The Sanctuary @ Bay of Islands

Luxury hotel near Bay of Islands
You can look forward to a terrace, a library, and dry cleaning/laundry services at The Sanctuary @ Bay of Islands. Free in-room WiFi and a restaurant are available to all guests.
Additional perks include:
  • An outdoor pool
  • Free self parking
  • A 24-hour front desk, an elevator, and coffee/tea in the lobby
  • A front-desk safe, multilingual staff, and tour/ticket assistance
Room features
All guestrooms are individually decorated, and boast comforts such as premium bedding and bathrobes, in addition to perks like free WiFi.
More amenities include:
  • Heating and ceiling fans
  • Bathrooms with showers and free toiletries
  • 33-inch flat-screen TVs with cable channels and DVD players
  • Balconies, electric kettles, and desks

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Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi and wired internet
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi and wired internet

Parking and transportation

  • Free self parking on site

Food and drink

  • A restaurant
  • Coffee and tea in common areas

Things to do

  • Library
  • Outdoor pool

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Laundry facilities
  • Safe at front desk

Guest services

  • Dry cleaning/laundry service
  • Multilingual staff
  • No housekeeping service
  • Tour and ticket assistance

Outdoors

  • Terrace

Accessibility

  • Elevator

More

  • 1 building
  • 2 floors
  • Built in 2005
  • Designated smoking areas

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Premium bedding
  • Rollaway/extra bed (surcharge)

Bathroom

  • Bathrobes
  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Shower
  • Slippers
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 33-inch flat-screen TV with cable channels
  • DVD player

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Electric kettle

More

  • Ceiling fan
  • Desk
  • Heating
  • Individual decor
  • Iron/ironing board

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 2 PM; Check-in end time: 9:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children 12 and younger are not allowed at this property; All guests older than 12 are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are available for NZD 50 per night
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Rollaway bed fee: NZD 50 per night

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards and cash
Cashless transactions are available
Safety features at this property include a smoke detector
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room

We should mention

Children 12 years old and younger are not permitted at this property
Some facilities may have restricted access; guests can contact the property for details using the contact information on the booking confirmation

National rating

Property class, provided by our rating system, is based on property type, amenities, and services.

Property is also known as

Sanctuary Bay Islands
Sanctuary Bay Islands Hotel
Sanctuary Bay Islands Hotel Opua
Sanctuary Bay Islands Opua
Bay Of Islands Hotel Opua
The Sanctuary @ Bay Of Islands Opua, New Zealand
Sanctuary @ Bay Islands Hotel Opua
Sanctuary @ Bay Islands Hotel
Sanctuary @ Bay Islands Opua
Sanctuary @ Bay Islands
The Sanctuary @ Bay Of Islands Opua
The Sanctuary Of Islands Opua
The Sanctuary @ Bay of Islands Opua
The Sanctuary @ Bay of Islands Hotel
The Sanctuary @ Bay of Islands Hotel Opua

Frequently asked questions

Does The Sanctuary @ Bay of Islands have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

Is The Sanctuary @ Bay of Islands pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking?

Self parking is free at this property.

What time is check-in at The Sanctuary @ Bay of Islands?

Check-in start time: 2 PM; Check-in end time: 9:00 PM. Late check-in is available during limited hours.

What time is check-out at The Sanctuary @ Bay of Islands?

Check-out is at 11 AM.

Where is The Sanctuary @ Bay of Islands located?

Situated by the sea, this luxury hotel is within 1 mi (2 km) of Bay of Islands Marina and Bay of Islands. Makana Chocolate Boutique and Paihia Beach are also within 3 mi (5 km).

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Reviews

The Sanctuary @ Bay of Islands Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

9.8

Cleanliness

9.0

Location

10

Staff & service

9.6

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 31 out of 34 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 34 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 34 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 34 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 34 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Margarita

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The room was great, cozy and comfortable, the hosts are wonderful, the views are breathtaking. We were really glad we chose this place for our bay of islands trip.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Colin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Fantastic location and accommodation. Such great hosts.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Bobby

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This was a beautiful property overlooking the Bay of Islands and less than 10 min drive to Paihia where you can find restaurants and activities. Our room and bathroom were spacious and comfortable. The host was welcoming and went out of her way to make us feel at home. I definitely recommend staying here.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Gail

Wonderful stay at the sanctuary. The staff were so friendly. Would definitely go there again.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rasesh

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
This is an amazing place. Staff excellent. Relatively convenient to Paihia dining. Wonderful views.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sarah

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Loved our stay, very comfortable room, great place to relax with amazing views and the Jaeger and the other staff made us feel so welcome. Would love to return.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Rowan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
5 Stars – A Perfect Weekend Getaway with Breathtaking Views My wife and I had a truly wonderful stay over the weekend. From the moment we arrived, we were warmly welcomed by Glennis, Jagger, and Dave, which set the tone for a relaxing and memorable visit. The room was spotless, cozy, and beautifully maintained—returning to it each day after exploring the region felt like coming home. The property itself is stunning, with breathtaking views that are worth the stay alone. We especially enjoyed relaxing in the covered pool while soaking in the scenery—it was the perfect way to unwind. The thoughtful touches throughout the accommodation and the genuine hospitality made our experience even more special. We highly recommend this boutique hotel to anyone looking for a peaceful escape, and we’re already looking forward to our next visit!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Keith

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The Host and Hostess were lovely people. The details.., Glenish thought of everything! One of the highlights of our trip! If I could give them 6 stars or 10… I would!
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mathilde Walter

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
We decided to spend a little more on accommodation than we would normally do, and I am so glad we did. I'm sure our trip to Northland would not have been the same if we hadn't. The place is beautiful, calm, the views stunning, everything you see on the photos. What we hadn't anticipated was the natural, unfussy kindness of the hostess, who made us a spectacular breakfast every morning at the time we preferred, and gave us some really great recommendations of what to do with time, kindly made reservations, calls, etc, all kinds of things that would have cost us time and effort to find out ourselves (and most likely wouldn't have found out or thought of). When we came back in the evening the fire was lit in the living room, which were at our disposal too. Our six days there were rich and full, personal and memorable in a way it would never be in a normal hotel. I cannot recommend this sanctuary enough.
Stayed 6 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lee

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Most magical place. Astonishing views; tranquil setting . Brilliant hosts . Easily accessible. 100% recommend
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Daniel

The place was just wonderful
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Cassie

Liked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Could not have wanted more!

Beautiful accommodation in a great location and great hosting - everything we needed for our stay was available.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Keith

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Not super close to shops but not that far either. Highly Recommend! One of the nicest B&B’s we’ve stayed at
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023

6/10 Okay

Gordon

Warm, friendly & helpful hostess who had just recently taken over the hotel. Stunning views over the Bay of Islands. However breakfast service and content was poor at times. The room lacked aspects at this price level. Towels were frayed, no safe for valuables. Also access to the hotel is tight and challlenging.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2026

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The decor and location were awesome. Sitting out on the patio with a wonderful view was a worthwhile experience. The food was exceptional.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2019

10/10 Excellent

Chris, Christchurch NZ

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Fantastic views & warm welcome

The Sanctuary is an oasis of tranquility and Glenys & Yogi are consummate hosts. By the way the cooking is fantastic as well. The Sanctuary’s rooms are finished to a high standard and each has its own balcony with views over luxuriant forest to the bay. I would have no hestitation in recommending the Sanctuary to travellers wanting a high end accommodation experience in the Bay of Islands.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2017

10/10 Excellent

Jeremy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Stunning views

Great Boutique hotel with stunning views from the bedrooms and from the lovely open plan dining/lounge area. The excellent hosts were both welcoming and helpful
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2017

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Remanso de paz

Nos alojamos durante 2 noches en este lodge,y fue una estancia muy agradable. muy buena decoración y habitación amplia. Lo mejor del lugar son sin duda sus vistas. Los dueños muy agradables y te ayudan en todo lo que pueden.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2017

10/10 Excellent

anirudh , auckland

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Amazing - 5 star , read why below

Have stayed at many luxury properties around the world. Among the best ! Rudi and ash
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2017

10/10 Excellent

Philip, London

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

A delightful, family-run guest house

Very good experience indeed. Nice, family-run hotel.

10/10 Excellent

Liz, Leek

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Stunning Location

Rather a unique hotel! On arrival we were warmly greeted by Glennis & Yogi the proprietors & taken to our delightful room. The view was fabulous, as it was from all the rooms. Glennis cooked a great meal for all the guests the first evening of our stay. We had complimentary wine with dinner. Certainly a delightful place to stay.

10/10 Excellent

Niall, Scotland.

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Sanctuary is an appropriate name.

A unique house, set in from tHe road overlooking the bay with four rooms, each with fantastic views. Large communal area with the kitchen and dining area with a large verandah, again with superb views and a small plunge pool. There was only myself and one other guest staying there but the host was friendly, very knowledgeable about the area and a great cook. One of the most relaxing places I have stayed in. I was originally only going to stay the one night, but as soon as I saw the place decided to stay a 2nd, I only wish I could have stayed longer. Was able to sleep with the patio doors fully open looking out over the trees to the bay - almost like sleeping outside but a lot more comfortable. Very hard to think of any negatives - slight bit of road noise when out on the verandas, but dies away in the evening and maybe the bread for breakfast could have been a bit more interesting - but that's being very picky. Definitely on the "must return to" list.

10/10 Excellent

Marty, Auckland

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Beautiful views, tranquil location.

Nice to wake up to an elevated view of the bay through bushland, with natural sounds and not traffic noise. Very comfortable room and bed. We enjoyed the piano and a glass of wine before retiring. Friendly hosts who accommodated us well. All smiles...

10/10 Excellent

Daniel, Madrid

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Un hotel estupendo. Todo perfecto. Los propietarios muy atentos. El desayuno con vistas a la bahía impresionante.

10/10 Excellent

Peter, toronto

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Spectacular views and exclusive location

Great 5 room Boutique hotel perched on the side of a hill with breathtaking views. On site ownership ensures attention to detail. Go and relax....