The Villas at Te Arai Links, Auckland

Set on the 18th fairway of the North Course, The Villas offer a private four-bedroom retreat on New Zealand’s Te Arai coastline. The location is about 75 minutes north of Auckland by car or 25 minutes by helicopter.

Each 297 m² villa sleeps up to 8 guests across four bedroom suites, every one with its own private ensuite. There is also a separate powder room for guests. Interiors by Los Angeles designer Jenni Kayne bring together weathered timber, sarked ceilings, concrete and stone. This combination creates a calm, coastal palette that sits easily within the dunes.

The open-plan living, dining and kitchen area opens onto generous outdoor space, with private bedroom terraces and a courtyard fire pit for evenings after golf or the beach. A full kitchen and indoor fireplace round out the practical side. Meanwhile, the views stretch across the Pacific toward Little Barrier and the Mokohinau Islands.

Guests staying in the Villas also get access to the wider resort. This includes two world-ranked golf courses (Tom Doak’s North Course and the Coore & Crenshaw South Course), the new Spa and Fitness Center with its Hydrotherapy Garden, tennis and pickleball courts, hiking and biking trails, and private beach access. In addition, there is a two-acre putting green for families, horse riding, and helicopter tours. Guests also have access to the members-only Bunker Bar. Four on-site restaurants offer a choice of experiences, including elevated dining that showcases local produce. Unwind with an in-villa spa treatment, arranged directly for you.

Photography by Ricky Robison