Need to know

Rooms

Five, including three Boatshed suites, super-king suite The Bridge, and three-storey retreat The Lighthouse.

Rates

Low season, NZD$630–NZ$790; high season, NZ$745–NZ$910, including 12.5 per cent tax, breakfast and on-island transfers.

Check-out

12pm, but flexible, subject to availability. Earliest check-in, 2pm.

Facilities

DVD, CD and book libraryi. In rooms: open fireplace, TV, DVD/CD players, iPod dock, free WiFi, minibar, shower, bathrobes and Living Nature toiletries.

Poolside

There's no pool, but the ocean is only three minutes' stroll away (the hotel's white-shell walkways and timber boardwalks make it a pleasant journey).

Children

The Boatshed is not suitable for children under 12.

Also

When you hop off the 35-minute ferry ride from Auckland, The Boatshed is just a five-minute drive away. Take your own car over or grab the passenger ferry and staff will pick you up.

In the know

Our favourite rooms

All the simple-yet-stylish double suites mix wood and white for a sophisticated boatshed feel, with quirky seaside accessories, including ships' bells and toy sailing boats. Most affordable are the three Boatshed suites, which have a nostalgic beach hut vibe: open up the white louvred shutters to the garden and enjoy sea breezes on your lounger from the secluded teak decks. More exclusive, The Bridge is an elegant, spacious suite, tucked away on its own with a trad porch and spectacular, high views. Most romantic of all is towering three-storey retreat The Lighthouse, a whitewashed wooden hideaway with a separate bedroom and dayroom and vast glass doors opening onto private sundecks. Just climb the circular stairs with your telescope to check out passing boats and you'll feel like a lighthouse keeper surveying your own domain.

Packing tips

Sarong and sandals in summer – jaunty vintage sailor's hat or naval jacket in winter.

Also

Rooms come with handy beach kit, including shade umbrella, sun hats, beach bag, sand mat and sunscreen. If you're beach combing, rent one of the Boatshed's speedy Mini Moke Togs for NZ$150 a day – light, funky Jeep-style buggies which sport an iPod-compatible sound system replete with jazzy, summery tunes. Book when you reserve your room to avoid disappointment. If you fancy just chilling out, beauty and spa treatments can be arranged in your room.

Food & drink

Hotel restaurant

You can join other guests to eat in the Boatshed's light, airy, relaxed dining room or opt for private all-day dining on your balcony, by the fire or al fresco. Even if you dine inside, floor-to-ceiling glass doors open up to the outdoors, bringing the beach vibe in, with white-washed timber, soothing colours and sailing paraphernalia adding to the coastal vibe. Breakfast is included in the hotel tariff, but the Boatshed's daily changing lunch menu and four-course table d'hôte dinner cost NZ$20–NZ$35 and NZ$110 a person respectively. Fresh, local and organic produce is high on the agenda, and chef/owner Jonathan Scott is happy to incorporate special requests into the menu. Modern dining options include Mediterranean fare, seafood platters or gourmet meat cuts, washed down with fine Kiwi wines (fish, such as grilled scampi or barbecued snapper, is our top tip). Even breakfast is a treat, teaming roasted Waiheke coffee with fresh juices, baked goods and hot dishes including smoked fish cakes with poached eggs and hollandaise sauce or ricotta hotcakes with maple-poached figs.

Dress code

Casual white linen separates and a blue-and-white striped Breton top for seaside chic.

Top table

All tables are well spaced out so guests feel like they're dining alone, but for a real escapist vibe and breathtaking ocean views, bag the al fresco table on the wooden wharf which juts out over the beach.

Last orders

Breakfast is served from 8am, lunch all day long and dinner from 7.30pm. If you want a late dinner just arrange this with the hotel. Dinner is exclusive to Boatshed guests, so you have the staff's full attention.

Room service

Room service is available 24 hours a day and the menu changes daily. The Lighthouse suite offers a private dining service delivered via a trad dumb waiter. You can also pick up a gourmet picnic for snacking on the beach.

Hotel bar

The hotel bar is open all day and sports an impressive list of local wines. Its speciality cocktail is a Moscow Mule with organic ginger beer, ideal for downing to the sound of the bar's jazz or Café del Mar tunes pre-dinner. There's also free port and treats in-room for sunset lounging.

Smith card offer A tasting plate of local Waiheke delicacies on arrival, including breads, olive oil, cheese, spreads and pickles

If you're a member of Mr & Mrs Smith, you can get special privileges at every Smith hotel you book through us. Just show your Smith card at check-in to claim the offer featured on every hotel page (like the one above).

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Book this hotel

To book this hotel please click here, or contact our travel team on 1 866 610 3867.

The Boatshed

Crn Tawa and Huia Street, Oneroa, Waiheke Island, Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand