Unbelievable New Zealand Barn Cabins: Marahau's Hidden Gem!
Unbelievable New Zealand Barn Cabins: Marahau's Hidden Gem! – A Review That's Anything BUT Glossy!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because I just got back from a trip to Unbelievable New Zealand Barn Cabins in Marahau, and let me tell you, it was… well, unbelievable. But in the most gloriously imperfect, human way possible. Instead of a perfectly polished brochure, think of this as your friend spilling the tea, warts and all. Prepare for a rollercoaster of emotions – from "Wow, this is paradise!" to "Wait, is that a rogue sheep?!" – because that's the honest-to-goodness truth.
SEO & Metadata (because, you know, the internet…):
- Primary Keywords: New Zealand Barn Cabins, Marahau Accommodation, Abel Tasman National Park Lodging, Accessible Cabins, Spa Retreat NZ, Family-Friendly Hotels, Pet-Friendly Accommodation NZ
- Secondary Keywords: Wheelchair Accessible, Free Wi-Fi, On-site Restaurant, Swimming Pool, Sauna, Massage, Cleanliness and Safety, Luxury Accommodation, Romantic Getaway, Family Holiday, Pet-Friendly, Barn Style, Rustic Chic.
Accessibility: The Good, The "Almost" and The Sheep-Related Mishaps…
Right, let's kick things off with the nitty-gritty – accessibility. Now, this is where things get interesting. The website says wheelchair accessible, and while the main areas and some cabins have ramps and wide doorways, I wouldn't exactly call it a fully-fledged, gold-standard accessibility experience. It's more like, "We've tried, bless our hearts."
One of my travel companions relies on a wheelchair, and navigating the grounds was a tad… adventurous. Some paths were gravelly (cue the awkward wheel-spinning), and the "accessible" entrance to the restaurant involved a slightly precarious side-ramp that I swear, I saw a sheep eyeing with amusement. (More on the sheep later. They're… prolific.) I’d give it a solid 3 out of 5 stars for accessibility. It’s tryingly accessible.
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges, things to do, ways to relax
The main restaurant area was indeed easier to roll around, the food was good, but I did wish there was more lounge area, there wasn't much space between tables, creating a bit of a squeeze when things got busy and you were trying to manouver a wheelchair.
Internet & Connectivity: Wi-Fi Warriors, Assemble!
Alright, bless their digital hearts, these barn cabin folks MEAN it when they say free Wi-Fi in all rooms! The signal was strong, reliable, and didn't make me want to hurl my laptop out the window (a definite win!). I was able to stream movies, video call the folks back home, and generally stay connected without the usual internet rage. The LAN option is there too, but who still uses that?!
Things to do, Ways to Relax: Spa Dreams and Sheep Shenanigans
Okay, this is where the "Unbelievable" truly kicks in. The Spa! Oh, the spa! I'm not going to lie, for a few days, I basically lived in the sauna. It was pure bliss. They have a Steamroom, Pool with a View, Massage, Body scrub, it goes on. If relaxation is your thing, you will LOVE this place. The Pool is also lovely, but a little chilly. Still, the view is epic.
Now, about those sheep. They are everywhere. And I mean everywhere. They're like the unofficial welcoming committee. One minute you’re meditating in the outdoor venue for special events (which, by the way, is stunning), the next you’re eye-to-eye with a particularly inquisitive ewe. It’s part of the charm… but also… be prepared. There's a chance you'll be sharing your breakfast with a fluffy friend.
Cleanliness and Safety: Pandemic Preparedness (Mostly!)
The cleanliness and safety at these Unbelievable New Zealand Barn Cabins was pretty darn good. They’ve clearly taken the whole COVID thing seriously. Hand sanitizer everywhere, Staff trained in safety protocol, and everything scrubbed down to a gleam. The individually-wrapped food options at breakfast were appreciated. The room sanitization opt-out was reassuring, especially as someone a little obsessive about cleanliness. But, I have one small, slightly unhinged observation: the sheep. I mean, they are everywhere. So, while the cabins are sanitized, there's still that… earthy farmyard element that permeates the outdoor spaces that kind of makes you think there's a constant need to be vigilant. 4 out of 5 stars for safety.
Dining, Drinking and Snacking: From Asian Flavors to Poolside Drinks
The dining, drinking, and snacking options are pretty damn good. The a la carte in the restaurant was excellent, with a diverse menu. The Asian breakfast was a delight, and the overall quality of the food was consistently high. The poolside bar is a winner for pre-dinner drinks and a quick snack. There's a Coffee shop for your caffeine fix and the snack bar can be your friend, especially post-sheep encounter. The Western breakfast was a solid standard. The only thing that really grated was the buffet in the restaurant feeling a little repetitive after a few days. But honestly, a minor quibble… 4 out of 5 Stars.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
They have the basics down pat: Air conditioning in public area, daily housekeeping, laundry service. There is luggage storage available. The Concierge service was genuinely helpful, with someone on hand to help with local information or booking activities. The convenience store? Well, it's convenient. They even have a few essentials condiments!
For the Kids: Family-Friendly Fun
The family/child friendly aspect of the cabins is decent, though I don’t have kids, I did see some running around having a blast. There are some kids facilities and the Babysitting service might be useful.
Available in all Rooms: Little Luxuries and Quirky Touches
Okay, let’s talk about the cabins themselves because these are, at the very least, interesting. They're barn-style, as the name suggests… think rustic chic meets… well, more rustic than chic, to be honest. They have air conditioning, alarm clock, and even bathrobes! The beds are comfy, the blackout curtains are blackout – you can literally sleep your days and nights away. You can have the complimentary tea in your room. The slippers were appreciated. Free bottled water – always a win. Some of the cabins had separate shower/bathtub, I would say they are well built and charming.
But… (and there's always a but, right?) the décor is a bit… eclectic. Imagine a mix of modern and old furniture, including the addition of a mirror. Some of the cabins felt a bit cramped, and our interconnecting room(s) available was a bit like a maze. But hey, it’s part of the charm, right? And the extra long bed that you can find, is a real blessing if you are tall. 4 out of 5 Stars
Getting Around: Airport Adventures and Sheep-Free Zones (Wishful Thinking)
Car park [free of charge]. That is all. Finding it was a bit of an adventure, and the winding roads around the cabins are not for the faint of heart. Taxi service is available, but likely requires an advance call.
The Verdict: Imperfectly Perfect
Would I go back to Unbelievable New Zealand Barn Cabins? Absolutely. Despite the sheep, the slightly wonky accessibility, and the occasional design choice that made me scratch my head, I had a fantastic time. It's a place that embraces its imperfections and offers a genuinely relaxing experience. It's not a five-star, polished resort, but it is a place with heart, charm, and the best darn spa I've ever experienced. Just maybe bring a sheep whistle. You'll thank me later.
Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 stars. (Minus one star for the persistent sheep presence and the "almost" accessibility.) Highly recommended for those seeking a truly unique and memorable getaway.
Escape to Paradise: Il Poggio Dei Pettirossi Awaits in Italy!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. This is… me trying to wrestle The Barn Cabins & Camp Marahau, New Zealand, into submission. And honestly? I'm already feeling slightly overwhelmed, but in the best possible way. So, here we go, warts and all:
The Marahau Mayhem: My Barn Cabin Brain Dump (New Zealand - Seriously, What Was I Thinking?)
Day 1: Arrival of the Slightly Unhinged
Morning (6:00 AM - 10:00 AM): Arrive in Nelson. OMG, the flight was horrendous. This tiny kid behind me kept kicking my seat, and the flight attendant thought "complimentary" coffee was some sort of sick joke. Anyway… airport chaos. Bag finally found… or, well, mostly found. One suspiciously missing sock. (Spoiler alert: I suspect it's already living the high life in luggage purgatory.) Now, time to pick up the rental car. Prayers up for it not being one of those death trap rentals that make you question all your life choices.
Late Morning (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM): The Drive. Marahau is a tiny dot on the map, isn't it? The drive itself is supposed to be scenic – supposed to be. I'm too busy white-knuckling the steering wheel and yelling at the GPS to enjoy the scenery. "Recalculating!" it chirps, mocking my incompetence. I am not a good navigator. Especially when confronted with right-hand driving after a decade of the opposite.
Lunch (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM): Stopped at some roadside cafe, hoping for a proper New Zealand pie. Ended up with a suspiciously grey lamb and potato thing that tasted vaguely of sadness and… wait, is that cinnamon?!? New Zealand, you're going to be the death of me.
Afternoon (1:00 PM - 4:00 PM): FINALLY. Barn Cabin. The internet photos are… optimistic. The reality? Okay, it's actually quite charming. Rustic. Possibly infested with things I'd rather not know about. But the view! Oh, the view. Pristine beaches and crystal clear waters. I can finally relax. Probably. Just gotta battle all the spiders first… (Just kidding! Mostly…)
Evening (4:00 PM - 8:00 PM): Unpacking. Discovering the missing sock has definitely been lost to the abyss that is my luggage is confirmed. A walk on the beach, where I promptly tripped over a rogue log and nearly ate sand. Dignity: lost. Dinner: Maybe a BBQ if I can figure out how to operate the damn thing. If not, survival mode with whatever snack is left. I'm already developing a deep, abiding love for the local wine. This could get messy. (And by "could," I mean "will.")
Day 2: Abel Tasman's Allure and My Achilles Heel: Kayaking
Morning (7:00 AM - 8:00 AM): Wake up to the sound of… birds? Never would have guessed. Seriously, the serenity is almost unbearable. Morning coffee, then trying to remember how to spread Vegemite without getting it EVERYWHERE. (It's a skill, people. A skill.)
Morning (8:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Kayaking in Abel Tasman National Park. This is on ALL THE LISTS. And it’s… stunning. Seriously, the blues and greens of the water are unreal. But here's where the "perfection" falls apart: I’m a terrible kayaker. Like, profoundly inept. I'm pretty sure I spent half the time spinning in circles while yelling at the paddle. The other half was trying not to capsize. The seal colony was awesome, though. They looked judgingly at my kayak prowess.
Lunch (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM): Picnic on a secluded beach (after having to be rescued from said beach because of the kayaking incident). I brought sandwiches - the kind that are now tragically smushed from the kayaking "experience". The scenery is gorgeous enough to make me forget the sandwich incident.
Afternoon (1:00 PM - 4:00 PM): Hike. Because I should probably move some muscles that aren’t paddle-based out of habit. The trail is beautiful, yes, but I'm already starting to feel every single muscle. Plus, there was a particularly aggressive sandfly incident. Bug spray: apply liberally. I'm certain I'm now a walking, talking, bitten-up testament to my own clumsiness.
Evening (5:00 PM - 8:00 PM): Dinner at the local pub. Hoping to not embarrass myself in public. More wine. Brainstorming how to explain all the bruises. "Fell down a flight of stairs while kayaking" maybe. This trip is going to be one long series of lies.
Day 3: The Barn Cabin Blues and Beach Basks
Morning (7:00 AM - 10:00 AM): Lazy morning at the cabin. Finally got the hang of the coffee machine. Reading, trying to write in my journal (so far, it's mostly just a record of my mishaps). The peace is almost TOO much peace. Am I starting to appreciate this? … Maybe.
Late Morning (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Exploring the local beach. Building sandcastles (terrible ones – I’m pretty sure toddlers could do better). Collecting shells. Actually feeling relaxed for the first time this trip. Almost.
Lunch (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM): Leftovers and a bottle of water on the beach. Watching the waves. The joy of just existing.
Afternoon (1:00 PM - 4:00 PM): The Barn Cabin is starting to feel… homely. Maybe I'm growing fond of the quirks. Thinking about all the things I still haven't done, but don't necessarily want to do. Reading and napping.
Evening (4:00 PM - 8:00 PM): Final dinner. Contemplating the fact that I have to leave this slice of paradise tomorrow. A deep, gut-wrenching moment of regret. This is going to be an emotional goodbye.
Unbelievable New Zealand Barn Cabins: Marahau's Hidden Gem! ... or Is It? (A Messy FAQ)
Okay, spill. Are these barn cabins REALLY as amazing as they sound? I've seen the photos...
Alright, deep breaths. The photos? Yeah, they're good. *Really* good. Golden hour, the sheep all posed just right... My first thought, arriving? "This is going to be Instagram gold." And it was, *initially*. The cabin itself... well, it's a barn. Converted. Rustic charm, they call it. I call it… potentially having a giant spider buddy living above your bed. (More on that later. Shudder.) But the *location*? Marahau. Gateway to Abel Tasman National Park. Breathtaking. No question. You wake up to birdsong, the smell of the sea… it *is* magic. Kinda. When the wind’s not howling and threatening to rip the roof off. And you don't count the occasional tractor starting up at dawn.
What's the "rustic charm" like? Are we talking charmingly creaky or structurally unsound?
Alright, so “rustic charm.” Think… character. Think… "the story these walls could tell." Think… potential for bats. Seriously, there was a *tiny* gap under the eaves. I spent half my first night convinced something was going to swoop in. The floors creak. Loudly. Each footstep feels like an announcement to the wildlife outside. The water pressure in the shower? Let's just say, you're probably going to need your patience. And maybe a good book. It's not a luxury hotel, okay? But it's… unique. You feel far away from everything. Which, in a good way, is also pretty terrifying. It's a trade-off. Honestly, I kinda loved the creakiness in the end, though. Added to the "adventure" feel, I guess. Even if my adventure involved a close personal relationship with the provided earplugs.
The location near Abel Tasman sounds incredible. What can you *actually* do from these cabins?
Okay, ABEL TASMAN! This is where it makes up for the spiders (maybe). Kayaking. Hiking. Beach bumming. It's all there. We did a kayak trip. Picture this: crystal-clear water, golden sand, seals sunbathing on rocks… I fell in love. It was *gorgeous*. Absolutely stunning. The park is literally on your doorstep. You can hike the Abel Tasman Coast Track, do day trips, or just wander along the beach. We even saw a kiwi! (Okay, maybe not. But a girl can dream, right?). The main issue? Parking. It's a nightmare in peak season. Plan ahead. Or be prepared to get very friendly with the car park attendants. And the sand... *gets everywhere*. I swear I was finding it in my socks a week later.
Okay, enough build-up. Spit it out: What was that spider situation you mentioned?
*Deep breath*. Alright. Buckle up. So, first night. Settling in. Snuggled up in bed, all cozy, reading my book. Suddenly… a *massive* shadow scuttles across the ceiling. Picture, like, a tarantula. On steroids. (I'm pretty sure it was. My spider identification skills are limited, okay?). I screamed. Loudly. My partner, bless him, leapt up, grabbed the nearest magazine (a National Geographic, ironically) and went on a hunt. Turns out, this *thing* was HUGE. And it was hanging out, perched just above the bed. I kid you not. We spent the next hour… you know… NOT SLEEPING. Eventually, it (and a couple of other, slightly smaller but still terrifying, spider friends) were dealt with (emphasis on dealt with, meaning relocated *far* away from the cabin, and me). Needless to say, I slept with the lights on for the rest of the trip. And maybe considered never going back in my life. I'm still not sure. Okay, maybe *less* sure now. But hey, it's a story, right?
Beyond the arachnid adventures, did you actually enjoy the cabins overall?
You know… despite the spider (and the slightly dodgy water pressure, the wind, and the creaky floors that meant I heard EVERYTHING), *yes*. I did. The location is just… unbeatable. The simplicity of it all. No Wi-Fi, you know? You're forced to disconnect. To breathe. To stare at the stars (which are incredible, by the way). It's not perfect. It's not luxury. But it's memorable. Would I go back? Maybe. With a really, *really* good bug spray. And maybe a sleep mask, just in case. And definitely a lot more courage. And perhaps, a slightly less dramatic view of the local fauna. Overall? It's a unique experience. And that, I think, is the whole point.
Okay, so what's the *practical* stuff? Wifi? Kitchen? Linen? The stuff that actually matters?
Alright, down to brass tacks. No reliable Wi-Fi. Embrace the digital detox! The kitchen facilities were… basic. Think bare essentials. A fridge, a two-burner hob, and a toaster. Fine for simple meals, but don't plan on whipping up a seven-course feast. Linen is provided, thankfully, which is a win. But, quality varies. Some are decent. Some... not so much. Check the reviews, maybe take your own pillowcase if you're picky. And the shop? The nearest one is driving distance away, so stock up on supplies before arriving. Trust me, you don't want to discover you've forgotten coffee at 6 am. That's just… a travel tragedy in the making.
Would you recommend it to someone? And if so, who?
Mmm. Tricky question. Okay, I'd recommend it to… *adventurous* people. People who are happy to rough it a little. People who appreciate the beauty of the outdoors more than pristine hotel rooms. People who don't mind a few (potential) spider encounters. If you're after luxury, look elsewhere. If you're easily freaked out, maybe avoid the "rustic charm" vibe. BUT, if you're looking for an escape, somewhere to recharge, and a base to explore one of the most stunning places on Earth, then absolutely, yeah. Just… pack your bug spray. And maybe a tranquilizer for yourself!
Any final words of wisdom?
Go with an open mind. Embrace the imperfections. Take lots of photos. And don’t forget the bug spray. Seriously. I’m still having nightmares. And that view of the Abel Tasman? That's worth every single creak, and every single shadow. AndRooms And Vibes
