Located close to Paihia Wharf and Paihia Beach, Sanctuary Palms provides an airport shuttle, a garden and laundry facilities. Guests can connect to free in-room WiFi.
Located in Paihia, Sanctuary Palms is near the beach. Waitangi Treaty Grounds and Stone Store are notable landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Bay of Islands and Paihia Beach. Paihia Wharf and Haruru Falls are two other places to visit that come recommended. With kayaking, parasailing and sailing nearby, you'll find plenty of adventures in the water. Visit our Paihia travel guide
Located close to Paihia Wharf and Paihia Beach, Sanctuary Palms provides an airport shuttle, a garden and laundry facilities. Stay connected with free in-room WiFi.
You'll also enjoy perks such as:
Continental breakfast (surcharge), self-parking (surcharge) and a round-trip airport shuttle (surcharge)
Luggage storage, tour/ticket information and smoke-free property
A living plant wall
Room features
All guest rooms are individually furnished, and have comforts, such as fireplaces and premium bedding, as well as perks, such as air conditioning and separate sitting areas.
Other conveniences in all rooms include:
Recycling and LED light bulbs
Bathrooms with eco-friendly toiletries and baths or showers
40-inch flat-screen TVs with satellite channels and DVD players
Wardrobes/cupboards, separate sitting areas and kitchens
Return airport shuttle (surcharge) from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM on request
Parking on site (surcharge)
Limited on-site self parking
Kitchen
Coffee/tea maker
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Dishwasher
Electric kettle
Espresso maker
Hob
Microwave
Oven
Paper towels
Refrigerator
Toaster
Dining
Daily continental breakfast available 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM for a fee: NZD 25 per person
Dining table
Bedrooms
Bedroom
Premium bedding
Bathroom
1 private bathroom
Bathtub or shower
Dressing gowns
Free toiletries
Hair dryer
Shampoo
Slippers
Soap
Toilet paper
Towels provided
Living spaces
Dining table
Fireplace
Separate sitting area
Entertainment
40-inch flat-screen TV with satellite channels
DVD player
Outdoor areas
Garden
Laundry
Laundry detergent
Laundry facilities
Washer/dryer
Comfort
Air conditioning
Heating
Pets
Service animals only (pets not allowed)
Suitability/Accessibility
High-pile carpet in room
No lift
Tile flooring in room
Smoke-free property
Services and conveniences
Blackout drapes
Change of bedsheets (on request)
Change of towels on request
Free bottled water
Guidebooks
Housekeeping on request
Iron/ironing board
Local maps
Luggage storage
Restaurant dining guides
Tour and ticket assistance
Things to do
Kayaking nearby
Parasailing nearby
Sailing nearby
Safety features
Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
Smoke detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property)
General
4 units
At least 80% lighting from LEDs
Bed sheets changed on request
Bulk dispensers for toiletries
Eco-friendly cleaning products used
Eco-friendly toiletries
Garden
Housekeeping (on request)
Individual decor
Individual furnishings
Living plant wall
Local culture and ecosystem education
Locally-owned and organised tours and activities
No plastic coffee stirrers
No plastic drinking straws
No plastic soft drink bottles
Recycling
Reusable cups
Reusable tableware
Towels (changed on request)
Policies
Check-in
Check-in start time: 3 PM; check-in end time: 6:00 PM
Minimum check-in age - 18
Check-out
Check-out before 10 AM
Special check-in instructions
This property offers transfers from the airport (surcharges may apply); guests must contact the property with arrival details before travel, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
There is no front desk at this property
Guests will receive an email with check-in instructions and key retrieval information prior to arrival; your host will greet you
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Check-out instructions
The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Remove personal items
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
Access methods
Host will greet you, key retrieval
Pets
Pets not allowed (service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees)
Children and extra beds
Children younger than 18 are not allowed at this adults-only property; all guests 18 and older are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
Cots (infant beds) are not available
Payment types at the property
Important information
Optional extras
Fee for continental breakfast: from approximately NZD 25 per person
Airport shuttle fee: NZD 65 per vehicle (one-way, maximum occupancy 2)
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, debit card or cash deposit 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, debit cards and cash
This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
We should mention
This property does not have any lifts
This property's policy is to refuse certain bookings for the purpose of group events or parties, including stag and hen parties
Guests under 18 years old are not permitted at this adults-only property
Alcohol is not served at this property
National rating
Property class, provided by our rating system, is based on property type, amenities and services.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sanctuary Palms pet-friendly?
No, only service animals are welcome at the property.
How much does it cost to stay at Sanctuary Palms?
As of 14 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Sanctuary Palms on 15 May 2026 start from ฿7,007, excluding taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at Sanctuary Palms?
Self-parking is available for a fee.
What time is check-in at Sanctuary Palms?
Check-in start time: 3 PM; check-in end time: 6:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Sanctuary Palms?
Checkout is at 10 AM.
Does Sanctuary Palms provide a shuttle to the airport?
Yes, there's an airport shuttle that runs 9:00 AM-4:00 PM on request. A fee of NZD 65 per vehicle applies.
Where is Sanctuary Palms located?
Situated near the beach, this luxury apartment building is within a 10-minute walk of Bay of Islands and Paihia Wharf. Paihia Beach and Waitangi Treaty Grounds are also within 2 mi (3 km).
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Reviews
Sanctuary Palms Reviews
9.2
Wonderful
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.More informationOpens in a new window
9.6
Cleanliness
9.8
Location
9.8
Staff & service
8.8
Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 23 out of 34 reviews
10 - Excellent
23
Rating 8 - Good. 9 out of 34 reviews
8 - Good
9
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 34 reviews
6 - Okay
1
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 34 reviews
4 - Poor
1
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 34 reviews
2 - Terrible
0
Reviews
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Sarah
19 Jan 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Beautiful location , I had a perfect stay - thank you!!
Sarah
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Erika
1 Dec 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, communication
Fantastic property, spectacular views, great owners. The flat was lovely, the spa bath was delightful and the kitchen was perfect equipped. AC was perfect, bed was comfy. Lovey stay, beautiful area. Recommended!
Erika
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Mark
15 Jan 2026
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Everything about the Sanctuary Palms is first class.The bathroom was spotless, the shower and bath were great, aesthetically top notch, up to date, and perfect in use. The bedroom, the kitchen, the living room, the balcony, the view, the convenience, the access: tens around!
Mark
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
Verified
10/10 Excellent
roger
31 Oct 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort, communication
Very well designed, very clean, and well equipped. Bathroom and shower were very nice and spacious. Bed was very soft and comfy. I would not hesitate to return and highly recommend it to anyone. And very close in proximity to the town. One downside were stairs upon entry.
roger
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Stephanie
20 Feb 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort, communication
Wonderful place to stay.
Wonderful place to stay, with extra touches to make our stay special.
Accommodation was clean and comfortable with plenty of space, with a balcony offering beautiful views over Bay of Islands. Excellent location for getting to quay fir boat and ferry trips and within walking distance of Waitangi Treaty Grounds. (Although the steep walk back up hill after a day out is quite tough...but view was worth it).
Stephanie
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
francis
21 Jan 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort, communication
Very nice self-service apartment
We stayed in the "Moulin Rouge" apartment, which was a very well appointed self-service unit with a wonderful view to the Bay of Islands at Pahia.
francis
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Lance
11 Jan 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Easy self check in and check out. Very clean and cosy apartment.
Lance
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Simon
17 Feb 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort, communication
Paihia stay
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Sanctuary Palms everything is set up to allow for a relaxing stay. The photos really don’t do it justice it is a beautiful home from home.
Wouldn’t hesitate to recommend to anyone.
We were a little worried about negative reviews about the parking situation and yes, it is tight but it’s only a short walk to find plenty of free on street parking which we favoured so that our large rental car didn’t cause any bother to other guests. Thank you to Sharron & Paul for sharing this beautiful place with us.
Simon
Stayed 6 nights in Feb 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Kerry
13 Jan 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, communication
The view from the balcony was amazing. Thank you for the little extras in the bathroom and we loved the pod coffee machine.
Comfy couch and easy access to wifi.
We got the hang of airing the rooms, tricky in the wind.
Thank you.
Kerry
Verified
4/10 Poor
Colin
23 Apr 2024
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
The entire property was covered in scaffolding. It looked like a construction site. Views out of windows and deck were obstructed by the scaffolding.
Colin
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024
Verified
8/10 Good
Morris
23 Jan 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, communication
Central location although a difficult walk up a steep hill. The overall amenities were good. The air conditioner in the bedroom didn’t work and footsteps from the apartment above were noisy. THe curtains in the bedroom didn’t fit and looked like they were second hand. The car parks were very tight.
Morris
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2023
Verified
8/10 Good
Verified traveller
25 Jun 2021
Liked: Cleanliness, communication
We liked the space, and the view of the bay from the penthouse level. I think when this property was first built it would have indeed been 'luxury', but to describe it that way now, with the passing of time, is a little bit of a stretch. The decor and maintenance needs attention, and to have entertainment options running on wifi that does not cope, is poor. We did enjoy our time there, but for us the 'luxury' tag did not fit reality.
Verified traveller
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2021
Verified
8/10 Good
Fay
28 Jul 2020
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
Good location, very nicely decorated, big spa bath was bliss! Fabulous bed too.
Fay
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2020
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Verified traveller
5 Feb 2020
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
What a lovely place! We had a lovely welcome and were made to feel special. Everything was thought of and suggestions were made for what we might do and Raykindly made a bookingfor us for a day tripon a cat sailing. Theapartment (Moulin Rouge) has every amenity; we appreciated the stocked fridge, washing powder, dishwasher tablets....The apartments are up quite a steep hill but easy o drive to te bottom and park if you dont want to walk back up! Lovely beach for swimming round the corner, towels are provided. Stunning sunrise but it was a bit hot sitting on the little balcony for breakfast - cant complain!
Verified traveller
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2020
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Jo
3 Feb 2020
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
Very spacious, excellent location back from the main drag so quiet.
Absolutely beautiful property, fantastic location - didn’t need to use the car, and the hosts were wonderful. Would definitely stay there again and we highly recommend it!
Fantastic stay, fabulous bed so comfy. Loved the bottle of wine in the fridge. It’s a short walk down a fairly step hill. Ok going down but for elderly people they may have trouble returning to the apartments. The only negative for us was not being able to connect to wifi. However we were able to outside. I’ll definitely recommend & hopefully come back in the near future.
Carolyn
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2019
Verified
8/10 Good
Verified traveller
3 Mar 2019
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
It was really quiet which was really nice. What we didn't like was the steep walk to the beach and also little problems like the dishwasher rocked when loading it the paint on the ceiling in the bathroom was peeling.
Lovely property with some luxurious touches. Nice views over Paihia.
All the mod cons, with aircon, heaters, washing machine, Sky TV, list goes on.
Steep hill to climb back from town, but it helped work off those calories!
Raj
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2019
Verified
8/10 Good
Verified traveller
23 Feb 2019
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Beautiful place some redecorating needed. The second bedroom very plain. The hammock was dirty and smelly so could not be used. There where no fire alarms. The view was amazing.
This was a quiet, clean flat with everything we needed. There was a safe place to park on site. Our check in was easy and Helen gave us lots of great suggestions of what to see and where to eat. The kitchen had everything we needed to cook meals and the refrigerator was stocked with drinks to enjoy upon arrival. It has a very large comfortable bathroom with a big shower and a jetted tub. The towels and linens are all good quality and the bed was very comfortable. The air conditioner and fans were effective to keep the flat comfortable. There are only 4 units in the complex so it is very quiet. It is up a steep hill from the busy tourist area which we enjoyed because we like a bit of daily exercise and we like a quiet environment. It is still close and within walking distance to all the activities Paihia has to offer. There is a fabulous view of the ocean from the outdoor patio and a barbecue to cook the fresh fish we caught. This is a great place to relax out of the busy tourist area yet still just a few minutes walk to the activities Paihia has to offer.
We booked a room for 2 nights at this hotel for a relaxing end to a month-long holiday in New Zealand and it didn't disappoint. We arrived earlier than check-in time but Helen (one of the owners) was more than accommodating and we were able to access the room early which was a huge bonus. We had a complimentary mini-bar delivered by Ray which was extremely generous with wine, beer, orange juice and milk).
The location is ideal if you want to be away from all the regular hotels/motels in the area. It's in a quiet residential street, but the main centre is approximately only a 10-minute walk away so you're not far from the restaurants, beaches, attractions etc. It is a fairly steep walk uphill when returning to the hotel so bear this in mind.
Our room (The Pacifika Suite) was fantastic. It had a private balcony which we could see the sea from, and was surrounded by foliage; there was a full kitchen with a washer and dryer; the shower and bathtub were lovely to use; and the bedroom was gorgeous.
The town itself is fairly small but we spent time walking around the shops and eating at the restaurants, we'd already been to Russell but could have easily got the ferry over there fro the day; and we walked to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds from the hotel which was an easy walk.
All in all, our stay at Sanctuary Palms was a perfect ending to our holiday.
We have stayed in many apartments in our travels. The Sanctuary Palms was the best. Many times apartments are furnished obviously for short one time stays This is an apartment that we would be happy to live in. Everything was done unsparingly, tastefully and of high quality. The service was excellent and we were given complimentary bottles of wine, juice and milk. We really could not ask for more.