Our room had a small deck off the side with a partical view of the water (still great view). Location and access to the water is perfect. Room had a great bathroom and bed was very comfy - we opted for King bed but it can be split into 2. We didnt use to resturant but it looked lovely and on a night evening you can sit outside and look over the dunes and water.

Only thing I would of liked in our room would of been a microwave (not a kitchenette but just a microwave ro heat up food). It did come with a jug which was great and other rooms would have have a microwave, depending on the room you book

We were offered a room with a better view (there was a large Pohutukawa tree in the way of the view of the beach with the reserved room). We appreciated that conscientiousness. Upon entering the room, it smelt clean and fresh. The view from the finalised room was amazing, with a sunny balcony to enjoy our morning coffee. The bed was very comfortable and larger than expected so we had a great sleep even with our two year old son taking up most of the bed. The bath was a nice extra (something that is a must for us after long days on the road, or tough adventuring, a bath makes all the difference) The restaurant offered great food at reasonable prices. We couldn't decide so got Grilled Lamb Rump, Cheese Burger and Chips, Fish and Chips. (for the boy) Garlic Prawns, and Kawakawa Calamari plus a couple of non alcoholic drinks, The meals were generously sized, well seasoned and served with original flair (using a Maori influenced menu which we loved). It all came in well under $150 and we were even able to take away a large doggie box of some solid snacking for movie time later on back at the room. We awoke to paradise at the end of our fingertips just waiting for us to start exploring. Definitely a jewel in the Hokianga!

There could been more pillows and they definitely could have been newer. We always strip the beds in the morning to help the cleaners and kind of wish we hadn't in this instance taken the pillow cases off as the age of the pillows showed,rather a lot of yellow staining. The linen, however, was clean and smelt fresh and that is the only thing we could really find "wrong" with our Superior Beachfront King room.

The location was exceptional. The food was very good. The staff were friendly.

Having stayed there before we were hoping for a front room. Had thought that’s what I had booked on the booking.com page but hadn’t asked for it specifically so got a side room. Asked if the front rooms were all booked and was told yes but didn’t see anyone in them the whole time we were there. Had asked for twin beds which was quickly rectified as to begin the room still had a double. The room itself was very comfortable but the curtains let it down. They were grubby and hanging off the rail in parts.

Stunning view right on the beach, nice pool, decent restaurant, and a cafe across the road. Loved watching all the summer action on the wharf from our room. The pool was great. Comfortable beds. Nice, friendly, genuine down-to- earth accommodating staff. Very happy. Great value for money and staff genuinely wanted you to enjoy your stay. Will be back to this special, stunning part of Aotearoa, New Zealand, for more super hot summer days.

The fridge wasn't actually on when we checked into the room, and we didn't realise for a few hours..

Very friendly people, the views were magnificent Breakfast and dinner were delightful.

A telephone in the room for service would have been useful. There was no bottle of water, so I had to use the tap in the bathroom. Not a good IDEA. As we made our journey home on the third morning, I became very sick, not a car sickness person and the home remained very sick and still is! I am pretty sure it was the water I drank. They obviously had been making changes to the room before we arrived. Suggest you check the system.

The staff, specifically the reception, hospitality and cleaning staff, are amazing and a credit to the hotel. Reception sorted the confusing mess I made of the bookings with smiles and diplomacy (thank you). The cleaning staff we kind enough to split our beds into 2 singles and remake them, and they were so fast and professional about it (thank you). The hospitality staff were attentive and respectful. (thank you). The seafront facing rooms and villas were spectacular and the beds were divine, you just sink into them. The bathrooms are spacious, ours had a bathtub and shower, the villas had rainfall showers and a spa pool. it was just bliss staying at The Sands.

There was confusion around our buffet dinner, we didn't realise that we were sharing with other groups and so there was some "side-eye" happening between both parties. Probably best to inform all parties about the shared buffet ahead of time. The food was beautiful though (thank you Chefs). The tiling on the bathroom floors is very slippery when wet, with or without shoes on.

The room was excellent, I believe it would have been recently refurbished! The lounge and dinning room was excellently presented..

On our last journey to the Hotel in 2024, although it was off season, and we were the only people in the Dining Room for breakfast, I believe the on call manager prepared breakfast. He was poorly presented and made a mess of the breakfast (Bacon&Eggs) Very unprofessional and sloppy! However, this last trip to the Hotel , the staff in the Dining Room were very attentive!

We liked the location it had beautiful views of the harbour. Also a coffee/cafe next door. The room was a good size. The food in your restaurant was beautiful. Thank you to all of your staff during our stay.

Requested for split beds in booking I even called ahead to make sure it was done, but it was not done. No milk but all the other amenities supplied. While having dinner in the restaurant area, guests from the bar were using the door to get in and out of door which was located near our seating area. I think this was inappropriate. When diners are paying to eat in your dining area, patrons from the bar and attending functions need to be informed to not use the dining room balcony, diners should come first in your restaurant area. Please put cocktails on your drinks menu, atleast 2-3 and mocktails always nice alternatives especially during a dining experience.

The view from our room was gorgeous. The room was very spacious and we particularly liked the indoor/outdoor aspect and flow. Because of this we enjoyed just hanging out in our room. The staff were extremely accommodating and friendly. Our first meal of steak and vegetables was cooked to perfection - steak med/rare exactly and the vegetables just cooked enough. We were so impressed we decided to dine in for the next evening as well.

The meal on the second evening was disappointing. We ordered pork belly and the crackling was cooked just right. However it was inedible due to the excess salt on it. I salt my own crackling so am used to that. It was totally over the top. Also not many vegetables completely the opposite to the previous evening. It felt like the hotel had run out of vegetables. I did complain about my meal as I had barely eaten it but nothing was offered or done about it.

Staff were AMAZING! Slow cooked lamb and the pork belly were delicious, rich but delicious, and booking the villa was an absolutely amazing private space for me and my partner, and access to our own spa was nice...

I kind of booked the villa for the fact of the fireplace and spa. Unfortunately, the fireplace was not working at the time we visited. ( Keep in mind the rooms have heat pumps, so you dont get cold ) I was just really looking forward to the fireplace. Also, the TV on the bedroom side of the room was not working, nor was our safe. Which we had brought up with reception who had said that she would organize someone to sort out, which unfortunately didn't happen. But very minor things, the good most definitely outweighed the bad.