Whatever the need for a romantic getaway, Auckland can solve it. Stepping outside the downtown, or even heading out a bit farther, Auckland will entice you with romantic getaway options like the Quail Lodge in Drury. Here, we unwound in relaxed luxury.
With the borders closed, international travel remains off the table. Therefore, exploring New Zealand is a great option. While we could go far, we can also stay nearby our Auckland base. Rather than the hustle and bustle of the city, we opted for a rural paradise.
How we define the perfect romantic getaway: Auckland or anywhere
‘Perfect’ holds such a personal definition, and lucky for us, when talking about romantic getaways, Jeff and I define it the same. If your list matches ours, we can almost guarantee you a fabulous getaway at Quail Lodge.
Our perfect New Zealand weekend getaway or midweek escape includes:
- Luxury with attention to every detail.
- A bit of seclusion, something off the beaten path.
- Endless and impressive views, with the option of indoor or outdoor enjoyment.
- Fabulous nights sleep on a luxurious bed enveloped in a warm and comfy duvet.
- Culinary excellence and for me, the added bonus of being able to accommodate food restrictions.
- Friendly hosts who intuitively understand and balance our love for meeting new people, and our desire for time alone.
- Options for all seasons like an outdoor fire pit or a private infinity pool.
- Close to the city with interesting things to do, yet a faraway feel.
Our midweek getaway met all of this and more.
Where is Quail Lodge?
Rural, but close by, Quail Lodge is just a 30-minute drive from the Auckland International airport. Great for a kiwi getaway and once our borders reopen, it’s an ideal spot to relax after a long haul or to spend your final New Zealand night. You can contact them here.
More on Auckland trending on Albom Adventures
Expansive views set the mood
Quality time is the key to our romantic getaways. Arriving at the golden hour, we could feel the day’s stress instantly dissolve. Complimentary bubbles in hand, we quickly found ourselves mesmerized by the seemingly endless 180º views that beckoned us out on to our deck. The spectacular landscape features the nearby Drury Gliding Club, as well as Auckland city in the distance. Vivid greens and crisp colours fill in the detail.
Late at night, the lights of the city shimmered, keeping our view everchanging and always interesting.
Attention to every detail in our private lodge
With attention paid to every detail, our two-bedroom private lodge unfolded an immaculate elegance that is too often missing these days. We had everything we needed and more. The bedrooms each had their own charm. While one offered a king bed with a bush view attracting birdsong in the mornings, we chose the queen bed with fabulous views.
And that’s not all, floor to ceiling windows throughout, and a huge mirror on the living room wall means the captivating view is nearly always in our site. The comfortable couch faces a TV, but we chose to turn off electronics and internet for the night and just enjoy the blue tooth speaker. Books offered reading options, and our only mistake was forgetting to write in the guest book before we left.
The fully supplied kitchen and modern bathroom completed the magic. As did our gracious hosts, and their adorable dog (who I am sure would have been out of sight had we not invited him into our lives). With only one unit available for guests, we were never short of anything.
Honestly, this two-bedroom accommodation is ideal for two couples or even a group of friends. However, we had it all to ourselves.
Culinary excellence enhanced our ideal romantic getaway in Auckland
Quail Lodge has earned it’s excellent reputation with meticulous attention to detail and friendly hosts that seem to intuitively know when to join in and when to give us privacy.
We recommend adding dinner to your getaway. We opted to join the hosts at their family table rather than have our meal brought to the unit. A culinary delight, our delicious dinner was perfectly adapted to my food allergies, without lacking any flavour.
Fascinating people, the hosts are dynamic entertainers. The main house shares the endless views, with the vivid sunset complimenting our dinner (sorry, dinner was too enjoyable to stop and take sunset photos). The relaxed, friendly conversation felt more like catching up with old friends than dining with new ones. The only thing better than the main course was dessert.
Jeff’s breakfast My Breakfast Dessert at dinner Dinner is served
Seasonal options
We spent the afternoon tiki touring in east and south Auckland and discovered places close to the city, yet a world apart. Once at the lodge, we were ready to relax. While the option for a dip in the pool or an evening firepit was tempting, for us, being surrounded by the quiet luxury was enough to keep us happy.
Click here to book your own romantic getaway at Quail Lodge
Nearby adventures – our romantic South Auckland road trip
We love New Zealand road trips and opted to drive both east and west, hitting both coasts on separate days. Stunning scenery, interesting history, and great coffee were amongst our finds. Here are some of the highlights near Quail Lodge.
Our romantic getaway: Auckland west coast loop
Manukau Heads lighthouse and Awhitu peninsula
With black sand on one side and white on the other, the Awhitu Peninsula is an adventure on its own. However, we focused on our destination, the Manukau Heads Lighthouse. Once at the end of the peninsula, we climbed the lighthouse. Here, despite the wind, we had spectacular views including the sandbar responsible for the wreck of the HMS Orpheus. It remains the worst maritime disaster in New Zealand history.
Waiuku
On the way to Manukau Heads, we passed through the delightful town of Waiuku. It is home to the Kentish Hotel, which holds New Zealand’s longest continuous liquor license. I had previously thought this honour went to the Duke of Marlborough in Russell. As it turns out, the Duke had burnt down and been rebuilt, so can’t hold that continuous title.
Our romantic getaway: Auckland east coast loop
We also did a loop to the east. Here we made several stops and enjoyed incredible rolling hill scenery with ocean view backdrops.
Ōmana Regional Park
The first stop for us was a section of the Beachlands Maraetai Walkway in Ōmana Regional Park, one of the 27 Auckland Regional Parks. Historically, the park was one of the region’s first farms.
Boardwalk View of Rangitoto Huge pohutukawa seen on Beachlands-Maratai Walkway
Maraetai Wharf
Sometimes the most romantic things to do in the Auckland region are simply cuddling at the end of a wharf overlooking the water.
Kaiaua
Being a coffee fan, I am always happy to find great options, and sometimes I find it in quite unexpected places like The Pink Shop in Kaiaua. The ice cream looked great too.
Hunua Ranges
With hours of hiking trails and impressive waterfalls, the Hunuas is easily a destination on its own. While this time we just touched on the park, both us and our daughter have explored it in detail on other trips.
More nearby options
While we opted for total drives of about 2 hours each day, there are several closer options that we didn’t visit:
- Hampton Downs Motorsport Park
- Clevedon Sunday Farmers Market and Polo
- Otara Flea Market on Saturday
- Rainbows End Amusement Park
- Mount Smart Stadium
A bit farther away:
- Hamilton Gardens
- The surfing town of Raglan
- Hobbiton movie set in Matamata
- Waitomo Glowworm Caves
- Plus, here is a list of 75 free and mostly free things to do in Auckland
Click here to book your own romantic getaway at Quail Lodge
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Disclaimer: We were guests of Quail Lodge for the purpose of gathering our own information to aid in the writing of Albom Adventures. However, the opinions expressed here are strictly our own.
Enjoying a Sydney Harbour Sunset as We Cruise Away
Cosette
Great place to stay, with that patio and swimming pool. Definitly qualifies for a romantic getaway in Auckland.
Subhashish Roy
New Zealand is beautiful and among my top priority places to visit right now. Quail Lodge looks like such a lovely and perfect weekend destination! The hiking trails and waterfalls of Hanua Ranges would be so exciting to be near. Spending some relaxed moments at the Maraetai Wharf is so enticing again.
Nish
Your getaway sounds super delightful and relaxing. I would love to be able to go somewhere like this for a short break. New Zealand has long been on my bucket list, and I am hoping the borders will open sometime next year!
Lisa
Quail Lodge looks and sounds delightful! I love the attention to detail, especially those carved kiwis! The countryside around there actually looks quite English – green and flat – but very beautiful. Glad you got to go away for a bit.
Manjulika Pramod
Wow, those expansive views set the mood indeed. The pictures did most of the talking. I have heard a lot of wonderful things about Auckland and it definitely looks like a perfect romantic getaway. I would love to see the Manukau Heads Lighthouse. The hiking trails and impressive waterfalls of Hunuas look inviting. And last but not the least friendly hosts sound great.
Paul Pietrangelo
The place is so beautiful. Romantic location, what’s that? Moving into a new home is going to be our romantic location Rhonda for now.
Cruisin Paul
Tina
Quail Lodge looks like a lovely place to stay, and the food looks delicious!
Umiko
This is a kind of romantic getaway I like. Not too far from quaint little towns, but a world away from the busy life once you’re there. Your room in Quail Lodge is so pretty, and the views from your bedroom is beautiful. I would like to jump into that infinity pool.
Nancy
Your posts are always full of fun information – allowing us to travel virtually until we can truly travel!
Sherianne
Quail Lodge sounds fabulous. I love that the accommodation has a country feel yet a view of the city lights with floor to ceiling windows. I really like that there is an option to have dinner with the hosts or in your room. The hiking to the waterfalls of Hunuas would be high on my list during a visit
Monika Ohson
A perfect place for a perfect getaway! The vistas are splendid. I am sure you both had a fantastic time Rhonda. Thanks for the virtual tour through those love clicks. Have a fun filled week ahead.
Marie Moody
What a great place to be stranded at! ~hehehe~ So many things to do and to see!!! WOW! I should be so lucky!!! Thank you for sharing such wonderful pictures! Truly don’t be discourage for being stranded in New Zealand. I should be so lucky, and to have two legs to travel around with. God bless you and yours. Stay healthy, be safe and don’t forget your mask!!!
Melissa
The Quail Lodge is just beautiful! It sounds like the perfect, relaxing weekend. The views are stunning, I love the contrasting greenery with the cities views. A trip to Maraetai Wharf and the Hunua Ranges sounds like the perfect adventure to add on to the trip.
Jennifer Prince
Ah! New Zealand is on my bucket list. The view from your accommodations is so gorgeous, and it looks like you chose the perfect place to stay. I’d love to see the waterfall, too – there is just something soothing about running water. Maybe someday!
Josy A
This region is soooo beautiful! It looks perfect for a romantic weekend away – I loooove the look of everything about Quail Lodge – the decor, those views and all that mouth watering food!
I hope you returned back to the city feeling rejuvenated!
Alan Bates
Looks like a a great place to stay!!
Jordan
Love love love the pool and back patio! I hope to make it to new Zealand some day!
Carol
Sounds like the perfect place for a get-away weekend
Lydia C. Lee
Looks lovely!!!
Chrissi
This looks like a lovely way to spend a romantic holiday weekend!
L. Diane Wolfe
Now that is a nice place to stay.
Shelbs
Thanks for sharing this sweet little Quail Lodge! We’re always looking for places tucked out of the way to really get a local feel!
Anda
I totally agree with your criteria of romantic getaways and Quail Lodge seems to meet them all. Ih, how need such a getaway right now!
Jamie Sharpe
Never been to Auckland but now I definitely want to go!
MacKenzie
I always love reading your Australia/New Zealand posts because they are like a mini-getaway for someone who can’t make it there! Hunua Ranges looks like it would be at the top of my list to visit.
Ildiko
While I have never been to New Zealand, it looks so beautiful. Not a bad place to be quarantined 😉. I hope to make it there one day. I have read several amazing posts re Auckland. I’ll add this to my list!
Alex J. Cavanaugh
So much variety in such a small area.
Hopefully the natives are traveling a lot to make up for no tourists coming from out of country.
Erin
This looks like such a lovely getaway, perfect for a couple’s weekend! I have yet to travel to New Zealand, but when I do, this region will be on my list to visit. I would love to explore the Hunua Ranges.
Sandee
What a lovely romantic getaway. Hubby and I would have enjoyed this very much.
Have a fabulous day and week, Rhonda. ♥
Olivia
Quail Lodge sounds like the place I’d like to be right about now 🙂 the Manukau Heads Lighthouse and Omana Regional Park look absolutely lovely!
Kitti
This place looks so dreamy. Never been to New Zealand, but if I make it there will definitely stay here.
Sunetra Biswas
Oh wow.. this sounds like a perfect getaway! When I was in Auckland early this year, I was pressed for time. So wish to return to North Island again for more hikes and such beautiful escapes.