The Sands Hotel Hokianga

Hotels
8 (769 reviews)
334 State Highway 12 , Opononi , nz

Free
Children allowed

Facilities

Offsite parking discounted rates available
Guest education on local ecosystems and culture
Electric bicycle charging station
Non-smoking rooms
Air conditioning
Swimming pool
Restaurant
Terrace
Family rooms
Safety deposit box
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Lovely views
Friendly staff
Good food
Cons:
Cleanliness issues
Room did not match advertisement
Overpriced for quality

Categories

Cleanliness
6.46
There were holes in the ceiling, and the shower and clothes racks were unstable.
Service
9.43
Staff were friendly and helpful, but organization could use improvement.
Location
9.47
Great location with lovely views of the surrounding scenery.
Room Quality
5.92
The room was dark, sparse, lacking in comfort, and didn't match the advertised photos.
Amenities
7.45
Basic amenities were offered, but many were not functioning or were inadequate.
Value for Money
7.41
Felt overpriced for the quality of room and amenities provided.
Food and Beverage
9.46
Restaurant food was of high quality; main meal was delicious.
Overall Experience
8.43
The experience was mixed due to room quality issues, but overall enjoyable.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-07 22:51

Property Description

Scenic Views of Hokianga Harbour
Located in Omapere, The Sands Hotel Hokianga offers picturesque views of the stunning Hokianga Harbour. With many rooms featuring balconies overlooking the water, guests can immerse themselves in the beauty of the surroundings.

Delicious Dining Experience
Indulge in a culinary journey at the hotel's restaurant, serving a delectable array of traditional New Zealand dishes and seafood delicacies. The Sands Bar & Restaurant not only offers mouthwatering meals but also provides a scenic backdrop of the water and dunes, enhancing your dining experience.

Perfect Base for Exploration
Conveniently positioned, the hotel serves as an ideal base for exploring the treasures of the Hokianga Harbour area, from lush forests to expansive sand dunes. Immerse yourself in nature and adventure, making unforgettable memories during your stay.

Experience luxury, breathtaking views, and exceptional dining at The Sands Hotel Hokianga. Book your stay now for an unforgettable getaway.

Important information:

Please note that there is a 2% transaction fee when you pay with a credit card or a Visa or MasterCard debit card. There is no surcharge for payments made with EFTPOS or cash.

A valid credit card must be presented on arrival, and be in the same name as the guest's name on the booking confirmation. For all pre-paid bookings, the credit card used to facilitate payment must also be presented on arrival.

The guest will be charged a prepayment of the total price at the time of booking.

Guests under the age of 18 can only check in with a parent or official guardian.Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.
Please inform of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.
Guests under the age of 18 can only check in with a parent or official guardian.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 10:00 AM
Airport code: KKE

Property Policies

  • Parking

    Free private parking is possible on site (reservation is not needed).

  • Groups

    When booking more than 5 rooms, different policies and additional supplements may apply.

  • Internet

    WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.

  • Pets

    Pets are not allowed.

  • Children and extra bed policy

    Children of any age are allowed.
    Children up to and including 4 years old stay for free when using an available cot.
    Children up to and including 4 years old stay for free when using an existing bed.
    Children from 5 years old to 16 years old stay for NZD 30 per person per night when using an existing bed.
    Children from 4 years old to 16 years old stay for NZD 30 per person per night when using an available extra bed.
    People 17 years old and over stay for NZD 70 per person per night when using an available extra bed.
    Any type of extra bed or child's cot/crib is upon request and needs to be confirmed by management.
    Supplements are not calculated automatically in the total costs and will have to be paid for separately during your stay.

Location

Guest Reviews

8
Based on 769 reviews
Cleanliness: 6.46
Service: 9.43
Location: 9.47
Room Quality: 5.92
Amenities: 7.45
Value for Money: 7.41
Food and Beverage: 9.46
Overall Experience: 8.43
E
Eneli extended_group ee
10
2026-03-13 via Nuitee
B
Barber extended_group nz
8
Very enjoyable. Will return again.
Pros:

Did not stay for breakfast.

Cons:

Very pleased with what we experienced.8

2026-03-13 via Nuitee
A
Andreas couple ch
7
Sehr schönes Hotel an traumhafter Lage
Pros:

Traumhafte Lage direkt am Meer in der Hokianga Bucht. Schöner Gebäudekomplex - Altes Hauptgebäude kombiniert mit moderneren Zimmeranbauten. Gutes Restaurant mit schöner Sonnenterrasse und herrlicher Sicht. Grosszügiges Frühstücksbuffet.

Cons:

Sauberes Zimmer, aber unglückliche Lösung mit sehr hohen Fenstern, die man nicht durch einen Vorhang verdunkeln kann. Dadurch war es Morgens sehr hell im Zimmer. Keine Information, dass Frühstück nur bis 9 Uhr serviert wird. Leider gab es zum Frühstück auch keinen frischen Kaffee, sondern nur Kaffeepulver und heisses Wasser… das passte irgendwie gar nicht zum guten Buffet.

2026-03-13 via Nuitee
M
Mariela couple au
9
Excellent views and super relaxed atmosphere
Pros:

Excellent ocean views
Excellent staff
Very clean and modern
Bonus free washing machine

Cons:

Everything was good

2026-03-11 via Nuitee
T
tracey family_with_children gb
7
Still a work in progress
Pros:

Stunning location, cheery reception staff. Comfy bed.

Cons:

Rooms at the back give no hint of the view. Some weird design choices feel poorly thought through. Double height windows are only curtailed to half way up, leaving light flooding in in mornings. Wet room style bathroom means every surface gets soaked and there is no fan. Food was good but felt expensive. Hotel markets itself as luxury but it doesn't feel it quite hits that mark. It feels like a motel trying to transform itself but it's still a work in progress

2026-03-11 via Nuitee
A
Andreas family_with_children de
8
Schöne Lage und wunderbarer Ausblick
Pros:

Sehr schöne Lage und wunderbarer Ausblick, perfekter Freisitz am Restaurant, einfach zum Genießen.

Cons:

Das Frühstück war im Vergleich zu den anderen hotels in Neuseeland und zu den Sternen des Hauses nicht so gut. Kaffee macht man sich selbst mit heißem Wasser und Instant Kaffeepulver, der Raum zum Frühstück wirkt etwas lieblos, das Besteck war alle und wurde erst auf Nachfrage nachgefüllt, kein Aufschnitt, in Summe eigentlich schade, weil das Hotel wirklich gut gelegen ist. Aber der Aufpreis von gut 17 Euro zur Übernachtung ist meiner Meinung nach in einem nahegelegenen Diner besser angelegt.

2026-03-10 via Nuitee
H
Hans couple nl
8
2026-03-09 via Nuitee
M
Marc couple nl
10
2026-03-09 via Nuitee
R
Roger couple nz
9
Pros:

View was great.

2026-03-09 via Nuitee
J
Jane couple gb
10
2026-03-09 via Nuitee
L
Lisa couple nz
10
Perfect getaway - only wish I could have stayed longer!
Pros:

What an amazing stay! We were upgraded to the villa, which was an amazing surprise and I’m very grateful for! The private spa, incredible bathroom and cosy bed were divine. Staff were also amazing and very friendly!

Cons:

Nothing - it was perfect

2026-03-08 via Nuitee
J
Jos couple nl
8
2026-03-08 via Nuitee
S
Stuart couple it
9
2026-03-07 via Nuitee
B
Brendon family_with_children nz
10
2026-03-06 via Nuitee
S
Susanne couple gb
7
A good stopping point on our trip across Northland
Pros:

Great views and excellent dinner

Cons:

No coffee for breakfast. Staff only just managed to serve the large function so we’re less attentive to other paying guests

2026-03-06 via Nuitee
K
Kelly family_with_children nz
10
Pros:

Beautiful Location, amazing harbour views from my room.
Restaurant and bar service was great. Enjoyed the food and my stay. Friendly helpful staff. Beautiful little piece of paradise in the Hokianga. We will be back to stay again

2026-03-05 via Nuitee
S
Stephanie couple nz
8
Overall a great weekend getaway.
Pros:

Beautiful location, stunning room, clean, comfortable, friendly and helpful staff.

Cons:

Ran out of 2 of the 5 meals on menu for lunch. Coffee machine broken at breakfast. People trying to break into our room left wet footprints by our suite entrance and made me feel unsafe.

2026-03-05 via Nuitee
M
Michael couple de
10
Ansonsten sehr zu empfehlen
Pros:

Traumhafte Lage und Ausstattung / Badezimmer absoluter Wahnsinn

Cons:

Personal wollte sich wegen unserer Stornierung von einem Tag kümmern; leider ist nichts passiert

2026-03-03 via Nuitee
M
Marcel family_with_children ch
5
2026-03-03 via Nuitee
G
Guy couple nz
9
We wanted accommodation to relax and have amazing views . The Sands out did our expectations. We will be back
Pros:

The location the views and the staff were amazin

Cons:

Nothing

2026-03-03 via Nuitee