Delamore Lodge is Waiheke Island's most romantic small luxury lodge and the easiest way to start or end a New Zealand honeymoon in style. It sits on a hillside above Owhanake Bay, a few minutes from the ferry and the village of Oneroa, with every suite looking out over the Hauraki Gulf. The setting is quiet and private, with gardens dropping down toward the water and an infinity pool that seems to spill into the gulf.
There are only four luxury suites, named Awatea, Motu, Mahana and Moana, plus a two-bedroom apartment and a two-bedroom Owners Villa. The lodge has a petite day spa, a hot tub and courtesy transport around the island. Packages add massages, tasting dinners and vineyard tours.
It suits couples who want a calm, polished stay after a long flight, with Waiheke's vineyards and beaches close by. It is not a big resort, so there is no beach on the doorstep or large restaurant. Book a luxury suite for two or three nights and use the lodge's transport for long vineyard lunches.
Highlights at a glance
- Four luxury suites above Owhanake Bay
- Infinity pool over the Hauraki Gulf
- Petite day spa and hot tub
- Packages with massages and tasting dinners
- Courtesy transport around the island
Why Couples Love Delamore Lodge
The view sets the mood. From the suites and the pool deck you look over Owhanake Bay to the islands of the Hauraki Gulf, with sailboats moving across the water and the Auckland skyline faint on the horizon. Sunsets are long and golden. On clear nights the stars come out over the gulf.
The lodge is small and calm. With only four suites in the main building, you share it with very few people. The staff focus on a handful of guests at a time. Courtesy transport makes it easy to explore without renting a car.
It also makes a gentle landing after the long flight from the US. Within a couple of hours of arriving in Auckland you can be on the ferry, then on your terrace with a glass of local Syrah. That is a lovely way to shake off jet lag.
Suites to Book
The lodge has three types of accommodation:
- The Luxury Suites: Awatea, Motu, Mahana and Moana, each with views over the Hauraki Gulf
- The Whareto Apartment, a two-bedroom residence with a private entrance
- The Ataahua Owners Villa, a private two-bedroom residence for complete seclusion
For a honeymoon, one of the four Luxury Suites is the right choice. They give you the view and the full lodge experience with the pool, the spa and the hosts close at hand. Mention your honeymoon when you book.
The Owners Villa is the splurge, a private home with two bedrooms that works well for couples who want even more space and privacy. Children 12 and under are not usually accommodated unless arranged in advance, which keeps the atmosphere quiet.
Food, Drink and the Spa
Breakfast is part of the experience. The lodge's packages include gourmet breakfasts each morning. Lunch, dinner and spa treatments are optional extras, so check what your rate includes.
The lodge's packages are worth a look:
- An Intimate Escape: two nights in a luxury suite, a 90 minute massage each, pre-dinner drinks and canapés, a three-course dinner and breakfast each morning
- Gourmet Indulgence: two nights with a vineyard tour, tastings and lunch, plus a five-course dinner and breakfast
- Retreat to Wellness: a couples' massage, pre-dinner drinks, a five-course dinner and breakfast
The petite day spa offers bespoke treatments in a secluded setting. The infinity pool and hot tub are good for an afternoon soak between vineyard visits.
Why guests fall for it
Things to Do
Waiheke is about slow days, long lunches and a swim:
- Lunch at a vineyard restaurant with views back toward Auckland
- Swim at Onetangi Beach or walk the shore at Oneroa
- Walk the headland trail above Matiatia and Owhanake Bay
- Fly through the vines and native bush on a zipline tour
- Taste wine at Man O' War's remote bay at the eastern end of the island
The island's warm, dry microclimate is known for Bordeaux-style reds, Syrah and Chardonnay. The lodge can help arrange tastings and drivers, so neither of you has to drive.
For couples with different interests, split a morning: one goes kayaking or paddleboarding, the other spends time in the spa, then meet for lunch. Summer weekends get busy with day visitors from Auckland, so book vineyard restaurants ahead.
Getting There
Fly into Auckland Airport (AKL), then travel about 45 minutes by car or shuttle to the downtown ferry terminal. Fullers ferries cross to Matiatia Wharf on Waiheke in about 40 minutes. From Matiatia, the lodge is a short drive. Courtesy transport can be arranged.
Car ferries run from Half Moon Bay in east Auckland if you want your own car on the island, but you will not need one if you use the lodge's transport and taxis.
For a faster arrival, helicopters and seaplanes fly from Auckland to Waiheke in a few minutes. Ferry times vary by season, so check the schedule before you go. Many couples spend two or three nights here at the start or end of a New Zealand trip, combining it with Auckland and the South Island.
Is It Worth It?
For couples who want a polished, private Waiheke stay with a view, yes. The small number of suites, the infinity pool and the calm atmosphere make it a strong honeymoon choice. The packages bundle meals and massages neatly.
It is expensive by island standards. Rates do not always include dinner. Couples who want to walk to the beach and village restaurants may prefer a villa in Oneroa or Onetangi, where many private rentals have pools and decks over the gulf.
The Oyster Inn in Oneroa has a handful of rooms above its restaurant, a good option for a lower price with dining downstairs. For a luxury lodge with a gulf view and a pool that seems to fall into the sea, Delamore Lodge is Waiheke's top pick.
Insider tips
- Book the Intimate Escape package for massages and dinner included.
- Arrive midweek to avoid weekend crowds at vineyards.
- Ask the lodge to book your vineyard lunches and drivers in advance.
- Take an early ferry from Auckland to make the most of your first day.
