Testimonials (previous)

I recently stayed at delightful "Willows Reach" in Kumeu Auckland. I highly recommend this "home-stay" if you want to experience the New Zealand lifestyle. The gardens are lush and beautiful, unlike anything we would see in California. There are many areas on the property to relax and observe all the flowers and interact with the friendly animals. The suite I stayed in was first class and had all the amenities to make my stay comfortable and relaxing. Hosts Geoff and Jenny are very friendly and couldn't do enough for me.
December 2007
Margaret Salvidar California, United States

After a busy few weeks we were hanging out for a "do nothing" weekend.
Jenny and Geoff, you made sure we did exactly that - total relaxation, great company when we wanted it, wonderful food, top notch accommodation, divine gardens, gracious and relaxing decor and ambiance - what else could we ask for? Even the deep silence of a country night soothed us - no cars, no horns and only very discreet and distant roosters to briefly remind us of the peaceful country setting just before dawn (before we snuggled back down for a much-needed lie-in!) The chance to help you feed your amazing array of birds and animals, Geoff - that was FUN.

I suspect it's the same for your other guests - but we certainly have to get away from home to leave our chores behind. We'll be back - if you're not too busy that you can't fit us in! You are hosts par excellence!

July 2008
Robyn and Mike Pearce, South Auckland, New Zealand
Robyn is a the well known author of the "Getting to Grip" books

October 2008 
Beautiful location, peaceful ambiance. 5 star presentation and service
Dale and Philip Somerville Auckland

Fabulous setting to wake up to. Like a farm in the city. Lovely hosts.
Great breakfast  5 1/2 Star
Steve and Rhonda Hunt Tauranga

Lovely stay, calming location.Great hosts
Grant and Gail Toomer Tauranga

December 2008

Beautiful and peaceful place to stay and loved the visiting pets and mist rising from the lake in the morning. Quality place and hosts - all the details seen to.
Trena Mitcheson  Whangarei

Fantastic, amazing hosts - loved the animals and the whole atmosphere. We felt special. The total "chill out" loved it.
Vicki and Ian Williams  Campbells Bay Auckland

Thank you to Jenny and Geoff for a wonderful time at your exquisite home stay. Everything has been 5 star since we arrived. Highly recommended.
Riette Schonborn & Fanus  Manakau Auckland

January 2009

Thank you so much Geoff and Jenny for your amazing hospitality and superb suite. You have added the cherry on the top for us on our special day!!
Raymond and Kendall  Whangaparoa

WOW!! Loved every minute being here. Thanks Jenny & Geoff, what awesome hosts. The animals, the ambiance, the extras were all fabulous. Can't wait to come back.
Sonia and Will Kelleher  Queensland Australia

February 2009

We had an awesome 2 night stay at Willows Reach. Geoff and Jenny are fantastic hosts, made us feel so welcome and went out of their way to make our stay one we will never forget. Their gardens are beautiful and very peaceful, very easy to spend an hour or 3 wandering around and enjoying the scenery, lots of places to sit and chat over a bottle of wine. The bed is one of the best we've slept in, and the pillows are divine. Our breakfast was 1st class. I would highly recommend this homestay for anyone who lives 5 star service. Thanks again Geoff and Jenny we will be back.

Tracy and Marty Curran Te Aroha

Thank you for a lovely hospitality, just what we needed tha day after our wedding, lovely location. Hope to come back

Petra and Peter Brebner Auckland

What a lovely home! We felt more liked invited guests than paying customers. It's so charming here with so much attention to teh details. Thank you so much.

Mary and Bob Warren Windam New hampshire USA

Total relaxation. Luxurious setting and very welcoming. Loved the fish, ducks and dragonflies. Thanks for a wonderful stay Jenny and Geoff. Definitely a place to recommend to all.

Annette Cochrane and Ross Nolan North Shore Auckland

What a fantastic way to spend a weekend. We were a last minute booking and yet every last deatail was seen to, including sushi added to our evening platter. Loved the animals and gardens. Thanks heaps Jenny and Geoff.

Julia Nolan and John Dunn  Northshore Auckland

Loved every minute. So welcoming, great grounds (especially for photos) awesome people! Will be coming back and recommending to everyone! Thank you.

Reuban & Heather Peters  Helensville

Here is not just a lodge, its a special treat. This place made our wedding day even more special. We loved every moment of our stay. Very welcoming couple. We are planning to be back for our anniversary. Thank you so much Jenny and Geoff for everything.

March 2009

Pkalken and Pantea  Henderson Auckland

This beautiful place made a perfect day only better!! Thank you both for such a welcoming atmosphere and making us feel straight at home!

Adrian and Allison Lock   Queensland Australia

Thank you so much for our beautiful stay. We had a wonderful time in NZ and beacause of your great hospitality made our last days more memorable.

Bill Kilgore  Oregon USA

Thank you for your wonderful hospitality. I really love your home, gardens and animals. It is so peaceful here. Look forward to a visit from you.

Joanne Shook  Oregon USA

From the moment we arrived (Bride and 4 bridesmaids to get ready) to the time we left (Newly weds) it was such a wonderful experience. Thank you for your warm hospitality. We wont forget it.

Paul and Julie Reid  Victoria Australia

Very beautiful place. I loved the room. From the moment we arrived to the time we left our stay was pleasant. Thank you for a lovely time. Great hospitality!!

Raewyn and Mark Lummis  Northshore Auckland

Thank you - It was great that you were so lovely and welcoming and it was such a pleasant end to a wonderful day.

Dan & Ruth Casey Helensville

April 2009

We loved the personal touches: tea and coffee set out, bathrobes, Geoff giving us a ride to the wedding venue and the yummy breakfast "go the rose petal jam!!" Lovely hosts and gorgeous grounds - we'll definitely be back.

Grace and Aaron Sydney/Avondale

Thank you so much Jenny & Geoff!! From the moment we first came to have a look we knew we wanted your beautiful grounds to be part of our special day. It was a gorgeous venue to have our wedding photos and such a relaxing place to unwind for the two days after. What a great start to married life. We will be back.

Brad and Katie Peters  Auckland

A magic place. Can only endorse all the previous comments

Ian & Cath Cox  Upper Waiwera

May 2009

WOW!! All I can say is that we don't want to leave and we want to come back. Thankyou so much Jenny & Geoff you have treated us like royalty!! The place is magic...coming back very soon.

Lisa and Larry Fleming  Sydney  Australia


Thank you Jenny & Geoff for your so warm hospitality. Your nice garden, trees, animals and flowers really given us wonderful impression. We are sure to come back again when we come to New Zealand

Harry & Lilian ShenZhen  China

Thank you so much Jenny & Geoff. Geoff the breakfast was awesome! We very much appreciated the tour and your company. Thanks for picking us up from our wedding.

Simon & Nicola Martelli  Whenuapai

Thank you so much, we adore your home and surroundings. Will be back!!

Andy & Libby  Manakau

June 2009

We have so much enjoyed our brief stay at your just wonderful home and grounds, and the animals of course. Thanks for your hospitality Jenny & Geoff- we so enjoyed our "chats". We will be highly recommending Willows Reach to our friends and colleagues.

Gary & Val Sturgess  Mangere Bridge

July 2009

Thank you so much for everything, the room and grounds are fantastic!! We enjoyed every moment of our stay. Hopefully we will see you again

Cam & Anna Brown  Palmerston North

August 2009

What a fantastic property we would love to see it again in Spring, Summer and Autumn!! Superb hosts and hoppitality- Many thanks

Norma & Brian Kreft  Christchurch

We put it out there and visualised a perfect place for our "Wedding Day" We asked for serenity, a tranquil setting, nature at its best and welcoming hosts. "Willows Reach" ticked all the boxes and more. We felt like royalty from the moment we arrived, until our departure. Our family were in awe of the setting and Geoff & Jenny were perfect hosts, attending to every detail. Thank you so much for a fantastic day.  Superb breakfast. Try the rosr petal jam (Yum)

Gavin & Suzanne Savage   Te Atatu Auckland

Most pleasant of surprises!! Food, room, hospitality - all fabulous. Adore your crazy mix of family (llamas,Murphy the donkey, and so many funny fowl!) Lovely to meet Storm, Devon and Mr Monty.

Josie and Tim Auckland

September 2009

Willows Reach is a destination in itself - an oasis of tranquility to be appreciated. The little touches of thoughtfulness are wonderful. It was lovely to meet both of you and your "family".

Robyn and Peter  Ruse NSW Australia

An absolutely stunning location, a tranquil hidden paradise. We really enjoyed the hospitality shown to us by Geoff and Jenny. Thank you for a wonderful place to wake up to on the first day of the rest of our life together.

Kent and Chissy Smith Glenfield Auckland

We have had a wonderful time, wish we could stay longer! Thank you for being such lovely hosts.

Phil and Ashlie Moore  Auckland

October 2009

Thank you for finishing off our wedding night in spectacular fashion. Such a beautiful and peaceful location.

Mike and Michelle Bold Auckland

What a stunning location for a B&B. Had an amazing time. Love all the little touches. Thank you.

Hayden and Erica Whangarei

November 2009

Had a great weekend away from Auckland city, this is truly a romantic setting with perfect hosts!! Loved the llamas and the boat shed. Geoff was great picking up/dropping us off at the wedding and Jenny's breakfast was perfect!!

Robert and TeMoa Auckland

Thank you so very much for such a tranquil place to stay after our wedding, and such a stunning place for our photographs too.

Sophie and Andrew Stephenson Auckland

December 2009

Thanks for the pleasant hospitality and accommodation. No need for lunch after that great breakfast

Noel and Rhonda Harris Helensville

Thank you both so much! What a perfect place to spend our wedding night. Breakfast was wonderful. You both put so much thought into making our stay just perfect.

Annabel and Corey McKandry Gold Coast Qld Australia

Thank you both so much for a truly wonderful stay! You added a wonderful welcoming and relaxed touch to our wedding and we cannot thank you enough. You made Emma and her family feel so welcome prior to the ceremony and made us feel like family the day after. Thank you so much

Emma and Justin Guy  Auckland

January 2010

Thank you so much for giving us the most perfect place to stay after our wedding. It is beautiful!!

Martina and Gareth Simpson Auckland

Thank you so much for letting us use your beautiful gardens for our photos. amazing room for our wedding night and delicious breakfast. We will be recommending you to al our friends and family.

Ruth and Paul Gravatt Coatesville

February 2010

Beautiful accommodation. A very relaxing atmosphere. Thank you for your awesome hospitality.

Rob and Madeline Ryan  Inglewood

We couldn't have enjoyed our stay more. Thanks so much. Fabulous place, fabulous hosts.

Pat and Stewart Bowden  Whangarei

Fabulous Location,Engaging Hosts. Thanks for helping wind the wedding feativities down so pleasantly. Wishing you both much sucess!

Ricky and Paulette Lister  Massey Auckland

Thank you very much for your beautiful breakfast and fantastic room. We could not think of a better place to spend our wedding night.

Mark and Alisha Te Atatu Auckland

A most magnificant place with two most helpful and thoughtful hosts. Thanks so much!

Anthony and Kelly Massey Auckland

 

Thank you so much Jenny and Geoff for a topping off such a wonderful wedding day. The room and bed were wonderful and a marvelous breakfast after the wedding it was so nice to sit, relax and have a port to unwind. Thanks again

Dylan and Melanie Read Onehunga Auckland

 

March 2010

What a great way to finish off our whirlwind of a wedding day. The bed was just what we needed. Thank you Jenny and Geoff for your impecable hospitality.

Jason and Sian  Botany Downs Auckland

Amazing place, great hospitality, brilliant people made our stay, our night, our wedding a perfevt day/night to remember. Thanks so much we have loved it!!

Jemma and Jason Torbay Auckland

Absolutely beautiful place. Wonderful hospitality. Surroundings just magical. Adore the llamas and animals what a lovely memorable finish to the wedding day. Much needed, Muchas gracias!

Luis and Sarah Bello Estella  Mt Eden Auckland

Thanks for the great hospitality. It was very relaxing. Also Geoff and Jenny your great stories at breakfast still keeps us laughing. We will definitely recommend you.

Shaun and Liz  Greenbay Auckland

April 2010

Geoff and Jenny we want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the most amazing hospitality, friendliness and venue. You really have made our time here special!! Thanks and warmest regards, We will definitely recommend you.

Shaz and Baz (Shareon and Brian Bouwer) Auckland

You guys are our new best friends, too bad we have to leave you here with all youe wonderful animals while we travel around your beautiful country. You made our stay so special. Thanks for taking us around to the wineries so we could get smashed!! The room and property are great, but you two are the BEST! Too bad you can't join us for a couple of days in New Plymouth.

Gail Sinquefield and Ron Lenton  San Mateo California USA

Such a relaxing stay in these beautiful surroundings capped off with the fantastic bachground provided for the photos. Breakfast with you was the social occasion that enticed us to linger and enjoy the atmosphere some more. We will remember this stay as a very important part of our wedding celebrations.

Caroline and David Shilton  Auckland

May 2010

Thank you Geoff and Jenny for all of your hospitality and for making us feel so welcome in your home. Breakfast was fabulous and just loved the extra touchse like the sweet peas. Look forward to seeing how all the photos turn out!

Kelsey and Darren Link  Auckland

Thank you for such a beautiful stay- a wonderful quiet retreat after our wedding day! The gardens are amazing(we thoroughly enjoyed our walk with the animals) and we appreciate your hospitality- the delicious breakfasts and chats. Will definitely be recommending you!!

Daniel and Jo Noema  Auckland

June 2010

A wonderful, relaxing place to stay. Gorgeous surroundings, lovely hosts and delightful extras. Even though we were only 5 minutes from home we felt like we could have been miles away. A little piece of paradise!!

Fiona and Robert  Kumeu Auckland