Esther’s Place is a rather accommodating waterfront apartment in Napier, in sunny Hawke’s Bay on the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island.

Esther’s Place is a collaboration between Millar Road (providers of seriously stylish vineyard accommodation in the Tuki Tuki Valley in Hawke’s Bay), Eon Design Centre (New Zealand’s leading provider of contemporary New Zealand-designed products), Esther Diamond (a really cool little Hawke’s Bay-based design company) and Napier-based artist Martin Poppelwell.

That all adds up to a pretty swanky place to stay.

Esther’s Place is located in Ahuriri, 5 minutes’ drive from Napier Airport. It overlooks an estuary and wetland reserve which incorporates a beautiful walking track ideal for early morning or late evening walks. It is a short walk (or stumble) to West Quay which contains a number of bars and restaurants, including our favourite Napier establishment Provedore Bar & Restaurant (voted best style and ambience at the Hawke’s Bay Hospitality Awards). And it is only a 5-minute drive into the centre of Napier for shopping and art deco buildings.

Esther’s Place has two bedrooms, each with a king-sized bed and its own bathroom. There is also a study with a day bed and a rollaway bed. A portacot is available on request. The apartment can sleep 6 adults. Esther’s Place is self-catering, although breakfast provisions are provided throughout the stay as well as a bottle of Millar Road Sauvignon Blanc on arrival. There is a fully-equipped kitchen. Evening meals can be arranged if required, but given the proximity to good restaurants and artisan food stores, we anticipate most guests self-catering or eating out. Esther’s Place is not managed on-site, so guests do need to call in advance of arrival. The apartment receives a full service every 2-3 days with a tidy up in between.

Facilities include a stereo with iPod docking station, a widescreen LCD television, a DVD player, laundry facilities and two secure car parks under the building. Sky television (all channels), broadband internet and a landline telephone for local calls are provided on a complimentary basis. A map with our local recommendations is provided in the apartment or can be downloaded from our website.

Rates start at $500 per night in the high season and $400 per night in the low season.