Eagles Nest
new zealand, new zealand · ★★★★★
The Verdict
Worth it for your honeymoon?
Eagles Nest in Russell is the most private and exclusive luxury villa experience in New Zealand — five standalone villas perched on a hillside above the Bay of Islands, each with its own infinity pool, dedicated staff, and complete seclusion from all other guests. Spinner and bottlenose dolphins play in the bay below, sailing and diving are available at a moment's notice, and the Bay of Islands' 144 islands create a playground of extraordinary beauty. For couples who want absolute privacy with world-class service, Eagles Nest is incomparable.
- ✓Trust couples-verified reviews
- ✓Prioritise spa & wellness
- ✓Are willing to invest in once-in-a-lifetime
- →Need a strictly adults-only resort
- →Have a budget under $1,000/night
- →Want a direct beachfront
- →Prefer boutique & intimate properties
Score Breakdown
90/100
At a Glance
Room Recommendation
Which room to book
The Rahimoana Villa is Eagles Nest's most extraordinary accommodation — a vast architectural masterpiece with an 18-meter infinity pool merging visually with the bay below, a full indoor-outdoor living room and kitchen, master bedroom suite, and panoramic floor-to-ceiling views over the Bay of Islands. The Eagles Spirit Villa is excellent for couples who want the full Eagles Nest experience at a slightly smaller scale with complete privacy and a private pool.
No Surprises
True cost breakdown — 7 nights for two
Based on mid-range rooms, premium-economy flights from Europe, full dining and signature experiences. Adjust for your actual travel profile.
| Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Room (7 nights avg $3,250/nt) | $22,750 |
| Flights (2 pax, economy/premium) | $2,400 |
| Airport transfers / seaplane | $200 |
| Dining & drinks (beyond room) | $34,125 |
| Excursions & experiences | $700 |
| Spa / signature treatments | $600 |
| Tips & service (8%) | $4,550 |
| Total estimated | $65,325 |
Book Your Stay
Check availability
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Day by Day
Your 7-night honeymoon itinerary
Arrival by Ferry to Russell
Transfer from Auckland Airport (3 hours by road, or 35-minute domestic flight to Kerikeri plus 45-minute drive) to the Opua ferry crossing to Russell. Russell is New Zealand's oldest European settlement — a charming bayside village of Victorian houses and waterfront café. Your Eagles Nest butler meets you at the villa and the Bay of Islands is spread below your infinity pool.
Bay of Islands Sailing
Charter a sailing yacht through Eagles Nest's concierge for a full-day excursion through the 144 islands of the Bay of Islands. The bay is sheltered and the sailing is easy — anchor at deserted beaches only reachable by water, snorkel over kelp forests and rocky reefs, and watch spinner dolphins bow-riding the yacht. A picnic lunch is prepared by your villa kitchen and packed on board.
Dolphin Encounter & Diving
The Bay of Islands is one of the best places in New Zealand to swim with dolphins — large pods of bottlenose and common dolphins are regularly encountered. A guided dolphin snorkel excursion, combined with diving at the Rainbow Warrior wreck (sunk by French intelligence in 1985 and now New Zealand's most famous dive site), is an outstanding day on the water.
Cape Reinga & Ninety Mile Beach
A day trip to Cape Reinga at New Zealand's northernmost tip — where the Pacific and Tasman seas meet in a turbulent collision point — and along Ninety Mile Beach (actually 88 km) takes you to the very edge of the country. The cape is sacred to Maori as the place where spirits depart to the afterlife; the setting is profound and beautiful.
Waipou Forest & Kauri Trees
The Waipoua Kauri Forest is home to Tane Mahuta — the largest living kauri tree on Earth, estimated at 1200–2500 years old and 51 meters tall. A guided night tour with a Maori guide who interprets the spiritual and ecological significance of these ancient trees is one of New Zealand's most moving natural experiences.
Villa Day — Infinity Pool & Spa
Some days are best spent entirely within your Eagle's Nest villa. Have your butler arrange a morning in-villa spa treatment using local New Zealand products, a long champagne lunch on the villa terrace with the bay below, and an afternoon in the infinity pool watching the dolphin pods move through the bay. This is the Eagles Nest experience in its purest form.
Russell Village & Farewell
Spend your final morning in Russell village itself — walk the heritage trail past New Zealand's oldest church (Christ Church, 1836), the old cemetery where musket war victims are buried, and the charming Duke of Marlborough Hotel on the waterfront for a last New Zealand breakfast. Transfer to the ferry and onward to Auckland.
Honest Assessment
What to know before you book
Eagles Nest is one of New Zealand's most expensive hotels, at $1500–$5000 per villa per night. All five villas are completely separate, so pricing is effectively for full private villa occupation rather than a hotel room rate.
The Bay of Islands is in Northland — not the dramatic mountain scenery of the South Island. The appeal is the water, sailing, dolphins, and privacy rather than alpine landscapes.
Getting to Russell requires either a 3-hour drive from Auckland or a domestic flight plus transfer — it is genuinely remote. This remoteness is integral to the Eagles Nest experience but requires planning.
Pre-Arrival
Email to send the hotel
Subject: Honeymoon inquiry — Eagles Nest Dear Eagles Nest team, We are planning our honeymoon [DATE]-[DATE] and are very interested in the Rahimoana Villa or Eagles Spirit Villa. Please advise on availability, rates, what is included in the villa package, and whether sailing and dolphin excursions can be pre-arranged through the property. Thank you, [Your names]
Send 2 weeks before arrival. Fill in names, dates, and preferences. Hotels respond to personalised requests.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is Eagles Nest good for honeymooners?
It is arguably the most private and romantic luxury accommodation in New Zealand. Five entirely separate villas, each with individual staff and infinity pool, create a level of seclusion that is impossible in a conventional hotel. The Bay of Islands dolphins, sailing, and extraordinary Rahimoana Villa architecture make it a benchmark honeymoon experience.
What is the best time to visit?
November through April (summer) for the best Bay of Islands water conditions — calm seas, warm temperatures (24–28°C), and the best dolphin and sailing weather. The Bay of Islands is one of New Zealand's most reliably sunny regions year-round, with a subtropical climate in summer.
How far in advance should you book?
Book 6–12 months ahead for summer. Eagles Nest has only 5 villas; the Rahimoana is in constant demand. Off-peak bookings can be made with 2–3 months' notice.
Is Eagles Nest adults-only?
No, families can book the larger villas. However, the private villa format means children only interact with other guests if you choose — the Eagles Nest experience is naturally couples-focused even for families, and honeymooners account for a very high proportion of guests.
What is the best room type?
Rahimoana Villa for the most spectacular architecture, largest infinity pool, and the greatest sense of space and luxury. Eagles Spirit Villa is excellent for couples wanting a slightly more intimate villa scale while retaining all the Eagles Nest privacy and service standards.
How do you get to Eagles Nest?
Fly into Auckland (AKL), then either drive 3 hours north on State Highway 1 to Russell, or take a 35-minute domestic flight to Kerikeri (KKE) and transfer 45 minutes to the Opua-Russell ferry. Eagles Nest arranges all transfers and can organize helicopter arrival directly to the property.
Same Vibe, Different Destination
