Absolute high light of my trip
Staying at Te Popo Gardens was the absolute highlight of my trip! The hospitality was heart-warming and the incredibly beautiful gardens a real piece of Paradise Lost. Loved the “part of the family” feeling. My only problem – that I couldn’t stay longer. Big shout-out to the Heynies!!
Wonderful weekend at Te Popo Gardens
I just spent a wonderful weekend at Te Popo Gardens, surrounded by countryside, close to beaches and Mt. Taranaki. Hospitality was friendly and welcoming, beautiful meals, pleasant and well presented rooms. Awaking to tranquil setting, birds singing, beautiful walks around gardens, surrounded by streams, lovely trees and flowers. Had an excellent time during my stay at Te Popo, not to mention a farm visit at Te Kupe Station, hosted by Murray Jackson. Would be amazing to return to Te Popo Gardens and visit in spring or summer when gardens are in full bloom,will be breath taking I am sure !!!
Peaceful atmosphere, birdsong and the attention given to every detail
We have so enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere, birdsong and the attention given to every detail – wonderful hospitality! Thank you.
A place to come to find peace and harmony
Thank you so much! Will remember my stay here always – was the best! The amazing gardens – a place to come to find peace and harmony and think about life for a while. We hope to come back again one day.
A fantastic quiet retreat
A fantastic quiet retreat. Excellent food, friendly hosts, great location for peace and quiet walks in the beautiful gardens. A disturbace free space for writing. Best food ever!!!
We really enjoyed a wonderful stay
We really enjoyed a wonderful stay. Conversations was lovely, food gorgeous and gardens exquisite. Loved our room. Thank you so much for all the effort; for making it all so pleasant and beautiful!
Idyllic Setting
The perfect get away retreat. Idyllic setting surrounded by beautiful gardens, peace, quiet, tranquil walks, no phones ringing, no noisy neighbours, great for peace and quiet, and long lazy walks. The hosts are welcoming and friendly, the food and atmosphere wonderful, highly recommended. Thank you Amanda for the incredible food. I will be back!
New owners are doing a wonderful job!
Te Popo was my base camp for my first visit to NZ. Couldn’t have asked for better. Close enough to New Plymouth for shopping. New owners, Les and Amanda Heynies’ enthusiasm for life is contagious. And Amanda’s cooking is to die for. Loved the African-themed renovated rooms, specifically the Tree Tops Honeymoon suite. Really appreciated the new natural wood decks and hand railings that Les built on the more advanced walking trails. This is a place of rest – for the bird watcher, the gardener, the artist looking for inspiration or just the tired soul.
This is what Paradise must have looked like!
This is what Paradise must have looked like! Loved the view from the Tree Tops; the suspension bridge and sitting with my feet in the stream. The perfect place to find inspiration and to rejuvenate the soul. Thank you Amanda for the incredible food. I will be back!
Great hosts!
Lovely quiet setting. Grounds are beautiful. Amanda and Les looked after us and are really working hard to get the ground and gardens in shape. Love the African Animals.
A wonderful get-away
An amazing garden to enjoy. Thank you, Amanda and Les for your hospitality. This is definitely one of our favourite spots for a short holiday. Best wishes for you both.
Thank you, Amanda and Les
For a very enjoyable stay. You have been great hosts. The gardens were a lovely surprise, sure to see you again in the near future.
If heaven is like this, I gladly am willing to go now
What a wonderful place! Amanda and Les you are wonderful hosts and your cooking is amazing Amanda! May you go from strength to strength. We will surely come again. God Bless!!!
We spend a very good time here
Amanda and Les are so nice and present for all we could need. The park is amazing. Our children enjoyed also this place. Thank you for everything and especially your kindness, it is so hopeful to meet people like you. Have a good luck.
Thanks a lot for everything!
We felt very welcome and at home instantly.
You are the best of hosts
Thank you Amanda and Les for letting us share your paradise. You are the best of hosts and we couldn’t have enjoyed our time here more.
I really enjoyed my stay in the Elephants room
and the hospitality was also amazing. I will remember the beautiful gardens and the sound of the birds, at dawn the Chorus of song that you have made through maintaining the Gardens. God bless you both.
We booked to stay for 5 days
but enjoyed it so much we decided to stay for an extra 2 days, making a week of beautiful surroundings and excellent host in Amanda and Les. Great base for seeing all the sights of Taranaki and peaceful interludes at Te Popo. Thank you Both
We cannot speak highly enough
of this beautiful location and accommodation. The place and tranquility abound. We hope to return one day to spend time with Les and Amanda. Thank you Te Popo.
DANKESCHON!
What was meat to be a short stop overnight turned out to be an unforgettable experience. As soon as we entered the garden we knew it would be different, and it definitely has !!!!! The very warm welcome, delicious breakfast, incredibly stylish rooms surrounded be the most beautiful garden made our stay perfect, unique and memorable. Amanda and Les : you not only gave us a room for one night, you shared your life and dreams with us! Thank you so much for everything ! Hopefully we will be able to return at one stage. Take care and all the best.
What a lovely place
What a lovely place: very comfortable room, but the real luxury is outside in the beautiful garden. You feel at once at home here. Even so far from home. Thanks to the warm hospitality of Amanda and Les. A place you won’t forget!!!!!! Thank you both for your hospitality. We hope to come back again!
PERFECT!
Back again, after three years. Very attentive hosts, beautiful environment, Good food. PERFECT.
Unexpected place in paradise
What a great place!! It is an unexpected place in paradise, where everything is perfect!! We wish you all the best for your plans. Thank you for your great hospitality
Until we meet again
Words can’t sufficiently describe the thankfulness for staying at Te Popo Gardens. Amanda and Les are as beautiful as their gardens and their suits. Probably more !!!! We have made new friends for life. Thank you for everything – until we meet again – here in NZ… or maybe South Africa, or even in Texas USA
WOW!!! What a wonderful spot!
WOW!!! What a wonderful spot! Absolutely perfect for the weary traveller!!! The attention to detail is awesome. The smiley fridge magnet will travel back with us to remind us of this special place. We love your wonderful garden and sculptures. Especially enjoyed a little walk to see the GLOW WORMS. Great food and lovely hosts. Thank you !!
The Garden of Eden
Bed and Breakfast became more than just a breakfast break, as if we already knew each other. We played music together. Lifestyle that suits us. Lifestyle in a common ground, in the Garden of Eden. Thank you. Thank you for the lovely stay
Truly Memorable Weekend
Something wonderful happens when people of faith meet even for the first time. It has been a truly memorable weekend for us. The genuine warmth of your hospitality is something that we will treasure. Last night’s barbeque felt like we were dropping in to have a bit of a natter with old mates. You both have a wonderful gift to be able to bring people together and establish a relaxed stress free environment where everyone can just be themselves in a beautiful environment. Keep on sniffing out new cheeses!
Thank You
thank you so much for the warm welcome yesterday, although it would have been nice to sit a while and chat, it was also great to know business is booming! I will definitely bring you a sponge soon, which you can do whatever you like with. When we went for a walk to see the elephants, we were delighted to discover a tree full of tui, about 20 of them, all very busy talking, eating and socialising. We just stood and watched for about 10 minutes, it was so beautiful. Then as we headed toward the pond, this cheeky sheep (we named it Sean) posed for a photo. My friend was very impressed with your garden and the ‘animals’ and I told her she will have to stay a night at Te Popo sometime. (She doesn’t get up from Wellington that often though.) Thanks again, every visit to your piece of paradise is well worth the journey. See you soon!
Excelled our expectations
Words seem inadequate to express our heartfelt thanks for your wonderful hospitality. Throughout our married life we have stayed in a number of motels and other accommodation. We have never experienced such loving care as you showed us. You made us feel like family. The accommodation excelled our expectations. The décor is very tasteful and all the details like the natural products in the bathroom, the very generous variety of drink sachets, Janet Marshall’s book, Images of a Garden, the inspirational wall hanging and drink coasters, reflect your thoughtfulness. We loved the creativity we saw throughout the beautiful gardens and admire your astounding energy and versatility (running a café and shop, preparing delicious meals, caring for the grounds, overseeing bookings and office work, as well as tending to guests,) and your ongoing dedication that makes this such a special haven. Sitting outside for breakfast under the soaring trees surrounded by birds’ song, and discovering the diverse beauty of the native bush, the deep gorge, stream and pineclad slopes was a delight. We will never get to experience an African safari, but you allowed us to safely view the wildlife; we were fascinated by the abundant life-size models of the wild animals and learnt lots as we read the informative plaques. Since our return we have begun sharing the joys of Te Popo with those we meet. Thank you so much for everything! You enabled us to rest and be revitalized. Every blessing
10/10
Amanda and Les couldn’t have made our stay any more enjoyable. The gardens were absolutely amazing with their African theme and a wonderful place for all the family. Our room was extremely comfortable with many extras and it was so good to have woollen blankets for a change. Amanda is an amazing cook providing great dinners upon request. They are entertaining and interesting hosts who can’t do enough to make your stay memorable. 10/10
