Prepare to be pampered
Linda Hall is smitten by the luxury, attention to detail and panorama at Seafield View
PERCHED ON THE EDGE of a hill in Bay View, with stunning vistas everywhere you turn, is Seafield View, the most luxurious Airbnb I have ever seen. However, it’s not just the views and the beautiful furnishings that make this twobedroom property stand out. It’s the special touches and attention to detail that owner/operators Jo and Shaun Demanser lavish on their guests that make it so outstanding.
And it’s easy to see that no expense has been spared during the design and furnishing.
It’s also the personal touches that make it so special. “Communication is key,” says Jo. “I want my guests to have the best holiday possible so I ensure I respond fast, leave very clear instructions and directions, and share my local knowledge. We also leave a breakfast pack which I make from scratch. This includes home-baked bread and muesli, preserved local fruit, honey from our hives, and eggs from our chickens.”
Jo is self-employed and runs a property development and makeover business with her mother. She has a background in marketing and has travelled widely.
Jo and Shaun have lived on the Hill Road property for 11 years. “When we bought the property Airbnb wasn’t really a thing. But now they are very popular and Hawke’s Bay is a popular destination. We designed it so that our guests would have absolutely privacy.”
They opened for business in October 2019, just six months before lockdown.
“It was really sad to see all our overseas bookings cancelled, one after another. But I needn’t have worried because after lockdown Kiwis have been so supportive.
It’s just fantastic.”
In turn, Jo makes sure she supports local businesses as much as possible. She has a drawer full of brochures directing guests to restaurants, cafes and local activities and destinations. She also ensures she buys as much as she can from locals and uses eco products.
Two more things really stood out for me at this Airbnb — the amazing outside bath and the book exchange.
I loved the area they have made by converting an old shed “which has been moved here and there over the years” into a stunning space, with the walls lined with books and again a gorgeous view.
There are wine glasses and even nail polishes and emery boards if you fancy giving your nails a makeover. Guest can wonder down anytime, settle in and relax.
I browsed through the comments in the guest book, which is full of praise such as: “Dear Jo and Shaun, thank you for sharing your piece of paradise with us. The decor inside is stunning and you have thought of everything, with beautiful finishing touches. We loved watching the sunsets then having a bath under the stars — just magical”.
That sums it up, really — it’s a magical spot. The next time you have family or friends coming to visit from out of town, send them here, they will be forever grateful. Or treat yourself to a bit of rest and relaxation.
■ For more info go to airbnb.com.au and search Seafield View