The Wellnest guesthouse is nestled in native bush. The tranquil home is an architectural take on a cabin in the woods. It’s your space to press pause. To rest, rejuvenate and recover. Thoughtfully designed, and styled throughout to help you relax and connect with views of nature. The home is a cosy 45sqm, can sleep up to 5 guests and comes with an infra-red barrel sauna to help you unwind. It’s conveniently located near the city centre, on the leafy hills that overlook Wellington city.
The space The guesthouse is designed for seamless indoor/outdoor flow, ensuring you can enjoy the surrounding greenery. The landscaped native garden includes rambling kawakawa and majestic pungas, spikey nikau palms and iconic harakeke. The bush attracts all manner of native birds from tui and fantails, to kererū, morepork and kaka.
The bedroom is a small double. It includes everything you need to ensure a blissful night's sleep. A comfortable queen bed, both memory foam and plush pillows to suit, hotel quality linen, extra blankets, full-length mirror, wardrobe and bedside lamps.
The lounge has a high chapel ceiling and views of the garden that can be enjoyed from the sliding bay window. By unfolding the double sofa bed and closing the sliding doors, you can transform the space into a private room for extra guests. For entertainment, there’s high-speed wifi, a Samsung Smart HD TV, a Sonos stereo, various board games (suitable for 2-6 players) and a library of great reads.
The modern kitchen has everything you need to prepare a meal. It includes an oven, induction cooktop, an under-bench fridge/freezer, toaster, kettle, Chemex and pod coffee, and a dish draw. The dining area has a table that can comfortably fit 4 or 6 at a stretch.
The full bathroom includes a high-pressure rainfall shower, fresh white towels, waffle cotton bathrobes and an under-bench washer/dryer. You'll enjoy lathering up and rinsing off with Glow Lab body wash, shampoo and conditioner.
The patio has a dining area, making it a great space for you to enjoy breakfast or lunch. From here you can also access the 3-4 person infra-red barrel sauna. Inside, you'll be able to unwind while enjoying private leafy views of the garden.
Guest access You'll have full access to the guesthouse via a private entrance. The sauna and patio area is available for your personal use.
Getting around The house is located on the hills overlooking the city. It's a 2-minute walk to stunning views of the city and the harbour beyond. It’s a 15-minute walk to the Brooklyn village. It's a 20-minute walk downhill to Newtown and the Hospital. It’s 30 mins walk downhill, through either the Prince of Wales Park or Central Park, to Cuba Street and the heart of the city. It's a 10-minute walk uphill to the No.7 bus stop which will take you to town.
If you prefer to drive or Uber, the top of Cuba Street can be reached in 5 minutes. While other destinations like Parliament Buildings, the Botanic Gardens, Te Papa, Oriental Parade, Zelandia or the train station can be reached within 10-12 minutes. To get to the airport we recommend allowing at least 30 minutes.
A few things to be mindful of • Access to the house is down a flight of 35 steps and is not suitable for wheelchairs • Cellphone reception inside the house can be weak, if your carrier allows, please consider activating wifi calling • There is no on-site car park, but nearby street parking is free and readily available. • The house is north-facing, providing morning and afternoon sun during the summer. Over the winter months, it is shady from mid-day. • We have a porta cot, change table, highchair and baby bath available on request for families with infants. • The fridge/freezer fits discreetly under the bench, this means it has capacity of 85L – around 1/4 the size of a standard unit. • We have two children under ten. While we encourage them to play quietly together they sometimes forget to rein it in. • Driving to the guesthouse requires navigating winding roads common across Wellington.
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Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Long-term renters welcome
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a first aid kit
About the area
Wellington
Vogeltown, a neighbourhood in Wellington, is home to this holiday home. Interislander Ferry Terminal and Clyde Quay Marina are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Zealandia and Red Rocks Reserve. Consider The Opera House for a night out or Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre if you're travelling with kids.
Wellington Central Business District - 3 min drive - 2.2 km
Wellington Zoo - 3 min drive - 1.8 km
Courtenay Place - 4 min drive - 2.6 km
Cuba Street Mall - 5 min drive - 2.9 km
Getting around
Wellington Kaiwharawhara Station - 9 min drive
Wellington (WLG-Wellington Intl.) - 17 min drive
Restaurants
Cafe Caribe - 15 min walk
Chimichurri - 13 min walk
Penthouse Cinema & Cafe - 15 min walk
McDonald's - 4 min drive
BurgerFuel - 14 min walk
Frequently asked questions
Is Unwind in an urban oasis w/sauna & garden views pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Unwind in an urban oasis w/sauna & garden views?
As of 15 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Unwind in an urban oasis w/sauna & garden views on 29 Aug 2026 start from AU$187, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at Unwind in an urban oasis w/sauna & garden views?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Unwind in an urban oasis w/sauna & garden views?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Unwind in an urban oasis w/sauna & garden views?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Unwind in an urban oasis w/sauna & garden views located?
Located in Vogeltown, this family-friendly Wellington holiday home is within a 15-minute walk of Southern Cross Hospital, Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre and Massey University. Central Park and Colonial Cottage Museum are also within 1 mile (2 km).
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Our stay was lovely, quiet, and clean. We loved the privacy away from the hustle and bustle but close enough to drive to! The parking was no problem at all. It was a great stay for our little family, lovely hosts that were super accommodating.
I’d absolutely stay here again and recommend it to anyone looking for a comfortable, stylish, and relaxing home away from home. Thank you for a fantastic stay!
Everything was better than we expected - beautiful decor, great location with all the native plants, very well stocked with all you need, modern and clean. Would definitely stay here again, we wished we could have planned a longer trip.
The house is beautiful and thoughtfully appointed. Everything was clean and ready on arrival and exceeded our expectations. The access to the house is a bit tricky but we knew that in advance. The hosts had excellent instructions for access and use of the facilities. We also appreciated the breakfast food and coffee provided.
This place is a welcoming calm sanctuary. Sunken into a lush native garden with a uniquely Asian/ Aotearoa colab design, every aspect of the mini house was high quality was thoughtful put together. Right down to the soy milk.The sauna was a wonderful luxury to share with my children who had not been in one before. And the shower, well I wish that shower was in my home!
A imaginatively designed apartment in a tranquil space. Everything was new & and it was furnished to a high quality with easy to use appliances. Spotlessly clean. The hosts were friendly & helpful but not intrusive. The outdoor space & garden is beautiful. A point to note is it’s not suitable for anyone with mobility issues
Ros H.
Stayed 10 nights in Feb 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Hannah C.
17 Feb 2026
Hannah C.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2026
About the host
Hosted by Ryan Shields
Hello! We are Ryan & Ying. We’re a couple of graphic designers who live in Wellington. We wanted to create a place for visitors to enjoy the city from. A space where you can connect with nature. Finding a moment to press pause, unwind and recover.
We look forward to sharing it with you.
Why they chose this property
We love it here. How the city is hugged by native forest and wild ocean. That we can eat the world in a day here. And how art, film, and music live here too.
What makes this property unique
The house is enveloped in native bush. The house and the sauna have private views of the garden.
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests