Te Arai Links Review: What It’s Really Like To Stay, Dine & Spa At The Luxury Golf Resort

You might not be a billionaire, but you can still get an inside look at Te Arai Links.If the only things you’ve ever heard about Te Arai Links come from the Herald’s Society Insider column, it’s time for a re-education. The exclusive golf resort, owned by private equity But you don’t need to be a multimillionaire to get an insider’s glimpse at life beyond the golf greens. Less than 90 minutes north of central Auckland, you can visit for a night or two, or simply a lunch or spa appointment to see the world-class views for yourself. You might spot a celebrity, although it’s almost impossible to tell. The vibe is relaxed so yes, that could be a billionaire sitting at the table next to you, but unless you ask (don’t), you’ll never know. It’s for this reason that mere mortals shouldn’t worry about feeling out of place. Having travelled to many of the country’s luxury lodges, the main lesson I’ve learned is that other guests don’t pry into who you are or why you’re there, and hope you’ll show them the same respectful distance.Visiting the week before school holidays, I was surprised at the family atmosphere at Ric’s at the Ocean, Te Arai Links’ casual all-day restaurant. Big family groups dined next to me, and it was buzzy, an atmosphere not always found in luxury lodge dining rooms.I’d arrived after dark, so had no idea of the view beyond the wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling ranch slider doors; it wouldn’t be until breakfast the next morning that I got a sense of the resort’s epic outlook. Te Arai Links has two golf courses, both of which have featured on the world's top 100 lists. Photo / Ricky RobinsonPerched on the edge of the South Course’s 18th fairway, the green gives way to Te Arai coast’s wild dunes, just hiding the expanse of white sand beach lapped by the Pacific Ocean beyond. Bream Head and Little Barrier Island are in the distance, and on very clear days you can see as far as the Coromandel. For accommodation guests, that epic coastal view follows you everywhere, whether in one of the ocean view rooms, a two-bedroom cottage, a four-bedroom villa, or Whaitere, the five-bedroom home offering “elevated stays”. My ocean-view cottage was near perfect. Designed by Studio John Irving Architects, with interiors by Californian designer Jenni Kayne, it felt like I’d been transported to the Hamptons and deposited carefully within the dunes. Many other NZ lodges, often designed by the acclaimed Virginia Fisher, share a central DNA through their look and feel, whether that’s Rosewood Kauri Cliffs, Huka Lodge, or the new Roki Collection in Queenstown. Te Arai Links has a feel all of its own. The Ocean Cottages at Te Arai Links luxury golf resort. Photo / Jono ParkerThere’s no artwork on the walls in my cottage, just natural wood panel walls and ceiling, blonde wood floors, and off-white bedroom walls. The view is the star here – as it should be, when you’ve got a world-renowned golf course just beyond your back doorstep and rolling dunes down to one of NZ’s most pristine, undiscovered beaches. Northeast-facing, with the entire back wall of the cottage made up of floor-to-ceiling glass, leave your curtains open and you can fall asleep to star-filled skies and awaken to magnificent sunrises.The cottages are set up for relaxation and comfort, with open-plan kitchen, dining and living room, flowing out to a private outdoor area complete with its own gas firepit and lounge chairs. Inside, there’s a dining table for six, and a couch that could comfortably seat four, plus two armchairs with sheepskins, cushions and blankets for cosy comfort. Te Arai's Ocean Cottages come with private fire pits set among the dunes. Photo / Jono ParkerThe bedroom has a super king bed, ample storage, armchairs and a huge freestanding mirror positioned to reflect the dunes outside, for an even greater sense of space. The bathroom is spacious and tranquil, with a deep bathtub, walk-in double-head shower, twin vanities, and underfloor heating set to a constant 22 degrees. Toiletries are from New Zealand brand Ashley & Co, and in large refillable containers. In fact, most amenities and added extras are sourced locally – either nearby, like Bennetts of Mangawhai chocolates and Sawmill beers, or made in NZ, like Proper crisps, Nuttz cashews, and Higgins cookies.The mini bar snacks and non-alcoholic drinks are complimentary, but its wines are high-end, with prices to match – a Pyramid Valley 2020 Pinot Noir for $90, Tony Bish 2021 Synergy Chardonnay for $75, and Victoire Prestige champagne for $145. If price is a consideration, but you want to enjoy a few drinks in your cottage, you’re best to stock up on your way. I said near-perfect, and the missed marks were minor annoyances: I’ve never met a hotel or lodge room that didn’t have one rogue light switch you can’t quite work out – Te Arai Links is no different.And I was surprised there was no dedicated desk in the cottage, meaning I had to work from the kitchen table or sofa. Most guests visiting Te Arai can probably afford to take a day off, but for those who need to put in some solid hours, it’s not the best set-up. My advice? Turn off your laptop and sit back to enjoy the views, the peace, the quiet. Get out for a walk – you can stretch your legs on the resort trails, ranging from 7.8km to 15.5km. I’m often directionally challenged on walking trails, and this was no different – I found the resort’s paper map and the signs next to Ric’s to get down to the beach quite difficult to follow. Perhaps you’ll have a better sense of direction.The North Clubhouse is open for lunch and dinner, with former Mr Morris chef Zane Neustroski at the helm. Photo / Ricky RobinsonI had no trouble finding my way to The North Clubhouse for lunch and dinner – regular shuttles run there and back from the South Clubhouse.Situated at the 18th fairway of the North Course, it’s only accessible to club members or accommodation guests but is one of the main reasons you should consider a Te Arai Links stay. Head chef Zane Neustroski has created a menu of seasonal, local products with a focus on simplicity and a family-style feel. It was buzzing with happy golfers as I arrived on a Friday afternoon for lunch, with a more intimate, romantic feel when I returned for dinner with my partner.Formerly the head chef at Michael Meredith’s Britomart restaurant Mr Morris, Neustroski is from a farming family near Invercargill. He says his move to Mangawhai came from a desire to “escape the rat race and get back to a lifestyle that was closer to my roots”. Living in Mangawhai and working at the North Clubhouse has allowed him to create “a harmonious work-life balance” which he says has given him a lot of confidence. That shows in his food. The Trust the Chef menu we had for dinner was one of the best meals I’ve eaten this year, from the smoked olives accompanying our cocktails, to the melt-in-your-mouth Southland lamb ribs, the kingfish ceviche, a mushroom tart, chicken breast, Brussels sprouts, roast potatoes, and two divine desserts – an apple friand and a light-as-air meringue.Neustroski says he learned a lot from Meredith’s approach to food, from unexpected flavour combinations to letting high-quality products speak for themselves.“We utilise some awesome local suppliers, and we do our very best to hero their products as best we can,” he says. I leave slightly heartbroken that the North Clubhouse isn’t on my doorstep in Auckland. The Bunker Bar at Te Arai Links. Photo / Ricky RobinsonAnother highlight of my stay is the Bunker Bar, available exclusively to club members and guests staying in the cottages, villas and Whaitere house. Burrowed in a dune next door to Ric’s at the Ocean, you’d never know it’s there from the outside. But descend a staircase and press a buzzer, and the door opens into a light, bright cocktail bar with a sunken lounge that looks on to the South Course’s 18th fairway. Studio Irving Architects designed The Bunker Bar at Te Arai Links, an exclusive cocktail bar that looks out onto the South Course's 18th fairway. Photo / Ricky RobinsonThere, manager Tim Juergensen and his team offer a seasonal cocktail menu, but they’ll also make your favourite classic, or create something unique.Juergensen is endlessly passionate about his job and will talk you through ingredients, get to know what you like and perhaps convince you to try something new. After hearing I love negronis but can’t abide whisky, he made me a Vieux Carré with French Cognac, 144 Islands sweet vermouth, bourbon, Benedictine, and Angostura bitters, and I was sold. Te Arai Links has two golf courses, both of which have featured on the world's top 100 lists. Photo / Ricky RobinsonTe Arai Links is of course best known for its walking-only golf courses. The Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw-designed South Course is ranked No 79 on the 2025/26 Golf Magazine Top 100 Courses in the World List, and the Tom Doak-designed North Course is at No 98. Doak’s neighbouring Tara Iti was ranked No 19, and Cape Kidnappers, the only other NZ course to make the list, at No 65.Day visitors can book to play the courses, with green fees ranging from $300 to $500 for NZ and Australian residents.Yes, that might be a step up from a round at your usual club – for context, Takapuna Golf Club charges from $40 – but to play a global top 100 course, with views beloved by billionaires, is no doubt worth it. I could never even pretend to be a golfer, so I took my leave at the spa, which first opened to resort guests in December and to the public in May. My 60-minute relaxation massage with Filipino therapist Barbara was heavenly, but my favourite part of the experience was the Hydrotherapy Garden at the end. The spa at Te Arai Links luxury golf resort. Photo / Jono ParkerTe Arai Links hydrotherapy garden. Photo / Jono ParkerA secluded outdoor space at the back of the spa, it’s surrounded by Te Arai’s towering pine trees, with new native plantings steadily growing to keep up. There’s a large sauna, cold plunge pool, two hot tubs at different temperatures, and outdoor showers and lounge chairs. Spa bookings include an hour’s complimentary use, or you can book an individual session for $60. There’s no shade over the hot tubs – perhaps it will be introduced as we get closer to the scorching days of summer – but sunscreen is provided, along with robes, slippers, lockers and Dyson hairdryer and straighteners for post-visit use.I loved my hydrotherapy visit so much I returned the next day with my partner after checkout. We spent a good hour soaking and relaxing, while I mentally diarised a Te Arai Links return. I might only be able to stretch to visiting for lunch, but that’s more than enough to make me feel a billion dollars. Need to know Two-bedroom Ocean View Cottages are priced to reflect the resort’s luxury and privacy, ranging from $1950 per night to $4960 per night, depending on the season. If that’s out of reach, consider an Ocean View room. The views are almost as good – you’re just further away from the beach – but the prices are more affordable, starting from $590 per night. When you consider the access to world-class facilities and dining, it’s well worth the cost. Nightly rates include breakfast at Ric’s at the Ocean.Golf club memberships are limited to 600 people, with costs available on inquiry.The writer travelled courtesy of Te Arai LinksMore luxury travel