As a family of 6 we needed somewhere comfortable, easy and affordable to base our visit to NZ. Our son was playing ruby for the Uni during his gap year - that was our excuse for going round the world via NZ - with air NZ one of the best. Found this place on t'internert - however did we manage before? We stayed in the apartment at Number One House facing East which meant we were amongst the first people on the planet to see the sun every day - perfect. The view from the master bedroom across the bay to the city is stunning day or night. Something for everyone from the lush private terraced gardens that go straight from the apartment down to the sea to the mega-engineering of the harbor bridge (interesting how they widened it). The gardens are full of miniature dragons and their eggs so be careful. There was a killer whale in the bay at the time so we didn't swim! Watching the sailing boats during the day and the city lights at night was very therapeutic. Brian and Jay are the perfect hosts being helpful and knowledgeable. The location is very convenient with the harbor taxi to downtown Auckland just 10 mins walk away and breakfast, a potter, an antique shop plus the rest just mins away. Driving and parking is safe and secure - the only time our car got nicked was when it got towed! We used the flat as a base for day trips and overnighters around the North Island and then hired a camper to do the south island. The food and wine is outstanding so take plenty of elasticated waists! Had a fab time and can't wait to get back. Thanks and later Peace

Tony first showed me the photos of Number One House on the Internet and we both agreed it looked divine. Hence we chose it for our first night in New Zealand. And we were not disappointed ! We were thrilled with the stunning views from all rooms. Our Green Room was charmingly furnished and who ever has a view like that from a four-poster bed ! Staying with Brian and Jay felt so comfortable, as they made us feel very welcome. Brian's suggestions for sightseeing were excellent and Jay is a culinary supremo in the kitchen. Breakfast in the conservatory, talking to Brian and Jay, is an experience we will always remember. In addition, it was great to meet their lovely grand daughter, Isabella. We thoroughly enjoyed our NZ trip of both islands, but our stay at No. 1 will always be one of the most outstanding highlights. Thanks Brian and Jay for ensuring our stay was so memorable and we will certainly be mentioning your beautiful home to any friends who venture across to Auckland.

New zealand is such nice place to live with ultimate calm and traquility and beach side we miss alot although we can not have fun like all other Our God do not allow us to do the same but it is very nice to see you happy and calm

WOW...that pretty much sums up our lovely stay at this amazing home. The warmth from Brian and Jay was amazing...straight away they welcomed us with open arms into their home and made it ours. The views were just breath taking and the hot Tub..well we dont need to go there, that just speaks for itself...then to top it off...THE BREAKFAST WAS TO DIE FOR :-) Jay did everything posible to make us feel pampered and special, and it worked...and Brian, even though the rugby was on, managed to open the top of the salt and pepper shaker for our bacon and eggs, so thoughtful :-) !! Better than a 5 star hotel.. Will definitely visit again. Cheers Y & B

My husband, Maurice, a globe-trotting television cameraman, went back to NZ for a long overdue visit to his parents and family in Tauranga, this past May. Now as many of you will relate, it's always wonderful to see the family, but it isn't really a holiday! So on his outward bound leg back to LA, I wanted to give him a special Kiwi treat(bare with me on this!). That's when I found the Number One House, on the web, sitting here in my office in Los Angeles. It looked perfect! And it was. Jay answered the phone, sounded delightful.Even though it was late in their season and they had plans to go out that night, they made Maurice welcome and put him in the lovely Green room. He was just in heaven!!! The famed breakfast was cooked up in the moring. He and Brian traded sailing storeis(imagine that, two sailors!!!)It was the best send off...he's hooked and has sworn he will take me there on our very next trip. I can't wait. Maurice came back with glowing accounts, and i for one am chuffed that the way Number One looks and sounds on the web, is EXACTLY the way it is...just bloody marvellous! Thank you both.

Our stay with Brian and Jay was truly memorable and made our holiday complete. All suggestions made by Brian enhanced our holiday and our stay at No 1 will be etched in our memory forever. If you have not stayed at No. 1, then you have not really experienced the best!

After drving round Australia for several weeks, to arrive here was like a home from home. Warm & friendly welcome. Brian gave me loads of knowledge that ensured that my drive around New Zealand took in some of the best sights in the world. The view was also spectacular! (which is a total understatement). I would not hesitate to visit again & my website from my holiday tells everyone to visit. All B&B owners should take a leaf out oth Brian & Jays book. Hope all that stay enjoy there time at Number One House & on the island as much as I did.

"A really exceptional experience which I had not expected. A wonderful day at sea on a great boat with a great skipper! I would have definitely missed something if I had decided to just do some sightseeing in Auckland city only."

Brian: Back to work today and just wanted to let you know that the day sailing (with spinnaker aflutter) with you and first mate Anette was the high point of my visit to your beautiful country. It was a great holiday made that much better by your gracious hospitality and the day cruise on Whiskers. Lamar Marchese

Thank you very much for hosting our wedding! Your home is beautiful and the location is amazing! I wish we could have stayed longer than one night! Your B&B was really something that we will always remember when we think back our wedding and honeymoon in New Zealand!

We're home again after a much too short visit. Our all day sail with Brian on Whiskers was a real joy - it almost made us want to pull up stakes and move to Auckland. Brian is a wonderful host and skipper. Our only regret was that  Jay  could not come along on that particular day, but the lunch she prepared and sent with Brian was delicious and much appreciated. Our lunchtime anchorage was beautiful and John loved handling the boat. Is there a catamaran in our future? No, (we like powerboats) perhaps it might be even nicer to think about coming back to sail again with Brian (and Jay?) in the future.

 Wow Whiskers you are a great boat! We are new to sailing and it was sincere bliss to be on the ocean, while to be lulled to sleep in the cosy cabin was an incredible way to complete the day. What a great experience, sailing on a catamaran, just absolutely breath taking and great memories. In the company of such friendliness of the Captain and crew was just awesome. Their skills and knowledge of the sea and sailing quickly confirmed to me of being in a safe space which helped me want to learn how to sail. We had two days sailing, and I loved the freedom of settling in for the night sheltered in a bay with the sights of great colours of the sun setting and the aroma of dinner cooking. A happiness was within me as I turned in for the night in my bunk. I just enjoyed the whole experience- steering, helping with the sails, anchoring, everything. Thank you Whiskers - We are definetely coming back! Dorothy and Mike Young, Rotorua

It was a real pleasure to stay at your lovely home a few weeks ago. You opened your hearts as well as your home to us and it was most appreciated. We are sorry we missed Brian (off looking at a new boat) but we will definitely return within a year to meet him. Jay was a wonderful host and went far beyond to help us. I left my raincoat in the closet. We called and bless her heart she drove down to the ship to give it to us so I would have it on our cruise rather than mail it to the port or home to California. Cannot tell you what a "lifesaver" it was on the cruise. Thank you for all your help and your wonderful breakfasts. We so enjoyed our stay with you. Linda/Jay Gould

Hoots mon the noo! It's a awfy bonnywee place,n'a' ta muckle tae oor hosts fur a braw stay. Thanks Jay and Brian frae the Boons

We are lacking for words to describe this incredible place. Anyway,that is what paradise might look like. And there is even a goddess named jay that makes heavenly breakfasts !!!!

Now in Christchurch. You kiwis are the best in the world- and yours is the best B and B! I think you will find people will really enjoy using the GPS Road Navigator.We totally recommend it! I will post back today, We call her Verna and will miss her terribly. We will meet again Kindest regards Frank and Beckie

We had a wonderful time, thank you. Arriving at your B&B after our wedding was so much better than a hotel in the city. We felt our honeymoon started as soon as we had breakfast at our table in the sun! Brian & Jay make you feel very welcome and comfortable but still give you privacy and time to relax. Thanks again, Sam & Ann, happy newly weds!

As former B&B owner/operators we have an insiders ability to evaluate a B&B and we must say that Brian and Jay are...on a 1 to 10 scale...an 11 as B&B hosts. Brian and Jay made us comfortable as exhausted travelers after our trek from Ohio to New Zealand and we all became instant friends. The accommodations and decatent breakfast made our stay very special, but one experience with Brian made my stay quite memorable. I saw the Qantas promotional video about the Sky Tower as we were on approach to the Auckland airport and I told my wife that I wanted to make the jump off the Sky Tower. Well, Brian...being the great B&B host he is...signed up with me and we both jumped from the Sky Tower, not once, but twice, on March 31, 2004. If you are considering a stay at Auckland's Number One House, take it from me, there's a memorable experience waiting for you. I can't guarantee Brian accompanying you on a future Sky Jump, but I can guarantee a stay you'll re-live for years to come. (check out www.skyjump.co.nz)

This is our second visit in less than a year. Brian and Jay are fabulous hosts. The breakfasts are to die for and the rooms sumptuous with great views over the bay. Come here and relax, take a look at the hobbit house and Brian's amazing garden. It really is home away from home - cannot recommend it highly enough! Whether at the beginning or end of your journey around New Zealand - it provides a haven for relaxation, laughter and comfortable living.

It was very nice to know Brian and Jay as a friend. Even it was just one day staying, we could share same feeling and learn about life and love from them. Sometimes life brings us a very special gift. Knowing someone like Brian and Jay is the one of the gifts I think. We haven't talk much but I have learned many things as a man from Brian. And I think Marie also had same feelings from Jay. This house has a wonderful view of Auckland harbor but also we could find much more than that. Brian and Jay made a small cottage which they called 'Hobbit' house on the down the cliff. That is a very small cottage sized just for one person. I think Brian made this for himself as a place to spend time specially when he needs. He put some papers on the wall. All they were good words like old wisdoms. I love all of them but I love this more than any others. When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so that when you die ,you are the only one smiling and everyone around you is crying. Brian has told me that he has no fear to death. I wish I could be like Brian. We learn things everyday, every single minute but we forget it in next minutes. Marie and I will do our very best to be a smiling one when we die. Thanks for Brian & Jay, you gave us a wonderful gift can be placed in our heart forever. Thanks for Marie, my wonderful wife&.

We had the most fantastic time in Auckland. Everything from the airport pick up to drop was off was absolutely perfect. The apartment you've made under your house was perfect for our needs. I loved the atmosphere you have created in your property, the view was spectacular which was enjoyed by sitting out at your outdoor table setting.
I was impressed that your website had exactly what the property had to offer,  sometimes you get to places that say they're something and they're not or things are over-exaggerated. No.1 House is exactly what you had on the website which was wonderful, we were not disappointed.
The ferry was also very handy, we caught the ferry to town and caught a taxi back (that would be because the Ferries don't run at 4am!). We are wanting to come back over in the next year to do a Campervan trip around New Zealand. I will keep your details on file so we can stay there on our way through. Overall, you should be very proud of your B&B, it's great, it must also be a wonderful place to live. Thanks again for your help in organizing everything for us. Regards Michelle Nicolas, Hanson Sports Media, USA

Thank you so much Brian and Jay for introducing me to the wonderful Kiwi way of life. I have immigrated here, but I hope to live close and share some of your special life and kindness.

NZ was everything I have dreamed it would be, and going out on the boat was more than icing on the cake, it was a dream come true.

It is so very difficult for me to express my gratitude to the two of you as you have made my trip so special. But then you are very special people. I feel like I have found life long friends, so instead of 'sad goodbyes' lets look forward to our next meeting.

I think that your place is very gorgeous, the view of Auckland is wonderful, and the house perfect. You are both very very nice people. Thank you..

What a glorious introduction to NZ here in your lovely home with that breathtaking view, your warmth and most generous hospitality, and Jay's wonderful breakfasts.

Thank you very much for a lovely stay, your warm welcome, your comfortable home and the fantastic view. We will return to Auckland - promise.

What can we possibly say? Your beautiful place and invaluable company, your delicious seafood, your hospitality which we appreciate more than you will ever know.

Thank you so much Brian and Jay for a lovely stay in your BNB. It was so nice and cosy, and very friendly easy going people. We loved the scrambled eggs and a view of Auckland we will never forget - and all the wonderful advice and smiles.

Such a wonderful stay. I felt like I had come to visit old friends.You must try out the hot tub with a glass of wine - we did. We hope to be back.

Thank you so much for a warm and friendly stay You made our stay very special with the wonderful personaliy and the beautiful view.

Thank you so much for a warm and friendly stay. Our room was great and so was breakfast. Jay we are sure you are a jewel in God's kingdom!! You have a wonderful personality. Please visit us in SA.

Thank you so much Brian and Jay for being wonderful hosts and suggesting really interesting things to do and fantastic eating places. We are really smitten with New Zealand - I am sure we will meet again sooner rather than later. Thanks for starting a friendship which we hope will last for years.

We're totally overwhelmed. -our introduction to NZ has attacked our senses- visually, gastronomically and tactilly all at once- not to mention the warmth of your welcome - which makes all the difference when you are so far from home. Thank you for everything. We feel we have always known you - we hope we always will. See you in bonnie Scotland ASAP.

Wow! Wow! Wow! What a wonderful 4 days we have had - the boat, the motorbike, the swimming, the New Years Eve party, the view. We have REALLY really enjoyed our stay. This has been the perfect finale to a perfect holiday.