Meet the Hosts: Gail & Brendon's Story Behind Newton Heights

At Newton Heights, the heart of the experience isn’t just the sweeping Akaroa harbour views, it’s the warmth and care of your hosts, Gail and Brendon. Their vision has always been simple: create a quiet, beautiful place where people can switch off, reconnect, and feel genuinely looked after. The result is a luxury escape with a personal touch, where every detail from the linen to the breakfast, reflects a belief that small moments make the biggest memories.

The story began with a hillside home above Akaroa that felt too special not to share. Gail and Brendon saw what it could be: a sanctuary with room to breathe, a base for exploring the peninsula, and a home-away-from-home for couples and friends coming together. They set about curating spaces that are elegant without being overdone, classic textures, soft light, simple comforts and a standard of hospitality that goes above and beyond but still feels human, grounded, and never rushed.

Breakfast is a perfect example. In the Bed & Breakfast rooms, guests sit down to a leisurely cooked breakfast alongside continental favourites; fresh croissants, organic homemade muesli, Gails homemade jams, seasonal fruit, and barista-style coffee. In the self-contained apartments, continental provisions let you settle into your own rhythm, taking breakfast on the terrace as the harbour wakes up below. It’s hospitality designed for how you actually want to travel: relaxed, flexible, and luxurious.

When you stay, you’ll notice thoughtful touches everywhere: private terraces that catch the morning sun, deep baths and generous showers, robes and spa towels ready for an evening soak, and (for select stays) a private outdoor spa pool under a big southern sky. Gail and Brendon have made choices that prioritise calm and comfort: places to sit and read, places to share a glass of wine, and spaces that make it easy to exhale.

They’re also generous with local knowledge. Ask for a dinner recommendation and you’ll get more than a list, you’ll get a sense of the evening you want: quiet and tucked away, or harbourside and lively. They’ll point you toward the Giants House on a sunny morning, the best vantage point on the lighthouse road at dusk, or a favourite trail at Hinewai Reserve when you’re in the mood for native birdsong and big views.

Recent seasons have been full and rewarding, welcoming guests from around New Zealand, the UK, USA, Canada and abroad, as well as returning friends who first discovered Newton Heights years ago. In between, Gail and Brendon carve out time to travel, see family, and bring back fresh inspiration (and new furnishings for the rooms). It’s part of what keeps Newton Heights evolving: new ideas, improved amenities, and a renewed commitment to the kind of hospitality that feels both luxury and personal.

Whether you choose a B&B room or a self-contained apartment, you’ll find the same philosophy running through everything: quiet luxury, handled with care. The rooms are for savouring slow mornings and starry nights. The apartments offer space to settle in, full kitchens, open-plan living with fires for the winter, private decks for the summer and the freedom to make the stay your own. It’s the blend of privacy and presence that guests remember most: you have room when you want it, and help when you need it.

For Gail and Brendon, the greatest compliment is seeing guests return with new stories, an engagement celebrated on the terrace, a milestone birthday with family, friends reuniting over long summer evenings. They consider it a privilege to be part of those moments. If you’re planning a visit to Akaroa, they’d love to welcome you, share their favourite local spots, and ensure your time at Newton Heights is exactly what you need it to be, restful, beautiful, and quietly unforgettable.