Arcadia Lodge

Arcadia Lodge is a small boutique bed and breakfast at 10 Florance Avenue, Russell, in the Bay of Islands. It occupies a heritage house overlooking Matauwhi Bay, a short walk from the Russell village waterfront. This is an adults-only, owner-hosted property of five suites and rooms plus a separate self-contained cottage – well suited to executive retreats, incentive stays and VIP accommodation, but not a conference venue.

History

The house was built in 1902 by Reverend Boler, an Anglican pastor, and became a guesthouse in 1924. Its floors, structural posts and beams are local heart kauri, and many components were salvaged from shipwreck and demolition timbers including totara, puriri and jarrah. Whale vertebrae were used to support the floor bearers, and a piece of one remains on display in the living room.

The setting carries deeper history. Russell was originally named Kororareka by local Māori, and Matauwhi Bay was the site of a Māori village and the pā of Ngāti Manu chief Pomare. Russell became New Zealand's first capital town, which makes the location itself a useful anchor for heritage and storytelling elements in an incentive programme.

Rooms and spaces

The lodge offers six distinct spaces in total:

• Five suites and rooms in the main heritage house. Most have their own private lounge and deck with outdoor furniture, and views over the bay. Options include a boutique studio suite with a separate entrance and private lounge, spacious suites with sitting rooms, and a queen room with water views.
• Arcadia Cottage – a large, fully self-contained two-bedroom retreat sleeping up to four adults, with the same outlook across the bay, for guests wanting more space and privacy.

Common areas include a front deck with an electric shade awning, several separate sitting areas, and a guest kitchen stocked with local coffee and teas and home baking. An honesty bar carries a curated selection of Northland wines offered at wholesale prices. Electric vehicle charging is available on site.

The hosts live in a separate house on the property, so guests have the run of the lodge. Arcadia Lodge does not accommodate children under 12 years of age. Bed and breakfast rates start from $225 per room.

Food

Breakfast is the lodge's signature offer, prepared by a host with more than 20 years' culinary experience and drawing on produce from the property's own chef's garden alongside other local ingredients. The lodge does not operate a public restaurant; Russell village, a short stroll away, supplies the dinner options.

Recognition

Arcadia Lodge holds a Qualmark Gold rating and displays a Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice Best of the Best award badge. It is a partner property of Boutique Hotels & Lodges New Zealand.

Suitability for MICE

There are no dedicated meeting rooms, audiovisual facilities or conference catering here, and the property should not be positioned as a conference venue. Its value to organisers is different: with five suites plus a two-bedroom cottage, Arcadia Lodge is a credible exclusive-use option for a small executive retreat, board offsite or incentive group of roughly ten to twelve adults, and a comfortable place to house speakers, sponsors or VIP delegates attending a larger Bay of Islands programme. The hosts are well connected to local operators and can help arrange on-water and land-based activities across the bay. For larger plenary requirements, pair it with a dedicated venue elsewhere in Northland.