Guests Comments & Testimonials
Extract from our guests comments book over the past 15 years .....

From the time we were picked up at the airport until the time we were dropped off, with a side tour of One Tree Hill on the way back to the airport, we had wonderful hospitality here. Everything about this property is extraordinary, and we loved being able to walk to Parnell, the Auckland Domain, and the Link bus stop.This is the type of place that needs more than five stars to begin to appropriately gauge the value.

Bill & Brenda, Arizona USA

My wife and I were collected by Bart at the airport and taken to the B&B (in only 20 mins or so) which is located in the lovely Parnell area. The B&B is a stunning appartment with 3 double rooms, a communal lounge/breakfasting area with free internet access. The place itself is a very high standard, plenty of space in the bathroom, walk-in-wardrobe and bedroom. There is also underground parking and a swimming pool (too cold for us). There was an excellent choice for breakfast and I can recommend the bacon and pancakes! Bart and Therese were lovely hosts and couldnt do enough for us. They gave us recomendations on where to go and where to eat. I would recommend this as THE place to stay while in Auckland. Best wishes and thanks for making our stay so special.

Will and Katie, Edinburgh, UK.

Thank you for everything, Bart and Therese. We really enjoy staying with you and chatting with you. We love to listen to all your stories ! Most of all we really enjoy your service because it's excellent !! You make us feel at home in the Ascot Parnell. Many thanks and lots of appreciation.

Jeff & Jennifer. Sunnyvale CA. USA

We have enjoyed our stay here in Auckland and have you to thank for that. It is so nice to come back each day to a warm house and your energy and enthusiasm. Everything was top-notch but most of all, we enjoyed your company and Khalifa's. Thanks for everything - it is hard to leave.

Tim & Karen Tharrington, NC, USA

Dear Bart and Therese

A somewhat belated, but very big thank you for giving us such a wonderful introduction to New Zealand. To be met at the airport and whisked away in style to such beautiful accomodation with those stunning views close to a street full of superb restaurants and to be looked after by such attentive hosts, not to mention those breakfasts, was more than anyone could ask.
Our stay in your country, eight weeks in all, was everything that we expected and more, and we are still boring our friends with our experiences! The Milford Track was spectacular, even with two of the days walked in torrential rain, hail, thunder, and snow on the McKinnon Pass! It was evident why it is said that the track is the 'eighth wonder of the world' - when it is raining! The sight of the valley walls alive with hundreds of waterfalls has to be seen to be believed.
Trust you are both well. Do hope we can meet again one day.

Reuben and Mary Suckling, UK

Hi Bart and Terese,

We just returned to Honolulu today. Our vacation to NZ was just wonderful.
We had a grand time. Your Ascot Parnell B&B was the finest place we stayed.
What a way to start a vacation! The physical comforts of Ascot are super
but you two make it a memorable experience. Many thanks.

Aloha

Ray and Nancy Jeffs, Hawaii USA

During our 7-week holidays in New Zealand, we mostly stayed in 4 and 5 star B&B's. Nearly all were of exeptional quality and made our trip
in this beautiful country unforgettable. Of the 19 different lodgings we had, Ascot Parnell in Auckland was one of our favourites. What is better to start such a long holiday with Dutch-speaking friends who met you at the airport and make you feel comfortable rightaway. Trees and Bart are fantastic people, always in for a chat, giving advice about the things to see and (not) to do, and...great cooks. Their house is quietly situated in Parnell with its many restaurants, nice little shops and only 5 bus-minutes away from downtown. We had a very nice bedroom and sitting room, apart from the very spacious guests-lounge and balcony, looking towards the city-centre and containerport. This address is top-of-the-bill.

Maaike and Dick Gorter
The Netherlands

The best B&B in New Zealand. We traveled all the North and South Islands and Ascot Parnell can't be beat. Be sure to have Bart pick you up at the airport. Great Value!!

Ray & Nancy, Hawaii.

We spent a terrific week in New Zealand. Staying with you at the Ascot Parnell was a highlight of our stay in Auckland.

Wonderful to meet you and best wishes until our next visit to the Ascot Parnell.

Susie and Marc Sievers, USA

We contacted Bart and Therese over the Internet after reading all their outstanding reviews. They provided us with invaluable information on Auckland and New Zealand before we ever left home. It was like having your own personal travel agent. They could not accommodate us for our entire week's stay, but squeezed us in for 4 days and recommended an alternate B&B for the rest of our stay. From pickup at the cruise terminal to delivery at the Auckland Airport, this was by far the most memorable visit we have ever experienced. Bart and Therese provided a personalized sophisticated European elegance that was lacking in other places we have stayed. We were lucky enough to spend Christmas with them and enjoy a Christmas Eve dinner with them and the other guests at a local eatery. Our Christmas morning breakfast was even more fantastic (see photo) than their already superb everyday breakfast offerings. They really take an interest in all their guests and make you feel at home in their home. They're always there, but never intrusive. Get your reservations made early! Don't miss this experience. Thanks again, Bart and Therese, for a most delightful stay in Auckland.

Randy and Lieu, Florida USA

Bart picked us up at the airport after an exhausting cross-planet flight from New York. He cooked us breakfast and made us feel welcomed and introduced us to the warm hospitality of New Zealand. We couldn't have picked a better way to start a two-week vacation in an unfamiliar place. Thank you Bart and thank you Therese. We'll never forget our warm welcome and the delicious breakfasts while we chatted with fellow travelers from around the world. Best vacation ever.

The views from the room and from the terrace were spectacular and the accomodations were luxurious, including the heated bathroom floor, the deep tub, and the most comfortable king-sized bed.

The "loop" bus stops two-blocks from the hotel so this is easy without a car, but there are car rental agencies near the hotel when you're ready to explore the rest of the country. Museum and rose garden are walking distance. All in all, an excellent location for exploring Auckland.

We have thoroughly enjoyed your wonderful hospitality in such a beautifully appointed accommodation. A very positive introduction to New Zealand. Delicious breakfasts and charming ambience. World Class ! Thank you !

The Gantz family, Boston USA

Hello Therese and Bart,

We are back home and at work again and we want to thank you for the stay at your wonderful little hotel. It was a great place to spent a weekend of recreation from a very long flight and you helped us to a perfect start of our NZ trip. Recommendations about restaurants, shops and places to go etc. that we had a chance to follow were absolutely reliable and made our trip a pleasant one. We also enjoyed your outstanding breakfast as well as the talks to you and your other guests. This is B&B at the highest standards.

Thanks again and warmest regards,

Sabine and Andreas Schneider - Bavaria Germany

Hi Therese and Bart,

Now that we are back home and reminiscing about our trip to New Zealand, we have to tell you that our 5 night stay at your elegant
"small hotel" was one of the highlights of our visit. Five days is a
long time to stay at a B&B, but we were sorry to leave. We enjoyed the
excellent food every day at breakfast and the conversations with the
interesting people from other parts of the world who were staying
there. We never felt rushed. The accommodations were superb and the
view of the harbor from the deck spectacular. We hope to stay with you
again on a future trip and recommend you highly.

Pat and Dennis Caren
Walnut Creek, California

A wonderful start to our NZ adventure. Great hosts, catering for our every need. Many many thanks ! (incl. the Flemish Toast !).

Duncan & Jill, St. Albans, England

This will always be our place to stay when we come to Auckland - the welcome, hospitality, help and surroundings can't be beaten !

Caroline & Meredith, Cambridge England

Hello Bart, Therese & Khalifa !!!

Lori & Jim Mirazita here, writing from home in southern New Hampshire. We had a *fabulous* remainder of our trip and are already plotting our return to NZ and Australia. What glorious countries ! We *so* enjoyed our stay with you all and have told anyone who will listen that Ascot Parnell B&B is the *only* place to consider if you're heading to Auckland. You guys are just the most gracious and accomodating hosts, and Bart, you cook up a *mean* breakfast. :-)
We hope that, should you venture to the States and make your way to the Eastern seabord, you'll look us up in New Hampshire.

Warmest regards,
Lori & Jim Mirazita

Hello Therese and Bart,

A belated note of thanks from Debbie and I for making our first stay in N.Z. such a happy one. I hope you enjoyed the bottle of wine we left behind...if it wasn't any good now you know to stay away from that vineyard. Our last night at the Ascot Parnell was very quiet, we brought in a salad and pizza and had dinner as if we were home. The Sapphire Princess was incredible, we liked it much more than we expected to but the weather didn't get better it got worse until the day we sailed all around and through Fiordland National Park. That day was spectacular. Please remember to get in touch when you finally get to New York.

With warm regards, Eileen Feeney

Dear Bart and Therese,

We have been meaning to contact you both sooner, but we got right back into the swing of things immediately once we landed in New York. Since vacation, it has been non-stop between work, school, and the holidays!
I couldn't help but to feel awful that we did not get a chance to properly say goodbye to two of the most wonderful hosts weary travelers from New York could ask for. We were spolied at the Ascot Parnel, especially with Bart's breakfasts, and no other accomodation could match up! We loved our stay with you.
We don't want you to forget about us, so please feel free to stay in touch. We hope that your holidays are wonderful and that this e-mail finds you both in good form, healthy and happy.

Kind Regards,

JoAnn and Kevin McAdams
Sayville, New York
jkmc@optonline.net

Dear Therese & Bart

Am back home and have been hard at work at the office. I just wanted to send you a little thank you to tell you that I truly
enjoyed my (short) stay at your beautiful Ascot Parnell. Just that alone makes me want to make a return trip to NZ! Give Kalifa a couple of pats for me.

warmest, Dyan

Bart and Therese!
We've arrived in Rotorua but already we miss your wonderful B&B! We ended up staying in the Princess Gate to be close to town, but thank you for all of your recommendations and plan to check out the others in the next cities!
You were both supreme hosts! Jim and I could have sworn you were raised in the South, USA from your outstanding hospitality! :)
Thanks again for everything!
Kathryn and Jim

Best wishes and warm regards,
Amy Watson

Dear Bart & Therese,
It is 6:15 am and I am on my way. The hospitality was superb. I feel sorry for the remaining B&B's on my itinerary. They have an impossible standard to meet.

Ed Vane (Los Angeles, California, USA)

Hello Bart & Therese,
Thank you for your vision and efforts in creating an absolute beautiful and serene environment. Karina and I truly enjoyed our stay at Ascot Parnell. We really didn’t know what to expect, and believe me our expectations were definitely exceeded. Great breakfast’s, Great conversations, Great people and above all a Fantastic “B & B”. Re : Kalifa. Karina and I are now considering owning a greyhound. Given we travel so much, it may not be an favorable option. Is that how you spell “Kalifa”? We will be back...

Warmest regards.
Elliott & Karine Yancey (Darling Harbour, Sydney Australia).

Hello Therese & Bart,
We're back home in body, but our hearts and minds are still in New
Zealand. We enjoyed meeting both of you and thank you for your gracious
hospitality and wise advice. We see why your B&B has been such a success and will certainly tell our friends about you. Take care.

Warm Regards,
Elizabeth & Snowden Hall (Charlottsville, Virginia USA)

Thank you for making us feel so welcome in your home. Ascot Parnell is a unique nest - very cosy and very warm. Thank you again ! We hope you one day make it to New York. If you do - please let us know, we would love to see you again.

Warm regards, Lorne & Ettie Taichman, Long Island New York.

What a wonderful way to start my trip. I am so delighted to have been here. You both are so nice and hospitable that I'd like to stay for a couple of more days. The breakfasts were fabulous ! I loved the "Flemish Toast", however, so many good breakfasts leave little room for lunch ! Glad to have been here.

Thank you for everything. Loved it. Adam Eastwick New York, NY.

Dear Therese & Bart,
We consider ourselves most fortunate to have stayed with you at Ascot Parnell. It is not often that one comes upon such lovely people and who are so intent in making their guests have a very pleasant and enjoyable experience. You have a lovely place and we will not hesitate to recommend it. Best of good fortune in your new home and that you continue to enjoy it.

Jill & Brian Keel, Adelaide Australia

Only the warmth and friendliness of the hosts surpasses the beauty and comfortableness of the accommodation !

The Gillespies, Toronto Canada,

Therese & Bart,
WOW ! What a way to begin our first trip to New Zealand. We thought your B&B was one of the best we have ever stayed in, your hospitality made us feel like we were visiting old friends. We certainly hope we can return to Auckland again and enjoy another wonderful stay with you.

June & Alex Brown, Toronto, Canada

Thank you Bart & Therese ! We feel so fortunate to have met you and shared memories that will last a lifetime. You two have a "true gift" of making people feel at home and we love your house, your hospitality and your pet ! This truly felt like a home away from home for us. We will recommend you to anyone we know who is heading this way ...

Ron & Kathyt Boyer, Ottawa Ontario, Canada.

Absolutely Fabulous ! The rest of the accommodations are going to pale in comparison. Thank you.

Irene Statham, New Westminster, Canada

Thank you so much for making our last night in New Zealand one of the most wonderful of our trip.

Angela Read & Debbie Shevell (U.K.)

Dear Bart and Therese
I just wanted to say thanks you so much for my lovely stay at the Ascot. It was a perfect place for me to be. Your B&B was so comfortable, and your personal style was just perfect in making one feel welcome and catered for in every way, without feeling intruded upon. Congratulations on getting the atmosphere so right.

Thanks again,
Cathy Kell (South Africa)

Bart and Therese,
We were your guests from the 9th to the 13th of April. We wish to
tell you that we have never stayed in a B&B that was as immaculate. The
breakfasts, too, were exceptional, but best of all was your kind
hospitality. We loved talking with you, and we will remember our visit
for a long time.
Should you ever come to Colorado, please come by for a visit. We'd
love to show you our region.

Again, thank you. Dale and Carol Bartkus

dear bart & therese-
thank you so much for the wonderful time in your charming hotel! we loved our
interactions with you, and really appreciated that the room was actually all
ready for us when we arrived! you are amazing! thank you for making our
anniversary trip so special! (the honey made it home safely with us, and
brings back many happy memories!) and I still think of your french toast!

corinne & dale ruokangas (USA)

Dear Bart & Therese, I have been in NZ for almost three weeks now, and I say with authority that you make the best coffee and breakfasts in the country ! I enjoyed staying at Ascot Parnell and hope to return some day to stay with you again.

Hilary Gilligan, Glasgow Scotland.

I have travelled to a lot of places but I have never seen such a charming friendly place until I came to the Ascot Parnell. It's nice to stay in a place that offers personal service and has owners willing to chat to you after a long hard day sightseeing. I will definitely recommend this establishment to anyone and everyone back home wanting to visit Auckland & NZ. Thank you !

Christopher Brunby, Melbourne Australia
P.S. Why do people stay in those corporate hotels when they could stay here ?

Thank you for this oasis of charm, calm and comfort in the midst of our hectic schedule. We especially enjoyed our talks with you and appreciate your advice and map, helping us to explore Auckland. Follow through on a history of Ascot Parnell ! Hope to be your guest again.

Eleona Baker, Houston Texas.

Abbiamo finalmente trovato all' Ascot Parnell (dopo essere stati in moltissimi hotels in tutto il mondo) un'accoglienza eccezionale che non potremo dimenticare ! Un grazie a Therese e Bart : ci siamo sentiti a casa, benche lodi sia 18,000 km lontana. Ciao !

Emilia & Giacomo Italy.

P.S. We decided to write in Italian because we did not find other Italians in the book !

A beautiful & tranquil place in a great neighbourhood ! I loved the art on the walls and the sunroom ! Thank you for a memorable visit and your hospitality.

Catherine Sweeney

Bart & Therese, What a special hideaway your Ascot Parnell ! And what thoughtful and sensitive hosts you are ! Thank you for everything ! Tres chers amis - l'hotel est un petit "bijou", le jardin "enchante", les hots les meilleurs. Mille mercis, maxi bises.

Carole & Michel Altman Colorado USA.

What a nice surprise to have found such a jewel in the city on our last few nights in NZ ! We are very sorry we cannot stay longer - but we promise to come back !

Cheers Missy Lavender & Kim Readding

Thank you for sharing your beautiful and very hospitable home. The friendliness, warmth and your genuine concern for our comfort and enjoyment set Ascot Parnell apart (and above) others. Please remember us as fondly as we will remember you. Thanks again.

Carol & Flemming French, Seattle WA. USA.

The best Bed & Breakfast we've ever stayed in ! Please don't change jobs or hotels !!

Peter Prost & Inga Wilde, Heidelberg Germany 7 July 1994

Two of the nicest days ever spent anywhere. The house and more importantly Bart & Therese are what a traveller dreams about !! Our thanks to them and Aucklanders throughout the city.

Joe & Nan Bake - Buena Vista, Colorado USA (29 January 1993).