Welcome to
The Highland
Sunset RidgeYour considered guide to arriving, settling in and enjoying the warmth and wide-open views of Sunset Ridge.
01 · Arrive
Finding your home on Sunset Ridge
The Highland is located at 33 Takutai Terrace, Ruatapu 7883.
Welcome to The Highland
Follow Google Maps to 33 Takutai Terrace. As you arrive, look for the long, single-level black home with a black roof and chimney, set behind distinctive large stone landscaping.
Open Google Maps ↗
Check-in: anytime after 4:00 pm
Check-out:
anytime before 10:00 am
For an early check-in or late check-out, please reach out closer to your stay and we’ll do our best to accommodate.
Private parkingEasy off-street arrival
The property offers excellent off-street private parking. Once you arrive, please park tidily within the designated property area and keep access clear for other vehicles.
A little note about the propertyThe separate apartment at the rear
The owners are currently in the process of moving overseas, and for a short time Matt may occasionally be staying in the separate apartment at the rear of the property. He keeps very much to himself and is incredibly respectful of guests’ privacy, so you’re unlikely to see much of him at all.
The home and guest areas are completely yours to relax into and enjoy throughout your stay.
Recognising the houseWhat to look for when you arrive
Look for the long, single-level black home with a black roof and chimney. The large grey and warm-toned stones across the front garden are its clearest landmark.
Tap either photo for a closer look.
Access and arrivalYour key and entry details
Under the covered parking area, you’ll find the lockbox mounted on the left-hand post. The wheelie bins are on the right, which can help you get your bearings when you arrive.
Enter the access code provided before your stay and take the key from inside. Please close the lockbox and scramble the numbers afterwards. Whenever you leave the property, return the key to the lockbox so it remains safe.
Tap either photo for a closer look.
Dining and late arrivalsA helpful note for smaller-town evenings
Restaurants in New Zealand’s smaller towns often close earlier, with the best dinner reservation window generally between 6:00 and 8:30 pm.
If you’re arriving after 8:00 pm, consider dining beforehand or picking up supplies from New World supermarket, open until 9:00 pm, to enjoy a relaxed meal in the fully equipped kitchen.
Traffic and travelLive road conditions for your journey
West Coast roads are beautiful and changeable. Please allow a little extra time and check conditions before travelling.
View live NZTA travel updates ↗02 · Settle in
Warm, connected and comfortable
Make a cuppa, connect to Wi-Fi and settle in beside the fire.
Heating the homeFireside warmth and cosy bedrooms
The Highland has a few thoughtful ways to keep you warm and comfortable during your stay.
A wonderfully cosy place to settle in after a day exploring the West Coast.
A little extra warmth is ready for cooler evenings. Please switch the blankets off before going to sleep or leaving the room.
Please keep the heater clear of bedding, curtains and belongings while it is in use.
When lighting the fire, begin with kindling and small pieces of wood. Once it is burning well with steady flames, add larger logs gradually rather than loading too many on at once.
If you notice smoke coming from the vents above the fireplace door, simply open a nearby window or door for a few minutes. The Highland is very airtight, especially after it has been closed up overnight or during the day, and the extra airflow will help the fire draw properly.
Please keep the fire at a comfortable level, keep the fireplace door closed while it is burning and never leave it unattended. Before going to bed or leaving the property, make sure the fire is safely contained.
Fridge and freezer switchPlease leave this switched on at all times
Please leave the fridge and freezer power switch turned on throughout your stay and when you check out. Switching it off will allow the freezer ice to melt.
The switch is in the scullery, beside the coffee station. The photos below will help you identify its location. Look for the switch marked with the snowflake icon.
Tap either photo for a closer look.
SmartVent ventilationPlease leave the controls as they are
You may notice the SmartVent control panel on the wall during your stay. It helps manage airflow and ventilation throughout the home and is set up to run automatically.
Please leave the settings as they are and avoid adjusting the controls. The system has been carefully configured for the home and changing its settings can affect the ventilation throughout the property.
There’s nothing you need to do. Simply let SmartVent quietly do its job in the background.
Emergency supplies boxSpare light bulbs and batteries
A small emergency supplies box is available in the scullery cupboard. Inside you’ll find spare light bulbs and batteries should you need them during your stay.
If you use anything from the box, please send our team a quick message through your booking platform so we can replenish it for the next guests.
Tap either photo for a closer look.
04 · The Tiaki Promise
Leave only good memories
Tiaki means to care for people and place. It is our shared commitment to protect Aotearoa New Zealand, now and for future generations.
Care for people and place.
Tiaki · to care for and protectTravel as a guardian
New Zealand is precious, and everyone who lives and travels here shares a responsibility to look after it.
Nau mai, haere mai ki Aotearoa. Welcome to New Zealand.
Explore the Tiaki Promise ↗On the West Coast
- Respect private land and farm gates.
- Stay on marked tracks.
- Leave beaches and forests as you found them.
- Support local businesses where you can.
- Take your rubbish with you.
- Drive carefully on West Coast roads.
Caring for your home away from homeA few kind and simple guidelines
- Visitors: Unregistered guests are welcome by invitation. Please let us know in advance.
- Key safety: Please follow the key-return instructions supplied for your stay.
- Care: Treat the home and its amenities with kindness.
- No smoking: Please refrain from smoking indoors.
Rubbish, glass and recyclingHelping us manage fortnightly collections
You’ll find the wheelie bins under the covered parking area, beside the house on the right. As local rubbish collection runs fortnightly, please avoid overfilling them with travel, car or event waste. Extra rubbish and glass can be taken to Hau Hau Road Recycling Centre.
03 · Enjoy the home
The little details, ready for you
Thoughtful comforts and simple guidance to help your stay feel easy.
Travelling with children?Toys and little activities in Bedroom 3
We’ve tucked a selection of children’s toys and activities into Bedroom 3 for our younger guests to enjoy. Please feel welcome to bring them out during your stay, then return everything to Bedroom 3 before you leave so the next little adventurers can enjoy them too.
Master-bedroom honeycomb shadeA quick guide to opening it gently
To open or close the honeycomb shade, gently hold the bottom rail near the centre and guide it slowly and evenly upward or downward. As the shade is quite wide, using two hands evenly spaced across the rail will help keep it level.
Please avoid pulling from one side or drawing the rail toward you, as this can cause the shade to become uneven.
A quick demonstration using the shade in the master bedroom.
First aid kitInside the scullery, beside the coffee station
You’ll find the first aid kit hanging inside the scullery kitchen, just above the little coffee station.
It’s there for minor cuts and scrapes during your stay. If you use anything from the kit, please send our team a quick message through your booking platform so we can replenish it for the next guests.
For anything urgent or serious, please call 111 for Police, Fire or Ambulance.
Pantry staples and spicesPlease feel welcome to use what’s provided
You’ll find a generous selection of spices and other pantry ingredients in the scullery kitchen. Please feel welcome to use anything provided while preparing meals during your stay.
We simply ask that lids are replaced securely and everything is returned to its place when you’re finished, ready for the next guests to enjoy.
Using the dishwasherTucked beneath the kitchen bench
The dishwasher is integrated behind the cabinetry beneath the kitchen bench. Gently pull the top edge of the cabinet panel towards you to open it.
Please scrape food scraps into the rubbish before loading dishes. At checkout, we’d be grateful if dishes could be washed and put away.
Tea, coffee and electric kettlesCups below the coffee station
You’ll find the coffee cups in the drawers directly below the coffee station in the scullery.
All our kettles are electric, so please never place them on the stovetop. For safety, we don’t provide hob-top appliances such as moka pots, stovetop kettles or percolators.
If you bring your own hob-top appliance, please keep a close eye on it while in use.
07 · Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
General questions about your stay are gathered here so they are easy to find, while Highland-specific guidance remains within the main house guide above.
Do you provide milk?A little note before your first cuppa
In keeping with our sustainability goals, we don’t provide milk on arrival. With so many preferences and options available, please pick up your favourite so your tea or coffee is just the way you like it.
Is the tap water safe to drink?Fresh water, straight from the tap
Yes. Tap water in New Zealand is safe to drink, including here on the West Coast where it often comes from natural sources. You can safely enjoy fresh, clean water straight from the tap.
Barbecue hireA relaxed outdoor cook-up
We offer barbecue hire for homes that don’t already have one. Our packages are simple and ready to use, so you can arrive, unwind and enjoy.
View and book a barbecue ↗Hosting friends or familyVisitors are warmly welcomed
We love that you may spend time with local friends or family during your stay. Please let us know in advance when visitors will be joining you.
Only guests listed on the reservation are covered by the booking platform’s protection. The reservation holder remains responsible for the home and anything that happens during a visit. Thank you for caring for the space.
What linens and towels are provided?Freshly prepared for your arrival
Your reservation includes fresh linens and plush towels, thoughtfully prepared so you can settle in and make yourself at home.
Sustainability and our productsForever bottles and local supply
Sustainability is woven into the way we host. Our refillable “forever bottles” contain pH-balanced 2-in-1 hair and body wash or handwash, with cucumber and basil, pear and coconut scents.
Our cleaning products are sourced from a local West Coast company, supporting our community and reducing transport impact. Please leave all forever bottles behind so they can continue their refill journey.
Lost and foundLet’s reunite you with your belongings
If you think you’ve left something behind, message us through your booking platform. A photo or clear description helps our team locate it.
To have an item returned, send us a self-addressed prepaid envelope:
Host’d HQDrifting Sands
197 Revell Street
Hokitika 7810
West Coast, New Zealand
We request a $15 service fee for the time and care involved in retrieving, storing, packaging and posting your item.
05 · Before you leave
A gentle guide to check-out
Our housekeepers are the heartbeat of Host’d. Beginning your final tidy around 9:45 am helps ensure you are comfortably out by 10:00 am when they arrive.
Turn off all indoor and outdoor lights to protect the ridge's dark night sky, but please leave the fridge and freezer switch on. Close windows and doors, then return the key as instructed for your stay.
Wash and put away dishes.
Leave used towels in the bathroom. Please don’t place hired linens in the washing machine.
Dispose of waste using the rubbish and recycling guide. Take excess waste to Hau Hau Road Recycling Centre.
Check carefully for belongings so nothing special is left behind.
Leave shareable perishables in the fridge or on the bench.
Return any moved furniture to its original place.
For condensing dryers, empty the front water reservoir and lint filter.
Please let us know about accidental damage so we can address it before the next guest arrives.
If you leave early, a quick message is lovely. It may help our team begin sooner and allow another guest an earlier check-in.
Share your memorable stay
If there was a moment that made your Highland stay special, we’d love to hear about it. Your review means so much to our small local team and helps future guests discover this beautiful place.
Leave a Google review06 · Help & local guide
Everything you may need
Discover local favourites, or reach the right person quickly if you need help.
Explore the West Coast
The Host’d Guide
Our handpicked guide brings together where to eat, what to do and local favourites worth knowing.