I spent $475 for 2 nights in a tiny house on a New Zealand island. I had to use a porta-potty, but it was still better than most hotels I've experienced.

Monica HumphriesJul 30, 2022, 17:14 IST

The author in front of the tiny house on New Zealand's Waiheke Island.Monica Humphries/Insider

Near Auckland, New Zealand, is Waiheke Island, known as the Hamptons of New Zealand.
I booked a 140-square-foot tiny house on the small island for $475 for two nights.

About a 40-minute ferry ride off the coast of Auckland, New Zealand, is Waiheke Island. The 12-mile island is dotted with multimillion-dollar mansions, fields of vineyards, and seafood galore.

A vineyard on Waiheke Island, New Zealand.Monica Humphries/Insider

About a 40-minute ferry ride off the coast of Auckland, New Zealand, is Waiheke Island. The 12-mile island is dotted with multimillion-dollar mansions, fields of vineyards, and seafood galore.

Waiheke Island swaps hotel chains for boutique hotels and mega-resorts for luxe vacation rentals.

A screenshot of Waiheke Island, relative to Auckland, New Zealand.Google Maps

I wasn't working with a celebrity budget, so I found a tiny home for $475 — with a porta-potty.

The porta-potty the author used for the two nights in the tiny house.Monica Humphries/Insider

I arrived at the island by ferry, picked up my rental car, and drove 10 minutes to the tiny home, which was located in the Airbnb host's backyard.

The parking lot and owner's home near the tiny house.Monica Humphries/Insider

A gravel path marked the trail to the tiny house.

A gravel path lead from the parking spot to the tiny house.Monica Humphries/Insider

The tiny house was built into the cliff, and surrounding it was a wooden deck.

The tiny house was tucked into the cliffside of Waiheke Island.Monica Humphries/Insider

The front deck had a set of reclining chairs, a small table and chairs, and one of two outdoor showers.

An arrow points to the outdoor shower.Monica Humphries/Insider

Behind the tiny house was a second outdoor shower, a sink, and a water tank.

Behind the tiny house was an outdoor sink and another outdoor shower.Monica Humphries/Insider

A sliding glass door from the deck opened to the small home.

A sliding-glass door was the entrance to the tiny house.Monica Humphries/Insider

Inside, the home had an open layout with simple, beach-themed accents.

The interior of the tiny house.Monica Humphries/Insider

A queen-size bed and two nightstands were placed to the right of the entrance.

The queen-size bed in the tiny house.Monica Humphries/Insider

The host provided beach gear on a bench, which was where I stored my luggage.

The bench area in the tiny house.Monica Humphries/Insider

On the other side of the house was the kitchen.

The interior of the tiny house.Monica Humphries/Insider

A kitchen cabinet opened up to reveal a small fridge, microwave, coffee maker, kettle, and toaster.

Side-by-side images of the Airbnb's cabinet opened and closed.Monica Humphries/Insider

Outside the tiny house and along the gravel path was the porta-potty. I thought it was an upgrade from the ones I've used at music festivals.

Side-by-side images of the porta-potty's exterior and interior.Monica Humphries/Insider

While the nightly treks to the porta-potty were my least favorite part of my stay, they were ultimately worth it.

The author in front of the porta-potty.Monica Humphries/Insider

I looked around, and the tiny house had everything I needed for two nights plus endless views of the ocean.

The window offered a view out into the ocean.Monica Humphries/Insider

While the tiny home was far from the luxury I'd expect to find in the Hamptons, it had the seaside charm and million-dollar views I associate with places like it.

The exterior of the tiny house.Monica Humphries/Insider

I took an overnight ferry in Alaska instead of a big cruise. It was a cheaper, no-frills way to see the same beautiful scenery I would on a mega ship.

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I spent $475 for 2 nights in a tiny house on a New Zealand island. I had to use a porta-potty, but it was still better than most hotels I've experienced.

About a 40-minute ferry ride off the coast of Auckland, New Zealand, is Waiheke Island. The 12-mile island is dotted with multimillion-dollar mansions, fields of vineyards, and seafood galore.

Waiheke Island swaps hotel chains for boutique hotels and mega-resorts for luxe vacation rentals.

I wasn't working with a celebrity budget, so I found a tiny home for $475 — with a porta-potty.

I arrived at the island by ferry, picked up my rental car, and drove 10 minutes to the tiny home, which was located in the Airbnb host's backyard.

A gravel path marked the trail to the tiny house.

The tiny house was built into the cliff, and surrounding it was a wooden deck.

The front deck had a set of reclining chairs, a small table and chairs, and one of two outdoor showers.

Behind the tiny house was a second outdoor shower, a sink, and a water tank.

A sliding glass door from the deck opened to the small home.

Inside, the home had an open layout with simple, beach-themed accents.

A queen-size bed and two nightstands were placed to the right of the entrance.

The host provided beach gear on a bench, which was where I stored my luggage.

On the other side of the house was the kitchen.

A kitchen cabinet opened up to reveal a small fridge, microwave, coffee maker, kettle, and toaster.

Outside the tiny house and along the gravel path was the porta-potty. I thought it was an upgrade from the ones I've used at music festivals.

While the nightly treks to the porta-potty were my least favorite part of my stay, they were ultimately worth it.

I looked around, and the tiny house had everything I needed for two nights plus endless views of the ocean.

While the tiny home was far from the luxury I'd expect to find in the Hamptons, it had the seaside charm and million-dollar views I associate with places like it.