Beachpoint Apartments in Ōhope has struck gold – again.

The seaside accommodation has achieved Qualmark Gold Sustainable Tourism Business Accreditation, the highest standard awarded by New Zealand’s official tourism quality assurance organisation.

It’s an achievement that puts Beachpoint among a select few in the Eastern Bay. “We’re really proud,” said managing director Alison Stern. “There are very few businesses in our region with Qualmark Gold.”

Ms Stern and co-director Shayne Mail have managed Beachpoint Apartments for the past three years, steadily lifting their ratings through Qualmark and online platforms such as Booking.com and Expedia. The complex combines permanent residents with a managed holiday accommodation pool – offering a more relaxed, home-style alternative to traditional hotels and motels.

“We work really hard to make sure our guests have a great experience when they come to the region,” said Ms Stern.

“We’ve got an amazing team; I think that’s the secret to success, having an amazing team behind you.”

The team has focused heavily on sustainability in recent years, phasing out single-use plastics and switching to eco-friendly cleaning products where possible. Clear signage now encourages guests to recycle and as little as possible goes into landfill.

“We want to do our bit,” Ms Stern said. “We sponsor predator traps through Halo, I volunteer with the Kiwi Trust, and we make sure guests understand how special this environment is.”

Despite a tough winter for the tourism sector, Beachpoint saw a full house over Labour Weekend – a welcome boost for the local economy.

Ms Stern said collaboration between local tourism operators was key, with local service providers and accommodation providers sharing marketing efforts and referrals.

“When people visit, it’s not just good for us. It supports local cafés, restaurants and retailers. Working together helps bring visitors back to the region.”

“We have such great experiences in the area such as kayaking, river jet tours, oyster farm visits, or White Island flights, some of us are hoping to work together more as a collective and put together some packages.”

Ms Stern said the gold accreditation was a source of pride for the team.

“It’s a reflection of the effort everyone puts in. We want our guests to feel welcome, comfortable, and able to enjoy everything Ōhope Beach and the wider area have to offer.”