House User Guide

Any Issues: Contact Waiheke Escapes 09 638 2551

Parking: There is plenty of off street parking next to the house. (please try not to block the drive for the neighbours)

Internet: Wifi is available throughout the house and the login and password are D Link DVA 2800 – there is both 2g and 5g – if you are in a far room you may need to log into the 2g if close 5g is faster.

Password is: 123456789

Alexa and the Stereo

The Stereo: Please enjoy the stereo but not too late unless all windows and doors are closed. The stereo is run from the Echo Show beside it and can play anything from Apple Music – with a simple voice command. Eg Say “Alexa play David Bowie greatest hits” or “Alexa play music I like”

I hope you like music I like, (please do not “like” songs on my profile) … if you don’t….

You can link your phone and play your own music, just say “Alexa become discoverable” you will then be able to find Echo Show 8 in your Bluetooth. If you connect Echo Show you can play anything from your phone.

The Stereo must have the Tape Monitor switch pushed in to be connected to the Echo Show. The record player is also Bluetooth and will automatically link to the Echo when started.

Please only use the loudness button when playing at low volumes and turn it down if there is any distortion (as it will be loud!), also note that Alexa can also control the volume so if the stereo volume dial is high, but it is still not that loud say “Alexa turn up the volume” it is best to set the volume at about half and then control it with the Echo.

Heaters: Alexa can also turn on the heaters and tell you what temperature they are set at. To control heaters say “Alexa turn on heater in …”master bedroom” “second bedroom”(one off hall ) “ West Wing” .. you can also ask her to set a specific temperature or turn heater up or down. They can also be controlled on the LED panel.

Smart lights: Alexa can also control the three smart lights – “bedroom light” (master bedroom) ,”Hall light” & “Mask light”. They can go any colour and any brightness. eg Say “Alexa turn hall light red 50%”. They can also be controlled by the round remote beside the switch, the left and right arrows control colour – when you get to white it gets much brighter. NOTE: the light switch must be ON for the remote to work, the remote can then turn the light off, … flick switch on and off if you get confused

Alexa can also turn on and off the TV

Linen and towels: Linen and towels are provided but please bring your own beach towels. All mattresses and bedding have protectors for your comfort.

Wood burner: Firewood and fire starters are provided next to the fireplace in the main room. Additional wood is available to the side of the garage in a big wood box.

Kitchen: The hob is gas, if the gas does run out you can use the BBQ bottle and let let Bernie and Anna at Waiheke Escapes know ASAP, as there is a spare available.

To make the oven go you need to set it and then hit the “play” button.

When using the dishwasher stack the big plates at the front and small plates and
bowls at the back, else it does not close or wash as well. Push the “setting”
button to select wash type, the second one that looks like a clock works best. Wash tables are in the cupboard beside the washer.

TV: The remotes for the TV should be located on the TV cabinet. It is a smart TV and therefore Netflix etc is available. You can turn on and off the TV by saying “Alexa turn on TV”

Washing machine and Dryer: Please use the “quick / eco wash” functions to save water.

Please open the door to the washhouse and close the hall door when drying cloths as it is a front vent and room gets very muggy.

Water: There is no mains water anywhere on the island and water is collected via our roof. It is then filtered and fed back to the house by an electric pump. Please don’t use more water than necessary because if the tank is low or emptied, we have to source water from local suppliers which is expensive and not always immediately available. A charge will apply for excessive water usage.

Septic tank: All waste feeds into the septic tank on the property – please don’t put anything down the toilet except toilet paper as this can cause blockages.

Power: The fuse box is located in the kitchen cupboard Games

Games: can be found in the cupboard under the television. A PlayStation is also upstairs for use on the upstairs TV. Please enjoy the books and games provided but do not take them home.

Breakages: Hopefully, there won’t be any breakages, but if something does slip from your grasp and is broken or damaged in any way, please let Bernie and Anna at Waiheke Escapes know (an extra charge may apply for this).

Spillages: If you spill something on the beds, furniture or floorings etc, please mop up and wash with warm water only, but do NOT rub in or use any chemicals or stain removers, unless they are clearly intended for this purpose, as they can become worse if the wrong chemicals are applied. Please also let Bernie and Anna at Waiheke Escapes know so they can attend to assisting with stain removal (an extra charge may apply for this).

BBQ: Please make sure the gas is turned off after use. Please leave the BBQ wiped down of any food and oil. Please only replace the cover on the BBQ once it has cooled down. Please leave the BBQ as clean as you find it. An extra charge will apply if the BBQ has to be cleaned, as this is not included in the exit cleaning fee.

If it is very windy the BBQ does not run well and tends to blow out..

Rubbish day: The bins are located on the road outside the property. The blue bins are for recycling and the red bins are for household rubbish. Rubbish day is Monday (early).

Outside lights: The outside lights are controlled in the hall and there is also a switch behind the curtains in the lounge and in the set of switches by the deck for the BBQ

Take care: We have artwork, ornaments and sculptural items in the house – please take care as they can be easily damaged. Please be super careful of the Snow Leopard he is very old and from Bhutan, do not try and get behind he could fall forward… and respect the chairman – else all of China will be after you 🙂

Please keep the second door upstairs closed and pinned top and bottom at all time to avoid anyone falling down the stairs.

Windows have safety latches when over large drops, please ensure children are aware.

Leave the house details: Please leave the linen on the beds as the cleaning team will collect this. Make sure you’ve switched appliances and the gas to the BBQ off and have a look around the house for any items you may have left (eg your phone charger, items in the washing machine). Please put any rubbish in the bins provided. Put the key back in the lockbox and scramble the numbers. Thank you very much for staying at Seaview Sojourn.