BEAUTIFUL NEW ZEALAND
INSIDE SOME OF NEW ZEALAND’S LUXURY LODGES…THE PRIVATE WORLD OF THE RICH AND FAMOUS.
Today I am going to tell you about just a few of the Luxury Lodges in New Zealand to really sample luxury travel at its best.
If you have a minimum of $1000 (a person) to spend every day, there are lots of options to stay in absolute luxury all around New Zealand.
You probably won’t be mixing with royalty because they like to have places all to themselves, and you may or may not glimpse international celebrities because they tend to be shy as well. But trust me, when you stay at one of New Zealand’s top luxury lodges, you will feel and be treated like royalty.
New Zealand’s top lodges often feature on international “best” lists for good reasons. In a country that’s known for the most amazing scenery, they occupy some of the best spots. The food and wine are the best New Zealand can offer. The design and decoration of New Zealand’s top lodges are also gorgeous. Accommodation doesn’t get any better than this.
Perfect places to travel with our merino travel wraps.
True Luxury Travel
Northland
Starting in the north is spectacular Helena Bay. The Helena Bay resort is owned by Russian Alexander Abramov. Helena Bay has brought the celebrated Michelin starred Ristorante Don Alfonso 1890 of Southern Italy to New Zealand.
The property offers an extensive range of activities including kayaking, fishing, farm tours and bicycles.
In December 2016 Luxury Travel Intelligence announced Helena Bay Lodge the best new luxury hotel in the world for 2016. In 2017 Helena Bay Lodge has featured on the Travel & Leisure It List and the Conde Nast Traveller Hot List. Since opening the lodge has also featured in many magazines and articles worldwide.
Kauri Cliffs
Matauri Bay is one of the gems of the far north. The Kauri Cliffs Lodge is situated there. Experience world-class service at The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs
Located on 6,000 acres near Matauri Bay, the luxurious The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs offers 180-degree ocean views, 3 private beaches, an 18-hole golf course and 2 tennis courts. Guest also enjoy an infinity pool with a spa pool, a fitness centre, a day spa and an onsite restaurant.
What more could you possibly want?
Accommodation options include private suites and cottages. The cottages are set within a native forest overlooking the golf course and Pacific Ocean.
Kauri Cliffs’ Luxury Spa has floor-to-ceiling views and opens onto a private outdoor spa treatment area.
Popular nearby activities include fishing, diving and golfing. Kauri Cliffs is a 45-minute flight from Auckland.
The Farm At Cape Kidnappers
Go further south to the wine district of Hawkes Bay and here is The Farm at Cape Kidnappers. For those golf lovers there is a par 71 clifftop course set 140 metres above the ocean.
Guests can enjoy Cape Kidnapper’s beautiful property with the gannet colony, farm, hiking, Kiwi Discovery Tour, horse riding and also experience a variety of nearby activities. These include wonderful wineries, scenic helicopter tours, fishing, Art Deco tours, river kayaking and rafting and Maori Heritage tours.
The area Cape Kidnapper is known for Gannets galore
Visitors can get within a few feet of the world’s largest, most accessible mainland gannet colony which is at the top of the Cape’s sheer and barren cliffs.
Huka Lodge
One of the first Luxury Lodges in New Zealand was Huka Lodge set on 17 acres of countryside on the banks of the Waikato River. It has an outdoor swimming pool, a tennis court and spa.
Huka Lodge is just 10 minutes’ walk from the famous Huka Falls, and 5 minutes’ drive from Wairakei International Golf Course. Taupo Airport is a 15-minute drive away.
Speaking of famous, the Queen, the Obamas and a who’s-who of presidents, and the extremely rich have all enjoyed the impeccable style and comfort of Huka Lodge and its riverside setting near Taupo.
There is plenty to do in the immediate area from fly fishing to golf, but the on-site presence of Michelin-star chefs, personal butlers and blissful spa treatments makes it very tempting to just stay put.
You can play a game of croquet, or explore the area using the free mountain bikes. The property also features a library, a terrace and massage services.
Such a good place for anyone to keep their New Zealand merino wraps handy for those chilly days and nights.
Queenstown
Let’s go south to fabulous Queenstown…the playground for the rich and famous.
A few minutes’ drive from Queenstown but a world away, Matakauri Lodge is a serene retreat with jaw-dropping lake and mountain views. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (William and Kate) are among the most famous guests to have stayed in the Manager’s Cottage, a beautiful four-bedroom, five-bathroom, self-contained house at one end of the estate.
On the shores of Lake Wakatipu with views across to the Remarkable Mountains, this chic, upscale country lodge lies 8 km from the centre of Queenstown and 16 km from Queenstown Airport.
Blanket Bay Resort
Let’s finish this stroll through the luxury lodges of New Zealand with Blanket Bay Resort. You might have seen Blanket Bay, which is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, in TV aerial shots, or in interior design magazines. And what’s not to like when you can walk out of your chalet or suite, cross the lawn, step into a helicopter and zip off to go heli-skiing, wildlife spotting or do a quick bit of shopping in nearby Queenstown? Inside, the luxurious, antiques-filled lodge is a welcoming haven, especially when it snows.
So I will leave it there for now. There are many more luxury resorts in New Zealand for travelling in style. Get out that bucket list and add to it.
My next blog will have a change of direction. It’s nearly Christmas and there is nothing quite like, Christmas Markets in Europe.
