5 jaw-dropping luxury stays in New Zealand
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Loading... - Kirsty Duke
- 21 Mar 2022
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As tourism green shoots appear, it's expected that travelers will be more discerning about where (and how) they vacation. For many who've been stuck at home for a couple of years now, splurging on luxury accommodation is a more attractive proposition in the new era, for lots of reasons.
Often these unique places to stay offer greater privacy, sharing with fewer (and sometimes no other) guests. Some are self-catering, or catering is included on-site by the hosts or a private chef. Plus, holidaymakers in the post-Covid travel era may want to stay in one place and enjoy the best New Zealand has to offer in the local area rather than moving around constantly.
New Zealand is blessed with many unique accommodations, these is just a selection of some of the best.
Stay in glamorous tree houses at Hapuku Lodge in KaikÅura
On the South Island in the vicinity of whale-watching hub KaikÅura, Hapuku Lodge has five boutique "tree houses" dotted among the branches of its Kanuka grove. Tree houses may sound rustic, but these come with luxurious deep baths, fireplaces to stay cozy in winter, and epic views of KaikÅura’s dramatic mountains. They are an excellent option for families, as a separate bedroom gives parents private space, and families time together away from the main lodge.
The "kai" in KaikÅura means "food" (KaikÅura translates from MÄori "meal of crayfish") and food is also one of the other major draws at Hapuku Lodge. Naturally, the seasonal three-course menu includes local crayfish (tenderly-grilled with chilli, horseradish & lime...) but venison is also a speciality: Hapuku Lodge is set on a deer farm. Produce from the kitchen garden is complemented by regional suppliers, local farmers and fishermen.
Golf lovers and birdwatchers should head to Cape Kidnappers
An altogether different experience awaits you at Cape Kidnappers in the Hawke’s Bay region. Part of a three-resort collection owned by the Robertson family, Cape Kidnappers was voted the number one resort hotel in Australia and New Zealand by Travel + Leisure readers in 2019 and 2020.
This property is open to the public (pre-booked only) who can visit to dine, spa, or play golf. Residents are housed in one of several separate “cottages” (in truth as large as your average three-bedroom family home) set apart and overlooking the golf course and the ocean. The rooms are spacious, with an airy, Cape Cod feel — unsurprising given its American providence. You can contemplate the connections across the Pacific while relaxing over cocktails with a view, or swimming in the infinity pool.
Cape Kidnappers is also a working farm, and the craggy cape (Te Kauwae-a-MÄui) is home to a rare gannet colony, accessible on a 4WD safari from the lodge. The cape gets its name from an incident in 1769, when the local MÄori seized Taiata, a 12-year-old crew member of Captain Cook’s Endeavour, because they believed he was being held by the explorers against his will. A rescue or a kidnapping? It depends on how you look at it!
Visually arresting architecture awaits you at Acacia Cliffs Lodge
Nestled in the treed hills above Lake TaupÅ, Acacia Cliffs Lodge stands apart for its stunning architecture. Spacious and comfortable, it can be hired exclusively, or shared by up to eight guests in four carpeted bedrooms with dreamy super-king beds. An on-site chef delivers breakfasts and additional hospitality packages are available. The other prime reason to stay is the location, which offers so much more than memorable views.
TaupÅ is the small centre of a region packed with some of the North Island’s top attractions. From here you can access Tongariro National Park, famous for alpine hiking through cinematic terrain (Lord of the Rings fans know what we’re talking about); scenic cruises to the Ngatoroirangi Mine Bay MÄori rock carvings; trout fishing on Lake TaupÅ; cycling and mountain-biking adventures; and geothermal hot springs in which to wind down at the end of the day.
Beyond the natural beauty, TaupÅ is strong on culture and art as well. Significant pa (fortified villages) of the local iwi (tribes), Ngati Tuwharetoa, are close by. Book on a foraging tour with MÄori locals, pop into the museum and art galleries, or time your visit for the annual street-art festival Graffiato, New Zealand’s longest running. Read More…
