December 9, 2024

Alex o'Loughlin

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Luxury stays across New Zealand

As the nation lastly reopens to international vacation, I’ve had the privilege of revisiting the Aotearoa the Land of the Extended White Cloud.  Here’s a roundup of my top rated tried-and-tested luxurious stays across New Zealand.

The Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour

Our journey commences in Auckland, the country’s biggest town, exactly where the crown of all stays is the Sofitel Auckland. The resort occupies a primary posture along the Viaduct Harbour offering a scenic h2o locale with generous views of the metropolis skyline. Smooth glass-lined corridors connect the areas, regularly reflecting the adjacent harbour or courtyard ponds – with selective slivers of gold adding to the lustre.

The wellness parts, like gym, spa, pool and jacuzzi, continue the stylish French aptitude with slick strains and present day tiled frescos. Arrive evening, Sabrage Bar serves up engaging tipples, and La Maree delivers fresh new flavours with an undercurrent of French chic. Their sustainably sourced New Zealand top quality cuts are mouth-watering – the Speckle Park Scotch Fillet was the emphasize dish of my complete trip. If you have extra obtain to Club Millésime enjoy the complimentary beverages and canapes. Of class, you might just pick out to luxuriate absent the day in the comfort of your area (be confident to decide for the Luxurious Marina Look at Rooms), staring out more than the harbour check out.

When it will come to exploring the metropolis, start off the day at the historic Pah Homestead and accompanying gardens, and make guaranteed to sample superstar chef Sam Mannering’s Eggs Benedict at the in-residence café. The town and its suburbs are flanked by around 50 volcanoes – Mount Eden is one particular these, with a small but worthwhile walk to the leading. Zingi cafe is a swanky affair in the downtown Britomart Lodge.

Mudbrick, Waiheke

Picture waking up and swinging open up the doors in your luxe cottage to an azure ocean and virescent vines – and even far more enticing that you are on an island. A lot less than 30-minutes on the ferry and you’re at Waiheke – an island of boats, beaches, and Bordeaux blends. The hills are smothered in vineyards with close to 20 estates of which Mudbrick is one particular of the most established.

The estate delivers a range of lodging selections, with ‘Merlot’ currently being my alternative. The charming and luxe two-bed room cottage occupies a personal corner of the estate, and presents a continual reminder of the unique site – from the bedroom, lounge and even the very hot tub – the sights stretch out about the island and bay, with the skyline of Auckland just obvious in the length.

And then, when you’re prepared, move through the hedge and a top quality wine tasting and cafe only a minute’s wander away. Prepare to be transported to wine-heaven with the wine flight – which includes Francesca – probably the most delectable Chardonnay I’ve at any time tasted.

The George Resort

Getting firmly recovered from the devastating quakes a century back, Christchurch has labored difficult at developing by itself as an welcoming location. Modelled on England’s Oxford you’ll doubtlessly discover the similarities in between the cities. The most scenic aspect of the city is perhaps Hagley park supplying 407 acres of inexperienced room – and sitting down on the edge of the park is The George Hotel.

Named immediately after Sir George Seymour, just one of the very first ships to arrive in Canterbury in 1850, The George is Christchurch’s only five-star boutique hotel.  The on-site 50 Bistro delivers an unforgettable eating expertise – possibly the city’s greatest cuisine – exactly where careful thing to consider has absent into sourcing the best community elements. Try the Lumina Lamb – a boutique New Zealand minimize of notice. Your take-property ‘George Bear’ – gifted to all company on the to start with night’s turndown – will without end remind you of your luxurious Christchurch residence base.

‘Punting On The Avon’ features a tranquil and common way to take a look at the river – or use George’s complimentary bikes and peddle your way about. Head to The Lastword for a delicious dram and then ‘The Terrace’ for a string of chic bars and eateries.

Rainforest Retreat

It’s an almost Jurassic park encounter – sans killer dinosaurs of program – with the towering snow-capped mountains previously mentioned, and beneath a lush forest dripping with ferns. This is the nearly legendary placing of the West Coast’s Rainforest Retreat. The house is a 1-minute walk from the hamlet of Frans Joseph – named immediately after the legendary Glacier that snakes up the close by valley and is the country’s fourth-premier glacier.

Rain Forest Retreat offers lodging for all budgets, with the leading of the pops being the Deluxe Spa Treehouses. Two bedrooms flank the central lounge which is hooked up to a totally-stocked kitchen. When scheduling your device, variety eleven is most likely 1 of the most secluded so place in a request if doable. Once settled in, soak up the landscape from the luxurious of your private hot tub. Oh, and did I mention the minibar is complimentary?


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Considering the fact that the glacier is the authentic hero of the display, guide a helicopter flip up with The Helicopter Line – which includes a scenic flight and glacier landing. There is also a heli-hike for the far more adrenaline seekers. If the temperature is crystal clear, take into consideration a drive to the close by hamlet of Fox Glacier and take a look at Lake. There are drool-deserving pictures to be had of the mountains mirrored in the lake.

Martinborough Resort

With a generous distribute of wine areas across each islands, why not head to a person of its most quaint. Martinborough sits in the Wairarapa, an hour absent and divided from Wellington by the Rimutaka Mountain selection. The Martinborough Resort is the country’s oldest repeatedly running lodge, obtaining welcomed visitors considering that 1882. The rooms have been tastefully renovated, with numerous opening onto the Victorian building’s higher wrap-close to balcony – the ideal place to take pleasure in a sundowner although seeing the sunshine make its night descent.

The decrease flooring serves as the Union Sq. Bistro and Bar – presenting stylish meals and beverage offerings and breakfasts to compose dwelling about. Wine enthusiasts will revel in the actuality that lots of of the boutique wineries are inside going for walks length of the lodge – or decide on up a bicycle from Green Jersey and head out to discover. The dominant plantings are Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. Moy Hill, Luna, and Palliser all supply educational tasting experiences.

Cottage 103

If you’re up for a romantic split and have the privacy of your very own rental, then Cottage 103 on the North Island’s Kapiti Coast could just be what you are seeking for. The household is roomy and stylishly outfitted for travellers with discerning preferences. Established in numerous acres of farmlands, the place the closest neighbours are donkeys, horses, and sheep. It’s relatively frequent for New Zealand dwelling rentals – or bachs as they are referred to regionally – to function out of doors hot tubs, and Cottage 103 lifts the bar with its organic wooden tub which stares out more than the valley, with overhead string lights creating additional atmosphere.

Whilst you may well want to stay cocooned in your very little nation haven, when you are ready to head out and investigate, a pay a visit to to the Salt and Wooden BQ is a have to-do. You will find locals having fun with the establishment’s craft beers – and the renowned dirty fries. Afterwards, stroll off the calories together the Waikanae beach – just keep in mind a heat jacket.