The Owner’s Cottage can hold up to four people, and has its own infinity pool and hot tub, as well as a super-swank cooking station (think dedicated outdoor barbecue). Added Bonus: Guests in the Owner’s Cottage can get butler service upon request.
The Spa has four treatment rooms, including a couple’s treatment room, a gym, sauna, heated lap pool and Jacuzzi. (We hear the deep tissue massage is always popular.) NB: Since the spa is small, it’s best to book treatments when making reservations at the Lodge. Luxury travel advisors can reach out to Spa Director Glenda Gouws ([email protected]; 011-64-9-407-0010).
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| The Farm at Cape Kidnappers has a heated infinity pool where guests can unwind. |
Kauri Cliffs has three secluded swimming beaches, which are also available for picnics and barbecues. Guest Relations Manager John Lewis ([email protected]; 011-64-9-407-0010) can arrange all kinds of experiences for guests, but we hear that helicopter tours of the Cliffs are especially exciting.
Of course, Kauri Cliffs is a golf resort, and the course doesn’t disappoint. The par-72 championship golf course, built by David Harman, stretches out for 7,119 yards and offers five sets of tees. Fifteen holes have views of the Pacific Ocean and six are played alongside the cliffs. (Top Tip: If your clients lose a ball over the cliff, tell them to just let it go. It’s gone. Don’t try to play it.) The inland holes are played on marsh, forest and farmland. The course is listed as one of the top 100 golf courses in the world by Golf Magazine.
Getting There: Kerikeri Airport is a 30-minute drive from the Lodge, and the hotel can arrange for transportation. The Lodge also has a landing pad for helicoptors.
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| Matakauri Lodge looks out over a lake and the mountains. |
Luxury travel advisors should reach out to Reservations Manager Amy Tapper ([email protected]; 011-64-9-407-0010). General Manager Kerry Molloy ([email protected]) is also available.
The Farm at Cape Kidnappers
The Farm at Cape Kidnappers is a companion property to Kauri Cliffs (and also a member of Relais & Chateaux), though it’s a good nine-hour drive away. Another popular golf destination, this property has both private cottages and suites—four of them—inside the main lodge, giving a range of options for those who desire privacy and others who want connecting rooms.
We hear the Owner’s Cottage, Ridge Suites and Lodge Suites are the best and most popular accommodations, and the Hilltop Suites (which can connect with a Hilltop Room) are best for families or VIPs with entourages. Good to know: All suites can have private butler service upon request.
The intimate spa at Cape Kidnappers has three rooms, including one for couples. We hear the Lavender Scrub and Massage is the most popular treatment. (Book spa appointments as far out as possible to guarantee desired time slots.) Reach out to Spa Manager Michele Cregger ([email protected]) with any questions.
Designed by golf architect Tom Doak, the Cape Kidnappers par-71 golf course measures 7,119 yards and is currently ranked as one of the top 50 golf courses in the world by Golf Magazine. The course is right at the edge of the cliffs, so expect spectacular views while lining up putts, and also some challenging play. Contact Head Pro Jon Buddenhagen ([email protected]) with any questions.
Front Desk Manager Lisa Hosking ([email protected]) can arrange all kinds of on-site and off-site activities for guests, and while the hot air balloon rides, paragliding expeditions and Maori heritage tours sound fantastic, we’re intrigued by the many food and wine tours she’s put together. (The area has a very Mediterranean climate, so there are plenty of local producers of cheese, olive oils and orchard fruit who will share their cuisine with guests.)
Luxury travel advisors should contact Director of Sales & Marketing Louise Smythe ([email protected]) or Lodge Manager Julia Carlsen (011-64-6-875-1900).
Matakauri Lodge
Another sister property to both Kauri Cliffs and The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, and the only one on New Zealand’s South Island, is Matakauri Lodge (www.matakaurilodge.com), close to Queenstown. Rather than beachside, the Lodge is next to Lake Wakatipu, New Zealand’s longest lake, and looks out onto water and mountains.
The Lodge has eight outlying suites, two lodge suites and a lodge room. Every suite has a private porch, open fireplace, walk-in wardrobe, and bathroom with twin vanities and oversized bath tub. Top rooms at Matakauri are the Deluxe Suites, and families should request Deluxe Suites with interconnecting suites.
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| Otahuna Lodge Polo Suite overlooks a courtyard and the Great Lawn, and has two fireplaces. |
The spa at Matakauri has two treatments rooms, each with a shower, changing room and private deck surrounded by natural greenery. (Note: Some treatments are available in guest rooms—check when booking to see if your client’s choices are available.) Guests can also unwind in the sauna, Jacuzzi or heated swimming pool. Try to book treatments at least two weeks before arrival—we hear the 50-minute massage is a great pick but the Glacial Facial, which uses crystal and scented linen, sounds especially soothing. Those looking for something a bit more localized will probably want to try the Kiwi Facial, which uses New Zealand pure essential oils and botanical extracts.
Assistant Manager Jodi McIntyre (011-64-3-441-1008) can arrange unique experiences for guests—a popular option is a private wine tour that includes meeting the wine makers and having them personally take visitors around their winery, explaining how a perfect vintage is created. With a lake and the Southern Alps next to it, the Lodge offers a good range of both land and aquatic activities (think skiing in winter and kayaking in summer).
Getting There: Queenstown Airport is about a 15-minute drive from the Lodge, and Matakauri can arrange for transfers. There is also a landing pad for helicopters about five minutes away.
Agents should reach out to McIntyre with any questions or requests.
Otahuna Lodge
Also on the South Island, in the Canterbury region, Otahuna Lodge is a seven-suite destination retreat recreated from an historical country estate. (Like the others, Otahuna is a Relais & Chateaux property.) The seven suites are all unique, and were part of the private home of Sir Heaton Rhodes and his wife in the late 1800s. (There is plenty of historic detail: The property is protected by a Category One listing from the New Zealand Historic Places Trust.)
The largest accommodation is the Rhodes Suite, which was once the Rhodes’ bedroom, and has a private study. Those looking to spend time outdoors will want to book the Verandah suite, which has a 30-foot terrace in front. (Celeb Note: King George VI most likely stayed in this suite when he visited in 1927 as the Duke of York.) And visitors with green thumbs will want to take the Botanical Suite, which has a private entrance to the gardens.
Otahuna is ideal for destination weddings, as all seven suites can be booked up for a small wedding party. While there is no dedicated spa here, there is a massage room where guests can unwind for 60- or 90-minute-long treatments. We hear the 60-minute Swedish massage is a sure bet. Be sure to request massage therapist Maria Griffiths when booking treatments with Front Office Manager Adrienne Jacka ([email protected]).
Jacka can also arrange some fantastic experiences. A few of our favorites: A private helicopter flight departing from the Otahuna’s Great Lawn for a flyover of the volcanic Banks Peninsula and with a landing at a private beach—accessible only by helicopter or boat—for a gourmet picnic or catered lunch; a private boat charter in Akaroa Harbour and a swim with the area’s Hector’s Dolphins; a private day tour of Waipara vineyards as well as lunch and private appointments with the winemakers at area cellar doors; and a private three-hour, demonstration cooking lesson with Otahuna Lodge Executive Chef Jimmy McIntyre, including a visit to the property’s Wine Cellar and working Potager Gardens.
Luxury travel advisors should reach out to Managing Director Hall Cannon ([email protected]; 011-64-3-329-6333) with queries.
Getting There: Christchurch International Airport is less than a half-hour drive away, and there is a helipad on the property.