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| Photo by The Penthouse by Eichardt's |
With the New Year quickly approaching, New Zealand’s spring and summer seasons are shaping up to be the best time of year for visitors to make the trip down under. With a number of new events and hotels are slated to make their debuts in the coming months, here’s everything you need to know about the new opportunities arising in New Zealand come 2017.
Rotorua’s Inaugural Mud Festival
This event is exactly what it sounds like: a mud extravaganza. The city of Rotorua is known for its Maori culture, adventurous sports and rich natural features. The city’s famed hot mud springs are the centerpiece of Rotorua’s Inagurual Mud Festival, on track to be held in December 2017. Overtaking the city of Rotorua, activities will take place in various locations around the town’s downtown neighborhood, including a mud-arena, inflatable slides leading into pools of mud and a mud-spa, featuring a variety of spa and wellness experiences.
Marlborough Lodge in Blenheim
For the ultimate in quaint-luxury, the new Marlborough Lodge, slated to open November of 2016, will offer only 10 suites within its new property, located in the heart of the world-famous Marlborough wine region. Set on 16 acres of gardens and vineyards, the lodge is an elegant and relaxed country escape, well-suited for romantic getaways or oenophiles looking to expand their palates. Guests have access to the on-site day spa, tennis courts and pool. Off-site, there are a variety of options for travelers to enjoy, including private wine tours, cruises of the Marlborough Sound and helicopter experiences, to name a few. Good to know: Rates include bed, breakfast and dinner.
The Penthouse by Eichardt’s
Offering expansive, 180-degree views overlooking Queenstown’s Lake Wakatipu, Eichardt’s Penthouse near Queenstown will provide exclusive VIP luxuries, beginning October 2016. For relaxation, the property boasts a terrace spa and in-suite saunas. Guests of Eichardt’s will also receive 24/7 butler service, pre-dinner cocktail amenities (complete with a whiskey bar) and Krug Champagne, refreshed daily. For shoppers, an afterhours one-on-one Louis Vuitton shopping experience is a must-try. Amenities of The Penthouse by Eichardt’s include deluxe toiletries, a commercial grade kitchen, a private chef and a Land Rover, complete with driver, at guest’s disposal.
Porters Boutique Hotel in Hawkes Bay
Just in time for the holiday season, Hawkes Bay’s newest five-star luxury hotel, Porters Boutique Hotel, is scheduled to open its doors on December 1, 2016. The 42-room hotel is nestled at the foot of Te Mata Peak in Hawkes Bay, and offers guests 32 deluxe and premier rooms, six premier one bedroom suites, two royal suites and two royal one bedroom suites. Amenities of the new property include complimentary high-speed wireless internet, 24-hour room service, a fully equipped fitness center with modern equipment, a hotel nanny service, meeting rooms and conference facilities as well as Malo, the onsite restaurant and bar offering modern, regional cuisine. Tip: Porter’s is located only 25 minutes from Napier Airport, if you’re looking to stay local.
Meatstock – A Carnivore’s Festival
Vegetarians might want to sit this one out, but if you fancy yourself a good cut of meat, Meatstock is the festival for you. Making its New Zealand debut in Auckland’s ASB Showgrounds, Meatstock will be arriving in the area during February 2017. The festival of meat and music features a menu of smoked, grilled and barbequed meats, cold beers and of course, loud music. A spinoff of the first Australian-based venture, which had much success in Sydney, the two-day event includes competitions like “Barbeque, Butcher and Barber Wars” as well as demonstrations, workshops, food trucks, craft beers and plenty of dancing.