Luxury stays across New Zealand
As the place lastly reopens to intercontinental travel, I have experienced the privilege of revisiting the Aotearoa the Land of the Long White Cloud. Here’s a roundup of my leading tried-and-tested luxurious stays across New Zealand.
The Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour
Our journey commences in Auckland, the country’s greatest metropolis, the place the crown of all stays is the Sofitel Auckland. The hotel occupies a primary position together the Viaduct Harbour offering a scenic water locale with generous views of the city skyline. Smooth glass-lined corridors hook up the spaces, frequently reflecting the adjacent harbour or courtyard ponds – with selective slivers of gold incorporating to the lustre.
The wellness spots, such as health and fitness center, spa, pool and jacuzzi, carry on the chic French flair with slick strains and fashionable tiled frescos. Occur evening, Sabrage Bar serves up attractive tipples, and La Maree provides fresh new flavours with an undercurrent of French chic. Their sustainably sourced New Zealand excellent cuts are mouth-watering – the Speckle Park Scotch Fillet was the highlight dish of my full journey. If you have extra accessibility to Club Millésime take pleasure in the complimentary drinks and canapes. Of program, you may perhaps just pick to luxuriate absent the working day in the ease and comfort of your place (be absolutely sure to choose for the Luxurious Marina See Rooms), staring out in excess of the harbour view.
When it comes to exploring the city, start off the working day at the historic Pah Homestead and accompanying gardens, and make positive to sample celebrity chef Sam Mannering’s Eggs Benedict at the in-residence café. The city and its suburbs are flanked by over 50 volcanoes – Mount Eden is one particular these kinds of, with a short but worthwhile wander to the top. Zingi restaurant is a swanky affair in the downtown Britomart Lodge.
Mudbrick, Waiheke
Photo waking up and swinging open the doorways in your luxe cottage to an azure ocean and virescent vines – and even a lot more enticing that you are on an island. Considerably 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 all around 20 estates of which Mudbrick is one of the most founded.
The estate presents a selection of accommodation solutions, with ‘Merlot’ getting my decision. The charming and luxe two-bed room cottage occupies a personal corner of the estate, and features a regular reminder of the exceptional place – from the bedroom, lounge and even the sizzling tub – the sights extend out around the island and bay, with the skyline of Auckland just visible in the length.
And then, when you are ready, move by the hedge and a quality wine tasting and restaurant only a minute’s wander away. Prepare to be transported to wine-heaven with the wine flight – including Francesca – probably the most delectable Chardonnay I’ve at any time tasted.
The George Hotel
Owning firmly recovered from the devastating quakes a century back, Christchurch has worked tricky at setting up by itself as an welcoming place. Modelled on England’s Oxford you are going to doubtlessly discover the similarities between the towns. The most scenic portion of the city is probably Hagley park featuring 407 acres of eco-friendly room – and sitting on the edge of the park is The George Hotel.
Named following Sir George Seymour, just one of the initial ships to arrive in Canterbury in 1850, The George is Christchurch’s only five-star boutique hotel. The on-website 50 Bistro delivers an unforgettable dining encounter – likely the city’s very best cuisine – the place mindful thought has long gone into sourcing the greatest neighborhood elements. Test the Lumina Lamb – a boutique New Zealand minimize of take note. Your choose-property ‘George Bear’ – gifted to all visitors on the initially night’s turndown – will endlessly remind you of your luxury Christchurch home foundation.
‘Punting On The Avon’ delivers a serene and traditional way to explore the river – or use George’s complimentary bikes and peddle your way about. Head to The Lastword for a tasty dram and then ‘The Terrace’ for a string of stylish bars and eateries.
Rainforest Retreat
It is an almost Jurassic park working experience – sans killer dinosaurs of class – with the towering snow-capped mountains over, and below a lush forest dripping with ferns. This is the practically legendary setting of the West Coast’s Rainforest Retreat. The residence is a one-moment wander from the hamlet of Frans Joseph – named just after the legendary Glacier that snakes up the nearby valley and is the country’s fourth-major glacier.
Rain Forest Retreat delivers lodging for all budgets, with the leading of the pops getting the Deluxe Spa Treehouses. Two bedrooms flank the central lounge which is hooked up to a totally-stocked kitchen. When reserving your unit, variety eleven is most likely a single of the most secluded so put in a ask for if possible. When settled in, soak up the landscape from the luxurious of your non-public hot tub. Oh, and did I mention the minibar is complimentary?
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Due to the fact the glacier is the genuine hero of the demonstrate, e-book a helicopter flip up with The Helicopter Line – which contains a scenic flight and glacier landing. There is also a heli-hike for the much more adrenaline seekers. If the weather conditions is obvious, take into account a drive to the nearby hamlet of Fox Glacier and pay a visit to Lake. There are drool-worthy pics to be experienced of the mountains reflected in the lake.
Martinborough Hotel
With a generous spread of wine areas throughout both of those islands, why not head to 1 of its most quaint. Martinborough sits in the Wairarapa, an hour away and divided from Wellington by the Rimutaka Mountain selection. The Martinborough Lodge is the country’s oldest consistently running lodge, obtaining welcomed attendees considering the fact that 1882. The rooms have been tastefully renovated, with several opening on to the Victorian building’s higher wrap-around balcony – the perfect position to enjoy a sundowner whilst looking at the sunshine make its evening descent.
The reduced floor serves as the Union Sq. Bistro and Bar – giving chic foods and beverage offerings and breakfasts to publish home about. Wine lovers will revel in the fact that numerous of the boutique wineries are within walking distance of the resort – or pick up a bicycle from Environmentally friendly Jersey and head out to explore. The dominant plantings are Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. Moy Hill, Luna, and Palliser all offer you insightful tasting experiences.
Cottage 103
If you’re up for a intimate split and have the privateness of your own rental, then Cottage 103 on the North Island’s Kapiti Coastline may possibly just be what you are hunting for. The dwelling is roomy and stylishly outfitted for travellers with discerning preferences. Set in numerous acres of farmlands, wherever the closest neighbours are donkeys, horses, and sheep. It’s rather frequent for New Zealand home rentals – or bachs as they are referred to locally – to element outdoor warm tubs, and Cottage 103 lifts the bar with its organic wooden tub which stares out in excess of the valley, with overhead string lights building additional ambience.
Though you may well want to continue to be cocooned in your minimal place haven, when you are ready to head out and discover, a visit to the Salt and Wood BQ is a should-do. You will uncover locals having fun with the establishment’s craft beers – and the popular filthy fries. Later on, walk off the calories along the Waikanae beach – just try to remember a warm jacket.
