Luxury stays across New Zealand

As the place lastly reopens to international journey, I’ve had the privilege of revisiting the Aotearoa the Land of the Very long White Cloud.  Here’s a roundup of my major tried using-and-tested luxury stays across New Zealand.

The Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour

Our journey starts in Auckland, the country’s greatest city, in which the crown of all stays is the Sofitel Auckland. The resort occupies a key situation along the Viaduct Harbour featuring a scenic water locale with generous views of the town skyline. Modern glass-lined corridors connect the spaces, continually reflecting the adjacent harbour or courtyard ponds – with selective slivers of gold including to the lustre.

The wellness areas, which includes gymnasium, spa, pool and jacuzzi, go on the stylish French aptitude with slick traces and modern day tiled frescos. Appear night, Sabrage Bar serves up attractive tipples, and La Maree provides contemporary 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 vacation. If you’ve added obtain to Club Millésime take pleasure in the complimentary beverages and canapes. Of program, you may just pick out to luxuriate absent the working day in the convenience of your home (be certain to choose for the Luxury Marina Check out Rooms), staring out above the harbour view.

When it comes to discovering the town, start the working day at the historic Pah Homestead and accompanying gardens, and make confident to sample celeb chef Sam Mannering’s Eggs Benedict at the in-dwelling café. The town and its suburbs are flanked by more than 50 volcanoes – Mount Eden is just one these types of, with a shorter but satisfying walk to the prime. Zingi cafe is a swanky affair in the downtown Britomart Resort.

Mudbrick, Waiheke

Photo waking up and swinging open up the doors in your luxe cottage to an azure ocean and virescent vines – and even extra enticing that you’re on an island. Fewer than 30-minutes on the ferry and you’re at Waiheke – an island of boats, seashores, and Bordeaux blends. The hills are smothered in vineyards with about 20 estates of which Mudbrick is a single of the most established.

The estate presents a assortment of lodging alternatives, with ‘Merlot’ currently being my alternative. The charming and luxe two-bed room cottage occupies a non-public corner of the estate, and features a consistent reminder of the one of a kind area – from the bedroom, lounge and even the hot tub – the sights extend out above the island and bay, with the skyline of Auckland just obvious in the distance.

And then, when you are prepared, move via the hedge and a premium wine tasting and restaurant only a minute’s walk away. Put together to be transported to wine-heaven with the wine flight – which includes Francesca – quite possibly the most delectable Chardonnay I have at any time tasted.

The George Resort

Acquiring firmly recovered from the devastating quakes a century in the past, Christchurch has worked really hard at establishing by itself as an welcoming spot. Modelled on England’s Oxford you will doubtlessly notice the similarities between the towns. The most scenic element of the city is perhaps Hagley park supplying 407 acres of green space – and sitting down on the edge of the park is The George Lodge.

Named right after Sir George Seymour, a single of the to start with ships to arrive in Canterbury in 1850, The George is Christchurch’s only five-star boutique resort.  The on-website 50 Bistro provides an unforgettable dining knowledge – in all probability the city’s best delicacies – wherever thorough consideration has absent into sourcing the very best regional elements. Check out the Lumina Lamb – a boutique New Zealand cut of be aware. Your take-home ‘George Bear’ – gifted to all friends on the initially night’s turndown – will permanently remind you of your luxurious Christchurch house base.

‘Punting On The Avon’ provides a serene and standard way to examine 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 pretty much Jurassic park practical experience – sans killer dinosaurs of study course – with the towering snow-capped mountains previously mentioned, and below a lush forest dripping with ferns. This is the pretty much mythical environment of the West Coast’s Rainforest Retreat. The property is a a person-moment walk from the hamlet of Frans Joseph – named after the iconic Glacier that snakes up the close by valley and is the country’s fourth-premier glacier.

Rain Forest Retreat presents accommodation for all budgets, with the leading of the pops becoming the Deluxe Spa Treehouses. Two bedrooms flank the central lounge which is hooked up to a completely-stocked kitchen. When booking your device, quantity eleven is probably 1 of the most secluded so set in a ask for if feasible. The moment settled in, soak up the landscape from the luxury of your private scorching tub. Oh, and did I point out the minibar is complimentary?


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Because the glacier is the true hero of the exhibit, ebook a helicopter flip up with The Helicopter Line – which consists of a scenic flight and glacier landing. There’s also a heli-hike for the extra adrenaline seekers. If the weather is obvious, look at a generate to the close by hamlet of Fox Glacier and stop by Lake. There are drool-worthy pictures to be had of the mountains reflected in the lake.

Martinborough Hotel

With a generous spread of wine regions throughout both islands, why not head to one of its most quaint. Martinborough sits in the Wairarapa, an hour away and separated from Wellington by the Rimutaka Mountain range. The Martinborough Hotel is the country’s oldest continually working resort, possessing welcomed visitors due to the fact 1882. The rooms have been tastefully renovated, with a number of opening on to the Victorian building’s upper wrap-all-around balcony – the ideal place to enjoy a sundowner although watching the sunlight make its evening descent.

The lower ground serves as the Union Square Bistro and Bar – featuring chic food items and beverage choices and breakfasts to write house about. Wine fans will revel in the actuality that lots of of the boutique wineries are inside going for walks length of the hotel – or decide on up a bicycle from Environmentally friendly Jersey and head out to take a look at. The dominant plantings are Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. Moy Hill, Luna, and Palliser all give useful tasting activities.

Cottage 103

If you’re up for a intimate split and have the privacy of your own rental, then Cottage 103 on the North Island’s Kapiti Coast might just be what you are hunting for. The home is roomy and stylishly outfitted for travellers with discerning preferences. Set in innumerable acres of farmlands, exactly where the closest neighbours are donkeys, horses, and sheep. It is fairly common for New Zealand dwelling rentals – or bachs as they are referred to regionally – to attribute outdoor hot tubs, and Cottage 103 lifts the bar with its organic wooden tub which stares out above the valley, with overhead string lights creating excess atmosphere.

Whilst you may possibly want to continue to be cocooned in your minor nation haven, when you are prepared to head out and check out, a visit to the Salt and Wood BQ is a will have to-do. You’ll come across locals having fun with the establishment’s craft beers – and the renowned filthy fries. Later on, stroll off the energy along the Waikanae beach – just recall a heat jacket.