Accommodation
New Zealand luxury accommodation has developed its own character, especially over the last 20 years. Originally there was Huka Lodge, a lovely place of style and character evolved from a fishing lodge. This was a sanctuary of quality amidst a desert of cheap motel rooms where it was considered a luxury if you had a room to yourself. Over this time, Huka Lodge developed and brought true 6-star service to New Zealand. Huka Lodge then went through a period over the last few years where it's formal approach wasn't delighting clients as much. New management has put that right and this season we are starting to promote Huka again.
About ten years ago, Huka Lodge started spawning imitators which means we now have 7 or 8 of these extreme high quality "superlodges". These have become a highway for luxury clients and sometimes attract criticism in providing a rarefied atmosphere in which well heeled tourists on the New Zealand Tour keep meeting each other and do not interact enough with the country. We have of course addressed this with our in-depth activities programmes.
Meanwhile there has been massive investment throughout the country in quality accommodation which has resulted in the appearance of mini-lodges, micro-lodges, eco-lodges, niche lodges and pseudo-lodges! What this means is that there is now a wide variety of different price levels to choose from within that form which is a small, intimate, personal experience. Some of these provide excellent value for money at a fraction of the price of the super-lodges. Others charge a fortune for rather ordinary service.
Meanwhile, our hotels have lagged behind. There is nothing in this country which resembles a quality resort, and true 5-star hotels are few and far between. There are plenty of 3-star and 4-star offerings.
So, in selecting accommodation in New Zealand, the luxury traveller has the choice of some reasonable hotels in the major tourist centres and many beautiful lodges and bed and breakfasts throughout the country of varying quality with varying prices and identical marketing!
Rather than list all the accommodation we use or have used (a never ending task) we have put together a selection of some of our favourites here together with an honest evaluation of their strengths. There are plenty of directories which present lists upon lists of accommodation - that is not our task. Our task is to understand our clients to such an extent that we put them together with exactly the right accommodation for every single night of their stay in New Zealand.
Delamore Lodge - Waiheke Island, Auckland
Auckland is often the entry and departure point for visitors, and therefore somewhere where some time is spent. People often accept lower standards in Auckland, thinking that we have nothing as spectacular here as we do in other parts of the country. That's wrong! Just a short scenic 10-minute helicopter ride from the airport, or a 50-minute ferry ride, is Delamore Lodge,... > Read more
Point Villas - Taupo
This is a wonderful private alternative in the Taupo region, used by visiting luxury travellers who either want their own space or who want some privacy. The Point Villas are two 2-bedroom villas, beautifully appointed, with swimming pools. They are situated in a gated community about 10 minutes drive from the centre of Taupo, right next to the community's tennis courts. The... > Read more
Wharekauhau - Martinborough
Wharekauhau is an unusual place. Right at the bottom of the North Island, right at the end of the road, a good hour further on from the last outpost of civilisation - the lovely Pinot Noir capital of New Zealand, Martinborough. It is a sad fact of New Zealand tourism that there are certain 'tourist highways' - these are the Auckland-Rotorua-Waitomo triangle and the... > Read more
Silver Pine - Lake Wanaka
Silver Pine is a special place. The view from this small lodge is the closest thing we have seen to the view from a helicopter, the place is owner-hosted by a delightful couple, the food is excellent and the location fantastic. With only four rooms, Silver Pine is probably the smallest lodge we recommend. Built high up on a ledge at the juncture of Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea,... > Read more
Claremont Estate - North Canterbury
Claremont Estate is situated an hour's drive north of Christchurch in the South Island. It's a little-known area and an unpopulated area, which is just beginning to become popular and known as a wine region. The situation is lovely, rolling North Canterbury hills, an easy drive south to Christchurch and north to Kaikoura or Blenheim/Picton.Now focus in a little on this gentle... > Read more
The Convent - Marlborough
The Convent is not your usual sort of lodge. It has not been purpose built for the top-end, does not include fine dining, and has a really relaxed, almost self-effacing feel about it. It started tourism life as an upmarket bed & breakfast but under the hands of its current owners, Denham and Layonie Seque, it is evolving into something unique, further upmarket, and very... > Read more
Greenhill - Hawke's Bay
The Hawkes Bay is undergoing an understandable tourism boom. Previously, most itineraries went south to Rotorua and then flew to the South Island. The emergence of Hawkes Bay as a lovely destination has added an extra step to many itineraries. The area is relaxed - very New Zealand, beautiful coastline, established and superb wineries, and the art deco gem of Napier in the... > Read more
