Accommodation Update
Usually when asked “What’s new on Accommodation”, we explain that New Zealand is a small market where new properties do not come up often, and then talk about Flockhill for the third year in a row (or ROKI who have had a fantastic debut season).
This month I set out to write a short article featuring 3-4 newcomers. Below you will find fourteen fresh, refreshed, or freshly discovered stays.
Central Otago is one of the regions least visited by international tourists, and also home to Ahipara’s Directors and almost half of our team. The area is known for its dry climate, dramatic hills, big skies, and being the hottest and coldest part of the country. In this setting, beside a river, owners Ryan and Marco have just completed a striking refurbishment of Earnscleugh Castle. The stately building now features Gatsby-esque décor and modern art to make you blush. Everyone who has visited becomes an advocate of the property.
Nelson Tasman is hot on our radar after a recent visit to the region. The golden sands look edited, the ocean is turquoise, and apparently the sun is always shining – especially in winter. The region also
boasts 3 diverse national parks. On the accommodation front, we visited new, refurbished-reopened, and old favourites, including fresh and owner-hosted:
· Lodge by the Beach in Kaiteriteri is nestled on a private beach with the best beach access in the region. The lodge has views out over the ocean and was built by owner Alan (Californian with 30 years in New Zealand) to host his business partners. Now open to all hosted by Alan and his partner Luba (Russian, from Moscow) with their maximalist touch. Guests will be pampered within an inch of their lives.
· Stonefly Lodge in the Motueka Valley is a wonderfully eclectic hunting and fishing lodge, hosted by new owners Harry (fisherman) and Livi (markswoman/hunter) from the UK. Family history is
displayed through skins on the walls, while the large windows draw you into an outdoors which is somehow both cozy and grand.
· Drift off Grid is somewhere between “glamping” and canvas cabin in Golden Bay, to the west of Abel Tasman National Park – this location is a favourite holiday destination for kiwis, but still mostly off the international radar. Jana and Drew are a young couple of owner hosts with a great sense of style, ready to plug you straight into the local goings-on.
· Motueka River Lodge has seen new owners and a major renovation, and the bright open spaces and great team are ready to show you why Nelson Tasman doesn’t have to be all about the ocean.
The East Coast of the South Island, between Christchurch and Dunedin, almost makes Central Otago look mainstream, so we are shocked to be exploring two new arrivals in this region: Holme Station near Timaru, and Tirohanga Nui in Oamaru.
Holme Station is a renovated manor built early in the European settlement of New Zealand with abundant history, including pre-settler Māori cave art on property. It is situated nicely to escape Christchurch, spend a night or two, then cut inland past Mt Cook to the Queenstown Lakes District.
Tirohanga Nui is there for return visitors to New Zealand, wildlife (penguin) fanatics, and those who are intrigued by going somewhere their friends haven’t even heard of. Two hours north of Dunedin, Oamaru is a charming coastal city with a funky steampunk themed centre, access to
interesting geology, and enough seals and penguins to satisfy anyone.
And that’s not all, but if I don’t wrap this up soon I’ll lose even the keenest reader.
· The team recently visited Mt White Station – an elevated option for hut-to-hut trekking, hosted on dramatic private land with private huts.
· Coronet Ridge Resort is reopening as a solid 5 star hotel on the Shotover river outside of Queenstown.
· Fiordland Eco Retreat are building a new Eco-Villa with panoramic views and an outdoor bath.
Representing the North Island,
· Bluestone Estate, just north of Auckland, has added the Farmhouse, a fresh renovation including pool and outdoor kitchen.
· Opito Point Lodge in the Coromandel promises sand between your toes and evenings in the hot tub.
· Heaven NZ in the Bay of Islands is a modern home nestled in native bush with huge sea views.
· Te Arapiti in the Hawke’s Bay offers cute cottages on the farm and a whole host of farm-related experiences.
Excepting Holme Station and Te Arapiti, a member of the team has visited each of the above, and is confident it will be a fit for some of our clients. We’ll be checking out those last two in the coming months. We look forward to seeing these new partners thrive next summer.