Luxury stays across New Zealand

As the region eventually reopens to intercontinental travel, I have experienced the privilege of revisiting the Aotearoa the Land of the Extended White Cloud.  Here’s a roundup of my best tried out-and-examined luxurious stays across New Zealand.

The Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour

Our journey commences in Auckland, the country’s most significant city, the place the crown of all stays is the Sofitel Auckland. The hotel occupies a primary posture alongside the Viaduct Harbour supplying a scenic drinking water location with generous views of the city skyline. Smooth glass-lined corridors join the areas, constantly reflecting the adjacent harbour or courtyard ponds – with selective slivers of gold introducing to the lustre.

The wellness locations, which includes health and fitness center, spa, pool and jacuzzi, continue the chic French aptitude with slick strains and modern day tiled frescos. Come evening, Sabrage Bar serves up engaging tipples, and La Maree delivers 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 whole trip. If you’ve extra access to Club Millésime get pleasure from the complimentary beverages and canapes. Of study course, you may possibly just decide on to luxuriate absent the day in the ease and comfort of your home (be confident to decide for the Luxurious Marina Check out Rooms), staring out more than the harbour watch.

When it arrives to checking out the metropolis, begin the working day at the historic Pah Homestead and accompanying gardens, and make guaranteed to sample superstar chef Sam Mannering’s Eggs Benedict at the in-home café. The city and its suburbs are flanked by about 50 volcanoes – Mount Eden is a single such, with a limited but satisfying stroll to the top rated. Zingi cafe is a swanky affair in the downtown Britomart Lodge.

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 engaging that you are on an island. Much less than 30-minutes on the ferry and you’re at Waiheke – an island of boats, shorelines, and Bordeaux blends. The hills are smothered in vineyards with close to 20 estates of which Mudbrick is a person of the most recognized.

The estate presents a wide range of accommodation options, with ‘Merlot’ getting my selection. The charming and luxe two-bed room cottage occupies a private corner of the estate, and presents a consistent reminder of the one of a kind site – from the bed room, lounge and even the scorching tub – the sights extend out over the island and bay, with the skyline of Auckland just visible in the length.

And then, when you are prepared, stage via the hedge and a high quality wine tasting and cafe only a minute’s stroll absent. Prepare to be transported to wine-heaven with the wine flight – together with Francesca – possibly 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 establishing alone as an welcoming site. Modelled on England’s Oxford you will doubtlessly detect the similarities concerning the cities. The most scenic section of the city is possibly Hagley park offering 407 acres of eco-friendly place – and sitting on the edge of the park is The George Lodge.

Named immediately after Sir George Seymour, 1 of the initial ships to get there in Canterbury in 1850, The George is Christchurch’s only five-star boutique hotel.  The on-website 50 Bistro features an unforgettable dining expertise – almost certainly the city’s greatest cuisine – exactly where careful thing to consider has gone into sourcing the finest local components. Try out the Lumina Lamb – a boutique New Zealand slash of be aware. Your get-dwelling ‘George Bear’ – gifted to all guests on the first night’s turndown – will forever remind you of your luxurious Christchurch home base.

‘Punting On The Avon’ offers a relaxed and traditional way to discover 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 stylish bars and eateries.

Rainforest Retreat

It is an virtually Jurassic park expertise – sans killer dinosaurs of study course – with the towering snow-capped mountains higher than, and beneath a lush forest dripping with ferns. This is the practically mythical environment of the West Coast’s Rainforest Retreat. The house is a just one-moment stroll from the hamlet of Frans Joseph – named after the iconic Glacier that snakes up the close by valley and is the country’s fourth-greatest glacier.

Rain Forest Retreat features lodging for all budgets, with the leading of the pops being the Deluxe Spa Treehouses. Two bedrooms flank the central lounge which is hooked up to a fully-stocked kitchen area. When scheduling your device, range eleven is perhaps a person of the most secluded so place in a ask for if achievable. After settled in, soak up the landscape from the luxurious of your personal hot tub. Oh, and did I mention the minibar is complimentary?

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Given that the glacier is the serious hero of the display, ebook a helicopter flip up with The Helicopter Line – which involves a scenic flight and glacier landing. There is also a heli-hike for the far more adrenaline seekers. If the temperature is very clear, look at a travel to the close by hamlet of Fox Glacier and stop by Lake. There are drool-worthy shots to be had of the mountains mirrored in the lake.

Martinborough Hotel

With a generous unfold of wine regions throughout both of those islands, why not head to 1 of its most quaint. Martinborough sits in the Wairarapa, an hour absent and separated from Wellington by the Rimutaka Mountain assortment. The Martinborough Resort is the country’s oldest constantly working resort, possessing welcomed attendees because 1882. The rooms have been tastefully renovated, with many opening onto the Victorian building’s higher wrap-around balcony – the fantastic put to appreciate a sundowner although watching the sunshine make its night descent.

The decreased floor serves as the Union Square Bistro and Bar – supplying chic meals and beverage choices and breakfasts to compose house about. Wine fans will revel in the actuality that quite a few of the boutique wineries are in just walking distance of the lodge – or choose 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 offer you instructive tasting encounters.

Cottage 103

If you’re up for a intimate crack and have the privateness of your individual rental, then Cottage 103 on the North Island’s Kapiti Coast may possibly just be what you are looking for. The household is roomy and stylishly outfitted for travellers with discerning tastes. Established in innumerable acres of farmlands, in which the closest neighbours are donkeys, horses, and sheep. It’s pretty typical for New Zealand dwelling rentals – or bachs as they are referred to regionally – to aspect outside warm tubs, and Cottage 103 lifts the bar with its pure wood tub which stares out around the valley, with overhead string lights making additional atmosphere.

Though you may perhaps want to continue to be cocooned in your tiny region haven, when you are all set to head out and explore, a pay a visit to to the Salt and Wood BQ is a need to-do. You’ll find locals savoring the establishment’s craft beers – and the famous dirty fries. Afterwards, stroll off the energy along the Waikanae seashore – just keep in mind a heat jacket.