Hotel Montreal

Lake Heron Station is a high country working farm located in a remote spot in the Southern Alps of New Zealand’s South Island. It is an authentic, family owned ranch where you can experience real New Zealand high country life first-hand.

The accommodation is quite simple, a lovingly restored 3-bedroom cottage, but the setting is anything but sitting as it does surrounded by 19,600 hectares (43,000 acre) of ranchland set in a stunning basin, with a backdrop of glaciated mountains, tussock-covered hills, beech clad valleys and scenic Lake Heron.

There’s also the ‘New Hut’, built in 1923, accessible only accessible on foot, bike or by 4WD, updated as an eco cabin that is now a wonderful base for an exclusive high country sojourn.

Adventure, relaxation, and farm life are the heart of a visit to a Lake Heron Station, whether hiking, fishing, biking and kayaking in the summer, picking mushrooms in the autumn, skiing and skating on a frozen pond come winter or witnessing the lambing season in the spring.

Nestled among the rolling hills of the Banks Peninsula are Annandale’s four luxury villas. Each one has its own unique character and enjoys an idyllic and secluded location within the a 40,000-acre working coastal farm.

A stay at Annandale allows you to totally immerse yourself in this most incredible of landscapes. On arrival, you will be driven cross-country to your private villa where you can enjoy total seclusion.

The Homestead and Scrubby Bay are perfect for families and groups, sleeping up to 12 and 14 guests respectively. The Homestead, built in the 1800s, features an outdoor swimming pool and floodlit tennis court and is surrounded by beautiful gardens, where guests are free to pick flowers from the borders and lemons from the tree.

Scrubby Bay is a cedar-clad beach house that looks out over its own private bay. Cosy up in front of the open fire, take a dip in the outdoor pool or simply relax on the decking and gaze out across the water.

The most romantic of them all, Seascape features a glass facade so you can make the very best of the incredible ocean views, and the outdoor lounge area with fireplace means you can appreciate your surroundings all year round. The Shepherd’s Cottage is perched on a hill overlooking the sea and the Kaikoura Ranges, a real rural retreat with an open fireplace, wooden ceilings and sheepskin rugs.

The farm is home to 500-strong herd of cattle and around 14,000 sheep and various vegetables, fruits and herbs are grown on their land. There is the option to hire a private chef or you can enjoy the ‘We Create, You Serve’ programme where breakfast, a picnic lunch and three-course dinner are prepared and left in your fridge for you to simply pop in the oven and enjoy.

Although Annandale’s villas are a chance to escape, there are also a host of activities so you can make the most of the incredible surroundings. Hike through the rolling hills, take to the water in a kayak or explore the rugged terrain on a 4WD adventure – the list is endless.

Otahuna is a Maori word that translates as little hill among the hills. This beautifully restored Victorian house enjoys an idyllic location between the rocky outcrops of the Banks Peninsular, looking out towards the Southern Alps.

The house was built in 1895 for Sir Henry Rhodes, a long-term parliamentarian and military officer and served as his private home for many years. The lodge is influenced by English country estates, the dark wood, large fireplaces and antique furniture giving it a classical elegance.

There are seven suites, all with ornate fireplaces, and carved inglenooks and deep, oversized bath tubs. There are two master suites, one featuring  four bedrooms and the other a 14m verandah with sweeping views across the Canterbury Plains.

Dinner at Otahuna is a four-course tasting menu served in the dining room. The menu celebrates the best of seasonal New Zealand produce, some of which is grown on the estate. Dinner is a sociable affair enjoyed with other guests, but if you’re after something a little more private then there is the option to dine in the library or the drawing room. You can be sure of the perfect accompaniment to your food with fine wines from the lodge’s own cellar.

The grounds surrounding Otahuna are as beautiful as the lodge itself. Guests can wander through the daffodil field, through the woods and the Dutch garden and down to the lake, stopping off for a game of petanque or a dip in the outdoor pool.

The George is renowned for offering guests personalised stays and supreme comfort. Located in the heart of Christchurch close to the cultural precinct and key attractions, the hotel overlooks the picturesque Hagley Park and Avon River.

The 53 rooms are designed with a stylish eye for detail, complete with luxury amenities and captivating views through picture windows. Impeccable service and an intimate ambience are assured, thanks to the hotel’s one-to-one staff-to-guest ratio, the George is all about opulence and elegance.

Enjoy bistro food with modern flavours in the relaxed 50 Bistro. A stylish interior flows out to a generous outdoor area, complete with fire tables that reflect the warm hues of the onyx wall inside. The menu offers classics updated with 50 Bistro’s particular flair. Pescatore is seafood-focused restaurant offers an exciting conceptual dining experience, designed to engage the senses. The space is luxurious and modern, offering a minimalist and uncluttered approach to formal dining.

Guests have complimentary access to mountain bikes, a gym, private garden and a library.