Luxury New Zealand Food and Wine Journey

Overview

Set atop 6,000 rolling acres of pasture-land in Hawke’s Bay, Rosewood Cape Kidnappers is the perfect place for a getaway. With spectacular views of the ocean, the luxury lodge combines the rustic and textured aesthetic of a working farm with chic modern and genuinely luxurious touches.

Each of the 22 spacious suites has a private balcony with views over the farmlands, golf course and the Pacific. Ideal for a family, or group, The Owner’s Cottage offers boutique hotel facilities for up to eight people. Relax in front of the stone fireplace, or soak in the outdoor jacuzzi.

The culinary team aims to source produce as locally as possible, and with the Cape Kidnappers’ vegetable garden now fully established, the chefs can create daily menus based on the freshest ingredients. The kitchen partners with handpicked Hawke’s Bay suppliers, building local connections to create a menu that’s uniquely reflective of the region’s finest produce.

There are a broad mix of activities on offer here, seasonal and changing daily, including farm tours, guided walks, star gazing, wine tasting, clay pigeon shooting, bird watching, horse treks, mountain biking and more. Meanwhile, the masterfully designed golf course presents a challenging game atop dramatic cliffs with arresting sea views.

Overview

The peaceful Breckenridge Lodge is the perfect place to experience superb Kiwi hospitality, gourmet food, local wine and beautiful scenery.

Nestled in the picturesque valley of Omarunui in Hawke’s Bay Wine Country, the lodge offers private, luxury accommodation and the freedom to explore the two acres of gardens and surrounding countryside.

Make yourself at home in one of five well-appointed guest rooms which overlook the vineyard and expansive rural landscape.  The guest dining room is the focal point of the house. With its inviting, relaxed atmosphere, it’s the ideal place to swap stories with other guests and share tales of your day’s adventures in Hawke’s Bay. Or simply immerse yourself in one of the books or albums available to enjoy.

Host and Chef Malcolm Redmond uses fresh seasonal produce from his own organic garden and orchard, as well as local markets. The dinner menu features five courses, each paired with wine, and changes according to what produce is available. For those inspired by the chef’s sumptuous feasts, there are also cooking classes in which he shares some of his tips.

The lodge is committed to continually working towards the best environmentally conscious business practices – finding the balance between luxury and responsibility.

Overview

This intimate, serene and historic homestead is situated in the heart of Hawke’s Bay, with over 50 wineries, farmers’ markets and organic produce stores nearby.

Perched on a hilltop with mature trees, overlooking verdant farmlands, the homestead features suites which open out onto wide verandas overlooking the gardens.

The lodge includes three suites, two lodge rooms and a separate cottage with an outdoor bath. Four of the suites are named for notable characters in Greenhill’s history, from the first owner, Archibald McLean, to the architect who designed the lodge. Floor-to-ceiling windows with hand-painted lead lights look out onto country vistas, the central courtyard or pottage herb garden. The cottage is the perfect secluded hideaway for honeymooners or families with children.

The area is known as the ‘fruit bowl of New Zealand’ and Greenhill proudly showcases the best of what Hawke’s Bay has to offer when it comes to gourmet food and fine wines. Pairings are a speciality and the lodge tailors a four-course Table d’hote menu to guests’ preferences. Or enjoy a picnic hamper in the gardens.

To make the most of the lodge’s vantage, climb to the top of the three-storey viewing turret which sports a small sitting room complete with a telescope. The old homestead stables have been converted into a gym, and there is also an outdoor recreational area, swimming pool and log fireplace.

Explore the area taking in the surrounding vineyard, cycle through the rolling hills, fly fish on a Hawke’s Bay river or try any number of equestrian experiences from polo to rides on the beach.

Overview

High above Tasman Bay, Split Apple Retreat offers both every indulgence as well as the promise of a focus on good health.

This quiet Abel Tasman National Park luxury retreat and wellness hideaway is the ideal place to relax and pamper yourself in pristine surrounds.

Two of the ocean-facing rooms, Fuji and Lotus, boast the best in Japanese-style luxury with private decks and gardens and Japanese granite baths. The third, Rainbow, a two-level room with a separate lounge, features colour-changing LED lights in the bath and shower.

Split Apple retreat specialises in serving gourmet food with a focus on good health and mouth-watering presentation. The result of a collaboration between a doctor specialising in nutrition and a culinary artist, the retreat has become known for its dedication to fine food that promotes longevity. To ensure guests can continue eating mindfully at home, the chef guides budding culinary artists through a number of her popular dishes.

Continuing the focus on wellness, there are a wide range of services to help guests unwind, relax and rejuvenate. Choose from a selection of massage treatments, learn how to meditate, or sign up for a private yoga session. The gym, infrared sauna, steam room and infinity pool leave guests feeling thoroughly refreshed. For adventuring beyond the lodge, private boats and water taxis land at Split Apple Beach to collect guests keen on visiting the Abel Tasman National Park.

Overview

Stroll along garden pathways towards the shoreline where your stylish suite awaits. Each of the apartment-style villas at Te Koi – The Lodge at Bronte is nestled among mature native trees, allowing for the ultimate in privacy.

The spacious rooms are beautifully appointed with fresh flowers and locally commissioned art adding splashes of freshness and detail. Large windows and patio doors allow fresh country air and sunshine to flood the rooms, and luxurious linens, home baking, and complimentary drinks and chocolates make the welcome a little warmer.

After a day of sight-seeing, relax on a wide veranda and enjoy the panoramic Waimea estuary and mountain views. The estuary is a dream for bird watchers, and the villas designed specifically to fit unobtrusively into the natural setting.

Overview

Sat on the shores of the deep Lake Wakatipu, Matakauri Lodge is a tranquil haven of serene blue waters and sweeping mountain landscapes. Snow-capped peaks reach towards the sky, providing a backdrop like no other to this incredible luxury establishment.

Modern, bright and with plenty of room, the 16 suites have been styled by the highly celebrated designer Virginia Fisher. Four suites are found in the main lodge section while others have been built in a native forest with alpine panoramas. All have their own private balcony, lounge area and decadent bathroom, not to mention the cosy fireplace. The sizeable Owner’s Cottage is an idyllic getaway for larger groups or families.

Boasting a menu that changes constantly with the availability of seasonal produce, the kitchen at Matakauri Lodge focuses on a clean and fresh experience for the palate. There are a number of settings in which to savour this modern New Zealand cuisine, from the privacy of your own patio to the property’s spacious courtyards.

Located near great pine thickets, the spa provides an exclusive space where you can rejuvenate and reinvigorate your body with completely personalised treatments. Fall in love with the heated pool, let off some steam in the sauna or enjoy a leisurely time in the hot tub.

Whether you arrive to the long, warm days of summer or to a winter wonderland of snow, there is always so much to do during your stay at Matakauri. Walks and hikes dominate the area, as do scenic horse riding trails and wine tours. Avid golfers will rejoice to know a PGA-rated course is nearby; The Hills is surely one of the most stunning and gorgeously isolated round of 18 you can play anywhere in the world.

Overview

A picture of modernity in supreme wilderness, The Hills is set on 500 acres of tranquil grounds, dotted with contemporary and wondrous sculptures and stretching out to white-capped peaks that frame the horizon.

The six individual cutting-edge suites take luxury to the next level. Vast windows allow for plenty of views out to the gorgeous glacial valley, in return bathing the spacious interiors with plenty of natural light. Fireplaces and decadent en suite bathrooms ensure sophistication and comfort beyond all expectations.

Dining at the lodge is a joy, with a locally-sourced and seasonal gourmet menu. You can even join the chef in the kitchen to learn a thing or two if you like. The underground wine cellar is a unique way to enjoy your meal while sampling some of the region’s best.

After admiring the hotel’s comprehensive collection of ancient Maori art, you may want to stretch your legs around the stunning grounds or in the state-of-the-art fitness centre. Additionally, you can enjoy a set or two on the picturesque grass tennis court.

Perhaps one of the most popular attractions during your stay is the serene Hills Golf Course. Waterways and wetland can be found alongside breath-taking fairways and distinct artworks which populate the 18 holes. A recent creation, it is a championship course which hosted the New Zealand Open in 2007. The hotel itself also has its own private par 3.

Overview

A relic of stately Victorian elegance, Hulbert House is a luxury villa that operates as one of Queenstown’s oldest residences. Built in 1888, this boutique hotel offers historic charm with contemporary comforts and modern amenities.

Transformed by an award-winning designer, the interiors are vibrant while paying tribute to the antiquity of the property. The six luxury suites are all individually designed, carrying through a feeling of old-world opulence with extravagant, bold and fresh furnishing. Each has views over either Lake Wakatipu, Skyline Hill or the well-kept gardens.

A scrumptious breakfast of fresh and delicious ingredients waits those early morning risers, while the kitchen can provide tasty snacks throughout the day. Ideally placed, Hulbert House is found in close proximity to many of the attractions of Queenstown, with popular cafes, restaurants and shops all within walking distance. It is also only 450m from the banks of the large Lake Wakatipu and just a little further from the Skyline Gondola and Luge.

Overview

Often adorned with flowers beneath a clear blue New Zealand sky, the rustic yet elegant stone lodge of Blanket Bay sits perched upon the shores of Lake Wakatipu. The establishment inhabits a typical South Island alpine setting of vast valleys and great mountains.

Luxury is woven throughout all 12 residences, from the separate chalet cottages to the spacious lodge rooms and suites, with all enjoying incredible views and plenty of natural light. There is a charming antiquity to the spaces, with beautiful timber beams reaching up along the ceiling and refined wooden furnishing adding to the already classic atmosphere.

When it comes to wining and dining, the service is world-class. The menu is forever changing, making the utmost of the kitchen’s access to locally-sourced ingredients and produce. Expect modern, innovative takes on classical dishes incorporating fresh fish, lamb and venison and an array of fruits and vegetables grown in the region.

There are few other places on earth with so many activities and adventures at their fingertips, including numerous hiking trails meandering up mountain ranges, fly fishing hotspots in the pools, rivers and smaller mountain lakes, heli-skiing in winter, jet boating and kayaking. Tackle 4WD tours and vineyard and art trails. Horse riding enthusiasts will be spoilt for choice by the treks on offer, while golfers of any calibre will revel in the splendour and beauty of championship-standard Jack’s Point Golf Course.

Overview

With a history intertwined with the region’s gold rush, the building of Eichardt’s Private Hotel carries with it the understated and classic elegance of a bygone era. With sweeping views of Lake Wakatipu’s emerald blue waters and eminent mountain peaks, it is a gateway to Queenstown and the untouched wilderness beyond.

Choose from Eichardt’s lake view or mountain view suites, or the one- or two-bedroom apartments. For more privacy, or for those looking for a group getaway or family foray, there is the stand-alone three-bed Eichardt’s Residence which has a spacious kitchen, private dining area and sweeping balconies.

The hotel bar has been considered a town favourite since 1867, providing the perfect environment in which friends and colleagues can sit down for a refreshing cocktail or a refined vintage from the famed Otago wine region. For those feeling peckish, there are comprehensive tapas menus to suit every palate, with locally sourced seasonal ingredients. The bar also serves breakfast, lunch and dinner in a cosy dining area with a fireplace.

From the hotel you can treat yourself to an extensive range of in-room spa treatments provided by a local spa, wander down to the lake edge or head into the heart of the action in bustling Queenstown.