Luxury stays across New Zealand

As the region last but not least reopens to intercontinental travel, I’ve experienced the privilege of revisiting the Aotearoa the Land of the Long White Cloud.  Here’s a roundup of my best tried-and-analyzed luxury stays throughout New Zealand.

The Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour

Our journey commences in Auckland, the country’s largest city, where the crown of all stays is the Sofitel Auckland. The lodge occupies a primary situation together the Viaduct Harbour supplying a scenic water place with generous sights of the metropolis skyline. Modern glass-lined corridors hook up the areas, consistently reflecting the adjacent harbour or courtyard ponds – with selective slivers of gold incorporating to the lustre.

The wellness spots, which includes fitness center, spa, pool and jacuzzi, keep on the chic French flair with slick lines and modern day tiled frescos. Come night, Sabrage Bar serves up attractive tipples, and La Maree delivers refreshing flavours with an undercurrent of French stylish. Their sustainably sourced New Zealand excellent cuts are mouth-watering – the Speckle Park Scotch Fillet was the emphasize dish of my total trip. If you’ve extra access to Club Millésime get pleasure from the complimentary beverages and canapes. Of class, you may just choose to luxuriate away the working day in the ease and comfort of your place (be absolutely sure to choose for the Luxury Marina Check out Rooms), staring out more than the harbour see.

When it will come to checking out the town, start out the day at the historic Pah Homestead and accompanying gardens, and make absolutely sure to sample celebrity chef Sam Mannering’s Eggs Benedict at the in-residence café. The metropolis and its suburbs are flanked by above 50 volcanoes – Mount Eden is just one this sort of, with a shorter but worthwhile stroll to the prime. Zingi restaurant is a swanky affair in the downtown Britomart Lodge.

Mudbrick, Waiheke

Image waking up and swinging open up the doorways in your luxe cottage to an azure ocean and virescent vines – and even far more attractive that you’re on an island. Significantly less than 30-minutes on the ferry and you’re at Waiheke – an island of boats, beach locations, and Bordeaux blends. The hills are smothered in vineyards with around 20 estates of which Mudbrick is one particular of the most set up.

The estate provides a wide range of accommodation alternatives, with ‘Merlot’ remaining my option. The charming and luxe two-bedroom cottage occupies a personal corner of the estate, and provides a frequent reminder of the exclusive spot – from the bed room, lounge and even the very hot tub – the sights stretch out above the island and bay, with the skyline of Auckland just noticeable in the distance.

And then, when you are prepared, stage through the hedge and a quality wine tasting and restaurant only a minute’s stroll away. Get ready to be transported to wine-heaven with the wine flight – which includes Francesca – maybe the most delectable Chardonnay I’ve at any time tasted.

The George Resort

Acquiring firmly recovered from the devastating quakes a century in the past, Christchurch has worked difficult at establishing alone as an welcoming locale. Modelled on England’s Oxford you will doubtlessly observe the similarities in between the towns. The most scenic element of the town is possibly Hagley park presenting 407 acres of green house – and sitting down on the edge of the park is The George Hotel.

Named soon after Sir George Seymour, one of the initial ships to arrive in Canterbury in 1850, The George is Christchurch’s only five-star boutique resort.  The on-web-site 50 Bistro delivers an unforgettable dining working experience – almost certainly the city’s very best delicacies – where by watchful thought has long gone into sourcing the very best community ingredients. Consider the Lumina Lamb – a boutique New Zealand slash of observe. Your just take-household ‘George Bear’ – gifted to all visitors on the first night’s turndown – will permanently remind you of your luxurious Christchurch residence base.

‘Punting On The Avon’ presents a tranquil and traditional way to check out 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 chic bars and eateries.

Rainforest Retreat

It’s an pretty much Jurassic park experience – sans killer dinosaurs of study course – with the towering snow-capped mountains above, and below a lush forest dripping with ferns. This is the nearly mythical setting of the West Coast’s Rainforest Retreat. The property is a just one-minute wander from the hamlet of Frans Joseph – named after the iconic Glacier that snakes up the close by valley and is the country’s fourth-largest glacier.

Rain Forest Retreat presents accommodation for all budgets, with the top rated of the pops becoming the Deluxe Spa Treehouses. Two bedrooms flank the central lounge which is hooked up to a thoroughly-stocked kitchen area. When booking your unit, number eleven is possibly just one of the most secluded so put in a request if feasible. After settled in, soak up the landscape from the luxurious of your non-public hot tub. Oh, and did I mention the minibar is complimentary?


Significant Observe:

If you are reading this posting wherever other than on A Luxurious Travel Weblog, then the chances are that this articles has been stolen without the need of authorization.

Remember to make a be aware of the net handle above and get hold of A Luxurious Journey Blog site to suggest them of this issue.

Thank you for your help in combatting content material theft.


Considering that the glacier is the true hero of the show, guide a helicopter flip up with The Helicopter Line – which involves a scenic flight and glacier landing. There is also a heli-hike for the much more adrenaline seekers. If the climate is very clear, take into account a generate to the nearby hamlet of Fox Glacier and check out Lake. There are drool-worthy photographs to be experienced of the mountains mirrored in the lake.

Martinborough Resort

With a generous distribute of wine areas across each islands, why not head to just one of its most quaint. Martinborough sits in the Wairarapa, an hour away and divided from Wellington by the Rimutaka Mountain variety. The Martinborough Hotel is the country’s oldest consistently running resort, getting welcomed attendees considering that 1882. The rooms have been tastefully renovated, with many opening on to the Victorian building’s upper wrap-all around balcony – the ideal position to take pleasure in a sundowner even though viewing the sunlight make its night descent.

The reduced flooring serves as the Union Square Bistro and Bar – featuring chic foods and beverage choices and breakfasts to publish household about. Wine lovers will revel in the actuality that several of the boutique wineries are within just strolling length of the lodge – or decide on up a bicycle from Green Jersey and head out to check out. The dominant plantings are Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. Moy Hill, Luna, and Palliser all present informative tasting encounters.

Cottage 103

If you are up for a passionate crack and have the privacy of your very own rental, then Cottage 103 on the North Island’s Kapiti Coastline may perhaps just be what you are hunting for. The property is spacious and stylishly outfitted for travellers with discerning preferences. Set in numerous acres of farmlands, wherever the closest neighbours are donkeys, horses, and sheep. It’s relatively widespread for New Zealand house rentals – or bachs as they are referred to locally – to characteristic outside incredibly hot tubs, and Cottage 103 lifts the bar with its all-natural wooden tub which stares out more than the valley, with overhead string lights building extra atmosphere.

Although you may well want to stay cocooned in your little nation haven, when you are completely ready to head out and explore, a take a look at to the Salt and Wood BQ is a will have to-do. You are going to find locals having fun with the establishment’s craft beers – and the famed dirty fries. Later on, walk off the energy together the Waikanae beach – just try to remember a heat jacket.