1. 26 November 2011, Travel Digest 27Travel Digest, November 2011
Escape toluxuryFor luxury lodges and exclusive retreats with dramatic and tranquil settings – New Zealand leads
the world. Staying in a luxury lodge is definitely the ideal way to relax and unwind from the
stresses of the everyday world. SARAH WEEKS profiles a selection.
TONGARIRO LODGE
This is one of the world’s great fishing
lodges. Set alongside the mighty
Tongariro River and against a stunning
backdrop of the World Heritage Tongariro
National Park, Tongariro Lodge is in a class
of its own when it comes to luxury
accommodation. Situated just north of
Turangi, about 40 minutes drive from
Taupo, the lodge is surrounded by 22 acres
of picturesque park-like grounds with each
chalet and villa facing the river – one of the
best spots to fly fish and only available
exclusively to guests staying here.
Each chalet has private facilities and a
secluded sunny terrace with views of the
Tongariro River or mountains beyond.
There are also stunning two to five-
bedroom villas. The chalets are less
expensive but still allow you to enjoy the
furnishings and little extras you expect at a
luxury lodge such as comfortable king
beds, tea and coffee making facilities,
television and internet. For ski-lovers, they
each have a drying cupboard to store your
skis or waders.
The villa I stayed at is known as Cattle
Rustlers, named after one of the fishing
pools on the Tongariro River, which has four
double bedrooms, a large double garage,
a state-of-the-art open plan kitchen, dining
room and lounge with a stone fireplace –
not to mention a large deck with wood-
fired oven, perfect for entertaining guests
in the warmer months. Each bedroom
has its own ensuite and is very spacious.
The lounge features an L-shaped leather
couch, widescreen LCD TV and open
fireplace to enjoy a hot cuppa in front of
the fireplace – great for relaxing indoors
during the colder months.
Prepare your own gourmet meals in
the villa’s modern kitchen or enjoy a fine
dining experience in front of an open fire
at Tongariro Lodge Restaurant. The
atmosphere is so cosy and warm and you
will find an interesting collection of framed
fishing photos from the lucky ones who
caught a trout or two! The dinner menu
offers a variety of fine dining options such
as organic pork, fillet mignon and free
range chicken, matched with a variety of
award-winning New Zealand wine. And if
there’s room left, the dessert menu is to die
for – the soft centred chocolate fondant is
one of the best I’ve had and is served with
marinated
berries and
vanilla bean ice
cream oozing
with goodness!
Should you
wish to partake
in some fly
fishing, the
lodge staff can
arrange for one
of their guides
to take you out
on a half-day
excursion
during your stay.
But if fishing is
not your thing,
there are a
number of other
activities to do
so such as white
water rafting,
underground
caving, star
watching, hiking, and soaking in the hot
pools or even an in-room massage after a
long day.
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is New
Zealand’s best one-day walk and a must-do
when visiting this scenic area. A shuttle
leaves the lodge in the morning and costs
$40 per person. A packed lunch and up-to-
date weather and mountain condition
reports is available from reception. The
track passes over varied and spectacular
volcanic terrain including a cold mountain
spring, lava flows, an active crater, steam
vents, emerald coloured lakes and
magnificent views.
I decided to give white water rafting
a go – something I’d never tried before.
Operating since 1991, Rafting New
Zealand offers a variety of river trips.
Their experienced tour guides will take
you on a thrilling adventurous ride down
this wild river! Only a 15-minute drive
from their base in Turangi and a short
walk carrying our rafts down to the water’s
edge and we’re off on our white water
journey, full of twists and turns and lots of
hair-raising moments! The tour includes a
jump off a hidden waterfall and food and
hot drinks to warm up after a good dunking
in the freezing cold water. Its great fun and
a good day out experiencing nature at its
best with friends and family.
COTTER HOUSE
Take a step back in time to the luxury
retreat that is Cotter House. Located
Cotter House, Remuera, Auckland
Tongariro Lodge, Turangi
Executive five-bedroom chalet,
Tongariro Lodge
LUXURY LODGES

2. 28 November 2011, Travel Digest 29Travel Digest, November 2011
Lake Timara
LodgeLuxury accommodation and dining in Marlborough
301 Dog Point Road, RD 2, Blenheim, Marlborough
Phone: 03 572 8276 Fax: 03 572 9191
Email: timaralodge@xtra.co.nz Web: www.timara.co.nz
in Remuera, Auckland, this house is the
fifth oldest house in Auckland and a prime
example of historic conservation and
renovation. Built in 1847 by enterprising
English colonist Joseph Newman, the house
symbolises his good fortune as a leading
figure in the community. During the
turbulent Maori Wars of the 1860s, he
converted Cotter House cellars into a
stopover for prisoners sent from Auckland,
on their way to the Fencibles’ Prison in
Howick. Ironically, the house was also used
for Baptist services. Like many historic
properties, it has a colourful past with many
stories to be told.
Today, the mansion is owned by
Colombian-born, French-raised Gloria
Poupard-Walbridge who has renovated the
house with a new lease on life, adding her
exquisite antiques and extensive modern art
collection. Cotter House boasts a classic
French décor with a continental flair. Guests
can choose from two packages – a standard
retreat with breakfast or sumptuous deluxe
retreat that includes all meals, to a luxury
villa rental option ideal as a getaway for
families, a number of couples or for a
corporate event or function.
During my stay I spent a night in the
Oriental Room, filled with gorgeous
antiques, in particular the 1890 antique
Austrian brass queen size bed and
embroidered French linen sheets adding
that extra special touch. The marble ensuite
bathroom is also very impressive and even
has underfloor heating – a modern feature
one would not expect in such an historic
villa. A deluxe retreat includes pre-dinner
drinks, hors d’oeuvres and a gourmet four-
course not to be missed dinner. I was served
the grilled salmon with honey soy glaze with
quality New Zealand wine – simply superb!
All the food is made from fresh, organic,
seasonal produce by Gloria herself who
provides some interesting pre-dinner
banter. Having moved here from France with
her French trade commissioner husband at
the time in 1985, she has never looked back
and now calls this picturesque part of New
Zealand, home.
The hotel has a unique collection of art,
antiques, china and silver, ideal for art lovers
and those interested in culture and the arts.
For art enthusiasts and visitors curious to see
what is happening on the art scene in New
Zealand, special tours can also be organised
to see the latest exhibitions and visit both
art galleries and artist studios. Cotter House
also showcases sculptures from outstanding
young New Zealand artists.
FANTAIL LODGE
It’s no wonder they call this place Fantail
Lodge – fantails actually welcome you as
you enter this picturesque lodge, providing
a close encounter. Located in Katikati, 40
minutes drive from Tauranga, guests can
enjoy this tranquil setting and enjoy waking
to the sound of birdsong each morning.
This country estate and luxury lodge is set
amid 40 acres of gardens, rocky creeks and
subtropical plantations – it even has a
working orchard full of fresh seasonal fruit,
ripe for the picking.
Guests can choose to stay in either an
estate room, garden apartment, or one of
their recently-built villas. If you are staying
with a group, a villa is the best option
including two bedrooms with en suites.
However, these can be split out into two
separate apartments if required. The villa
contains all the mod cons one would
expect in a luxury lodge including two fully-
equipped kitchenettes, two bathrooms, a
dining, lounge, undercover parking and sun
patio overlooking two hectares of park-like
setting. Underfloor heating,
Dining room and lounge,
Fantail Lodge, Katikati
(
LUXURY LODGES
Welcome to Delamore Lodge, a unique haven,
offering luxury accommodation on Waiheke Island
in the majestic Hauraki Gulf. From the moment
you arrive at Delamore your senses and soul will
awaken to the ultimate in relaxation and romance.
Leave the rest of the world behind ...
Delamore LodgeWAIHEKE ISLAND
83 Delamore Drive, Waiheke Island
t 09 372 7372 f 09 372 7382
e reservations@delamorelodge.com
w www.delamorelodge.com
Cotter House
Auckland’s finest intimate
Art Hotel and Private Retreat
Finalist in the
World Travel
Awards, again
for 2011,
Cotter House
has received an
Enviro Gold
award for its
commitment to
Green practices
and sustainability,
rewarding work
done on heritage
restoration.
Cotter House offers an
ideal setting for made to
order fairytale honeymoons,
sexy weekends away and
intimate gatherings.
Email: info@cotterhouse.com
4 St Vincent Ave, Remuera, Auckland
Ph: 09 529 5156 or 027 567 2989 www.cotterhouse.com
complimentary internet and
SKY TV makes this place feel
like a home away from home.
A spa pool will also be added
to the property later this year.
Guests can either cook
their own meals in the villa’s
kitchen or treat themselves to
a smorgasbord of fine dining
at the lodge’s restaurant
which is among the leading
provincial restaurants in the
area. Owner Harrie Geraerts
often gives the finishing
touches to these marvellous
creations himself – a talented
chef who puts a great deal of
effort into providing only the
very best service. His
commitment to five-star
service and fine cuisine
receives ongoing rewards
and the restaurant caters for
house guests, private dinner
functions, small and large,
special occasions and
celebrations. Cosy up by the
fireplace and enjoy a five-
course dinner or a
degustation menu where
each course is matched to
a fine variety of New
Zealand wine. I personally
think the venison is melt-in-
your-mouth delicious
and the chicken stuffed
with salmon is and very
flavoursome.
There are a variety of
local activities to do and if
you’re a foodie you’ll enjoy
visiting Morton Estate,
Basecamp Venison, Mount
Eliza cheeses, Frangatio
olive oil and avocado oil –
although some may need
prior notice. There are
plenty of bush walks, among
the most southern kauri
trees. There is Mural town
walk showcasing Katikati’s
history and a Haiku walkway
along the river with poetry
engraved in large bolders.
Then there is kayaking,
fishing and hunting.