Today we continue the conversation about non-obvious places for a warm winter holiday (I remind you that I started this topic last time and talked about Mexico and Belize). Undoubtedly, one of these places is the peaceful and beautiful New Zealand. A country whose nature is so good that the creators of the film “The Lord of the Rings” chose it in order to adequately convey the fairy-tale worlds of Tolkien. Magnificent glaciers and wonderful fjords, majestic mountains and mirror lakes, ancient forests and pristine beaches, paradise gardens and boundless fields. All this is in abundance here.
The best time to travel to New Zealand is from mid-October (at this time there is spring weather) – until mid-April (this is about the same as our autumn). That is, the peak of the favorable season falls just in the winter months. If you come here for three weeks in February, you will definitely not regret it.
So, today a few words about my favorite hotels in New Zealand.
The country is divided into North Island and South Island. Most of the good hotels are in the North. First of all, you should, of course, pay attention to The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs.
This is a secluded hotel overlooking the Pacific Ocean. On its vast territory you can find: a professional golf course, 22 suites (11 cottages, each with 2 suites) located at the edge of the forest, a huge swimming pool, three private beaches, two tennis courts and a small spa / fitness complex. Centre. But the main thing is that it is incredibly beautiful there.
Cliffs are hills and mounds that rise above the surface of the water, they can be seen from the rooms, and this view evokes a very romantic mood. In general, if you want to know what a truly high-quality service, breathtaking views and delicious food are, then go here.
Of course, speaking of New Zealand, one cannot fail to mention the legendary Huka Lodge. Along the Waikato River, near the spectacular Huka Falls and Taupo Crater Lake, twenty gabled-roof cottages flaunt.
Huka Lodge is not a simple hotel. Suffice it to say that he is much loved by a rich man like Bill Gates. Arriving here, he immediately orders a helicopter ride over the area – it’s so beautiful here. And now, with the whole family, the Gates are circling over the river, waterfalls, lake and snow-capped volcanoes Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe, looking at all these beauties in rapture. And they do not know grief.
Once upon a time there were fishermen’s dwellings on the site of Huka Lodge, literally right on the very spot where the hotel cottages now stand. Of course, since then everything has been rebuilt and redone (the beds are large, the bathrooms are also huge, the level of comfort is incomparable), but the spirit itself has remained – a little rustic and detached from the bustle of the city. And I must say that this is, in fact, the conscious policy of the institution – there is not even a TV in the rooms (although if you absolutely need it, then they will bring it and put it on your very first hint). By the way, fish, and specifically rainbow trout, you can catch here too. And she is incomparable here (they caught will be cooked for dinner). Of the other pleasant things – a swimming pool, a park, terraces for each room, a spa, tennis and petanque.
Another hotel on the North Island, on its very edge. This is the Wharekauhau Country Estate. It is literally located on the territory of a sheep farm, and everything here is imbued with a sort of classical-pastoral spirit. Even the black sand beaches, the lake, the forest and the hills – everything here is somehow simple and unpretentious, although very attractive.
Everything here is very beautiful and contributes to complete relaxation. And especially – twelve cottage-suites with Edwardian-style living rooms and dining rooms with fireplaces. The traditional set of hotel options (fitness center, swimming pool, etc.) is complemented by tours of the ranch and jeep rides along the ocean shore.
And now, finally, we move to the South Island. The main place here is the Grasmere Lodge hotel. Here, the most buzz, of course, lies in the mountain ranges, which create a feeling of some isolation from the rest of the world, which allows you to experience indescribable sensations. The Southern Alps, as these mountains are called, are truly incomparable.
The lodge itself is a limestone building built in 1858 with 13 rooms. The hotel restaurant serves dishes from locally grown venison, lamb, and beef. Things like tennis and fitness are superfluous to even mention. Of the special entertainment – a jeep ride in Arthur’s Pass National Park, which is very close here, kayaking and fishing in several small rivers. I especially recommend Mountain View Junior Suite (mountain view suite) for two, as well as Riverview Cottage (river view) for four.
And the last hotel, about which I will say two words today. This is Blanket Bay on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. It is also covered with super-beautiful mountains. Twelve rooms plus a Great Room, bar, games room and plenty of places to eat. For example, a dining room, as well as an excellent wine cellar, and terraces overlooking the sunset.
This, in short, is the answer to the question of which hotels are really worth staying in in beautiful and mysterious New Zealand. In a country where not every Russian reaches, but if they do … Personally, I know several people who have vacationed in this country, and among them there is not a single one who would not like it here. So take note! Not cheap, but worth it.
