Best Luxury Hotels in New Zealand
The land that brought us the All Blacks, Flight of the Conchords, manuka honey and the haka may be a long way away, but it’s a bucket list trip that’s sure to reawaken the imagination and nourish the soul. The scenery found on these two islands is so diverse and magical, that it’s been the backdrop for otherworldly movie sensations like Lord of the Rings. Follow the film set trail, or embark on a tour of vineyards across the 10 wine regions. You might like to delve further into the land’s culture at the capital Auckland’s visitor attractions, hike the incomparable countryside, or visit the glowworm caves in Te Anau and Waitomo
Otago, Wanaka
Minaret Station Alpine Lodge
(5 stars)Stay in New Zealand’s alps, on a 50,000-acre working country farm. Whether you want to ski, fish, hike, cycle, star gaze or celebrate your honeymoon in a special setting, this lodge is marvellous. Guests stay in individual chalets with sheepskin carpets, king-sized beds, terraces and sunken tubs. Access to the Mountain Kitchen public space is via a lit boardwalk, where you can enjoy two living areas, a dining room, wood-burning and open fires, a well-stocked library and a wine cellar. Private and pastoral, Minaret Station is a hidden gem.
Otago, Queenstown
Rosewood Matakauri
(5 stars)Less than a 10-minute drive from Queenstown, but surrounded by forest, breathtaking mountains and Lake Wakatipu, the Matakauri Lodge is an exclusive boutique retreat. 11 style-forward rooms have memorable views, an iPod dock, minibar, fireplaces, terraces and Evolu toiletries. It’s homely, but up-market, with high-quality gastronomy utilising produce grown onsite as well as native meats and fish, to create a daily changing menu. And you don’t have to eat in the dining room; the lodge will accommodate romantic meals in your suite or other suitable nooks across the grounds. There’s also a bar, and a spa which incorporates indigenous ingredients into treatments.