Huka Lodge has been voted No. 1 in Australia/Pacific in Condé Nast Traveler magazine’s 2007 Readers’ Choice Awards.
Huka Lodge is the only New Zealand property to be listed. Its score of 95.9 out of a possible 100 was awarded on the basis of activities/facilities, food/dining, location, overall design, rooms and service. This award is the third time in 2007 that readers of similar prestigious publications have ranked Huka Lodge No. 1 in the region.
Alex van Heeren, commented: “These accolades are possible due to the atmosphere of excellence that has been nurtured by the New Zealand Government and Tourism New Zealand. I am very proud of our whole team at Huka Lodge because this recognition is a tribute to their commitment to the highest standards of hospitality.”
Huka Lodge and sister properties Dolphin Island, Fiji, and Grande Provence, South Africa, comprise The Huka Retreats.
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No crowds, moderate temperatures, spectacular scenery and legendary Kiwi
hospitality; autumn in New Zealand is travel at its most relaxed. Small Luxury
Hotels of The World is now offering an exclusive array of packages allowing
autumn visitors to stay four nights for the price of three at a selection the luxury brand's superlodges and chic city centre hotels. Fancy sampling the fruits of the award winning Pinot Noir harvest in Otago, sinking into the warmth of a geothermal bath or taking a punt along the Avon? Experience all three and more in the space of ninety six hours with SLH's Stay 4 Pay 3: New Zealand Getaways.
Magnificence personified, Blanket Bay comes to life in this most scenic of seasons. This überlodge, located in the heartland of the country's award winning Pinot Noir producing area, Central Otago, is the perfect base from which to visit one of the region's forty five wineries. Autumn visitors can sample some of the 200 tons of fruit which are traditionally harvested at this time of year. Prices start at NZD3870* for the Blanket Bay Stay 4 Pay 3 New Zealand Getaway package.
A short distance down the road will have you in the heart of New Zealand's adventure capital - Queenstown. Lakeside Eichardt's Private Hotel has superior access to an array of the extreme activities starting with hair raising jetboat rides meters from the hotel's front door. Here you can bungy jump, skydive, climb mountains, raft, kayak, fish, horse ride, cycle, walk, take a scenic flight, sail, river surf, jet boat, hang-glide to your heart's content. Prices start at NZD4128* for Eichardt's Private Hotel, Stay 4 Pay 3 New Zealand Getaway package.
Catch the end of the trout fishing season at Grasmere Lodge. Autumn signifies the last days of the fly fishing season at Grasmere whose fishing area includes more than four large freestone rivers, eight streams and creeks, and eight lakes, all of which have the potential to produce trophy fish. The Grasmere area has both browns and rainbows, with fish five pounds and bigger often landed. There's never been a better time to get hooked! Prices start at NZD3736* for the Grasmere Lodge, Stay 4 Pay 3 New Zealand Getaway package.
Take the hassle out of catching the fish and book a table at Pescatore, The George's award winning seafood restaurant and Christchurch institution. A dining experience here is not complete without sampling the signature Fang dessert accompanied by a glass of Ice wine. This little indulgence will perfectly prepare guests for a romantic afternoon punt along the Avon River gazing up through the rich reds of autumn's deciduous trees. Prices start at NZD1125* for The George, Stay 4 Pay 3 New Zealand Getaway package.
Add a little steam to a romantic autumn getaway and escape to Lake Taupo Lodge, set in the midst of New Zealand's volcanic plateau. Turn the temperature up a notch at the Taupo Hot Springs and Spa, which apart from standard treatments also offers bathing in the natural hot mineral pools. Free spirits can delight in the natural pools at Spa Park on the Waikato River. Prices start at NZD 3582* plus tax for the Lake Taupo Lodge, New Zealand Getaway package.
For the exercise nuts out there, Rorotua comes to life with a number of extreme sporting events in autumn months ranging from the 24 hour "Cateye Moonride" mountain bike ride to the Fletcher Challenge Marathon. A few days R+R may be in order at the finishing line and Solitaire Lodge is the perfect solution. Aptly named, this resort provides extreme escapism from the humdrum of everyday life where guests can utterly switch off in the hotels scenic surrounds. Prices start at NZD3840* for the Solitaire Lodge, Stay 4 Pay 3 New Zealand package.
Auckland on the other hand is where lifestyle takes centre stage, and you can't get more centre stage than Mollies. The love child of an Opera teacher and Opera set designer, this rare gem overlooking Auckland harbour is an eclectic mix of the contemporary and nostalgia. Consistently voted one of the world's best lifestyle cities, Auckland ensures that days are littered with awards winning wineries, boutique shopping, sailing on the harbour and more. Prices start at NZD1488* for the Mollies, Stay 4 Pay 3 New Zealand package.
To book your Small Luxury Hotels of the World Stay 4 Pay 3: New Zealand Getaway visit www.slhnewzealand.com/offers.html or call 800 525 4800.
* All rates are based on 2 adults for a total of 4 nights, rates are subject to
availability, validity applies and 12.5% tax and cancellation policy applies.
The Small Luxury Hotels of the World brand is a collection of over 400 independently-owned exclusive hotels in 65 countries. Carefully selected for their style and sophistication, Small Luxury Hotels feature award-winning properties including spas, country houses, golf resorts, island retreats, city sanctuaries and game and wilderness lodges.
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Located in a historical, iconic building overlooking the shores of Lake Wakatipu, this five suite boutique hotel, epitomises elegance and luxury. Its setting is unbeatable, on the lakeside promenade in the heart of the town, making it easily accessible to the five commercial ski fields nearby. The closest, Coronet Peak is a mere 20 minutes drive and offers a diverse selection of trails to cater for all levels. It also offers the unique chance to enjoy the slopes at night! With a dedicated concierge who can organise your in-room massage to help sooth those tired limbs after a day of hard skiing, you couldn’t ask for a better place to “come home” to.
For more information, check web site www.slh.com/eichardts)
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A scenic, 15-minute helicopter flight up the lake from Queenstown, Blanket Bay lies in a sheltered inlet surrounded by the majestic peaks of the Southern Alps. Commanding spectacular views of the lake and rugged countryside this lodge enjoys a private, unrivalled lakeside location. From here you can experience the Southern Alps in all their glory, skiing completely untouched snow on mountain terrain never before explored. With exclusive use of a helicopter, join a guide and spend a day on the powder scaling the spectacular mountainsides and enjoy lunch in a picnic spot of your choice. At the end of an action-packed day return for cocktails on the balcony and a delicious candlelit dinner beside a crackling log fire.
For more information, check Web site www.slh.com/blanketbay)
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Windhawk Helicopters - the new adventure tourism operator based in Marlborough, New Zealand – now offers “The Best of Marlborough”, a unique scenic flight which showcases the spectacular scenery of Marlborough’s wine region and Sounds from a new perspective.
Lifting-off from Windhawk’s own base within the vineyards (and minutes from Blenheim), “The Best of Marlborough” scenic flight takes in Marlborough’s world-famous wineries, rivers and peaks before tracking North to the beautiful Marlborough sounds. The flight lasts nearly an hour and affords plenty of opportunities to pause high above some of New Zealand’s most magnificent scenery before touching-down back at Windhawk for a glass of Marlborough wine.
Windhawk Helicopters already offers professional flight services within the Marlborough region. These include guided trout fishing, heli-hikes, lakeside/mountain picnics, wedding photography, frost protection and corporate charters, in addition to bespoke scenic flights to suit all individuals.
Ben Barnett, company director and pilot, grew up in Marlborough and accumulated a thousand hour’s flying time as a pilot overseas before returning to the region in 2006 to start Windhawk Helicopters. “We are so lucky that the Marlborough region has so much to offer – from the rugged high country, the vineyards and the beautiful Marlborough Sounds – and a helicopter puts it all within reach”, explains Ben.
For more information, contact Windhawk helicopters, Pip Walsh, Marketing Manager, 179 Brookby Road, Blenheim, Marlborough, New Zealand; T: + 64 (0)3 5729132; F: + 64 (0)3 5729139 or via e-mail fly@windhawkhelicopters.com, or check web site www.windhawkhelicopters.com
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