27Travel DigesT, October 2015

saraH WeeKs takes time to slow down, indulge and enjoy boutique accommodation in some of New Zealand’s

most picturesque surroundings – from luxury chic hotels to spacious lodges and villas – with unique décor and

breathtaking locations.

Uniqueand

outique

The French Country House, Pahoia, Tauranga.

28 October 2015, Travel DigesT

Boutique accommodation is small,

intimate and unique, with personal

touches and feeling, from

contemporary vibe and modern

décor, to designer-restored country villas with

sophistication. Guests typically enjoy

exceptional, personal, five-star service from

hosts and it’s this boutique experience that

draws travellers to these memorable places.

The French Country House is an

enchanting and luxurious property nestled

amongst Pahoia’s countryside and rolling

hills near Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty.

This boutique villa-style lodge offers stunning

views overlooking the bay’s coastline and is

the perfect place for a weekend escape,

romantic getaway, corporate retreat or even

a wedding.

My husband Craig and I drove through the

gated entrance following the driveway framed

with manicured hedges and gardens until we

reached the front door where we were

welcomed by our wonderful host Kay and her

gorgeous Shih Tzu dog Freddy. As we stepped

inside this warm and inviting property, we felt

how spacious, light and relaxing the dining

room, lounge and living areas were. The

French country style is perfectly

complimented with luxury antique furnishings

and comfortable modern facilities.

We’re led to our gorgeous room upstairs,

The Farm View Room, which, as its name

suggests, offers beautiful views from the

French doors that opened onto our private

balcony, of the surrounding farm.

This loft-style king bedroom features

a high ceiling, intricately detailed

middle-eastern rug, toile draperies, fine

antique furniture and a sparkling crystal

chandelier hanging from the centre which

BOUTIQUE HOTELS

The Arrow Private Hotel, Arrowtown.

When you deserve the best, contact Tim today on 03 409 8600 or via

tim@thearrow.co.nz to organise your luxurious holiday.

• 5 minutes walk from Arrowtown

• Breakfast in bed• Personalised Service

Nestled into established private grounds with majestic trees and romantic roses.

www.thearrow.co.nz

Luxury accommodation Free Wi-Fi Continental breakfast Free mountain bike hire Outdoor spa Friendly pet alpacas Gym with infrared sauna Self-catering options also available

City Lights

Relax and unwind in a quiet, peaceful location away from the city centre. Enjoy a soothing spa with panoramic views over the city and mountains, or just gaze at the night sky.

E: stay@citylights.net.nz W: www.citylights.net.nz

City Lights Boutique Lodge, 56C Mountain Road, Western Heights, Rotorua

T: 07 349 1413

29Travel DigesT, October 2015

lights the room with a magical mood.

Our bedroom ensuite features a luxurious

shower with soaker head and if you’re feeling

in the mood for a little romance or me time,

you can treat yourself to a nice long soak in

the spa bath under the glowing light of the

antique French chandelier or candles. The

country house features two other rooms to

stay in, the blue and green rooms, each with

their own unique style and offering a

different view of the property.

After a peaceful night’s sleep, we’re

greeted the following morning downstairs in

the dining room to a beautiful full-cooked

breakfast. We’re treated to a range of

homemade muesli, preserved fruits, jams,

spreads and freshly baked breads. Whatever

your diet preferences, Kay will cook your

food to your liking whether it’s poached

or scrambled eggs, crispy bacon or

smoked salmon.

In Arrowtown, The Arrow Private Hotel, located just 20 minutes from Queenstown,

is a unique, luxury and boutique place to

stay. This private romantic hideaway is

modern and architecturally-designed, with a

distinctive style in a gorgeous setting. This

accommodation combines the personalised

service of a lodge, with the privacy of a bed

and breakfast in a secluded setting.

The property has five suites, each with a

luxurious contemporary design, large

comfortable king-size beds, modern polished

concrete floors, fully-equipped kitchen,

spacious bathroom with glass sliding doors

opening out into the bedroom – so you can

watch television from the bathtub. With floor

to ceiling windows, you’ll enjoy views of the

surrounding mountains and trees from

the comfort of the designer couch. One of

my favourite quirky surprises was finding

the secret cupboard near the front door

where your hot cooked breakfast arrives

each morning.

We stayed in the luxury super king suite

at the top of the driveway, which features a

private spacious outdoor seating area. The

king-size bed with luxury linens gives the

ultimate comfort, while the en-suite

bathroom is notably spacious with double

vanity and double shower. Each luxury suite

has large, panoramic windows with

maximum views of the tree-clad hills and

rocky, often snow-capped mountains that

change colour and look spectacular all year

round, especially in autumn.

Owner Tim designed this property

City Lights Boutique Lodge, Mount Ngongotaha, Rotorua.

around an original historic stone cottage, which

is where guests check-in and provides the

perfect place to enjoy local wines and canapés

each evening. Coronet Peak is just

20 minutes’ drive away, making this the

ultimate ski accommodation. After a day of

sightseeing or skiing, you can relax and unwind

in front of the open fireplace and share your

adventures with fellow guests.

In nearby Queenstown the new boutique

bed and breakfast accommodation, Amour Queenstown, is just a six-minute drive or

25-minute stroll from downtown and a ten-

minute drive to both Coronet and The

Remarkables ski fields. This is a romantic

getaway place at the end of a quiet driveway

with absolutely amazing views of Lake Wakatipu

and the towering Remarkables mountain range.

Hosts Rose and Bob, along with their two

BOUTIQUE HOTELS

Amour Queenstown, bed and breakfast.

30 October 2015, Travel DigesT

✈

Maltese dogs, Austin and Lucy, are so

friendly and welcoming, they make your stay

most enjoyable and you feel right at home.

After a glass of local wine, cheese and

crackers, we’re shown to our room upstairs,

the stylish Lake View deluxe king suite, with

spectacular lake and mountain views. The

room is large with beautiful décor, its own

lounge area for serene relaxation and en-suite

bathroom. All rooms are serviced daily and

contain fresh fruit, tea and coffee making

facilities, toiletries, television and electric

blankets for those cold winter nights.

The large open plan kitchen / dining /

lounge area opens onto two expansive decks

and a newly-built spa garden. Each morning

you can see the sun rise and listen to the

sweet notes of bellbirds as you sit on the

deck sipping a cup of tea or coffee. You’ll

also get to enjoy Rose’s home cooking and

warm hospitality when she serves delicious

continental and cooked breakfast in the

dining room downstairs.

The expansive living area and large floor

to ceiling windows showcase the stunning

panoramic views of the lake and mountains,

while the fireplace adds a touch of ambiance

and warmth on chilly autumn nights. From

their large decks nestled in the treetops,

you’ll enjoy the peace and quiet with fresh

mountain air so much, you’ll find it hard to

leave this place.

City Lights Boutique Lodge offers

boutique bed and breakfast accommodation

set in two acres of grounds on the slopes of

Mount Ngongotaha, in the city of Rotorua.

The luxury accommodation includes three

guest rooms inside the lodge with daily

continental breakfasts and a self-contained

two-bedroom cottage and newly-opened

two-bedroom apartment.

Hosts Angie and Leigh recently took over

the business after staying here when the

previous owners wanted to sell – right time,

right place. The bed and breakfast option

includes fresh fruit, homemade yoghurts,

peanut butter, jams and muesli, cereals,

fruit juice, toast / fresh bread rolls and

tea or coffee. However, if you stay in the

apartment, they’ll also provide a welcome

pack on arrival.

Their two-bedroom bach-style cottage is

perfect for families of two adults and two

children and the apartment sleeps up to four

people. Both have a fully-equipped kitchen,

dining room and lounge with television and

DVD player. All showers feature rainfall heads

and are so relaxing after a full day’s

activities, plus they come with all towels and

toiletries. We stayed in the apartment with a

private outdoor seating area, BBQ and

mountain views.

The back of the property opens up to

spectacular views overlooking the countryside

and friendly alpacas, which guests can feed.

At night you can view the city lights and the

property is only an eight-minute drive from

the city centre. Angie and Leigh can also

help plan your trip with advice on local

attractions and restaurants and can make

bookings on your behalf.

The large covered patio at the back of

the lodge features an outdoor spa and

entertainment area with large table and

chairs. The spa provides the perfect

romantic setting to relax with a glass of

bubbles and stargaze into the night sky.

There’s a gym and infrared sauna for those

who like to stay fit and they also have

mountain bikes, helmets and gloves

which you can use free of charge.

BOUTIQUE HOTELS

• exercise • rest • eat right • relax • meditate • enjoy nature

www.whyretreat.com

Whangarei Heads Yoga Retreat, 16 Reotahi Road, McLeod BayPhone 0221 608 950 or

email: whangareiheadsyoga@gmail.com

HolisticYOGA

STRENGTH TRAINING & MASSAGE

EMPOWERING YOU WITH HEALTH

www.whyretreat.com

New Zealand’s first tax deductible yoga retreat

Until recently, employers who wanted to contribute

to the well-being of their staff by paying for

exercise programmes would have to pay

Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT).

Now, under an initiative with Exercise Association of

NZ and IRD called SMEAEP, exercise programmes that

meet certain criteria are tax deductible and not subject to

FBT. Reducing stress can improve productivity, reduce

absenteeism and create a happier workplace.

WHY Retreat, owned by Jo Woollacott, is New Zealand’s

first yoga retreat offering the Stress Management Exercise

Association Endorsed Programme (SMEAEP). It is a new,

purpose built B&B with three elegantly appointed suites

offering bay views at the foot of scenic Mt Manaia. Facilities

include a boutique exercise and yoga studio, sauna and

streamside meditation area.