more New Zealand Luxury Lodges

When I return to New Zealand, Blanket Bay is one property where I want to enjoy a much longer stay. Situated directly on Lake Wakatipu, there are no other resorts anywhere in sight (or signs of human civilization for that matter). Blanket Bay is a place to come to enjoy the scenery and relish the splendid isolation, an ideal base from which to explore the Milford Sound area of the South Island. The rooms are large and comfortable, and bathrooms all feature tubs, walk-in showers, and dual vanities.

The best rooms in the lodge are the suites at either corner of the top floor. Corner windows provide stunning views of the lake and mountains. The Chalet Suites also provide great lake views and, with a connecting living room between two guestrooms, offer a great option for families. Free internet, a great recreation room with pool table and shuffleboard table, and free minibar (everything except hard liquor) are included in the rates. This would be a great destination for a honeymoon — and if you want to surprise someone with a proposal, reserve the private “wine cellar” for a romantic, candlelit dinner.

Otahuna Lodge is one of the most charming properties in New Zealand. Located about 30 minutes from downtown Christchurch, Otahuna Lodge is a large, comfortable home that has been converted into an exquisite luxury lodge. When it was built in 1894, it was the largest private residence in New Zealand. Recognized as an architectural icon with a place on the Historic Places Trust, this Queen Anne style residence was purchased by its current owners who have lovingly created one of the most comfortable lodges I have ever seen.

Every room is unique, and the Master Suites are especially attractive. The room rate includes a 5 course tasting meal, each course paired with wines. As much as possible, the produce used for meals is grown in the lodge’s own organic vegetable garden. The staff are warm and hospitable, a culture that begins with the owners. You’ll especially enjoy the chef, Jimmy, and ask for a tour of the garden as well! Come to Otahuna to relax, to commune with nature, to fish, and as a base from which to explore the sights of the Canterbury region of New Zealand.

Treetops Lodge is located 20 minutes from Rotorua and is an unique property offering an eco-wilderness adventure with every possible luxury. The lodge is in the midst of thousands of acres owned by Treetops. Come here to fish, to explore nature, or simply to enjoy a retreat away from the fast-paced world. Come also to experience the Maori culture of New Zealand; we were greeted in the Maori language by a member of the hotel’s staff (all staff members are native to New Zealand). Rated Travel + Leisure’s #1 resort in New Zealand, rooms at Treetops Lodge are large and comfortable — baths all have dual vanities and walk-in showers — and the Villas are exceptionally beautiful, large, high-ceilinged rooms with gorgeous views looking out on Treetop’s property (2,500 acres). There is a special emphasis here on ecological responsibility; all wood and stone used in the construction of the property came from the grounds of Treetops. 100% of their power is hydro-electric, derived from waterfalls on the property, and Treetops even sell excess electricity back to the utility. Organic vegetable and meats are used for meals, and all are raised on the property. Springs provide the resort’s water. Lead-in suites are surprisingly affordable, especially in the off-season.

Greenhill Lodge is an intimate, 7-room lodge in the heart of the Hawke’s Bay region, the Napa Valley of New Zealand. An historic Victorian house on a hilltop overlooking farms and grazing land, the beautifully renovated estate offers comfortable accommodations for guests wanting wine tours. The lodge offers the ambiance of an elegant B&B, and if the canapes we tasted are any indication, you’ll enjoy their à la carte breakfasts and four-course dinners. Although the three rooms, three suites, and separate villa are more modest in size than many of the properties reviewed here, this is still an excellent choice for guests. A beautiful property in a wonderful setting, all at a reasonable price-point. Ask as well about their “Behind the Label” wine experience hosted by an accomplished enologist who can arrange for exclusive visits to many excellent vineyards. Guests receive free greens fees at Hastings Golf Club in Bridge Pa, rated on of NZ’s top ten courses.

Virtuoso amenities are available at Blanket Bay, Otahuna, and Treetops Lodge, value added perks for you at the same rate paid by the general public. Contact a Virtuoso luxury travel consultant for complete details.


Virtuoso luxury travel consultant (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2009 by David J. Ourisman. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
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San Diego weekend getaway

San Diego is a great destination for a weekend getaway. Quick and easy to reach from the San Francisco Bay area (my flight time was under 70 minutes), San Diego is also convenient to any number of destinations in the west.

What to do? Go to the beach. Visit the world-famous San Diego Zoo and the affiliated Wild Animal Park. Take the kids to Sea World or Lego Land. Watch a baseball game at Petco Park. Enjoy the nightlife in the Gaslamp Quarter. Or spend a day at Balboa Park (which features more museums than any other park in the world). Every Sunday afternoon, enjoy a free Organ Concert in Balboa Park. From the picture above, you can guess what I did this past Sunday!

Where to stay? There are a number of great San Diego luxury hotels, but here are two suggestions.

The Grand Del Mar is a brand new resort located about 20 minutes north of downtown San Diego. Finished a couple of years ago, it was built around an existing 18 hole golf course that has been redesigned by Tom Fazio. The resort resembles an elaborate Tuscan estate with marble floors, limestone pillars, beautiful painted ceilings, and lushly decorated guest rooms. Besides golf, the Grand Del Mar offers several swimming pools — including an adults-only pool, tennis courts, and a spa. Free transportation is provided for all guests within a 14 mile radius, a chance to enjoy a day at the beach or enjoy other San Diego area attractions. Pricing is extremely attractive this summer, and there's even an Unlimited Golf package. Virtuoso guests enjoy an upgrade at time of booking, daily full breakfast for two, and a generous resort credit — all at the Best Available Rate.

The US Grant is a historic hotel in downtown San Diego, adjacent to the Gaslamp District and all its exciting nightlife. When you stay, be sure to ask for the brief historic tour of the building offered by Clifford; he will describe some architectural features of the hotel, explain some historic photographs, and point out the immense hand-woven silk rug in the lobby, features you might otherwise fail to notice. Built by the son of President Grant, the US Grant originally opened in 1910. The rooms are comfortable, and the Grant Grille is an excellent fine dining restaurant. Virtuoso guests receive an upgrade on arrival if available, a complimentary Full Breakfast daily for up to two in-room guests, and a $75 credit towards incidental expenses during your stay.

To take advantage of the complimentary amenities at the Grand Del Mar, the US Grant, and over 800 luxury hotels worldwide, simply book through a Virtuoso luxury travel consultant.

San Diego luxury hotels (search here on Google)


copyright (c) 2009 by David J. Ourisman. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
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Virginia Fischer | New Zealand luxury lodges

There's an interesting story about Virginia Fischer, an Auckland-based interior decorator who has designed some fabulous New Zealand luxury lodges. 25 years ago, the owner of Huka Lodge couldn't find the right individual to bring his vision to reality. Meeting Virginia in a totally non-business context, they talked about the project, and Virginia offered to take it on. Though she was not a professional interior designer at the time, he took a chance with her, and the rest is history.

I like her design very much. She creates large, bright, airy spaces using lots of wood (floors, walls, ceilings, and exposed beams), making creative use of a variety of textures and colors. Her bathrooms are large with double vanities, walk-in showers, and her signature bathtubs with a view. During my recent trip to New Zealand, I visited five properties that bear her touch.


Huka Lodge, Taupo. The essence of Huka Lodge is experienced sitting in the lounge of the Main Lodge — a large, comfortable space with sofas, a cozy fire, green patterned carpeting, and big picture windows overlooking the Waikato River. Guests gather in this supremely beautiful setting at any time of day and especially for drinks and canapes before dinner.

Situated just 300 meters from Huka Falls, Huka Lodge offers luxurious accommodations and great food. The twenty suites along the river offer views of the river and forest beyond the lawn. Huka Lodge offers access to a vast variety of outdoor activities: fly fishing, hiking, golf, horseback riding, water sports on Lake Taupo, winetasting, and sightseeing. Although central to a lot of activities, there is a bit of a drive to many of them.


Wharekauhau Lodge, near Wellington, pronounced fah-ree-ko-ho, is located near Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand — either a 7 minute flight by small plane to the lodge’s private airstrip or a 90 drive over the mountains. The estate is on a working farm and was constructed a decade ago. The main Lodge building features large sitting rooms, a dining room, and a breakfast room right in the kitchen, and the guest cottages are scattered through the property, most with beautiful water views. Each cottage offers canopied king beds, a large sitting area in front of a gas fireplace, large dressing room, and a large bathroom (with two colors of beautiful limestone) with soaking tub overlooking the water, step-in shower, and twin vanities. Interiors feature painted T-111 paneling, rough hewn beams, glossy painted trim, with wonderful colors and fabrics in a range from off-white to ivory to peach and tan. The tariff includes breakfast and a five-course tasting menu, and our meal was superb ... highlighted by one of the most wonderful chocolate desserts I have ever experienced.

By all means, take advantage of the tour of the farm offered by the Lodge (there is a charge). Especially interesting to me was the opportunity to watch the sheep dogs herding sheep. The photograph at the top of this article was taken during my visit of the scenic farm (and the room, just above, was my guest cottage).


Kauri Cliffs, Bay of Islands. Located near Kerikeri, you can either drive or take a short 45 minute flight from Auckland via a very small, 20 passenger plane. Although I arrived at this property at nearly the same time as a tropical cyclone boasting wind gusts over 65 mph, my enthusiasm for this property is not dampened. Golf is the major reason to stay here; the property features one of Golf Digest’s top 50 courses of the world. Fifteen holes offer views of the Pacific Ocean, and six holes are played alongside cliffs that plunge into the sea. There are three beaches available for guests; the best swimming is at Waiaua Beach with its fine, white sand. Guest suites are spacious, a minimum of 840 square feet, with stunning views of the Pacific from both the bedroom and soaking tub, and a gas fireplace in each suite. The tarriff includes a breakfast and a three-course dinner.


The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, near Napier, is the sister property of Kauri Cliffs. The buildings are designed with a farm motif. The golf shop resembles a large barn - and in the guest rooms, the door between the bedroom and the bathroom resembles a sliding barn door. Rooms are large and comfortable with the softest, silkiest Frette sheets and plumpest, cuddliest towels I have ever encountered. I was in a Ridge Suite with a great view of the Pacific Ocean and the lights of Napier beyond the bay. The three-course dinners were excellent as was the cooked-to-order breakfast, both of which are included in the daily tariff. This is a very large property with a spectacularly beautiful golf course, rated one of the top courses in the world.


Eichardt’s Private Hotel, Queenstown, was recently renovated by Virginia Fischer. The rooms offer a traditional “country” style with a contemporary touch. However, she had to work with existing spaces in an old building. The Lakefront suite that I was shown had a strange layout, the room being too long and narrow for my taste. The sitting area had windows and a patio door overlooking the lake, but the sleeping area was farther back in the room, away from the windows (somewhat like the layout of the Garden Wing rooms of the Oriental Bangkok). Nevertheless, if you want lakeviews from your room in Queenstown, Eichardt's is the place to stay.

All five of these New Zealand luxury lodges are Virtuoso properties. Book through a Virtuoso luxury travel consultant for exclusive amenities at no extra cost.


New Zealand luxury lodges (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2009 by David J. Ourisman. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
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New Zealand | incredible scenic beauty

If beautiful scenery is one of the reasons you travel, I can't say enough about the south island of New Zealand. The photograph above was taken in the morning at Blanket Bay Lodge. Although inclement weather forced cancellation of the tour I was most looking forward to (a helicopter ride through the Milford Sound), it also made for some spectacular sights.

I am nurtured by natural beauty, especially by the soft light just before sunrise. I often make it a practice to get up before dawn, just so I can witness the breaking of a new day.


This photograph was also taken at Blanket Bay Lodge. I was standing down by the lake, looking over the water towards the mountains beyond. (For those interested in the technical details, I used a Ricoh GRD 2 with the ISO set to 80. The exposure was 1/2 second at f/2.4, resting the camera on a fence railing to keep it steady.

Blanket Bay Lodge offers this serene setting and has the atmosphere of a western mountain retreat. The rooms have gorgeous views, especially the corner suites on the main level of the lodge. This is the perfect setting to relax, to fish, and to explore nearby natural wonders such as the Milford Sound. With only twelve rooms, you'll be far away from the crowds. Book through your Virtuoso luxury travel consultant to be upgraded to a suite (if available upon check-in) and to receive a complimentary luncheon for two once during your stay (breakfast and dinner are included in the rates).

Blanket Bay Lodge (search here on Google)


copyright (c) 2009 by David J. Ourisman. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
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black sand beach near Auckland

It was an amazing afternoon tour arranged for me by one of my Virtuoso suppliers for New Zealand — an eco-tour in the Waitakere Ranges regional park just west of Auckland. We learned about the famous Kauri trees, saw a beautiful waterfall, went for hikes through verdant rainforests, and had a chance to walk on the black sand beach pictured above.

It was a very reasonably priced group tour, conducted by an engaging and knowledgeable guide in a comfortable van, and there were just three of us — I shared the experience with an interesting couple from Hawaii. A customized travel experience doesn't need to be expensive, and access to the best local guides will provide memorable experiences you may not find on your own. The local company that conducts this tour is Bush and Beach.

black sand beach (search here on Google)


copyright (c) 2009 by David J. Ourisman. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
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morning mist at Huka Lodge

Huka Lodge is located near Lake Taupo on the banks of the Waikato River. Looking out the door of my Lodge Suite this morning, I saw the mist hovering over the river ... and stepped out to grab this picture.

Much more on the luxury lodges of New Zealand in forthcoming posts, but I wanted to share this image of Huka Lodge right away...

Huka Lodge (search here on Google)


copyright (c) 2009 by David J. Ourisman. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
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