Otahuna Luxury Lodge New Zealand situated at the head of a secluded valley on New Zealand’s South Island. http://www.otahuna.co.nz Read about Otahuna Lodge in the February 2009 of the Age Article

1. Age
Saturday 14/02/2009
Page: 8
Section: Travel
Region: Melbourne, AU
Circulation: 203800
Type: Capital City Daily
Size: 847.65 sq.cms.
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NDUL E
Lodged in
Kiwi opulence
Sue Wallace is charmed by the attention to detail - and the
bedtime stories - in a splendid New Zealand lodge.
Stand on the veranda of Otahuna Lodge were overseeing a four-month restoration cost-
in spring and you are treated to the ing more than sNZio million.
sight of a sea of golden daffodils at the Heritage-listed Otahuna is considered one of
bottom of the estate's sweeping lawns. the nation's best examples of Queen Anne archi-
The display is thanks to the original owner, Sir tecture. Auckland interior designer Stephen
Heaton Rhodes, a philanthropist, politician and Cashmore, known for his sophisticated treat-
horticulturalist who was among the first to grow ment of historic properties, has worked his
daffodils in New Zealand's South Island. magic in the public rooms and seven luxury
Every September thousands of the flowers suites with themes relating to Sir Heaton, wife
carpet the private parkland. The owners, Hall Jessie and life in the early days.
Cannon and Miles Refo, who reopened Otahuna Our veranda suite, with its views of the Can-
Lodge in May 2007, share it with the public on terbury Plains, was where the Duke of York, later
the first Sunday in September with the revival of King George VI, stayed in 1927.
Sir Heaton's traditional Daffodil Day. It has open fireplaces in the bathroom and
Built in 1895, Otahuna, which in Maori means bedroom, original artworks and handmade fur-
"little hill among the hills", sits atop a small rise niture echoing period pieces. Extra touches
at the base of the Banks Peninsula with views to include a regularly replenished biscuit jar, a
the distant Southern Alps. sheepskin rug placed by your bedside at turn-
Today it is one of New Zealand's most opulent down and a bedtime story sheet on your pillow
and intimate small lodges. As you follow the each night with tales of Otahuna and Sir Heaton.
winding drive lined with ioo-year-old oak trees The lodge is home to 28 commissioned
and step through the heavy front doors, you artworks by the country's artists including Peter
know you are in for something special. Beadle, Anna Caselberg and Craig Primrose, as
No one knows its charm better than Cannon, well as historic Otahuna photographs repro-
a former property developer, and Refo, who has duced from the Canterbury Museum.
a marketing background. Deciding to escape New Zealand kauri and rimu wood panelling
their frenetic Manhattan lifestyle, they travelled feature in the interior design, a highlight being
throughout British Columbia and New Zealand, the hand-carved kauri staircase. A regal painting
searching for a place to create a retreat. of Rewi Maniapoto, a Maori warrior and former
On their first visit to Otahuna they said no chief of Ngati Maniapoto, stares down at guests
because of the expense and work required but as they enter the green-toned lobby with intricate
something kept drawing them back. Soon they lead-glass windows and plaid chairs and sofas.
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2. Age
Saturday 14/02/2009
Page: 8
Section: Travel
Region: Melbourne, AU
Circulation: 203800
Type: Capital City Daily
Size: 847.65 sq.cms.
press clip
The 12-hectare historic garden is being Dinner, a five-course degustation matched
restored by head gardener Steve Marcham. with New Zealand wines, is served in the formal
Sir Heaton, who was president of the dining room with its original gilded wallpaper,
Canterbury Horticultural Society for more than floor-toceiling sideboard and crystal.
50 years, planted many exotic and native trees It's a communal table and we share stories
and shrubs that have flourished over the years. with guests from Montreal and Vienna;
Take a guided walk in the Dutch garden,
named for its windmill shape, and discover six romantics can dine as a couple in the library,
buxus-lined gravel lanes that radiate from a cen- veranda or wine cellar.
tral circle under a canopy of exotic trees includ- Tonight's menu has cauliflower soup with
ing camellias, a loquat and weeping cherry. The salsa verde, salmon ceviche, beef fillet with kale,
a heady perfume of lavender, bay leaves, orange broccoflower, potato gnocchi and beetroot, fol-
blossom and boxwood hangs in the air. lowed by aged cheddar with nectarine chutney
There are also woodlands with original rhodo- and chocolate gateaux with raspberries, cherries,
vanilla mascarpone and rhubarb sorbet, all
dendrons, where you might hear the call of bell- served with a flight of wines including Pegasus
birds, fantails and rare New Zealand wood Bay and Tresillian Estate.
pigeons. Otahuna has an impressive orchard and The next day we toss up whether to play ten-
stone-walled organic vegetable garden with 95 nis, swim in the heated pool or grab the moun-
vegetables, 25 types of fruit and 20 herbs - to the tain bikes - we choose the latter and we cycle
delight of the lodge's executive chef, Jimmy along quiet country roads.
McIntyre. If you want to see the region by air, a helicop-
I cross paths with McIntyre, his arms laden ter will collect you from the front lawn and take
with leeks, artichokes, tomatoes and raspberries you to wineries, whale watching, trout fishing or
that he will use in tonight's dinner. "Fresh vege- to the Southern Alps.
tables are the starting point for my menus and I Be warned, you may just want to stay, I also
have a fabulous variety at my doorstep," he says. find it doesn't take long to fall under Otahuna's
Pre-dinner drinks and canapes are served each spell.
night in the drawing room, alongside the lodge's
grand piano, which was owned by the Duke and Sue Wallace stayed courtesy of Otahuna Lodge.
Duchess of York and left behind after their 1927
New Zealand visit
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3. Age
Saturday 14/02/2009
Page: 8
Section: Travel
Region: Melbourne, AU
Circulation: 203800
Type: Capital City Daily
Size: 847.65 sq.cms.
press clip
Blooming marvel ... (from left) springtime daffodils in the grounds of Otahuna Lodge; works by
New Zealand artists hang in the entry hall; the Clark suite.
FAST FACTS
Getting there Air New Zealand and Relais & Chateaux property, has
Virgin Blue have regular non-stop doubles from $NZ700 ($550) to
flights to Christchurch. Air NZ flies for $NZ1000 a person a night in peak
$126 from Melbourne and Sydney while season, excluding tax. Low-season
Virgin Blue charges $85 from rates from $NZ500 to $NZ800 a
Melbourne and Sydney. Qantas flies person a night. The tariff includes
non-stop from Sydney ($152) but breakfast, laundry service, pre-dinner
Melbourne passengers have to change drinks, canapes and a five-course
aircraft in Sydney and pay $247 for the degustation dinner with wine pairings.
privilege. Jetstar charges $133 from Great Mushroom Hunt and Daffodil Day
Melbourne and $119 from Sydney. Fares packages are available. 224 Rhodes
are one way and do not include tax. Road, Tai Tapu, Christchurch, New
Otahuna Lodge is 20 minutes by car Zealand. Phone +64 3329 6333 or see
from Christchurch. otahuna.co.nz.
Staying there Otahuna Lodge, a
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