Wonderstruck by Wanaka - New Zealand

Melissa Reynolds has just returned from a short break in New Zealand and was blown away by the natural beauty and indulgent pleasures of the stunning South Island. Here she shares with us a little of her journey (and a special offer too!):

Last week I was lucky enough to head over the ditch to a place of incredible beauty only three hours' plane ride away. It was to a lakeside village of such incredible charm and good looks that I wondered if anyone ever left willingly. I'm talking about Wanaka, near Queenstown in the South Island of New Zealand.

The ski fields of Treble Cone and Cardrona are just 40 minutes away but as the season doesn't start until later in the year I had to find other attractions to fill my days. Of which there are many. There are vineyards, gorgeous walking trails, bike riding, boating and fishing on the lake, picnics to be had with fantastic local food and fabulous restaurants and cafes. Should weather turn inclement there are quirky cinemas (like the Paradiso which comes complete with mismatched sofas and a Morris Minor you can watch movies from!), Puzzling World, Warbirds and Wheels Museum, the Transport and Toy Museum and much more.

The Wyndham Vacation Resorts Wanaka makes a smart and comfortable home away from home, walking distance from the town centre. Our one bedroom apartment came complete with kitchen, lounge room, dining area and balcony. The hot tub outside was a crowd pleaser with couples wanting to ease any aching muscles from a day's biking, hiking or wine tasting - those vineyards can be exhausting you know.

At this time of year you're never too far from an open fireplace and a glass of local pinot and the Wyndham Wanaka's own Rafter's Restaurant has all that and more. Head Chef Stefan Link serves up local specialties with panache so if you're worn out from a day of exploring you need venture no further than upstairs. We also had a delicious dinner in town at Botswana Butchery (+64 3443 6745), you can guess that steak is their specialty and Trout (+64 3443 2600) where of course fish was the order of the day. For brekky, coffee and cake drop into Relish or Ritual, both cute timber walled coffee shops filled with rugged up patrons, works of art for sale and a general feeling of bonhomie. 

I could go on and on about what there is to do but all you really need to know is that this place is. It's beautiful. It's romantic. It's charming ... and frankly, I need to go back as soon as possible!

Wyndham Vacation Resorts Wanaka have a special rate available from now until October 31 2012 for a studio room plus one two course meal at Rafter's Restaurant from just NZ$129* per room, per night. *Guests must book and stay between these dates. Subject to availability.  To book your romantic escape at Wyndham Wanaka and for full terms and conditions call +64 3443 0025 or email Reception.Wanaka@wyn.com and mention this deal.  

Winter Romance Special Offer at New Zealand's Premier Lodges

The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs

A winter wonderland at Matakauri Lodge

The Farm at Cape Kidnappers

Take advantage of amazing value at Kauri Cliffs, The Farm at Cape Kidnappers and Matakauri Lodge this coming winter and discover why New Zealand is known to be so magical in the cooler months (let alone all year round!). To warm you up, these stunning properties have gotten together to offer guests a special offer that is exclusive to Australian residents*.        

The WINTER SPECIAL is in fact available all the way through from available 1 May - 30 September, 2012, and is all-inclusive. You get your suite accommodation, choice of a day of unlimited green fees (option not available at Matakauri Lodge) on world-class golf courses, or a 50-minute massage per person per night stayed, pre- dinner drinks and canapes, a 5-course tasting menu, full breakfast, complimentary non-alcoholic mini bar and use of lodge facilities for NZ$775.00 +15% GST per person/per night.  That's approximately $598.00 AUD at today's exchange. Not bad!

Book quickly to experience New Zealand's late summer weather in May, autumn colours in June, a cosy winter getaway in July and August enjoying roaring fires and local wines, nurturing spa time 

and perhaps skiing at Matakauri Lodge or sensational spring golf in September at Cape Kidnappers or Kauri Cliffs!             

To reserve please email The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs, The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, or Matakauri Lodge.

                 

Affordable luxury at Blanket Bay - New Zealand

Fancy a stay at one of New Zealand's best luxury lodges? Well it just got a whole lot more affordable as one of the world’s greatest accommodation properties announces a massive 40% savings off the nightly tariff!

From March 15 to April 15, Glenorchy’s Blanket Bay invites guests to enjoy its ‘Autumn Sampler’ for just NZ$450 per person per night exclusive of GST –  that's approx. AUD$387 per person per night.

The all-inclusive package offers a gorgeous room in an unsurpassed location, gourmet cuisine, pre dinner drinks and carte blanche use of all lodge sports equipment and facilities including kayaks, mountain bikes, outdoor heated pool, gym, Jacuzzi and steam rooms.

Blanket Bay is situated just a short distance from Queenstown, at the head of Lake Wakatipu. And set on the edge of two of New Zealand’s majestic National Parks, Mount Aspiring and Fiordland, Blanket Bay offers all the ingredients to perfectly accommodate visitors in this wild and spectacular area. Guests enjoy nature at its finest, intimate fireside moments and spectacular alpine scenery amid the resort’s all-inclusive five+ star service. A fab offer for a stay in a truly sublime destination! 

Blanket Bay awarded as “New Zealand's Best Regional Property”

Blanket Bay's reputation as an ultimate alpine escape and New Zealand's finest luxury lodge continues to be upheld with its win as “New Zealand's Best Regional Property” at the hotel industry's prestigious HM Awards earlier this month, as voted on by a panel of judges consisting of leading travel writers, hoteliers and travel industry professionals.

Established in 1999, Blanket Bay is an expansive lakeside property on a 65,000 - acre high country farm, combining the sophistication of the world's finest alpine lodges and the unique characteristics of New Zealand.  The intimate resort consists of 12 guest rooms including spacious suites, intimate lodge rooms and elegant chalets.  A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, accommodations offer travellers vast sitting rooms, king-sized beds, stone fireplaces, secluded balconies and spectacular views. Those in the know rate Blanket Bay highly - so take note and be sure to add it to your destination wish list when planning a trip to ever enchanting, always stunning New Zealand! 

The ultimate New Zealand golf package

Avid golfers know that the it is all the better when played on a green that is set in a spectacular location. Two of the world’s top-ranked golf courses - Kauri Cliffs and Cape Kidnappers - have announced their ULTIMATE NEW ZEALAND GOLF PACKAGE, incorporating the best of New Zealand’s North and South Islands in one all-inclusive offer.

The package includes nine nights across three of New Zealand’s most acclaimed luxury lodges – Kauri Cliffs, The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, & Matakauri Lodge, and golf at four of the country’s top courses - Kauri Cliffs, Cape Kidnappers, The Hills Golf Club and Jack’s Point. Also included are premium golf club rental equipment, electric cart and ground transfers to the golf courses in Queenstown.

Three nights accommodation each at The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs, The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, and Matakauri Lodge also includes daily pre-dinner drinks and hors d’ oeuvres, gourmet dinner, full breakfast, complimentary mini-bar (excluding liquor and wines), WiFi, and use of lodge facilities. The package also includes a complimentary lunch for each night’s stay, which can be taken as three courses in the lodge dining rooms or packed as a picnic (on course or off).

Per-person pricing ranges from $8,197 NZD in the low season (May through August) to $12,742 NZD in the high season, which runs November through March. Contact any one of the three properties to co-ordinate your stay on The Ultimate New Zealand Golf Package.