The mountains, lakes and beaches of the South Island are even more memorable from within the luxurious embrace of a one-of-a-kind lodge.
Look for the Southern Cross in the sky while you toast the day’s adventures in front of a roaring outdoor fire or find inner serenity with meditation lessons at the edge of the sea. Southern lodges take every opportunity to glorify the landscape in the most remarkable way.
Blanket Bay, Southern Lakes
Getting there: 45 minutes from Queenstown Airport.
Most recent award: Listed in the ‘Top 20 International Hideaways’ for 2011, Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Report.
With only 12 rooms and suites, Blanket Bay is perfectly proportioned to deliver the ultimate boutique lodge vacation. The quintessential experience here is your own 700ft2 suite with an open fire and vast outdoor balcony featuring unstoppable views of Lake Wakatipu and the jagged Humboldt Mountains. While some would argue that cuisine is a compelling reason to visit Blanket Bay, because every meal is nothing short of a masterpiece, the local landscape takes star billing. Possibly the most inspired activity choice is heli-fishing, which delivers full-strength aerial alpine scenery with the delicious possibility of wild salmon for dinner.
Matakauri Lodge, Southern Lakes
Getting there: 45 minutes from Queenstown Airport.
Most recent award: Conde Nast Hot List May 2011 - ‘124 Best Hotels in the World’.
Of all Julian Robertson’s exquisite New Zealand lodge properties, Matakauri is the most romantic. With just 11 suites, each with massive picture windows, you can see why this is so popular with honeymooners. Wonderfully positioned on a knoll flanked by a pine forest, Matakauri Lodge gazes across glacier-carved Lake Wakatipu to a procession of awe-inspiring mountains. When you’re not toasting the scenery with a local pinot noir or sampling treatments in the day spa, you can take on Queenstown’s signature adventures – bungy jumping, jet boating, river rafting and heli-skiing. And if that sounds all too vigorous, there are wine trails, world-class golf courses and a tasty assortment of designer shops.
Split Apple Retreat, Nelson
Getting there: 45 minute drive from Nelson Airport.
Most recent award: ‘Top spas in the world’ list, Tatler's spa guide 2012.
Split Apple is a unique wellness retreat steeped in serenity and ocean-scented beauty. Built right into a cliff, this hideaway comes face-to-face with the Tasman Sea, Here you can learn how to meditate, enjoy personalised aromatherapy massages and receive personalised health consultations with the resident doctor. Split Apple is also famous for exquisite food and wine – optimum nutrition with a focus on pleasure and the most delicious local ingredients. For time out from retreat life, the lodge is on the doorstep of the gorgeous Abel Tasman National Park, which includes New Zealand’s premier coastal hiking track.
More about Split Apple Retreat >
Even more to explore
We’ve just introduced you to four of the South Island’s exclusive lodges, but there are many more.