Kourawhero: a luxury lodge complex in New Zealand
July 23rd, 2008 | by Tom |Article Tags: horse trekking, lodge, nature, new zealand, spa
Kourawhero – unwind in unprecedented country luxury in New Zealand
Down a sunny dirt road, deep in the heart of picturesque Northland less than an hour from New Zealand’s biggest city of Auckland , lies Kourawhero. This is New Zealand’s newest and biggest luxury lodge complex, where a couple can kick off their city shoes and collapse in an idyllic environment.
Less than a year old, Kourawhero is family owned and operated. It is largely run by Michael Shah, who has hotel background in Hyatts before he went ‘country’ and with his wife Jenni’s family invested large sums in lodge unlike no other in New Zealand.
It is becoming the ‘in’ weekend place to go for couples 25-40. The women love the spa treatment and samarium and it’s at the backdoor of the bustling weekend Matakana activities.
Sound of nature
The last 10 minutes drive to Kourahwero is over a windy hilly metal road but that adds to the build-up excitement of arriving at Kourawhero. You drop your bags, slip on a pair of their gumboots and begin to walk into a near-as original bush-clad setting, along a shallow flat black creek-bed.
Listen to the sound of native wooden pigeon (kereru), see fantails, tui, other bird life, so many majestic native trees, palms and fern.
Suddenly those corporate city anxieties fall away. Michael’s father-in-law Gordon Mann is the guide who makes the journey even better. His calm assuring knowledge puts one at ease. Kourawhero is fast gaining reputation as one of the best conference destinations near but out of Auckland. The 18 charcoal-coloured board and batten cabins are made to look rustic on the outside but open the door and walk into top luxury – up to almost $1000 a night.
Their twin showers blast all the city tensions away and at before nightfall you can lay back in a massive spa-jet bath, open the bi-folding windows, look out to the coast, listen to the birds and sip champagne. Heaven.
The classy cosey lodge sits at the top of a valley overlooking picturesque farmland with expansive views of Kawau Island, Little Barrier Island and the other islands of the Hauraki Gulf.
Pakiri horse treks
For overseas visitors Kourawhero provides the perfect first stop on the way north and is an ideal gateway to the bustling little Matakana region with its wineries, cafes, bookshops, food stalls, cinemas, hybrid Matakab taxis and Pakiri horse treks.
The Main House is the centre of the lodge and their international head chef Sam Anderson is top rate (from London’s Hilton on Park Lane); the cuisine is right up there and they have a huge wine cellar: Try their Ascension reserve chardonnay. Then relax in one of the four lounge or drawing rooms with a port and ponder the next day.
There’s a longer bush walk to a hidden 20m waterfall, their Spa Retreat which includes a sanarium , the gym, outdoor swimming pool, tennis court, archery, a 90 metres golf chipping range – they can arrange pig or possum hunting if you want.
They are planning a luxurious first birthday celebration in September. Who would miss it!
Text – Kip Brook, Word of Mouth Media NZ | www.wordofmouthnz.com
BOOKING:
Accommodation:
Kourawhero
471 Wyllie Rd, Warkworth, New Zealand
T: +64 9 422 3377
@: info@kourawhero.co.nz
W: www.kourawhero.co.nz
Transport:
Matakabs (hybrid)
T: 0800 kab ride (0800 522 743)
W: www.matakabs.co.nz
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