Luxury accommodation in the Bay of Islands: Eagle’s Nest
August 31st, 2008 | by Tom |Article Tags: new zealand, sailing
Eagle’s Nest: is anywhere better at $37,000 a night?
Eagle’s Nest in the dreamy Bay of Islands of New Zealand has won more awards than almost anywhere in this part of the world. So ok, let’s see what we’ve got here.
Firstly – the ‘piece de résistance’, Rahimoana, the presidential villa: pretty swish at $37,000 a night!
Four bedrooms – maximum eight people. A mere sniff at only $4625 each a night. Each bedroom has original New Zealand and international art works. There is the iconic 25 metre heated infinity lap pool and Jacuzzi, state of the art gymnasium and infra red sauna. Also: an integrated smart systems, home cinema featuring a two and a half metre screen, hi-fi systems in each bedroom, high technology office, native bush walks, private beach and security throughout.
Between seven stars and heaven
The rate includes – a good night’s sleep – somewhere between seven stars and heaven - a bottle of Laurent Perrier Champagne on arrival, wireless internet access, fresh fruit platter (replenished daily), gourmet breakfast provisions (replenished daily), daily servicing of villa, not all but selected mini bar items, concierge services. But you have to pay extra for a personal chef, catering, a personal trainer, beauty or massage therapists, chauffeur, butler and laundry.
Well it sounds like paradise. For probably everyone except me Rahimoana is paradise. It wasn’t for me the plain light gray marble floor, white walls, glass – minimalist lines. But they do provide $5000 of flowers a day for colour.
Leading resort and top hotel
Rahimoana has helped Eagle’s Nest win the 2008 Conde Nast Traveller, Gold List – Highest Rated Hotel in the World’s Top 100 Hotels; the 2008 Luxury Travel & Style – Rated in the top 15 best overseas boutique properties; the 2007 L’Officiel Voyage – Top 100 beach hotels in the World; The 2007 Australian Getaway named Eagles Nest as one of ten places to stay at before you die; and The 2007 Nominated as New Zealand’s Leading Resort at the World Travel Awards.
Honeymoon villa
Ok, we didn’t stay there!
Rahimoana is romantic and leisurely but Eagle’s Nest also has four other world class villas on the 75-acre estate on a point overlooking the idyllic Bay of Islands.
But just down the hill and up a bit we were ushered into the estate’s honeymoon villa, first Light. A mere $1800 a night – but $440 for a chef to come in, cook tea and do the dishes.
The upstairs shower is glass walled on four sides. It is romantic. It is stunning and peaceful. My wife Chrissy and I battled to do it justice in just one night at First Light. But we did our best J I loved the grounds, the ferns, the palms, the solitude. The warm vanishing pools and cosy lounges with gas and wood fire made us feel like we were in heaven.
Eagle’s Nest manager Callum Farnell is a great operator and made us feel at home – though it was Sandra and Daniel Biskind’s estate!
Text – Kip Brook, Word of Mouth Media NZ | www.wordofmouthnz.com
BOOKING:
Eagles Nest
60 Tapeka Road, Russell, New Zealand
T: +64 9 403 8333
@: eagle@eaglesnest.co.nz
W: www.eaglesnest.co.nz
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