Lauded by the likes of Harper’s Bazaar and Robb Report, The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs on the North island of New Zealand is something special. Accredited with the sought-after Relais and Chateaux title and recently named No1 Hotel or Resort in Australia and New Zealand, The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs sets the benchmark for luxury lodges in New Zealand. Resting on an unspoilt peninsula where dramatic high cliffs jut out of the sea and meet three spotless private beaches, one of which, Pink Beach, is strewn with delicate pink-hued shells.  Projecting a feeling of awe, the lodge is situated within a vast 6000 acre space, affording majestic panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and the scattered Cavalli Islands.

Adjacent to The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs lies one of its main draws: the award-winning, David Harman-designed championship golf course currently ranked 49th best course internationally, joining two other New Zealand courses within the world’s top fifty. Seasoned golfers from all over the world flock to The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs for fine experiential travel and to tee off amongst exuberant natural beauty, before finding themselves choosing between an array of activities including immersive local culture tours, mountain biking, hiking to the private beaches, land-based fishing or even hopping on a quad bike.

Twenty-two guest Suites, Deluxe Suites and Deluxe Family Suites are unerringly classic and tasteful, presenting neutral colours.  Designed in the style of plantation lodges, they are timelessly beautiful, providing supreme comfort and homeliness in soft furnishings, plush carpets and blonde woods. Offering an inspiring canvas for outdoor exploration, all Suites have a large balcony, a spectacular vantage point for inspiring vistas of the Pacific Ocean, the golf course and the surrounding rolling hills. Local well-known interior designer Virginia Fisher lent her creative vision to creation of the lodge and this is especially apparent in the two-Suite Owner’s Cottage, where an affinity for cosiness is clear in the airy, bright spaces, stunning outdoor Jacuzzi and open fireplaces in both bedrooms and the living room, casting a lively glow.

An accomplished wine list showcases one of New Zealand’s finest fortes, from crisp Chardonnays to full-bodied Merlots. Unfalteringly professional, there is a maître d’ on hand to skilfully pair wines with canapés, and each evening, guests gather in front of the roaring fireplace for pre-prandial drinks, including cocktails, in true sociable style. A nightly-changing menu excels in offering the very best of New Zealand produce, including hearty dishes of beef, lamb, and seafood.

Possessing a complete sense of place, the Spa at The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs is nestled in a Totara forest, overlooking a soothing fern-fringed stream. A cathartic experience awaits here, where therapists concentrate on delivering a feeling of escape through restorative measures. Nurturing treatments, including the signature waterfall massage utilise natural and indigenous products.