The Sun Herald, Sydney 20 May 2007

YES, WE ARE BEING SERVED

Sydney Morning Herald’s Rob McFarland’s quest for attention drives him to Auckland’s Boutique Hotels

Aachen House in the suburb of Remuera is ideally positioned for getting into the city and trips out of town. The property has been a labour of love over the past 10 years for owner Joan McKirdy and is beautifully decorated with period furniture and antiques collected on her travels. Each of the eight rooms has been lavishly furnished and the three suites contain quite possibly the largest beds i have seen in my life (McKirdy had them imported from America). All rooms have spacious en suites bathrooms. Gourmet breakfast is served in the conservatory overlooking the gardens. Aachen’s exemplary service has undoubtedly caused it to win its many awards. Aachen is the first hotel I have heard of that puts departure cards on the clients pillows the night before they fly out and with this sort of attention to detail its no surprise that the property has hosted Prime Ministers and Royalty.

The Charlotte Jane Boutique Hotel, Christchurch, is proud to announce their nomination for 2007 World Travel Awards in the category of:

Leading Boutique Hotel in New Zealand

The Charlotte Jane reached its 10th birthday this year in February as a luxury boutique hotel more than 100 years after it was built. The buildings were magnificently restored in 1997 to give guests the best in luxury boutique accommodation and entertaining New Zealand and international travellers who have continuously praised the hotel for superb service and those special extra touches.

The Charlotte Jane offers a choice of exquisitely furnished rooms, each individually decorated with fine furnishings in keeping with the grandeur of the house. All rooms are ensuite, with the suites featuring spa baths as well as showers.

The Charlotte Jane Restaurant is commemorating its eight year as it continues to provide guests and local residents with truly mouth watering decadent food. The Michelin star chef and his team create authentic French and New Zealand cuisine using the best of New Zealand’s fresh ingredients, and a few interesting French additions that are served in a intimate atmosphere. Seating is provided for 28 guests and another 20 outdoors in the beautiful courtyard on a fine evening.

The hotel is continually becoming more popular as a venue for corporate events and meetings. The State Room is a beautifully appointed conference room providing an elegant private environment ideal for small conferences and incentive groups or private dining. This only an easy 10 minute stroll into the centre of Christchurch.

The Charlotte Jane is the perfect choice for couples looking for a special place to stay, or business travellers wanting somewhere sophisticated, yet homely.

 www.charlotte-jane.co.nz

 Vote for The Charlotte Jane Boutique Hotel at http://votenow.worldtravelawards.com Voting closes Monday 30th July.

Welcome to the June “brief” on our group of luxury boutique hotels and lodges.

Pure Luxury NZ Travel Show and TRENZ were magic Expo’s for our properties and also reflected greater recognition for BHL as a group and as a brand.With 120 requests for appointments we were able to meet with some old friends and suppliers and new agents who we hope will prove to be key partners for our properties .

At both of these show we were asked to identify key points of each individual property and we have tried to do this in the following newsbrief.  

Auckland- Waiheke Island- The Boatshed -

2 new suites and spa complex will be ready for this coming season.Remember The Boatshed is located on a magic island minutes from downtown Auckland and every agent who goes there, sells it ! Heavily booked for summer, so book now.

Jonathan, owner, Manager, chef, and sometimes comedian is a superb host and we now have Dinner, Bed and Breakfast packages available.

Style- Modern, great design, where the sky meets the sea!

Bookings- Direct with lodge- Inbound operator

Auckland-Remuera(central )Aachen House Boutique Hotel

Nominated again for World Travel Awards for Leading Boutique Hotel in Australasia and Leading Boutique Hotel in New Zealand for 2007, winner of the Australasian category in 2005( the NZ category wasn’t invented then).

10 years in same ownership and management, great continuity for you. Superb service and facilities and owner,Manager and host,Joan McKirdy has a wicked sense of humour but an even more wicked eye for attention to detail.

Style - elegant, historic,dreamy.

Bookings- Direct, via inbound Operator ,AVAILABILITY

NEW Point View Lodge- Taupo

Opening August 2007

Positioned above Lake Taupo with views to lake and mountains, set in expansive grounds, behind security gates. Private guest lounge,experienced, professional owners and hosts,superb meals, dinner available.

Within the grounds is a native bush walkway with areas where one can sit,read,drink and enjoy this bush haven without having to go tramping!

Style- modern.

Bookings- Direct, via inbound Operator- AVAILABILITY

Rotorua- Accolades Boutique Hotel

Kath Clark and Kay Shortland’s hosting and attention to detail is now legendary.

The closest luxury property to Rotorua  airport.

Style- modern

Bookings- Direct, via Inbound Operator- AVAILABILITY

Abel Tasman National Park-Awaroa Lodge

Access to Awaroa came up constantly in our meetings at TRENZ and Luxury show. Access is NO problem, but we appreciate this is an area where you can not be expected to know the geography- most New Zealanders have no idea where it is- part of the magic !

The staff at the lodge are happy to book transfers in and out, however we are having a few problems getting the transport operators to extend the same kind of commission to agents that the lodge does, but are working on this.

Remember access is -road and water taxis,light plane, chopper, walking, kayaking.See Awaroa web site for further detail on access.

 Keep those cards and bookings coming in- remember they are usually fully booked over Xmas and New Year so secure that space now. 

Style- Modern- great design -Eco

Bookings- Direct, via Inbound Operator

Christchurch-The Charlotte Jane

Also a nominee for the World Travel Awards for “Leading Boutique Hotel in New Zealand” this historic boutique hotel continues to be a haven for travellers and agents who expect the best and get it !

A 20 minute walk to town or 1o minutes to cafes and shops and close to golf course. Fully licensed restaurant on premises and now offering Dinner,Bed and breakfast packages. New owners loving their new role and new evening bar area and service a great success.

Style- Historic, elegant

Bookings, Direct, via Inbound Operator- Availability coming soon

Wanaka- Lime Tree Lodge

Situated in magnificent grounds with small pitch and putt golf course, superb for winter holidays, LOTS of snow fallen in the area these past 24 hours. The swimming pool is much better for summer.! A recent article in The Air NZ magazine raved about the service and amenities at this beautiful 5 room luxury lodge. Rebecca’s home baking awaits guests, I think she takes this out of the oven as they come up the driveway!

Style- Modern- open- views forever!

Bookings, Direct, via Inbound Operator- AVAILABILITY

NEW -Queenstown-Queenstown Park Hotel

Opening November 2007 -19 room luxury boutique hotel with views to Remarkables and Cecil Peak.  Situated between 2 parks therefore with green areas both sides and only 300 meters flat walk to central Queenstown. All rooms and suites have kitchen facilities. Your very discerning clients will seek this hotel out, it creates a unique point of difference in the luxury market in Queenstown.

Style- Magic, inventive modern design

Bookings, Direct, via Inbound operator- AVAILABILITY

RATES- all rates for the 2009-2010 period are completed and have been sent to ALL agents. If you have not received these rates please contact us immediately-

Also please see our agents area on the web site

www.boutiquehotels.co.nz- travel industry/ login

Maps,Images library, driving directions, Rates, Descriptive text for you to cut and paste into itineraries.

For further information please contact us at nz@boutiquehotels.co.nz

www.boutiquehotels.co.nz

QUEENSTOWN- NEW ZEALAND
Queenstown Park Luxury Boutique Hotel is a brand new hotel opening in Queenstown in November 2007.
In a prime central location nestled between two parks, guests will enjoy expansive views of Queenstown and the surrounding mountains up to the gondola, Cecil Peak and The Remarkables.
The hotel immediately adjoins one of these parks with grounds sweeping down to the park with no interruption by fences or gates.
This luxury 19 room boutique hotel has been designed by a leading New Zealand artichect with proud New Zealand owners dedicated to creating a niche luxury hotel experience.
The interior design will delight the connoisseur, sooth the jetlagged and excite the most critical traveler. Attention to detail includes installation of the latest technology and it is located only a 300 meter flat safe walk to central Queenstown malls, cafes and restaurants.
All rooms are spacious and luxurious and the 2 bedroom tower suite will be sought after by those wanting to be even more indulgent.

Relax and enjoy a glass of local Otago wine on your private balcony or courtyard while watching paragliders land in the parks on either side of the hotel.
A major point of difference with this boutique hotel is that guests can enjoy a genuine hosting experience with evening drinks and international breakfast yet all rooms have their own kitchenette ensuring guests can also enjoy a private breakfast on their own courtyard or balcony overlooking these clean green areas.

21 Robins Rd, Queenstown
www.queenstownpark.co.nz
hotel@queenstownpark.co.nz

For further details please contact Boutique Hotels & Lodges NZ
www.boutiquehotels.co.nz
nz@boutiquehotels.co.nz

Point View Lodge is proud to announce their opening in August 2007. Bruce and Tricia Robertson, previous owners of Point View Lodge in Whitford, Auckland, have sold their Auckland property to develop Point View at a new location in Taupo. Boutique Hotels & Lodges are delighted to have joined with them on this journey to bring you luxury boutique accommodation.

The new Point View Lodge offers hosted boutique luxury bed and breakfast accommodation in a tranquil environment. There are sweeping views over Lake Taupo to the Mountains, all this only six minutes from both Taupo airport and the shopping and restaurant centre of Taupo Town.

Spacious and inviting the lodge has been designed and appointed to suit the discerning traveler. You will be captivated by the lodge’s bush walk and private thermal spa. Tasteful and exceptional, Point View ensures every guest a pleasurable stay.

Accommodating a maximum of three couples, this boutique lodge has expansive private rooms, immersed in comfort, flooded in sunshine, with sparkling lake and mountain views or over lawn to the lodges bush reserve. A private guest library upstairs plus further guests lounges downstairs offer many sanctuaries for guests to slip into.

A huge deck opens off the downstairs lounge facing the lake and here you can relax and watch beautiful sunsets while enjoying your evening drinks with the hosts. You will find Bruce and Tricia warm, gracious hosts. Their first priority is ensuring that your stay at Point View is memorable and totally relaxing.

Many consider the Taupo region with its plentiful river systems to be one of the best places in New Zealand for trout fishing. Bruce and Tricia are happy to organize world renowned guides for fishing and hunting. Point View Lodge is an ideal environment to retreat to after a day exploring the regions wild activities.

Dining at Point View is upon request, with first class cuisine using only the freshest and best of ingredients, all served with fine local wines. Breakfast and dinners are served in either the intimate formal dining room surrounded with stunning New Zealand art or alfresco in the garden courtyard.

The lodge sits gracefully in expansive lawns behind private security gates and has been purpose built for guest accommodation. Sun drenched courtyards and decks enhance the privacy and the relaxing feel of the property.

Rate Range $390- $550

Facilities -Own private bush walk in grounds, thermal spa pool, private lounge/library. Dinners available
www.pointview.co.nz
stay@pointview.co.nz
Tel 07 377 4611 Fax 07 3774610
Boutique Hotels & Lodges
www.boutiquehotels.co.nz nz@boutiquehotels.co.nz

THE BOATSHED SEASIDE BOUTIQUE HOTEL

“ where the sky meets the sea “

Waiheke Island, Auckland, New Zealand

NEW SPA COMPLEX – NEW SUITES

This Seaside Boutique Hotel on Waiheke Island has been acclaimed as a leader in design– quality & service – recognised as one of Auckland’s top accommodation properties – relaxed yet sophisticated.

Father and son owners of this lodge bring different gifts of design and flair to The Boatshed.
David Scott, designer of the Air New Zealand first class lounges around the world and Jonathan Scott, chef extra ordinaire and General Manager have created this eclectic seaside Boutique Hotel which is attracting those seeking casual sophistication.

In the ongoing desire to provide exceptional service and facilities to their guests the
“Spa at The Boatshed” will open December 2007.

This luxury spa inspired by the seaside environment will focus on salt, sand and seaweed treatments taking the minerals of the sea to improve wellbeing.

Also The Boatshed will offer two new suites also opening December 2007.
The Boatshed Bungalows and spa complex are being built immediately adjacent to the present lodge building. Both new suites face north with sea, bush and beach views with all day sun. One has the added beauty of southern vistas and magnificent sunsets.

Each room will be spacious with their own entrance lobby, French doors which will open out to large balconies and with indoor/outdoor fireplaces. These rooms will be ideally suited to long stay guests. Americans will appreciate the room proportions, exclusivity and privacy they bring. The owners of this lodge recognised the need for a luxury lodge which reflected its immediate “aquatic” surroundings and have created a lodge which indeed is inspired by the incredible water views and adjacent beaches.

Qualmark 5 star
Number of rooms 7
Tariff $600- 900 per room per night 2 persons
Included in tariff Pre dinner Aperitifs, canapes, accommodation and gourmet
Breakfast

Tel: +64 9 372 3242 Fax: +64 9 372 3262
Email: enquiries@boatshed.co.nz www.boatshed.co.nz

The Boatshed is represented at TRENZ by Boutique Hotels & Lodges NZ www.boutiquehotels.co.nz

Boutique Hotels & Lodges NZ- Exhibitor at the Pure Luxury New Zealand 2007 Travel Expo