English
русскийOtahuna Lodge
Tai Tapu, Christchurch, South Island
SUITES & MASTER SUITS
Rhodes Suite
Originally the master bedroom, the Rhodes Suite is actually a series of four rooms which embodies the gracious character of Sir Heaton and Jessie Rhodes. The palatial bedroom boasts a magnificent Victorian fireplace with inglenook seating and stained glass windows. A separate octagonal sitting room situated in the turret is the perfect spot to read a book, work a jigsaw puzzle, enjoy a quiet candlelit dinner or simply gaze out to the gardens.The ensuite bathroom is luxuriously appointed with a double shower and separate spa tub, ideal for soothing tired muscles at the close of an active day. Outside, the private balcony affords spectacular views across the Canterbury plains to the distant Southern Alps.
Verandah Suite
Epitomising the phrase “room with a view,” the Verandah Suite is the perfect base from which to start exploring Canterbury. Four doors open onto an enormous arched verandah, reserved exclusively for the suite. Here, guests may quietly contemplate the birdsong from the gardens, or toast with a glass of champagne as the sun sets across the Canterbury Plains behind the Southern Alps. Indoors, guests can lose themselves in the crackle of a fire – either from a deep armchair in the bedroom or from the freestanding bathtub in the spacious ensuite bathroom.
Botanical Suite
The Botanical Suite is situated in the original Morning Room of the house, where tea was served to Jessie Rhodes and other fine Canterbury ladies every day at 11 o’clock sharp. A floor-to-ceiling mantle featuring gingerbread woodwork and a wood-burning fireplace anchors one corner of the room. In another, an enormous bay window faces east to the gardens and receives bright sunlight through painted glass in the mornings.
Located on the ground floor, the Botanical Suite offers its guests access to the gardens through a private exterior door ensuring that a leisurely stroll or a brisk walk is never more than a few steps away.
The Loft Suite
The Loft is a masterpiece of design perched at the highest point of the Lodge. This very special enclave inspires the imagination with its dramatically-scaled headboard clad in a vintage Schumacher Chinoiserie fabric, a collection of art commissioned exclusively for the Suite and numerous decorative touches which playfully highlight the Lodge's century-old heritage. The brightly painted timber-clad walls and fresh green tones found in the design complement sweeping views across the Great Lawn and all the way to New Zealand's Southern Alps. A writer's nook with a window view looks out across the property's eaves and gables to the treetops. Elsewhere, the generous sitting area includes a sofa which can be converted to a bed in order to accommodate an extra guest. The spacious bathroom--with its free-standing tub--provides the ultimate place of repose following a day of exploration.
LEISURE & PLEASURE
Akaroa
Originally settled by French immigrants, Akaroa is a picturesque seaside town that has retained many of its 19th century public buildings and cottages. The one-hour drive from Otahuna’s gates takes guests over the crater rim of an extinct volcano, with stunning views of the harbour and the patchwork of farms and forests below.
For the active guest, Akaroa offers the opportunity to swim with the world’s rarest and smallest dolphins, the Hector’s Dolphins. Other excursions might include forest and hillside walks, a two-hour harbour cruise or an excursion to sea caves via kayak. Within the village guests can enjoy charming shops and restaurants as well as the "Giant’s Garden" – a horticultural and artistic statement bedecked in mosaic tiles and sculpture.
Gardens
No stay at Otahuna Lodge is complete without a tour of the estate's own century-old garden. The tour provides insight into the history of Otahuna, explaining why and how Victorians grew certain kinds of plants, as well as the many ways in which the current garden team restores and maintains Heaton Rhodes’ greatest legacy. Further afield, it is easy to see how Christchurch earned its nickname as "The Garden City." Guests can visit a number of renowned gardens, either on their own or guided by a local expert who can provide access to many gardens usually not open to the public. A delightful day can be spent viewing any number of these hidden attractions including mature English-style arboretums and gardens devoted exclusively to New Zealand native plants. There are more than 20 gardens to visit in and around Christchurch.
Arthur's Pass
Embark on one of the world’s greatest train journeys, the TranzAlpine, which traverses the South Island’s majestic landscapes. Your guide will collect you from Otahuna at 7:45 AM and drive you to nearby Rolleston Station. You will then experience the most scenic part of the rail journey as the train climbs into the heart of the Southern Alps, winding its way along the bright blue Waimakariri River and through dramatic alpine valleys before arriving at Arthur’s Pass National Park.
Here, your guide will meet you for a hike in moss-laden forests teeming with glacial streams and waterfalls, followed by a café lunch or picnic. You might even meet a kea, the world’s only alpine parrot. On your return via road to Otahuna, you may wish to stop at the monolithic limestone outcroppings of Castle Hill, one of the primary film locations from “The Chronicles of Narnia.” (Back to Te Ara)