Set on the shores of Lake Wanaka is Whare Kea, a secret hideaway offering guests a haven to share the area’s beauty plus perfect access to almost every adventure sport and outdoor pursuit possible. The Lodge, specifically designed to suit the environment, is tailored to work for all seasons providing a luxurious yet intimate and less formal ambience. Whare Kea – meaning house of the Kea in Maori – is named after the world’s only alpine parrot which lives all year round above the snowline of the surrounding mountains. The Lodge opened in 1996 and became a member of the internationally recognised Relais & Chateaux Family in 2003. Relais & Chateaux is an exclusive collection of 500 of the finest charming hotels and gourmet restaurants in 60 countries. A unique alpine escape offering the same philosophy of understated luxury as the Lodge was built a few years later - in a place almost beyond the realms of dreams. The Chalet is situated on the edge of Mt Aspiring National Park again with design sensitivity to the local environment which provided the platform for Whare Kea Lodge and Chalet to win the prestigious Relais & Chateaux Environment Design Award for Excellence in 2004.
All six suites and deluxe rooms overlook the lake and mountains. Every room has direct access to the sundeck with its spectacular vistas. Whare Kea Lodge accommodates a maximum of twelve guests. Two suites offer king size beds, a further four deluxe rooms can be arranged as twin or king beds. Each room has its own luxurious bathroom with bath and separate double shower, lounge chair, writing desk, AESOP toiletries, walk-in dressing room, coded personal security safe, Bose stereo system, coffee and tea making facilities and broadband wireless internet access.
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Whare Kea is renowned for its outstanding cuisine. Executive Chef James Stapley is an award winner who stepped into the kitchen to raise the level to standards equal to any in the world. An Englishman, trained in the swank kitchens of the Hilton and Selfridges Premier Restaurant in London, he first came to notice in New Zealand when he joined Pegasus Bay Winery where his expertise won the award for Cuisine’s Restaurant of the Year’s Best Winery restaurant.
The great outdoors takes on an entirely new meaning with the choice of activities on offer. Whare Kea is in the midst of some of the world’s most beautiful natural environments so whatever you choose to do, be prepared for an unforgettable experience. It can be as relaxing as a stroll around Lake Wanaka, golf, a massage or fly fishing. Or you may prefer to pump up the adrenaline by heli-skiing or climbing a mountain. And then mountain biking all the way down. Land, air, water or snow, nature’s playgrounds never looked so good. And our staff have all the knowledge to help you do it all in style.
Currently we do not have any sample itineraries of custom tours to this destination. Click here to contact us and we would be happy to discuss possibilities with you.
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