New Zealand’s Remarkable Lodge - MatakauriRead Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com To read this entire feature FREE with photos cut and paste this link: http://www.jetsettersmagazine.com/archive/jetezine/cabinweb/pacific/matakauri/Matakauri.html
Be forewarned. When you drive up to luxurious Matakauri Lodge south of Queenstown, New Zealand, drive a car with a low-roof. Why? Because Matakauri is so private and exclusive, that you have to drive through forest to get to their front door. In moments, you'll forget Aspen-like busy-ness of Queenstown (Aspen and Queenstown are sister cities) and arrive in a peaceful oasis. The Lodge is set on nine acres of native bush, partially landscaped with rolling lawns, a meandering stream and surrounded by a pine forest, overlooking spectacular Lake Wakatipu, creating an atmosphere of supreme privacy and enjoyment.
Don't look for a big sign or reception area. There isn't one. When we drove up, we thought we might have accidentally stumbled into someone's private compound — and that's exactly what folks at Matakauri want you to feel like. We tip-toed through front door, only to be greeted by our host, a delightful German woman, named Wiebke (VEEB-keh). She offered us a drink (Bob had a single-malt Scotch; I sipped a local Zinfandel), and showed us around lodge.
The Matakauri Lodge is just four years old (2000), and was built with a main house for family who lived there, and four cottages, each with two suites that are a few yards and miles of privacy away. General manager Tomas Kastberg told us that while other lodges in area are more formal, with white gloved butlers and such, Matakauri was designed to reflect New Zealander lifestyle — more relaxed, simple and elegant. Think of a simple but very elegant Zen Buddhist structure, add Kiwis' zesty love for outdoors, and you begin to get picture.
Our suite in one of cottages could have been a large apartment in many metropolitan areas. The sitting room was built from local stone and wood, elegantly decorated with furniture of simple lines and sumptuous fabrics and garnished with a gas-started wood-burning stove. A minibar was stocked with teas, coffees, cookies, and other goodies, all included in price of room (except for alcohol, which was extra). Commanding entire room was stunning view of Lake Wakatipu, with 270 degree views. Across lake, mountains fill your eyes with stunning beauty, and not one iota of human presence. Having come from San Francisco Bay Area, it was ocular refreshment.
I can't tell you which room was piece de resistance — bedroom or bath, so I'll have to say "both." The wall in bedroom at foot of bed isn't a wall at all, but louvered accordion shutters, that we closed when we were napped. Otherwise, we threw them open and looked out through living room into amazing view. Now that is my idea of luxury, a bed with a view!