The room
Views out across the bay from the villa’s master bedroom.
The ocean-facing master bedroom in my four-bedroom villa is a retreat unto itself with its walk-in robe, marble-tiled bathroom, fireside armchairs – perfect for snuggling in with a book – and French doors leading to the deck. The three garden-facing suites also have en suites and a subtle personality change in the decor department. Comfort and serenity knit the spaces together and find delightful expression in the living room with its vaulted ceilings, natural-fibre furnishings and fireplace fit for winter tete-a-tetes. In summer, the deck’s pool loungers are the most prized amenity.
Food + drink
The fridge of each villa’s kitchen is stocked with New Zealand wine.
Gourmands can self cater in the kitchen while sipping New Zealand wine from the stocked fridge. Or treat yourself to the services of a private chef (the butler’s pantry is a discreet space for dinner-prepping). Rosewood’s Partners in Provenance initiative ensures local growers are both supported and represented on the a la carte and chef’s tasting menus at the main house. Golfers can grab a bite from the food truck parked on the “19th tee” daily in summer.
Out + about
Guests will find a golf course on their doorstep.
Laggards fear not: golfing, swimming and spa treatments are moments from your doorstep. Maori and settlement heritage are revealed on a guided farm tour and a walk through the native reserve set aside in tribute to the Williams family, who farmed Tepene Tablelands for 50 years before selling the farm to the Robertsons. Further afield, book a sailing charter in the Bay of Islands and visit Waitangi Treaty Grounds and the historic town of Russell.
The verdict
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Luxe hotels can sometimes be stiff and formal, but Kauri Cliffs’ luxuriousness is a balm, not least due to the unaffected geniality of the lodge’s staff.
The essentials
From $11,755 for eight guests, including breakfast and dinner. 139 Tepene Tablelands Road, Matauri Bay, Northland, New Zealand, +64 9 407 0010. See rosewoodhotels.com.
Score out of five
Five
Highlight
Watching the sun rise over Matauri Bay from my cosy bedroom.
Lowlight
Sacrilegious, I know, but this golfing cynic would happily replace the greens with the native gardens planted elsewhere on the property.
The writer stayed as a guest of Tourism New Zealand.