New Zealand is home to dozens of small luxury lodges, from the lush subtropical Bay of Islands in the north to the rugged, glacier-cut valleys of Central Otago in south as well as some of its favorite high-end points hotels such as the Park Hyatt Auckland and other smaller resorts.

Rosewood Hotels and Resorts are the banner of three of the country’s most distinctive luxury lodges Kauri Cliffs, Cape Kidnappers and Matakauri – all under the name of RoseWOOD Hotels or Resort.

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The late hedge fund founder and billionaire, Julian Robertson, Jr., originally built all three were by the infamously-defeated father of hedge funds (the last one in his lifetime) who was also an investor at that time. In 2001 Kauri Cliffs was inaugurated on the verdant northeast coast of North Island (though its famous David Harman-designed clifftop golf course opened last year) and it’s predecessor, Kane Hill. Robertson developed the equally stunning Cape Kidnappers golf course on North Island’s wine growing area of Hawke’S Bay in 2004, and its own luxury lodge in 2007. Robertson, meanwhile, bought and renovated an existing lodge called Matakauri on the shores of Lake Wakatipu just outside Queenstown in 2010 (no golf course here, though)

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Over the next 10 years-plus, each of the hotels grew an audience New Zealand’s well-heeled domestic travel tradition and international jetsetters attracted by those scene-stealing golf courses and other nearby attractions offered by each hotel.

All three lodges were renamed by Rosewood in 2023 and, although you’ll now see the brand standards of the luxury chain (and linens) as evidence for their authenticity each maintains its original individual identity. But maybe that’s partly because these are one of the smallest hotels in the world where Rosewood runs only small hotels? And if you think it’s the size of , don’t let your own little fool you out there they are each an outsized way to experience very different parts of New Zealand.

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More importantly, every 3 are involved in American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts. If you have American express Platinum Card® or The Business Platinum Cards® from American Ex and if your stay is on-demand (up to $100 credit for use of availability-based upgrades), free daily breakfast for two and guaranteed 4 p)? M m is ,. late checkout, paraphrasingr.

A recent trip to New Zealand, where I visited Rosewood Cape Kidnappers and RoseWOOD Matakauri. if you’re looking to see some of New Zealand’s most beautiful areas, here’ll be one of the best places to stay.

Rosewood Cape Kidnappers

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A few days in Auckland, and then highlights like Hobbiton (and the volcanic lakes of Taupo and Rotorua) are a typical time for New Zealand visitors to spend some day with first timers. After , they travel to the South Island for adventures near Queenstown. Nevertheless, it’s a shame to not be on one of the country’S best places I have ever been Hawke’d Bay.

Some of New Zealand’s best and most picturesque wineries are located about halfway down the east coast on North Island, as well as the city of Napier (the art deco capital of the world) with its extensive collection containing buildings constructed in this vibrant style. An earthquake in 1931 destroyed the entire city and rebuilt it, later reviving (the whole city) of (as well as parts of its original city). ) , who has been.

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Rosewood Cape Kidnappers is also a 45-minute drive south of Napier along the coast, home to RoseWOOD Cape kidnifers. Only 24 rooms are there, including a four-bedroom standalone villa in the lodge itself (see details). The site is located on an 6,000-acre working sheep and cattle farm; it features world class, 18-hole golf course designed by Tom Doak right along the cliffs.

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It is also part of the Cape Sanctuary, New Zealand’s largest privately owned and funded conservation project (which was cofounded by Robertsons); it has successfully brought local flora and fauna back to the area.

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This feel is rustic and cozy, with a farmhouse-chic theme (indeed, you’ll find antique farming tools and repurposed farm and ranch equipment in the decor), while it has remained traditional. There’s a lot of exposed stone, wooden beams, cheeky alpine charm like antler chandeliers and, of course, panoramic windows with views of this particularly dramatic stretch of coastline.

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My room was in a suite with the main building, but you can see other suites and villas along the surrounding ridges not to mention ‘a sun deck and hot tub pool.

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The room at Grand Junior Lodge was fresh and breezy, with wooden walls and beams painted off-white, plenty of natural light, bright textiles and even a flickering fireplace placed between the doors to my private balcony.

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It was a huge stone-tiled bathroom with dual vanities, soaking tub and walk in shower with orange-scented Evolu skin and hair products.

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I think my favorite part was the minibar, though, which served a selection of local wines and otherartisanal New Zealand snacks and spirits.

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Guests are given free cocktails and canapes that sit next to one of the lodge’s fireplace rooms or in what became my favorite room a cylindrical wood-paneled lounge called the Snug, with faux fur throws and pillows.

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It is a main restaurant called the Dining Room and has ‘a glassed-in dining atrium, two smaller interior dining rooms decorated with French country theme themes’.

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One of the most notable is that it features as much local seasonal produce, a food program here offers all you can see from your home. My favoriteties were line-caught rock fish with Panang curry, pickled lychee and garden herbs; wild fennel (smoked salmon), local lemon and horseradish cream; braised lentils with avocado, pomegranate and pumpkin seeds; slow-roasted beef tenderLoin from Te Mata mushrooms — chard, horopito (pepperwood) and celeriac. A stunning collection of the who’s behind New Zealand’s wine scene is also on the list — not only from Hawke’ Bay but even in other parts of town like Marlborough and Central Otago.

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While it is not a time to drink and eat, there are plenty of things to keep guests busy during stayed. A tee time at the golf course would be illegal, and if you’re playing that inimitable course here, of course.

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But guests can also book day and night tours of the Cape Sanctuary to see if they could spot a kiwi or two, and may try to recreate the low glow of area’s famous glow worms. Walkways Aplenty of walking trails and an extraordinary colony (large seabirds) of gannet is also found in the paraphrast, as well as some unusual colonies. The best tour I’ve ever had was a multi-hour Can-Am trip in an all-terrain car that allowed us to travel through the entire property, including some isolated beaches and other places where rewilding has been fully implemented.

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Hotel The hotel can arrange architecture tours of Napier, half- and full-day winery tour with lunch if it is off property. So I had tried a lot of local wine on-property so instead of going into town one afternoon, I went for sex at the hotel’s small hilltop spa. I’m going to try the healing manuka honey facial next time. Paraphrast.

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What’s there for Cape Kidnappers, whether you like food and wine or nature, golf, wellness or simply relaxation it features some of New Zealand’S most beautiful scenery, to boot.

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Rates at Rosewood Cape Kidnappers start at 2,043 New Zealand dollars ($1,180) per night.

Rosewood Matakauri

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Rosewood Matakauri (the smallest in the world) is only one room, 11 suites and four-bedroom villa with just 13 rooms. The distance from Queenstown Airport (ZQN) is just 20 minutes away from the backpacker-thronged city It sits off a private drive above the aquamarine waters of Lake Wakatipu, with uninterrupted views of the snowcapped Remarkables and Cecil Peak.

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It looks like the look here, which I’d describe as modern alpine. The main lodge building, with large windows and lots of white wooden paneling, has a host of cozy seating nooks (both indoor and outdoor) heated by crackling fireplaces. These are lovely settings for a pre-dinner speritif and canapes setting.

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Alternatively, you can take your cocktail on a walk to admire the many works of art by famous New Zealand artists like Andrew Drummond (not including some amazing tapestries and ceramic plates designed with Pablo Picasso)).

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There are stunning lake views in the only dining room but tables are first-come, first served table. But if you’re looking for one of the lakefront ones, so get early. Breakfast Served with specialties such as cold-smoked salmon and poached eggs over house-made sourdough.

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While dinner menus shuffle from day to day, they can include specialties such as mild Whitianga snapper carpaccio with rhubarb, saffron, carrots and a dollop of osetra caviar; juicy Royalburn lamb rump cooked to tender perfection with braised celery (braised), grapes, goat cheese and the jus; seared snapped with an tarragon hollandaise and spring peas.

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The villas here are large and open floor plans, although with different levels and a few stairs here and there are several steps to the top of the house. I had a grand lake view suite with an enormous living room overlooking the lake and my Grand Lake View suite was equipped with its own fireplace. Plus there was a bath with’so beautiful lake views’ (and the manuka honey-scented Evolu products were heaven)

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A sunken closet was just off to one side of the bedroom, a semi-closed room up. small set of stairs and it was’sunken’ in the bedroom as said “The bedroom is… Whether the “choppy” design is just an over-the-counter of the lodge’s pre-Robertson origins, but perhaps it will be nice for hotel owners to address some of these quirks in another future renovation.

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While guests may smuggle down to the hotel’s dock for an odd dip in the lake, remember “It’ll be glacial and cold.” For better views on lake and mountain, there are also plenty of hiking trails to the property.

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In case you’re interested in la carte trips like helicopter rides to nearby glaciers, private lake cruises, bungeer jump and wine-tasting jaunts to the Central Otago (about an hour away), pack your Centurion Card from American Express.

American Express’s Centurion Card has independently collected the information for its own card, The Points Guy. Card issuer has not reviewed or provided any card details on this page.

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While your goal is relaxation, you can just take in the open-air swimming pool and Jacuzzi or hop into the glass-fronted standalone sauna on the pool deck. Just next to that is a small gym and two-room spa, where signature treatments include Elemis facials and body masks with mineral-rich New Zealand glacial mud.

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Rates at Matakauri start at NZ$1,622 ($940) per night.

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