The Farm at Cape Kidnappers: Luxury Golf & Spa Retreat

While in New Zealand, Richard and Lance will be stopping off at The Farm at Cape Kidnappers for a few nights. The name of this resort, which makes one think of an epic Robert Louis Stevenson story, comes from its location. Captain James Cook, discovered the cape and named it Cape Kidnappers due to a kidnapping attempt on a crew members by a local! But the days of danger are over for this beautiful landscape, and now the 6,000 acre resort serves as a working farm and a relaxing retreat for any traveler.

The Lodge, which encompasses the common areas of The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, consists of rusticly decorated sitting areas. Have a glass of wine in the Wine Cellar featuring some of the region's best wines, or have a fulfilling work out in the gym. Catch up on e-mail (but not too much!) in the business center, or curl up with a good book in the library. Walk outiside to the Infinity Pool which seems to blend in to the ocean, and have a drink at the cabana for some shaded relaxation. Or, go for a treatment in the Spa which offers relaxing therapies in the Spa Treatment Room, or outdoors.

Dining at The Farm at Cape Kidnappers is also a huge treat. Breakfast, Lunch, Cocktails and Dinner are served in a variety of dining spaces. The Loggia is the main dining room, offering seaside views from the floor to ceiling windows. The smaller Dining Room is charmingly decorated with rustic wood furniture, and The Snug offers a cozy setting. The resort can also pack you a romantic picnic for two, and you can take in the amazing vistas as you eat. All meals feature local produce and meats. A cold breakfast buffet is served daily, with hot options available on order. Lunch at the lodge ranges from simple sandwiches to full three course meals. Guests can also have a light lunch before teeing off at The Clubhouse. There is a complimentary cocktail hour daily at 6:30, with hot and cold hors d'oeuvres. Dinner features the finest local meats, produce and seafood. Jackets are required for dinner and cocktails, and private dining and room service is available upon request.

Each suite has a private balcony with 180 degree views of the surrounding landscape. The suites are all decorated in the same contemporary, clean and rustic style of the rest of the lodge. The Owner's Cottage is ideal for families or groups of friends. Featuring walk-in closets, a private jacuzzi, it can be rented as a two or four bedroom cottage.

The lodge tauts a golf course considered one of the best in the world, designed by Tom Doak. The par 71 course offers incredible views of the surrounding acres of farmland and ocean, just like all the other parts of this resort! Guests should also take a tour of the farm during their stay, as it is a working sheep and cattle farm. Tours are given by four wheel drive vehicles or ATVs! The property also offers beautiful walking paths, with tours ranging from short strolls to long hikes, and guests can also use mountain bikes. From September to May, the Gannet Colony (a type of bird related to the Booby), is an attraction. The colony of 20,000 birds is the largest and most accesible in the world. Guests can also go trout fishing in one of the many rivers on the property. For guests who are curious about nature, The Farm at Cape Kidnappers offers the Kiwi Discovery Tour, where Kiwi expert Dr. John McLennan will help guests get upclose and personal to these rare birds.

A concierge at The Farm at Cape Kidnappers can also coordinate a number of luxurious off-property experiences. Scenic Helicopter flights, heritage tours of the local historical sites of the indiginous Maori people, hot air balloon tours, paragliding, food and wine tours, horse riding tours, kayaking and white water rafting are just some of the activities available in the surrouding area!

Check back for Richard and Lance's feedback on the hotels they stayed at during their trip!

For more information about booking at The Farm at Cape Kidnappers or other ClassicTravel.com properties, please contact Jerry Hirshon at 212-404-6777 or by e-mail at Jerry@classictravel.com.

{Hotel Profile} Kauri Cliffs Resort, Matauri Bay, New Zealand

Next up on Richard and Lance's New Zealand stay will be the Kauri Cliffs Resort in Matauri Bay, New Zealand. The main lodge offers 180 degree views of the surrounding scenery , including the Pacific Ocean, Cape Brett and The Cavalli Islands. Relax and enjoy the vistas from the lodge's living room. Hold an event in the meeting room, or relax with friends in the card room. You can even keep up with your e-mail in the small computer room on site. Guests can eat gourmet meals in the main dining room or on verandas while viewing the scenic landscape.

The accommodations are very private, consisting of 22 suites in 11 guest cottages. Each suite has a private porch, sitting area with fireplace and roomy closets. There are also two "security" rooms, for high profile guests who require security personnel to travel with them. These rooms are also often used for children, nanny's or drivers. There is also one two suite house known as The Owner's Cottage with a private swimming pool, hot tub and easy access to all the lodge's amenitites. The cottage has cooking facilities, and guests staying in this super luxury suite can call in the hotel's chef to cook for them. 

Kauri Cliffs Resort offers a plethora of exciting activities for everyone. Scuba Diving, Game Fishing, Snorkling, and Sea Kayaking are among the water sports offered. The grounds of the resort host two tennis courts, a swimming pool, spa and three secluded swimming beaches. Kauri Cliffs also offers tours to local tourist destinations such as Ninety Mile Bay and the historic Waitangi Treaty House. For those courageous guests looking for an exotic experience the resort also hosts guided wild boar hunting. Lastly, the resort boasts a par 72 championchip golf course with fifteen of the eighteen holes facing the Pacific Ocean.   

Kauri Cliffs also has a web of hiking and walking trails that lead to local private beaches or natural landmarks. One trail leads to the Kauri Tree, which is estimated to be 700-900 years old, and is one of the largest trees of its kind on private property. If you don't feel like walking, Kauri Cliffs also has a helicopter available for charter to view the sights from above!

For more information on Kauri Cliffs Resort or any of ClassicTravel.com's other properties, please contact Jerry Hirshon at 212-404-6777 or by e-mail at Jerry@classictravel.com.