MORE LUXURY IN NEW ZEALAND
After six years of construction, the Helena Bay Lodge will open its doors in November 2016. A 40-minute helicopter flight from Auckland, courtesy of the property’s private helicopter, will transport visitors to what could be described as pure paradise. The lodge comprises a main house and two luxury villas, four private beaches and 800 acres of pristine coastline.
The main house, with maximum capacity for 10 adults, will serve as a central gathering place, welcoming guests with communal spaces including a gallery, a library, a restaurant, a bar and an alfresco lounge area with fire pits. A spa wing houses all of the wellness necessities travelers look for, including a gym, a sauna, steam rooms, a massage room, a cold plunge pool and a heated fresh water swimming pool. There also are additional accommodations in the main house available for guests traveling with extended family or service staff.
Two villas, one with two 1,450-square-foot villa suites, and a second with three 700-square-foot junior suites offer guests super king beds and waterfront balconies with views of the South Pacific Ocean and its native wildlife, including dolphins and whales. Guest suites feature the highest quality amenities, including handmade European linens, duvets by Hefel, and Feiler towels. The bathrooms have impressive mosaic tiling throughout and offer luxury bath goods, including Molton Brown procuts and robes by Christian Fischbacher.
Helena Bay will offer world-class cuisine from celebrated two Michelin-starred Ristorante Don Alfonso 1890 in Italy, overseen by Executive Chef Michele Martino. Evening meals are including in the price of the resort. The on-property restaurant will serve an elegant five-course tasting menu each night accompanied by an amuse bouche and an optional a la carte menu. The wine list will vary each night to properly pair with the evening’s menu and will be fueled by the property’s private cellar with more than 100 vintages from New Zealand and around the world. Guests also can look forward to custom culinary experiences with Chef Martino, such as visits to the property’s farm and garden and special picnic excursions.
The Helena Bay grounds offer an array of activities to enjoy when not relaxing by the ocean or pool, including tennis, hiking and biking trails, and a farm where guests can visit with alpacas, donkeys and Wagyu cattle. Brand new Trek mountain bikes — two with electric motors — can be used on the many scenic trails. Paddleboards and kayaks are available for those looking to go out on the water. Guests also may choose to pass the hours fishing or exploring the area on four-wheel buggies.
