There’s excitement in golfing circles about the October 2015 opening of Lodge at Kinloch, which will be perched on the edge of the only Jack Nicklaus designed gold course in New Zealand (voted 2014, #1 Golf Course in New Zealand in 2014) Created by the much-awarded Treetops Lodge & Estate, The Lodge at Kinloch will feature one-bedroom junior suites and luxurious one and two bedroom villas designed by Andrew Patterson in a landscaped setting with views over the course to Lake Taupo. Interiors are by
Virginia Fisher, THE New Zealand lodge designer (think Matakauri Lodge - and Huka Lodge to name but two) “My brief for the main lodge was to emulate a version of the Kinloch region namesake Scottish castle, but with a truly modern 21st century feel. My vision was a baronial feel of lush textures – velvet, fox fur, brass and copper but upon modern calm of whitewash, light and airy.” Says Fisher. The lodge’s restaurant will feature produce reared from the private 2000 ha owners estate – from “'Estate to Plate'.
Aleenta Phuket Resort & Spa in Phang Nga Thailand (from the innovative Akaryn hotel group) has unveiled its remodelled Grand Deluxe Pool Villas. The 34 new pool villas, launched this week, adhere to the 'Outdoor/indoor philosophy. Each villa features an eight-metre pool and an ability to completely open up the side of the villa so sliding glass doors make the outside and inside one grand living space. A private, cloistered, 141-square metre environment set back from the beach in a tranquil garden setting. Other highlights include a deep outdoor bath, spacious outdoor living area and a private day bed. In-room features include natural cotton bathrobes and slippers, the latest generation large screen LCD smart TV with Cable and 450 thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets. The resort also features a stunning beach front 40-metre infinity pool and the Ayurah Wellness Centre, with treatments designed by UK-celebrity beauty practitioner Linda Meredith.
www.aleenta.com
Five passionate surfers and entrepreneurs are creating Fiji’s most exciting new luxury resort, Vunabaka, near some Fiji’s most famous waves,-on Malolo island in the Mamanucas. Among them Anthony Marcotti who founded Kandui Resort back in 2004. It is not surf-oriented endeavour, but it is located only fifteen minutes by boat from the best waves in Fiji like Cloudbreak and Restaurants,” explains Marcotti. At the heart of this $350 million development is the Island Grace hotel, a five star boutique resort expected to be completed by May 2016. Architect Richard Priest will combine artisan design and natural materials to create a hotel with a 21st century Fijian feel, incorporating furniture made by local craftsman and a restaurant offering sustainable seafood and local ingredients dished up by New Zealander chef Inka Peri and his team (Peri was most recently at the luxurious Likuliku Lagoon resort). The resort will be set between two private yacht marinas with tennis and yoga on site and golf a mere helicopter hop away.
www.vunabaka.com
On 3km of pristine coastline on the unspoilt Tukukaka coast of New Zealand’s North Island a Russian billionaire is creating a new and exclusive luxury lodge, Helena Bay, scheduled to open in 2016. The lodge will have one master villa and several suites as well as an owner’s cottage in a private bay, within the 304-hectare estate. Guest facilities include library, three lounge areas, informal and formal dining areas and an outdoor fire pit with fresh produce gathered daily from the estate’s own vegetable gardens and orchards and meat from the estate. There will also be a gym, sauna, massage rooms, a 25-metre heated swimming pool, four private beaches and a helipad. Owner Alexander Abramov was inspired by many of the areas early heritage buildings (such as Pompallier Mission House in Russell) so architect Greg Jones was asked to create a timeless and classic group of buildings that would readily blend and be one with the environment.
www.helenabay.com
Lizard island on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef has unveiled its latest new villa (part of the ongoing $45 million refurbishment of the island). Called simply, ‘The Villa” it is situated on top of a ridge with uninterrupted views across Sunset Beach and the Coral Sea. The Villa features two bedrooms with en-suite, a spacious lounge with butler’s kitchen, an expansive outdoor area and a private 8-metre infinity plunge pool. The Interiors by Hecker Guthrie focus on natural tones and finishes to reflect the beauty of nature outside. The Villa guests will also be treated to daily sunset Champagne and canapés in their room and private in-villa dining is also available on request. Lizard Island’s soft re-opening was back in June 2015.
www.lizardisland.com.au
Hilary Doling 5/9/15