Wharekauhau Country Estate,
New Zealand
Wharekauhau Country Estate
4132 Wharekauhau Road RD3, Palliser Bay 5773
New Zealand
www.wharekauhau.co.nz
HOTEL INFORMATION
Shareholders
Privately Owned
Date of Creation
9 August 2010 (curent owner)…..1998 as a luxury lodge venture
Hotel General Manager
Richard Rooney
12 years with Wharekauhau Country Estate ; previously with Treetops luxury lodge, Solitaire Luxury lodge, Annandale Luxury Lodge. Richard is also a senoir executive with teh Luxury Lodges of NZ collaboration.
Hotel Positioning
5 star – Relais & Chateaux
Development strategy
The property has moved its key investment from a classic farm experience, to being one of a wine and food focus, while also being one of NZ oldest working sheep stations. Currently we are investing a great deal in development of the property.
WHAREKAUHAU COUNTRY ESTATE
History & Story
Wharekauhau Country Estate is a 3,000 working coastal sheep station situated on the clifftop terraces overlooking the dramatic and thunderous Palliser Bay. The estate embodies its ‘Wild Beautiful Luxury’ promise
The estate is home to 16 Cottage Suites and one 3 bedroom ultra-luxe villa. The property began life in the 1840s as one of New Zealand’s first commercial sheep stations and transitioned into a grand luxury lodge in the late 1990s. The estate is owned by US wine and hospitality investor Bill Foley and his family. The estate champions a culinary program second to none – with nearly everything throughout the stay being sourced from the lodge, or local artisans. Chefs garden and forage the vast countryside bringing only what is seasonal and available to the kitchen for menu creation.
Date Renewal
We are consistantly adding new developments. Our last rooms were added in 2011, and we are currently in the process of adding 3x more.We are building a new fitness centre at present, and conducting a soft-refurbishment of the cottages
Date added extensions
2011 the last extensions were added. We will open the new ones in Jan/Feb 2018.
Main Strengths, Special Touch
That the proeprty is located on a private farm with a staff that operate more as a family run property than a resort. The property is highly experencial and there is a perfect sense of place here.
Location
We are a 5500 acre coastal farm with a 12 mile coastline. The farm consists of flat pasture land located on raised marine terraces. The property is backed by 1200ft tall mountain ranges.
Key sites/activities in the area
A short drive will have you in the wine village of Martin borough. Driving furhter south a day trip can be taken to the Southern point of the North Island – Cape Palliser.
We are located on the beach and a large farm so many of the activites and attraction come from within the hotel
Fun Facts
We make commercial Gin from the spring water that we draw from under the proeperty.
The farm is home to more than 10,000 sheep.
Children’s Corner
We tailor our activities to suit the needs of younger guests.
HOTEL FEATURES
Accommodation
• 13x Cottage Suites (it will be 16x in January 2018)
All Cottage Suites are located within a 100m walk to the main lodge building. The y are designed to face the ocean and take in the changing Pacific Ocean view. They are set with a super-king bed, (or two single beds), open gas fireplace, satellite flat-screen TV, high speed Wi-Fi Each room was designed by famed interior hotel designer Virginia Fischer. The bathrooms are marble, with his and hers basins, and separate vanity areas. Separate bath and showers also have full views across the ocean. The interiors are made of mainly natural products such as wood and wool, and neutral colours to really make the exterior come alive. All cottages are equipped with a balcony and outdoor seating.
Restaurants & Bars
• The lodge operates a dining room that is open for dinner, while we keep breakfast and lunch much more relaxed and conduct service in the Country Kitchen
• We have the chefs out foragaing and harvesting in the lodge gardens on a daily basis. Produce is mostly estate grown.
• Our rates are inclusive of pre-dinner drinks and canapés, as well as a four course dinner.
Wellness
• There is an indoor, heated swimming pool (28C)
• A full fitness centre
• A massage area with permanant masseuse (massage, facials, manicures, pedicures)
Corporate & Celebration Events
• Buyouts are a great way to use the entire property.
The lodge has a conference room that can be used for board meetings. The lodge can also provide private lounges for smaller meetings.
Extra Notable Features
• 35 minute drive to New Zealand premier Pinot Noir wine region – Martin borough
• On-site activités such as; Horse trekking, ATV quad biking, clay target shooting, archery, wine tasting, cooking classes, spa treatments, hiking, mountian biking.
Hotel and restaurant Awards
• 2016
New Zealand Chefs Association – NZ Chef of the year
New Zealand Chefs Association – NZ Chef of the city (Wellington)
Ora King Salmon – Best Salmon dish in NZ
World Hotel Awards – Nominated as best experiencial property globally
• 2014 – 2015
New Zealand Chefs Association – NZ Chef of the city (Wellignton)
World Hotel Awards – Nominated as best experiencial property globally
Number of employees
25