Luxury Travel Advisor - May 2008 - (Page 30)

For soon-to-be married couples, this Peppers presents its own delightfully charming chapel, constructed of recycled tiles and stained glass, and accommodating 70 guests. (Luxury Travel Advisor visited Australian sister property Peppers the Louise in 2007; see Luxury Travel Advisor, November 2007.) Couples adore the Lake Cottage Suites for their lounges, bedrooms and private decks with Jacuzzis. Families should choose the four-bedroom Lake Villa, with a huge fireplace, decks off of all rooms and an expansive, open atmosphere. Clients who want to book the best accommodations should opt for the main lodge' s Premier Suite, ª the best bedroom in Rotorua,º according to our insiders. Accents include a sleek mahogany dining table, plasma TV, wooden shutters, beige-and-bone tiles, a sunken living area, spa bath, separate study and lengthy outside deck. The main lodge melds original wood enhancements, like timber panels, with contemporary touches, such as wicker. Chandeliers, antiques, candles and Oriental rugs convey an elegant motif. Though the original home burned in 1930, it was carefully rebuilt in 1936; today, it' s ideal for big dinner parties, small conferences or executive retreats. Your clients can play pool in the Billiard Room, or tinker away on the baby grand as chef Brendan Davis works his fourcourse table d' hôte magic. ª Classic but innovativeº describes his culinary prowess; we liked the tasty Beef Nori Roll. Romantic in-room dining is also available. Adults may request individualized spa services (we recommend the Rotorua mud wrap), while kids frolic happily in their own playhouse. A tennis court beckons athletic guests, as do a small gym and sauna. Down the road several hundred feet at 171 Kawaha Point Road is Kawaha Point Lodge (www.kawahalodge.co.nz), the pride of owners Margaret and Tony Seavill. The entrancing headland-point property is the former stronghold of the famous Maori chieftain Tunohopu and his wives, children, warriors and slaves. Assistant Manager and maître' d Andre Riaille (enquire@ kawahalodge.co.nz.), an employee of 11 years, ensures your clients select the most fitting accommodations, among them two ª pureº Lake Rotorua-view rooms or six others that afford placid garden and lake views. Suites, all of which are air-conditioned, bear the names of 16 local lakes: Tarawera is handicap accessible, while Rotoiti directly accesses the garden and gorgeous outdoor pool. Perfect for families, Tikitapu and Okareka easily interconnect, with patios in the front. Pampered guests enjoy complimentary fruit and homemade cookies, freshly ground coffee and in-room spirits. A private home 30 years ago (it originally was owned by local baker Tom Johnstone), the owner-operated lodge is just five minutes from a warming thermal bath. The interior décor comprises antique English furniture and New Zealand art and is accentuated overall by tasteful, calming tones of cream and taupe. A drawing room, dining room and library are on the home' s first floor and open to the veranda, where guests can view delicate old and new rose varieties in the lodge gardens. Tip: If LODGE 199 guest rooms exit directly onto private patios that afford lake views and plenty of space for private dining. 28 LUXURY TRAVEL ADVISOR | May 2008 http://www.airnewzealand.com http://www.airnewzealand.com http://www.199.co.nz

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Luxury Travel Advisor - May 2008 Contents Publisher's Letter Editor's Letter Park City Riviera Maya Italian Castles Rotorua China Villa Retreats The Ritz-Carlton, Powerscourt Rancho Bernardo Port Ghalib Dead Sea Spas Silversea The Professor The Pulse Jetset Report Sightings Source List

Luxury Travel Advisor - May 2008

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