Like a castle on the hill
The Lodge at the Kinloch Club is cosy, exquisite and perfectly located close to Taupo¯, writes Miri Schroeter.
It’s exquisite, stylish and fit for royalty, but one thing the Lodge at Kinloch is not is snooty. The relaxed feel, friendly staff and cosy villas make a stay at the Kinloch Club a special experience.
The Lodge at Kinloch resembles a modern Scottish castle, with its off-white main building and boutique wooden villas spread across the hillside.
Each villa has sizeable windows that look out to Lake Taupo¯. On a cold night you can cosy up to the fireplace and watch the sunset with a hot Nespresso coffee. In summer, a balcony means you can soak up the sun.
Similar views can be seen from the bar, conference room and dining area. Large windows are a continous feature in the design, so no vista is missed.
Each room’s interior is meticulously designed by Virginia Fisher. My favourite room is the grand room with its rich, earthy tones, textured fur throws and copper finishes. Everything down to the books, mainly orange Penguin ones, has been carefully considered to suit the room’s warm tones.
The Kinloch Club is 20 kilometres west of Taupo¯.
Kinloch is a small, serene town with about 500 permanent residents, and is popular for its countryside and mountain bike tracks.
It sits on the edge of Lake Taupo¯, perfect for an evening stroll. The villas are surrounded by a Jack Nicklaus-designed 18-hole golf course, which costs NZ$150-$350 for a round, depending on the season. This is also part of the Kinloch Club.
There is a cafe at the golf course just a few hundred metres from the villas. The villas have one or two bedrooms, an open-floor kitchen and lounge, plus a second sitting room.The kitchen is fully equipped with a stove-top, washing machine and other essentials such as a coffee machine. The bath is large enough for two, and the underfloor heating is an added comfort.
Heat pumps warm each room and the lounges have fireplaces. A staff member can provide help for MIRI SCHROETER/STUFF those wanting the fire started. Most rooms have large windows but the neighbouring lodges are perfectly positioned to maintain each guest’s privacy.
If you like adventure, you’re in luck. Tongariro National Park is about one-and-a-half hours by car and the club can organise transport to take you for a day of hiking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. The club will also sort you out with a packed lunch for the 20km journey, and a guide.
For those not keen on the exercise but wanting to sightsee, a Squirrel helicopter is available.
For a relaxed view of Kinloch’s township, the club provides road bikes.
Prefer to spend the day at the Kinloch Club?
A tennis court is available on site and there’s a driving range, SUPPLIED KINLOCH LODGE SUPPLIED too. Spa facilities, including sporting and wellness treatments, are also available.
Breakfast, pre-dinner drinks and dinner are provided when staying at the lodge. Four-course dinners are created with produce grown at the club owner’s estate.
The meals are fresh, flavoursome and colourful and can be enjoyed while taking in the beautiful scenery. Intricate garnishes included a a sugared butterfly on one of our desserts, and being given the information about the health benefits of the herbs and spices used in the dishes was a nice touch.
The Lodge at Kinloch’s staff were friendly and attentive; the club’s casual yet chic feel was relaxing.
After hiking the Tongariro Crossing I arrived to find a pottle of Manuka lip balm and a chocolate placed next to the bed – a pleasant surprise. Prices start at NZ$1980 a couple for one night’s stay. ● The writer stayed at the Kinloch Club courtesy of Navigate Oceania. SUPPLIED