Luxury resort’s $2.5m upgrade
Wharekauhau Country Estate, already one of the most luxurious resorts in New Zealand, is in for an upgrade.
The sprawling property, on the south Wairarapa coast overlooking Palliser Bay, has been lined up for a $2.5 million investment and accepted into the French-based Relais & Chateaux hotel group.
Existing facilities will be spruced up and three new cottage suites will be built. Its incorporation into Relais & Chateaux, meanwhile, places it into elite company.
Only five other lodges, Kauri Cliffs, Huka Lodge, Cape Kidnappers, Otahuna and Matakauri, represent the group in New Zealand. Wharekauhau general manager Richard Rooney said the investment followed a particularly strong showing from overseas visitors, as well as Australian weekend visitors.
‘‘Seeing such investment reflects the strong growth we’ve had at Wharekauhau over the past few years especially from our key markets of North America, Western Europe, and high interest from fellow New Zealanders,’’ he said.
In 2014, Wharekauhau solidified its reputation as a favourite of the rich and famous when it played host to Prince William, the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince George during their royal tour. The property is owned by US billionaire William P Foley II.
It has also made a name for itself in the culinary world. Earlier this year, executive chef Marc Soper won the New Zealand Culinary Institute’s Chef of the Year and Chef of the Capital Awards.
Destination Wairarapa general manager David Hancock said the upgrade would be a boon for the region. ‘‘We know this is such a special property with guests staying on a 5500-acre working farm with incredible coastal views.
‘‘Here, they have easy access to the wine village of Martinborough, the colonial township of Greytown with its specialty shops and gorgeous boutiques, and of course they are on the doorstep of Wellington.’’
All this luxury doesn’t come cheap: according to the resort’s website, prices for nightly stays range from $908 in the Cottage Suites to $5744 in the Owner’s Cottage.