De Preaux Lodge: Sunny, secluded and simply irresistible
When real estate agents Corina Collins and Jack Van Lierop invited us to visit De Preaux Lodge, which they described as ‘‘a successful upmarket B&B offering luxury farm stay accommodation’’, we knew it was too good an opportunity to pass up.
Surrounded by picturesque farmland, with fabulous views out to the Kaimai Ranges, the property at 441 Taihoa South Road is more than an address – it is a home of distinction located at the doorstep to one of New Zealand’s most iconic tourist destinations. Just five minutes to Matamata and just over 10 minutes from the Hobbiton Movie Set, the delightful retreat offers complete seclusion from the world beyond.
As you enter the tree-lined driveway with a lush overhang, an overwhelming sense of relaxation greets you. Encased amidst beautifully landscaped gardens and protected by a curtain of mature trees, the home exudes upmarket appeal with its large, hand-picked schist stone pillars creating a grand entrance.
Superior workmanship throughout excites the senses at every turn. But make no mistake; for all its grandeur, it is an endearing family home at its heart. This is due to the vision of owners Joy and Ian who wanted to create something unique.
Joy explains: ‘‘It had to be a generous house because we have a large family and they often drop in, staying with us for extended periods. At the same time, we wanted to create an ambience where everyone would feel comfortable, rested and relaxed. Our design philosophy was to make it easy for entertaining and accommodating people, giving them all the space they needed to enjoy their stay. Our motto is ‘enter as strangers and leave as friends’.’’
While Ian focused mainly on the technical aspects – ensuring an exceptionally energy efficient home – Joy’s directive to her architect was to create a home in perfect harmony with its environment. It took an entire year from design to delivery. The result: a home that brings you fulfilment on many levels.
Stepping through the front door, you will be drawn to the panoramic views from the extensive living and dining areas. Large sliding doors lead out to decking to enjoy the views, and down to the impressive outdoor fire area. There are appealing choices of places to sit across the decks under the soothing shade of native trees, to enjoy a wine.
De Preaux Lodge offers a variety of accommodation options including bedrooms with private decks and ensuites and a selfcontained luxury suite. The hub of the house and focal point of family engagement is the highcapacity designer kitchen. With its impressive polished concrete bench tops, architectural finesse, and scullery, it is a space most people can only dream of.
Joy says new owners have the option to continue the existing arrangement. The property is also a popular choice as a wedding venue. The serene setting and the amazing guest reviews have you set up to continue to offer a premium product in a desired tourist location.
‘‘Visitors absolutely love the quietness and cleanliness. After walking around the zen-like gardens and grounds and soaking in the views of farmland in all directions, they feel well rested and rejuvenated.’’
The name De Preaux reflects the couple’s French heritage and their passion for hospitality. Even under current market conditions, they can sustain the B&B. ‘‘If you love meeting a variety of people from all over the world, this will be a rewarding enterprise,’’ they say. ‘‘We like the relaxed buzz of running the place, so it doesn’t feel like a job at all. It’s more of a hobby.’’
However, the home can just be enjoyed by a new family who love space and entertaining or want to accommodate extended family. The choice is yours.
For those who would desire more land, adjacent to this 8-hectare block are two more titles of approximately the same size, giving the opportunity to buy 24ha in total. The other titles have infrastructure in the way of sheds and horse boxes. Farm water is supplied via a bore.
Having invested an abundance of time and resources in their dream home over 11 years, Joy and Ian now plan to downsize. Like good custodians, they have nurtured their property for its next generation of owners. To appreciate the flexibility of what is on offer, call Corina or Jack for a private viewing.