To the manor born in Kinloch
Pamela Wade finds Kinloch Manor meets high expectations during her luxurious stay.
Just a 20-minute drive from Taupo¯ , the manor and its cluster of villas sit on a hill overlooking the township of Kinloch and, beyond, the lake and distant mountains. For most guests, though, the main focus is the challenging par-72 golf course that curls around it, the only Jack Nicklausdesigned course in New Zealand.
The place
A striking, angular white building surrounded by low-profile, wooden villas, Kinloch Manor was opened in 2016 to offer luxurious accommodation and easy access to the 18-hole golf course, as well as the region’s many other activities.
The main building features soaring windows for appreciation of those spectacular views; but there is much to admire inside, too. High, angled ceilings feature beaten copper chandeliers, there are multiple fireplaces and fox-fur throws on the sofas and chairs in the Great Room for those chilly winter nights, and pieces of art everywhere.
Outside are a courtyard and terrace for drinks on balmy evenings, and inside, a clubby bar with a fine selection of drinks offers perfect views of the sunset across the lake. The large dining room has an open kitchen. Downstairs is a spa and wellness centre with a range of treatments available.
Electric golf carts are provided for commuting between villas and manor, as well as down to the golf clubhouse. A neat vegetable garden is evidence of the lodge’s commitment to an ‘‘estate-to-plate’’ practice. There is a tennis court, and bicycles to hire.
The space
Our villa too had large windows for enjoying the views, as well as terraces both sides. Even in November, the under-floor heating was welcome – if it had been colder, we would have had the fire lit. A well-equipped kitchen looked sadly, but understandably, unused, apart from the complimentary snacks and drinks, which included delicious home-made chocolate chip biscuits.
The bathroom was spacious with a big, standalone bath, rain head shower and ecosensitive toiletries. The huge bed with puffy pillows was as comfortable as it looked; the USB port beside it was one of many thoughtful touches.
Above right: All comforts and present and correct in the villa bedroom.
Stepping out
Drive or walk into Kinloch to experience the peaceful ambience enjoyed by the residents. The marina is impressive, if you like to drool over boats. And, in the unlikely event that you haven’t already eaten well at the manor, the Tipsy Trout cafe and restaurant is popular with locals.
It’s worth it too to head in the opposite direction to call in at Woody’s Place. It’s not just a gallery featuring the work of 12 local artists – turned wood, paintings, photography, jewellery, furniture, even marvellous landscapes made out of wools – but you can also be taught wood-turning by Woody himself.
The food
So good – delicious, and beautifully presented. The continental breakfast features fruit, flaky pastries and chia seed cups, and the menu offers the usual range of dishes. Taken at a seat in the window, it’s the perfect way to fuel up for the day.
Dinner, though, is on another level: beginning with appetite-threatening fancy canape´ s in the bar with complimentary pre-dinner drinks, the fivecourse menu begins with soup such as artichoke and asparagus, then perhaps gin-cured salmon gravlax, a sorbet, followed by a main like supertender beef fillet with black garlic mash and, afterwards, a completely irresistible dessert such as dark chocolate cremoux.
Highlight
So many to choose: the space, the luxury, the views, the food, but for the non-golfing fraternity, the novelty of zipping around the grounds in that little electric buggy is pure fun. For golfers, standing in the bar watching putting attempts on the greens below is perfect entertainment.
Lowlight
There’s a sad-looking labrador sculpture by the inner-courtyard, which is a bit of a downer – but easily forgotten once you’re inside. Also, the glass doors at the villas are heavy to slide open and shut.
Service
Friendly, welcoming, efficient and professional, the service is impossible to fault.
The verdict
Definitely treat-level for most of us, Kinloch Manor meets high expectations and delivers a luxurious experience and fond memories.
Essentials
Kinloch Manor is located at 261 Kinloch Rd, in the grounds of the Kinloch Club golf course. The onebedroom Manor Suite starts at $1910 per night for two people, while the two-bedroom costs $2780 and the three-bedroom $4170 for dinner, bed and breakfast. Wi-fi is included.
Wheelchair accessible
The main building is one-level for lounge, bar and dining – the spa downstairs is accessible by lift. Two villas have entry ramps.
The deal
Stay two nights here, plus two nights at sister property Treetops, outside Rotorua, and get an extra night free at either place.
Pamela Wade was a guest of Kinloch Manor & Villas.
It’s been up there since 1968, a silent presence above the town, always visible, day or night. It’s the background to daily life in Alexandra, the Central Otago town known as Alex to its friends and, famously, rarely absent from TV weather lists of the country’s hottest, or coldest, daily temperatures.
Built in a remarkable 42 working days by the Jaycees, at a cost to them of almost $3000, the clock face is 11 metres across, making it the biggest of its kind in the country. Its white hands and hour markers show up well in daytime against the baked rock of the Knobbies Range and, at night, they are illuminated: lit first by 150 torch bulbs, then white LED lights and now coloured ones.
While it was made to look up at, no visitor to Alex should leave without standing just below it to enjoy the opposite view.
Why go?
Because you can get up there much more easily than the competitors in the annual spring Blossom Festival’s Round the Clock Race. Setting off from the opposite side of
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the shallow, but icy Manuherikia River, they are allowed to use any non-mechanical means to cross the river – feet, horse, bike, kayak – before racing up to touch the clock face and back down again. The fastest teams manage the course in less than five minutes, individual runners taking about seven.
Leaving from the town centre, you will do it in an hour, walking along the river to the well-named and historic Shaky Bridge, an old
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wooden suspension bridge. Resisting (or not) the temptation of the vineyard on the other side, you follow the short, but steep, track up to the clock for the reward of the long views over the town, rivers, hills and mountains.
Insider tip
The clock was right only twice a day for a while last year, after a bit of vandalism, but it can be trusted again now.
On the way/nearby
You will already have discovered the inviting eateries and bars in town. After refuelling, go to Pioneer Park to explore the Central Stories Museum and Art Gallery. Admire what’s left of the old bridge over the Clutha River, then cross the sturdy new one and climb up Bridge Hill to the Jolendale Park Arboretum for some gold mining relics and an extensive collection of trees from all over the world.
Or, you could take a bike ride beside the river on the 12km, mostly flat track to Clyde, passing more historic and pretty bridges, houses and churches along the route. The Otago Central Rail Trail is right there too, for a taster of its entire 152km length. And speaking of tasters, there’s a fine selection of mostly pinot noir vineyards to visit.
How much?
Some heavy breathing and a bit of leg work are all that’s required.
Best time to go
In Alex, the weather is mostly clear year round, so the views are pretty much a given. alexandra.co.nz