1. 2011
discover southern lands and southern islands
ALL AROUND THE WORLD, UNIQUE IN THE WORLD
AustrAliA, New ZeAlANd, tAhiti, VANuAtu

2. 2
Nespresso adds the finishing touch
to your moment of pure indulgence
A perfect coffee to an excellent meal
is an essential part of a truly
refined gastronomic experience.
Nespresso perfects this finishing touch
with a variety of highly qualitative Grands Crus.
As a guest you can be certain that
the establishments serving Nespresso
are passionate about coffee and will guarantee
the highest quality serving, every time.
Enjoy pure moments of indulgence
in select hotels and restaurants.
www.nespresso.com/pro

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5. 5
iNdex
Page
A WORD FROM THE PREsIDENT 6
INFORMATION AND REsERvATIONs 7
MAPs OF OUR AUsTRALIAN, NEW ZEALAND AND sOUTH PAcIFIc PROPERTIEs 8
DIscOvER yOUR ROUTE DU BONHEUR 9
AUSTRALIA
A ROUTE DU BONHEUR AROUND vIcTORIA 10 Otahuna Lodge
JAcQUEs REyMOND REsTAURANT, MELBOURNE 11
cHATEAU yERINg, yARRA vALLEy 12
A ROUTE DU BONHEUR AROUND NEW sOUTH WALEs 14
JONAH’s, WHALE BEAcH, syDNEy 15
TETsUyA’s REsTAURANT, syDNEy 16
TOWER LODgE, HUNTER vALLEy 17
NEW ZEALAND
A ROUTE DU BONHEUR AROUND NEW ZEALAND 18
THE LODgE AT KAURI cLIFFs, NORTHLAND 19
MOLLIEs, AUcKLAND 20
THE FARM AT cAPE KIDNAPPERs, HAWKE’s BAy 21 Whare Kea Chalet
OTAHUNA LODgE, cHRIsTcHURcH 22
WHARE KEA LODgE & cHALET, cENTRAL OTAgO 24
MATAKAURI LODgE, QUEENsTOWN 25
SOUTH PACIFIC
AROUND RATUA PRIvATE IsLAND, vANUATU 26
AROUND LE TAHA’A IsLAND REsORT & sPA, TAHITI IsLANDs 26
RATUA PRIvATE IsLAND, vANUATU 28
LE TAHA’A IsLAND REsORT & sPA, TAHITI IsLANDs 29
THANKs TO OUR PARTNERs 30
Jonah’s Whale Beach

6. 6
A wOrd frOm the PresideNt
Dear Friends,
In a perpetually evolving world, seizing the moment
almost becomes audacious. Of course, we all need to
recharge our batteries, to savour taking that precious
time out...
Offering you moments of “being” where all the senses
are awakened in breathtakingly beautiful settings is
the very essence of Relais & Châteaux. Thanks to the
enormous talent of our hoteliers and Grands Chefs,
our Association helps to spread this unique “Art de
Vivre” around the world. This is something we have
been doing well for more than 50 years.
It all began in 1954, when a number of hoteliers and
restaurateurs merged to create a way for holidaymakers
on the road from Paris to the French Riviera to seek out
places with the same level of excellence and a passion
for fine cuisine and the art of living.
In the beginning, there were only eight establishments
along that route. Today, there are 500 members
present in 60 countries. Relais & Châteaux properties
and restaurants are both all around the world and
unique in the world.
From Africa, through China, the Pacific Islands or
Australasia, our member properties open their doors
to you in breathtakingly beautiful settings.
Perhaps your next Route du Bonheur will be an
unforgettable experience in an antipodean paradise!
Jaume Tàpies
International President
of Relais & Châteaux

7. 7
iNfOrmAtiON & reserVAtiONs
Discover anD book relais & châteaux ProPerties visit our Maisons Des relais & châteaux...
Visit www.relaischateaux.com or call our Central Reservation FRANCE
offices. If you are calling from the following countries, please dial: 33, boulevard malesherbes 75008 Paris Tower Lodge
rc-paris@relaischateaux.com
EUROPE
France 0 825 32 32 32 *
UNITED KINGDOm
Austria, Benelux, Germany, Ireland, Italy,
10 Beauchamp Place London SW3 1NQ
Portugal, Spain, Sweden,
rc-uk@relaischateaux.com
Switzerland & United Kingdom. 00 800 2000 00 02 **
Italy + 39 02 6269 0064
SPAIN-PORTUGAL
Russia, Kazakhstan + 7 495 933 0960
Rambla de Catalunya, 62 3° 1A E-08007 Barcelona
Ukraine + 38 044 272 4190
rc-spain@relaischateaux.com
Jonah’s Whale Beach
THE AmERICAS
ITALy
United States, Canada + 1 800 735 2478 **
Via Principe Amedeo 1, 20121 milano
Spanish-speaking South America + 54 11 4326 3861
rc-italy@relaischateaux.com
Brazil + 55 11 3255 2324
NORTH AmERICA
ASIA-OCEANIA
10 East 53rd Street New york, Ny 10022
Japan + 81 3 5472 6789
rc-usa@relaischateaux.com
China + 86 21 5212 2067
Hong Kong + 852 3121 3616
BRUSSELS Cape Kidnappers
Thailand & rest of Asia + 66 (0) 2258 5060
65 avenue Louise, B 1050 Bruxelles
Singapore, malaysia, Indonesia 1-800 733 2460 **
rc-benelux@relaischateaux.com
Australia 1300 121 341
New Zealand 0800 540 008
The maisons des Relais & Châteaux provide information,
take reservations, develop à la carte itineraries, and
AFRICA +27 217 941 723 present our collection of Gift Certificates and special offers.
*€0.15/min
Or contact your travel agency.
** Toll-free numbers
Ratua Private Island

8. 8
mAPs
PROPERTy TOWN PAGE
AUSTRALIA
29 Jacques Reymond Restaurant melbourne 11
Chateau yering “Historic House Hotel” yarra Valley 12
Jonah’s Whale Beach Sydney 15
Tetsuya’s Restaurant Sydney 16
Tower Lodge Hunter Valley 17
NEW ZEALAND
Kauri Cliffs matauri Bay 19
mollies Auckland 20
The Farm at Cape Kidnappers Hawke’s Bay 21
Otahuna Lodge Christchurch 22
28
Whare Kea Lodge & Chalet Lake Wanaka 24
HAMILTON matakauri Queenstown 25
ISLAND
VANUATU
Ratua Vanuatu 28
FRENCH POLyNESIA
Le Taha’a Island Resort & Spa Tahiti Islands 29
16 15
17
12 19
11 20
24 21
22
25

9. 9
discOVer YOur OwN
rOute du BONheur
Travelling with Relais & châteaux is to experience the
world in a extraordinary way. Whether it’s a night in a
restaurant or a few nights in a hotel, a resort or private
island, enjoying the hospitality of a Relais and châteaux
property is like spending time with an erudite, generous
and well-travelled friend.
mollies Nine Restaurant
A journey to Australia, New Zealand and the south
Pacific takes the traveller into the far reaches of the
imagination. Here is one of the world’s oldest
continents, Australia, an extraordinary landscape with
a history of human habitation that dates back more
than 50 000 years and its neighbour, New Zealand,
where no human had had ever set foot until 1000 years
ago. Here too are the serene and captivating islands of
the south Pacific—islands that have teased the
European imagination ever since the first Pacific
mariners returned with reports of an earthly paradise.
something else that sets Relais & châteaux apart is the
Route du Bonheur, literally ‘the road to happiness’. It
reflects a principle at the heart of the Relais & châteaux
ethos—the belief that the journey should always be
engaging, illuminating and satisfying. Each Relais &
châteaux property is not only a remarkable place to
savour the pleasures of fine dining and stylish living but
also an entrée to a Route du Bonheur of special places, Chateau yering
sights, sounds and tastes that elevate the journey into
the realms of revelation.
Tower Lodge Ratua Private Island

10. 10
A rOute du BONheur
ArOuNd VictOriA
The drive time between Jacques Reymond Restaurant
and chateau yering is barely an hour, yet the journey
becomes an adventure par excellence when you travel
via the Mount Dandenong Tourist Road. Almost
immediately the road enters a lush forest of mountain
ash surrounded by a lacy understorey of tree ferns. stop
and listen and you might hear the tinkling calls of bell
birds.
stop at the Alfred Nicholas gardens, where paths wind
Victoria
through a dense forest planted extensively with
rhododendrons. Don’t miss the waterfalls and the
ornamental lake, which is at its photogenic best when
melbourne its waters reflect the surrounding autumn foliage.
At Olinda, the National Rhododendron gardens reach a
spectacular climax in spring, when rhododendrons,
azaleas, camellias and daffodils light up the hillside in a
blaze of colour.
From Olinda, it’s just a short drive north into the yarra
valley and chateau yering. These flowing hills are one of
the most dynamic cool climate wine regions in the
country. The famous French champagne house, Moët &
chandon, chose this area to grow the chardonnay
yarra Valley grapes for its champagne-style wine, Domaine
chandon.
One of the novel ways to see this illustrious winegrowing
area is from the basket of a hot-air balloon. An hour
before dawn, fliers lift off from nearby chateau yering
for a one-hour flight at the whim of the wind. The flight
ends with a sparkling wine breakfast, and sublime
memories of sunrise over the vineyards.
Dandenong Ranges Chateau yering

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JAcques reYmONd
restAurANt
www.relaischateaux.com/reymond
unique in the world: adventurous and often playful
cuisine, an adroit and erudite integration of european
and asian influences that sings on the palate
Originally from Burgundy, Reymond found the
inspiration for the style of cuisine that would dominate
his life’s work when he was exposed to the electrifying
flavours of ginger, lemongrass, Kaffir lime leaves and
chilli on a trip to Brazil in 1976. Arriving in Melbourne a
few years later, Reymond immediately made an
impression on the city’s fine dining. It was the beginning
of his mission—to integrate Asian flavours and textures
into his classically-based cuisine, long before ‘fusion
food’ became fashionable. T: +61 (0)3 9525 2178 F: +61 (0)3 9521 1552 E: reymond@relaischateaux.com • 78 Williams
Road, Prahran, melbourne 3181, Victoria, Australia • owners: Jacques and Kathy Reymond
Reymond does not imitate. Originality is the hallmark of • grand chef relais & châteaux: Jacques Reymond • Maître de Maison: Nathalie Reymond
every dish, combining mastery of technique with a
subtlety of understanding that allows the natural
flavours to speak for themselves.
Located inside a stately victorian mansion that owes
its ornate architectural flourishes to the boom time of
colonial gold rush, Jacques Reymond Restaurant is a
family affair, with service and style that evoke the
finest traditions of European dining. As you might
expect of a chef with his roots in the soil of Burgundy,
the wine cellar is superb.

12. 12
chAteAu YeriNg
www.relaischateaux.com/chateauyering
unique in the world: the chilean Wine Palm that soars
above the house was planted in 1867 by baron von
Mueller and is classified by the national trust
set in the precise green geometry of the yarra valley’s
vineyards, chateau yering is an exceptional country
house hotel: a small, historic property that elevates
good living to an art form.
chateau yering was built in 1854 as a private residence
for the owners of the sprawling cattle station that
covered most of the yarra valley. Today this
homestead—just a one-hour drive from the heart of
metropolitan Melbourne—offers 32 suites preserving
the original home’s opulent character while offering a
high level of contemporary comfort.
T: +61 (0)3 9237 3333 F: +61 (0)3 9237 3300 E: chateauyering@relaischateaux.com • 42 melba
The sumptuous yering suite has its own private
Highway, yering 3770, Victoria, Australia • owners: Len milner & partners • Maître de
staircase, while the four-poster beds and open
Maison: Sue O’Brien
fireplaces in the stables suites evoke the warmth and
Special activities: wine touring, hot-air ballooning, Healesville Sanctuary, horseback riding personality of the homestead’s origins. surrounding
melbourne International Airport 60 km the house are 100 hectares of mature, heritage-listed
gardens, rolling lawns and farmland sweeping down to
the yarra River.
chateau yering offers a choice of dining in Eleonore’s,
the opulent fine-dining room, or the conservatory-style
sweetwater cafe. chef Mathew Macartney offers a
refined Modern Australian menu with a Mediterranean
accent, based on outstanding produce from the local
farms and fields and complemented by the prodigious
cool climate wines for which the yarra valley is famous.

13. 13
Pommery Cuvée Louise 1999
“… a beautiful expression of a classic,
restrained vintage, 1999 Cuvée Louise is
all class …”
Tyson Stelzer
The Champagne Guide 2011
Pommery Brut Royal NV
“This has intense appley flavours and
some toasty yeastiness, and is tight and
powerful with lively zippy acidity.”
Peter Forrestal
Australian Gourmet Traveller WINE,
December 2010

14. 14
A rOute du BONheur
ArOuNd New sOuth
wAles
From Tetsuya’s Restaurant in the heart of sydney, the
drive to seafront Jonah’s Hotel and Restaurant takes
about 90 minutes, delivering stirring views over some of
sydney’s glorious northern beaches. Or for an
unforgettable transfer, consider a 12- minute seaplane
flight from Rose Bay taking in a sublime panorama of
sydney Harbour, the Opera House and the Harbour
Bridge before turning out to sea with the blue infinity of
the Pacific Ocean on one side and the golden beaches of
sydney on the other. The plane splashes down among
New South waleS
the yachts of Pittwater where Jonah’s own vehicle
awaits at the jetty to whisk you up to the hilltop retreat.
Sydney
Relaxation is a specialty at Jonah’s. There is nowhere
better to soak up sydney in barefoot mode. Palm Beach,
to the north of Jonah’s is a classic sweeping scimitar of
sand where the hammerhead peninsula ends at
Barrenjoey Lighthouse. Palm Beach is a favourite
weekend retreat for some of sydney’s leading lights of
film, media and finance.
From Jonah’s, the 2.5-hour road journey to the Hunter
valley and Tower Lodge takes you around the fringes of
Ku-ring-gai chase National Park. Another intriguing
possibility is a 25-minute helicopter flight from Terrey
Palm Beach, Sydney Tower Estate Hills near Jonah’s direct to Tower Lodge’s own helipad
in the Hunter valley.
surrounded by some of the most distinguished
vineyards in Australian winemaking, wine touring
comes naturally at Tower Lodge. The Hunter valley’s
broad repertoire extends to epicurean delights, several
outstanding golf courses and historic villages that date
back to the earliest days of Australia’s settlement,
where every creaking door has a story to tell.
Whale Beach, Sydney

15. 15
JONAh’s hOtel ANd
restAurANt ON the
seAfrONt
www.relaischateaux.com/jonahs
unique in the world: on sydney’s world renowned
northern beaches, Jonah’s is one of australia’s most
stunning ocean retreats
Poised on a hilltop near the tip of sydney’s northern
peninsula, Jonah’s is the perfect beach retreat—an
enclave of style and good living overlooking the golden
sands of Whale Beach.
Décor in the 10 guest rooms plus the Executive Ocean
Retreat private pavilion features natural timbers and
soothing colours, a restrained, muted style that allows
the stunning blue-water views to dominate. Even the
jacuzzis in the limestone bathrooms are positioned to
make the most of the view, and each room has its own
private balcony. Jonah’s Private is a secluded, self-
contained residence with three guest rooms, a
swimming pool and cliff top verandah with expansive
ocean views.
Jonah’s is also an exceptional dining destination.
classics of the European kitchen feature on a menu
animated by local seafood and herbs, chillies and
heirloom tomatoes. The wine cellar features some of
the most distinguished wines from Bordeaux and
Burgundy, german Rieslings and a premium Australian
selection.
Polished but relaxed, Jonah’s is an outstanding example
of a sydney specialty. It draws its inspiration from the
wider world, applies this to a magnificent setting and
comes up with a result that is uniquely Australian. T: +61 (0)2 9974 5599 F: +61 (0)2 9974 1212 E: jonahs@relaischateaux.com • 69 Bynya Road,
Whale Beach 2108, New South Wales, Australia • Maître de Maison: Ali Pinnington
Special activities: swimming pool (outdoor), surfing and water sports, golf nearby
Airport: Sydney Kingsford Smith (International) 58 km

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tetsuYA’s restAurANt
www.relaischateaux.com/tetsuya
unique in the world: tetsuya’s signature dish—confit
of Petuna tasmanian ocean trout with konbu, apple,
fennel and witlof
Tetsuya Wakuda has been a towering figure on sydney’s
dining scene, if not the world’s, for the past two decades.
His sublime dishes based on the Japanese philosophy of
natural seasonal flavours enhanced by classic French
technique have taken the city’s palates into a fresh and
exciting new gastronomic landscape.
Japanese-born Tetsuya arrived in Australia in 1987 and
worked under several of sydney’s seminal chefs before
he established his own restaurant. Today, Tetsuya’s is
one of the few restaurants to have featured in the san
Pellegrino World’s 50 Best Restaurants year after year.
set in a Japanese garden in the heart of sydney, his cool
elegant restaurant has become an essential dining
experience for lovers of fine food, including many world
T: +61 (0)2 9267 2900 F: +61 (0)2 9262 7099 E: tetsuya@relaischateaux.com • 529 Kent Street, renowned chefs and industry professionals.
Sydney 2000, New South Wales, Australia • owner and grand chef relais & châteaux:
The menu at Tetsuya’s is a fixed-price degustation
Tetsuya Wakuda • Maître de Maison: Jerry Jones
consisting of ten courses with seafood as a predominant
feature. Tetsuya Wakuda’s cuisine is an outstanding
example of the cross-cultural culinary melange that has
become sydney’s signature style. This style is often
referred to as Modern Australian and carries a promise
to tantalise, challenge and invigorate.
Photos by: Nicky Ryan

17. 17
tOwer lOdge
www.relaischateaux.com/towerlodge
unique in the world: uninterrupted views of the
famous hunter valley wine region from the lofty
heights of the tower
Lapped by a sea of vines, Tower Lodge sets a new
benchmark for style and fine living in the Hunter valley,
one of Australia’s most illustrious winegrowing regions.
This adults-only retreat is also a tribute to eclecticism,
whimsical at every turn. The centrepiece of Tower
Lodge is a Tuscan villa-inspired courtyard with a loggia
and a splashing water fountain. Each of the 12
extraordinary suites has its own distinct personality,
enhanced by a fine collection of antiques, treasures and
collectables finessed with rich fabrics and recycled
timbers. The Oriental Room features chinese paintings,
carved screens and a Japanese-inspired hot tub on the
deck, while the chairman’s suite has a 300-year-old,
hand-carved Rajasthani bed and its own tower,
complete with viewing platform.
Nearby, Roberts Restaurant is the region’s premier
T: +61 (0)2 4998 7022 F: +61 (0)2 4998 7164 E: towerlodge@relaischateaux.com • Cnr Halls & Broke
gastronomic experience, located amongst the
Roads, Pokolbin 2320, New South Wales, Australia • Maître de Maison: Andreas Breitfuss
vineyards in a National Trust-listed slab cottage. Tower
Lodge’s own Nine Restaurant serves a degustation Special activities: swimming pool, golf, private wine tours
menu in a warm and intimate sandstone-panelled Sydney International Airport180 km, Newcastle Airport 80 km
room—three metres underground. Tower Estate’s own
limited edition wines are a highlight of this sublime
dining experience.

18. 18
A rOute du BONheur
ArOuNd New ZeAlANd
From the charming opera-themed hotel Mollies in
Auckland, a half-day drive north through the undulating
farms and forests of Northland takes you to Kauri cliffs.
The handsome lodge overlooks Matauri Bay near the
Bay of Islands, a natural harbour sprinkled with 144
islands and boundless sailing, fishing and scuba diving
spots.
commercial aircraft operate from nearby Kerikeri to
the art deco city of Napier, gateway to The Farm at cape
Kidnappers. set on 2600 hectares of rolling green
pastures that rise from the sea, cape Kidnappers is
close to one of New Zealand’s premier wine regions and
the lodge’s grounds include a cliff top golf course. The
nearby gannet colony, a crowded home to 20 000 of
New ZealaNd
these majestic sea birds, is something no visitor should
miss.
matakauri Lodge
The south Island city of christchurch is a gateway for
international flights as well as a hub for domestic air
services. set in park-like grounds on its outskirts,
Otahuna Lodge is a historic homestead that has been
restored to a stylish and sophisticated retreat.
From christchurch, a five-hour drive across the
canterbury Plains will take you into the southern Alps,
where Whare Kea Lodge & chalet is the perfect entrée
to the splendour of New Zealand’s alpine region: trout
fishing on the doorstep, winter heli-skiing and summer
hiking trails lace through the mountain peaks.
It’s only a short drive to Queenstown and its heart
stopping views. Poised on the shores of Lake Wakatipu,
Matakauri is a window on a pristine world. There is
nowhere better to experience the magic of Queenstown,
New Zealand’s alpine adventure playground.
Otahuna Lodge mollies

19. 19
the lOdge At KAuri
cliffs
www.relaischateaux.com/kauricliffs
unique in the world: the golf course right next to the
hotel perched on a cliff overlooking the sea
Perched on 2500 hectares of rippling green hills
overlooking the cavalli Islands, Kauri cliffs is a
superlative base from which to experience the Bay of
Islands, one of New Zealand’s most inspiring
landscapes.
Built in a neo-classical style with tall chimneys and
wrapped in a broad verandah, the main lodge is the
centrepiece for a well-tailored resort that includes a
spa, a restaurant, golf course and 22 guest suites along
with a two bedroom Owner’s cottage. Each suite is T: + 64 (0)9 407 0010 F: + 64 (0)9 407 0061 E: kauricliffs@relaischateaux.com • 116 Tepene
sumptuously equipped with a sitting area and open Tablelands Road, matauri Bay, Kerikeri (Northland), New Zealand • owner: Julian
fireplace, a walk-in wardrobe, a spacious bathroom and Robertson • Maître de Maison: Kerry molloy
marvellous views from the private verandah across the Special activities: indoor & outdoor swimming pool, spa, golf, helicopter tours, pheasant
golf course to the ocean.. shooting, quad bikes
The island-studded waters, beaches, native bushland Auckland International Airport 280 km, Kerikeri Airport 40 km • Closes each June
and streams cry out not just for admiration but for
participation. Kauri cliffs comes with a full complement
of activities, but the standout is golf. With a long list of
accolades from the arbiters of golfing excellence, the
6510 metre, par 72, championship course drapes a sea-
hewn coastline with astonishing views from virtually
every hole. six holes are played along the tops of rearing
cliffs, while those set inland weave through marsh,
forest and farmland.

20. 20
mOllies
www.relaischateaux.com/mollies
unique in the world: where else does dinner usually
start with live singing or a short opera recital?
small, cultivated, relaxed, brimming with charm and
style—all the good adjectives apply at this romantic
hotel overlooking Auckland Harbour.
cloistered within a mature subtropical garden just a
few minutes from the heart of the city, Mollies
juxtaposes the classic and avant-garde—with a touch
of fantasy. Along with the old-world comforts of
antique furnishings, sumptuous fabrics and bountiful
floral displays, Mollies also features sharp-edge design,
high speed internet access, underfloor heating and the
serene sanctuary Day spa.
Accommodation consists of 13 suites, each with its own
distinct personality. villa suites and Premier suites
feature a spacious lounge and separate bedroom with
ensuite bathroom and spa bath, while in the Junior
suites, the bedroom opens to a private balcony
overlooking the garden. One of the suites has a grand
piano, another a harp. The owners are music devotees,
T: +64 (0)9 376 3489 F: +64 (0)9 378 6592 E: mollies@relaischateaux.com • 6 Tweed Street, St
and their passion shines through in the choice of music
mary’s Bay, Auckland 1011, New Zealand • owners: Stephen Fitzgerald and Frances
that wafts through the hotel.
Wilson-Fitzgerald • Maître de Maison: Joanna Bourke
Special activities: live opera recitals, sailing, spa The dining room at Mollies provides an opulent
Auckland International Airport 16 km showcase for the talents of chef Lance Tripp. His cuisine
brings a twist to the classical repertoire, drawing
inspiration from around the culinary globe to ignite the
palate with fresh and exciting combinations of
ingredients, sourced from the local markets, farmers
and fishermen.

21. 21
the fArm At cAPe
KidNAPPers
www.relaischateaux.com/kidnappers
unique in the world: the moving experience of getting
up close and personal with the endangered kiwi
carved from rolling pastures beside one of the most
magnificent golf courses ever created, this striking
retreat combines the stirring landscape of Hawke’s Bay
with a stylish array of sophisticated pleasures.
Borrowing its architecture from the stone-walled
outbuildings of the surrounding farms and vineyards,
the main lodge building carries the rustic iconography
of its exterior inside, with chunky timber beams and big
open fireplaces. Among its accoutrements, the lodge
features an opulent spa, a fitness centre and an T: + 64 (0)6 875 1900 F: +64 (0)6 875 1901 E: kidnappers@relaischateaux.com • 446 Clifton
acclaimed dining room. Road, Te Awanga, Hawkes Bay 4102, New Zealand • owner: Julian Robertson • Maître de
Maison: Julia Carlsen
guest suites are located within separate cottages or in
the main lodge building, each with soothing vanilla Special activities: Golf, tours of Art Deco town, nature tours, spa, wine tours
tones and big picture windows framing views across Auckland International Airport 434 km, Napier Airport 30 km
the fairways to the Pacific Ocean. Each of the 22 suites
comes comprehensively equipped for the tech-savvy
traveller. Ideal for a family or a small group, the four-
bedroom Owner’s cottage is the very pinnacle of
boutique hotel accommodation.
The links-style course advancing across the headland
from the lodge high above the Pacific has been voted
one of the world’s finest. At 6510 metres, the par 71
course throws down a challenge to the keenest golfers,
especially when the sea breeze is blowing. Holes 14 to
17 are some of the most spectacular you will ever play.

22. 22
OtAhuNA lOdge
www.relaischateaux.com/otahuna
unique in the world: more than 120 different kinds of
organic fruits, vegetables, nuts and mushrooms in the
historic gardens
set in a glorious garden brimming with botanical
wonders on the outskirts of christchurch, Otahuna
Lodge stylishly brings the atmosphere, the manners
and the architecture of another era into the present.
Built in 1895 by the New Zealand lawyer and politician
sir Heaton Rhodes, new vigour has been introduced into
the white timber mansion by two energetic young
refugees from Manhattan who recognised a potential
cinderella in the sprawling Queen Anne mansion. While
preserving Otahuna’s original character, they have
revitalised the house with a collection of antique
furnishings that match the aristocratic dimensions and a
notable collection of contemporary New Zealand
T: +64 (0)3 329 6333 F: + 64(0)3 329 6336 E: otahuna@relaischateaux.com • 224 Rhodes Road, artworks, many of them commissioned specifically for
Tai Tapu 7672, Canterbury (Christchurch) New Zealand • owners & Maîtres de Maison: Hall these walls.
Cannon and miles Refo Otahuna has seven palatial suites, each decorated in
Special activities: helicopter tours, swimming with dolphins, historic garden tours the same opulent style as the rest of the Lodge. In the
Christchurch International Airport 25 km Rhodes suite, the four interconnected rooms include an
octagonal study, while The clark suite, named after
Heaton Rhodes’ wife, is suitably soft and feminine.
Otahuna’s 13 hectares of sublime gardens include a
sweeping front lawn with a reflecting lake, a formal
parterre with mature exotic trees, a secret frog pond in
the forest and a vast working potager garden. cuisine
plays a major role in the Otahuna repertoire. served in
the opulent dining room, Otahuna’s sophisticated
menu is based extensively on the vegetables from its
gardens, meats raised organically on site and
mushrooms foraged from its woodlands.

23. 23

24. 24
whAre KeA lOdge &
chAlet
www.relaischateaux.com/wharekea
unique in the world: experience absolute privacy
beside glacial lake Wanaka and venture high into the
southern alps to a private mountain chalet
set on the shores of a glacier-carved lake, surrounded
by soaring mountain peaks, Whare Kea is an ideal base
from which to experience the majesty of New Zealand’s
alpine region. This striking lodge looks and feels like a
sumptuous conservatory, with floor-to-ceiling glass for
total exposure to the dreamy views of lake and
mountains.
The lodge’s six guest rooms and suites are spacious and
crisply tailored, from the Bose stereo system to the
walk-in dressing rooms. Each guest room has a glass
T: +64 (0)3 443 1400 F: +64 (0)3 443 9200 E: wharekea@relaischateaux.com • 494 mt Aspiring
wall that opens to a sundeck with a wide-angle
Road, 9343 Wanaka, New Zealand • owners: Louise and martyn myer • Maître de Maison:
panorama of lake and mountains.
Pamela Simpson
Special activities: mountain hiking, hunting, trout and salmon fishing, alpine skiing Another intriguing option is The chalet, a unique
Queenstown International Airport 70 km, Wanaka Airport 15 km sanctuary perched high among the mountain peaks,
glaciers, residual snow fields and alpine meadows.
Accessed by helicopter, this gorgeous hideaway has
two double bedrooms plus a loft room and a combined
lounge, bathroom, dining and kitchen area.
chef James stapley came to Whare Kea after four years
at the Park Lane Hilton and a subsequent role as Head
chef at selfridges. James’ inspiration is the classic
techniques of European cuisine applied to the finest,
freshest New Zealand produce. A four course table
d’hôte dinner menu is complemented by a distinguished
collection of New Zealand and Australian wines and
French champagne.

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mAtAKAuri lOdge
www.relaischateaux.com/matakauri
unique in the world: spectacularly situated on
Queenstown’s lake Wakatipu with stunning
mountain views from every angle
clinging to the rim of a glacier-carved blue lake deep in
New Zealand’s south Island, surrounded by grey
mountain peaks that rear 1500 metres above the town,
Queenstown is known for its postcard scenery. yet even
by the exalted local standards, the scenery from this
handsome lakeside lodge calls for fresh superlatives.
constructed from local schist stone with extensive use
of cedar and beech, Matakauri Lodge looks across
dipping lawns to the cresting peaks of The Remarkables
on the far side of Lake Wakatipu. Matakauri emerged
from a total refit in late 2010 that has seen it
reinvigorated with a crisp, clean aesthetic and 11 T: +64 (0)3 441 1008 F: +64 (0)3 441 2180 E: matakaurilodge@relaischateaux.com • 569
lavishly appointed all-new guest suites bathed in Glenorchy Road, Queenstown, New Zealand • owner: Julian Robertson • Maître de
natural light and bold colour. chef Dale gartland Maison: Jay Robertson
orchestrates a menu that showcases the outstanding
Special activities: swimming pool (outdoor), spa, fly fishing, skiing, wine tours, scenic flights
regional produce.
Queenstown International Airport 12 km
Whether your tastes run to total relaxation in the
lodge’s spa, fly fishing in a mountain stream or
adventures in the high peaks, the staff at Matakauri will
construct a program that will make for an unforgettable
stay.
Matakauri Lodge is an excellent springboard from
which to experience the wonders of Queenstown, New
Zealand’s adventure sports capital. Over the past few
years, Queenstown has also become the centre for the
central Otago vineyards, the world’s most southerly
winegrowing area, with an ever-expanding reputation.

26. 26
ArOuNd rAtuA PriVAte
islANd, VANuAtu
Ratua is the way the world should be—a castaway,
60-hectare island that might have sprung from a page of
National geographic magazine. Paddle an outrigger
canoe, explore by mountain bike or electric buggy, or
have a wrangler saddle you one of the 20 horses that
roam free on the island. snorkelling in the pristine
tropical waters among corals and swarming,
multicoloured fish is as simple as stepping off the beach.
Or explore the island’s mysterious blue holes, sparkling
Vanuatu
swimming holes linked via underwater caverns. Big
game fishing is another option. The neighbouring island
Ratua Private Island of Espiritu santo offers some of the world’s finest wreck
diving, while the island of Ambrym offers volcanic ash
plains and seeping lava flows.
ArOuNd le tAhA’A islANd
resOrt & sPA, tAhiti
While Le Taha’a is perfectly sculpted for relaxation, this
outstanding coral reef island resort offers a cocktail of
activities that can be found only in this part of the
Le Taha’a Island Resort & Spa world. The waters of the coral-fringed motu on which Le
Taha’a sits are warm and intoxicating. swim out to the
TahiTi
fringing reef and you’re surrounded by dazzling colours
and darting marine life. shark feeding is an island
specialty, and seasonal whale watching is available. Le
Taha’a has its own dive centre and several sensational
dive sites. Most of French Polynesia’s crop of vanilla,
‘black gold’, comes from the adjacent main island of
Taha’a, and the resort offers excursions to vanilla
plantations and black pearl farms. Jet skis are another
option, and a choice of theme tours is available on
Taha’a Island’s jeep safaris.
Le Taha’a Island Resort & Spa

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28. 28
rAtuA PriVAte islANd
www.relaischateaux.com/ratua
unique in the world: a private island at the world’s
end
Washed by a warm and crystalline sea, bathed in
tropical sunshine and immersed in a forest of greenery,
life’s simple pleasures are elevated to an art form on
this island in the vanuatu Archipelago.
The resort treads with the lightest of footprints on this
garden of Eden. Thatched palm, bamboo and rattan
feature predominantly in the design. guest
accommodation on the 60-hectare island is in
centuries-old teak cottages that were imported from
Java and fitted out with Indonesian furnishings. Each
is sited along the shoreline, allowing the breeze to
T: + 678 300 20 F: + 678 300 22 E: ratua@relaischateaux.com • BP 396 Luganville, Vanuatu • flow through and eliminating the need for air
Maître de Maison: Christian Succo conditioning.
Special activities: travel the island by horseback, spa, outrigger canoeing, diving, fishing The island’s social nexus is the yacht club, which serves
Access: a 30-minute boat ride aboard Ratua’s private launch from the island of Espiritu as the restaurant, bar, lounge, beach house and jetty.
Santo and its international airport Barefoot and casual is the island’s style, but there is no
shortage of creature comforts, including a spa with
expert masseuses.
Fresh, organic produce from the island’s own gardens is
a highlight of the menu. Beef, pork, chicken, milk and
eggs come from Ratua’s own free-range animals. Fruit
you can pick for yourself, vegetables are grown
organically and seafood is fresh off the morning’s
boats. Among the 8000 bottles in the wine cellar are
some notable wines from the owner’s French vineyard.
A private plane from Port vila direct to Ratua Island’s
own private runway is also available on request. (1hr
flight)

29. 29
le tAhA’A islANd resOrt
& sPA
www.relaischateaux.com/letahaa
unique in the world: a black pearl is offered to each
guest who reserves via relais & châteaux
scattered across the waters of a shimmering, peacock-
blue lagoon, this superb resort captures perfectly the
warmth, the charisma and the romance that are
promised by the words ‘south Pacific’. The resort has a
stunningly beautiful natural setting on an offshore
islet, or ‘motu’, just a five-minute boat ride from the
main island of Taha’a.
Accommodation at Le Taha’a consists of 2 Royal villas,
T: + 689 60 84 00 F: + 689 60 84 01 E: letahaa@relaischateaux.com • B.P. 67, 98733 Patio-
10 Beach villas and 48 Overwater suites that fan out
Taha’a, Tahiti, French Polynesia • Maître de Maison: Christine Chevalaz
from the shoreline. Each is more than 100 square
metres. In the Overwater suites, about half that area is Special activities: black pearl farm visits, glass bottom boat, tales and legends of Taha’a,
devoted to the deck, which has deck chairs and day sunset cruises
beds tucked away under a thatched cabana, as well as a Access: from Raiatea Airport, 35 minutes transfer by boat; from Bora Bora, 10 minutes by
split level that provides easy access to the water. Each helicopter or 1 hour and 45 minutes transfer by boat.
suite or villa is a skilful interweaving of local Polynesian
culture and craftsmanship with supreme Western
world comforts.
In the shade of a coconut grove between a small lake
and the lagoon, the spa adopts the Polynesian concept
of ‘taurumi’, an approach to wellness and relaxation
that encompasses spirituality, energy, language and
touch. The Polynesian massage uses locally derived
scented oils as well as healing hands to relax and
enhance the circulation of energy within the body.

30. 30
thANKs tO Our PArtNers
A great thank you to all Relais & châteaux Official Partners for their support this year.
Photography credits:
Tourism victoria, Tourism New south Wales.

31. DISCOVER EUROPE IN A BRAND NEW RENAULT
31
Call 1300 55 11 60
Established since 1955
TAX FREE EUROPEAN CAR LEASING
www.renaulteurodrive.com.au DRIVE THE CHANGE

32. Australasia – South Pacific
Reservations from within Australia 1300 121 341
Reservations from within New Zealand 0800 540 008
rc-australia@relaischateaux.com