Julian Robertson, the founder of Tiger Management, has appointed Capella Hotel Group to oversee the management of his family owned Lodge at Kauri Cliffs in Matauri Bay; The Farm at Cape Kidnappers in Hawke’s Bay and Matakauri Lodge in Queenstown.
The three exquisite properties were meticulously crafted by Robertson and his wife, Josie, as they sought to develop unique experiences that showcased New Zealand’s stunning natural beauty. Robertson and his family first visited New Zealand on a yearlong sabbatical in the 1970s and their love affair with the country led to the creation of these three ultra-luxury lodges.
The Robertson family is dedicated to constantly upgrading the world class service and amenities at each of the lodges. To accomplish this goal, Julian Robertson has turned to one of the world’s great hospitality managers – Horst Schulze, Chairman and CEO of Capella Hotel Group which serves today’s top-tier travelers and is devoted exclusively to five-star quality and performance.
“I have known Horst Schulze a long time and we see Capella as a perfect fit to manage our properties” says Julian Robertson. “We are honoured that Julian and his family have chosen to entrust us with their world-class lodges,” said Horst. “We will stay true to Julian’s vision for the properties and combine his personal passion with our signature award winning service levels to deliver extraordinary experiences to the world traveller.”
The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs is located just north of the Bay of Islands atop lush cliffs, which provide a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean and Cavalli Islands. The property features a main lodge, 22 guest suites – each with private porch, bedroom with sitting area and open fireplace. There is also a 2-bedroom Owner’s Cottage equipped with its own pool and Jacuzzi. Other resort amenities include a full service luxury spa and access to three private swimming beaches, including the famed Pink Beach. In addition to a breathtaking 18-hole golf course which is ranked #39 in the world by Golf Digest, guests have access to 20 miles plus of walking trails, horseback riding, kayaking, fishing, surfing and even possum hunting. Nearby attractions include the kauri forest, the exhilarating Te Paki sand dunes and Cape Reinga where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean.
The Farm at Cape Kidnappers is set on a peninsula of rolling hills of idyllic pastureland perched on 700 foot cliffs which plunge to the sea. This luxury lodge offers 22 guest suites and a 4-bedroom Owner’s Cottage. A working farm, the buildings elegantly combine rustic details and textured materials with comfortable modern furniture. The golf course, designed by Tom Doak, is ranked #22 in the world by Golf Digest. Golf is only the beginning! The property also hosts one of the largest gannet colonies in the Southern hemisphere and offers kiwi observation tours where a siting can be guaranteed (although the natives are also called Kiwis, fewer than one in ten has ever seen a kiwi in the wild). More adventurous guests can explore over 30 miles of hiking trails, bang away on shooting clays, or take a 4×4 ATV ride. Off property, guests can also take advantage of the fifty plus vineyards which are within a 45-minute drive of the resort.
Matakauri Lodge, a destination for all seasons, is an alpine lakeside retreat located in Lord of the Rings territory on the South Island. Nestled on the shore of Lake Wakatipu, New Zealand’s largest lake, Matakauri offers twelve luxurious guest rooms and suites, in addition to a four-bedroom Owner’s Cottage, all with extraordinary views of the lake and The Remarkables mountain range. Just ten minutes from the heart of Queenstown, Matakauri Lodge provides a scenic base from which to explore the natural beauty of the region. A helicopter tour of the mountains, valleys, waterfalls and glaciers of nearby Fiordland should be on everyone’s bucket list.
