Set amid towering 7000ft peaks, Grasmere Lodge offers an experience of refinement and pleasure in a setting that will long be remembered for its seclusion and beauty.
Open fireplaces dominate the large panelled lounge and den where guests can meet for a drink and swap adventure tales.
All of Grasmere's 12 guest bedrooms are individually decorated, with colours and patterns that capture the essence of the rugged high country terrain. Each is appointed to the highest standards, including jacuzzi baths and separate showers in the en-suite bathrooms.
For those seeking quiet contemplation, the den has many books on the history of the region including those by David McLeod, whose family owned the property from 1930 to 1978.
The fine cuisine of Grasmere Lodge uses the best local ingredients including venison, beef, lamb and salmon. Trout caught by guests often features on the menu along with seasonal delicacies such as West Coast whitebait and Kaikoura crayfish (lobster). The lodge has an extensive cellar of award-winning New Zealand wines.
Leisurely pursuits at Grasmere Lodge include horse riding, tennis, croquet and boules, or a walk in the tranquil native beech forests. Or guests can cast a line for some of the area's legendary trout in one of the five lakes and three rivers nearby. Professional guides can lead the way to the best fishing spots.
For the more adventurous, there are exhilarating kayak rides and wild tussock country to explore on mountainbikes. For skiers there are two commercial fields and three club fields within easy reach, and heli-skiing from the Lodge is available by arrangement.
The adjacent Arthur's Pass National Park provides numerous trails and bushwalks for the enthusiastic hiker.
The homestead was once the base for a station covering 43,000 acres. Cattle, deer and fine-wool Merino sheep are still farmed on the property and guests are welcome to take part in seasonal farming activities.
A heated outdoor swimming pool complex has recently been added. The tiled pool is 12 metres (39 feet) long, and surrounded by a large paved area for sunbathing on teak loungers. At one end, the open fireplace promises to warm on cooler days, its chimney pointing to the mountain behind.
A summer house where lunches can be served also contains changing rooms, bathroom and shower, and leads into an underground wine cellar, dug back in the sheltering hillside. The cellar holds up to 5,000 bottles of New Zealand's finest red and white wines for aging, before they go on the lodge winelist.
| Features
& Facilities |
- Individually decorated Rooms & Suites
- Jacuzzi baths & separate showers in the en-suite bathrooms
- Heated outdoor swimming pool
- Adjacent to Arthur's Pass National Park
Click here to view a video
|
|
