Birdsong Lodge
(previously Akaroa Luxury Lodge)
On the road to Akaroa take a right hand turn at Little River and wind your way up a road that is just long enough to make you think you must be lost. At about this time you will probably come across the entrance to Birdsong Lodge. Tucked out of site down a driveway, the Lodge is surrounded by tall trees close to a rushing mountain stream.
More of a well appointed home than a holiday house Birdsong Lodge is charming, and in some parts luxurious. The marble bathroom is impressive, as is the well kitted out kitchen. However it is the roaring fire in the enormous fire place which makes that first impression the most memorable. With its mirrors, its candelabra and its leadlight sidelights, on a cold winters evening it is just the welcome you might hope for.
Pull up the leather arm chairs, settle in wtih the basket of goodies provided, open the wine ... Not surprising if you forget all about those noble plans to cook a meal.
The snow from the day before had just cleared that afternoon - but should it have chosen to snow again that night ... well being snowed in for a day or two might not have been such a chore!
But there is more to Birdsong Lodge than just a little bit of luxury, because Birdsong Lodge has a Tree House! - Or more accurately, it has a Tree Stump House. The House is essentially additional accommodation to the main lodge with its two bunk beds and very little else, but it is oh so cute!
Perched on a large stump like you have stumbled onto the set of the movie 'Up', this is one of only two Tree Houses that I am aware of in New Zealand which you can rent for a night.
So it might not be actually suspended up in the tree tops, as are some of its more international counterparts, but one might wonder whether a truly suspended tree house is really such a good idea in our land of howling winds and grim winters. The higgledy piggledy steps leading up to the Tree House are in keeping, but they are certainly a challenge. But its worth it.
Unique and unexpected, this little touch of whimsy makes Birdsong Lodge more than just another fancy stopover. This is definitely worth a visit.
No comments:
Post a Comment