Hidden Valley Lodge, Lake Poerua

 Hidden Valley Lodge - West Coast

Pippy McCurdy: 
 http://www.unusualstays.com/
http://www.stumbleuponcroatiaslovenia.com/

This is a great place to be. An old church dragged to its resting place on the edge of Westland bush, looking out over a small lake and a green valley. What a place. So many thing to enjoy.  What I really appreciated first of all, was the way they had kept this church as a church! The long wooden table with its candelabra was charming, made even better by the use of pews as seating.   A piano was there for use,  - and a church organ! The double height space of the main lounge was grand and impressive, yet also made welcoming by the pot belly stove waitng ready ready for use with wood and coal provided. Upstairs not one, not two  but three bedrooms  if you count the amazing little hole-in-the-wall bedroom. I was so tempted to forego the everyday double bed and sleep in the hole in the wall...

Poerua Lake is a pretty lake. I was blessed with fog - nothing better than swirling fog for a little added mystery and drama in the scenery.
The church sits on the edge of a green lawn and on that lawn friendly wekas stroll happily. I suspect they are used to being fed they were so friendly.
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The Hidden Valley retreat boasted a hot water tub  - and my mistake, I found instead the bush bath tucked in amongst native bush, looking a trifle unused and unloved. It was not until the next morning that I finally discovered the real hot tub, a beautiful wooden tub on the edge of a stream, with ample cut wood available to heat this. But no time by then. Such a shame.

Hidden Valley Lodge is a real find. A special place.  An isolated retreat. Where else will you find gumboots provided and fly fishing advice on the wall? Try it. You will love it. Remember to start the fire early to heat the hot tub.

Websites: http://www.unusualstays.com/
http://www.stumbleuponcroatiaslovenia.com/

Mount Tutu Eco Sanctuary

Mount Tutu Eco Sanctuary

Pippy McCurdy: 
 http://www.unusualstays.com/
http://www.stumbleuponcroatiaslovenia.com/

Up in the hills near Tauranga is a stand of native bush, - virgin native bush I am told. In amidst this bush is the Mount Tutu Eco-Sanctuary  The sanctuary is more of a home than a tourist venture;  the rooms are more  hostel than hotel. This is really either the strength or the weakness of the whole experience, depending on what you are looking for in your visit.

At Mount Tutu you will be engaged by your hosts who are an absolute mine of knowledge about the bush the wildlife, the eco -system and about New Zealand's ecology in general. In the price of your visit there is a 90 minute walking eco-tour included after a generous breakfast in the morning. And as night falls there is a 60 minute glow worm tour which is, quite frankly, magical.


The glow worms are on either side of a narrow stream bed which you will walk along in the dark, gumboots on, with miner's lights for guidance. Headlights are turned off at various points  and there they are - less than arm's length away - thousand of glow worms, as bright as stars. I've always liked Christmas lights. Who would have thought nature could turn on a display equal to this, deep in the bush on a silent summer's night. I loved it.

Mount Tutu Eco Sanctuary is not really about the accommodation - although it could be.  It is not so much about the vista and the scenery although there are some charming views, and  a picturesque pond or two. The bedrooms are termed whares, and the entrance  to each attempts to capture that feeling of approaching a Maori sleeping house. But so much more could be done on the inside. Mount Tutu is full of potential.

However what Mount Tutu is really about is the bush, the native animals, the wildlife, the eco-experience, and a gentle push towards education. Many visitors have loved the simplicity of the experience - the visitor's book makes this clear. Perhaps it was not entirely what I look for in terms of authenticity and charm in the accommodation, but there were certainly other compensations. Would I recommend it? Yes I definitely would.

Websites: http://www.unusualstays.com/
http://www.stumbleuponcroatiaslovenia.com/