Wai Hou Oma Lodge - Kai Iwi Lakes Accommodation

The Water's Edge Chalet

Pippy McCurdy

http://www.unusualstays.com/

http://italtyoffthebeatentrack.blogspot.co.nz/2016/01/italy-off-beaten-track.html

Imagine yourself in a luxury chalet, suspended delicately on low stilts over a lagoon, a haven for bird and wildlife, a mirror for the magic of sunrise and sunset, reeds gently swaying. From your private extensive deck you look out not only over the waters, but also towards the manicured gardens on the waters edge filled with the vibrant colour of subtropical flowers and the owner's collection of garden art. The chalet itself is beautifully appointed, comfortable, modern, sleek and sophisticated.

Wai Hou Oma Lodge is an exceptional place.  This is a place to enjoy peace and relaxation; to soak in the pleasures of nature. Walk around the water's edge a little further and find your way to the spa pool on the edge of the lagoon. Tire of relaxation and step into the gymnasium where floor to ceiling windows provide viewing out over the ever-changing scenery
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A low boardwalk out over the lake takes you back to your chalet when you are ready. As night falls the pathway is lit by soft blue lights sparkling in the water below. Sunset reflections turn the lagoon a fiery red. Sunrise is a golden mirror.

Far from busy highways and other holiday makers, this is a place of escape and rejuvenation in the most alluring of settings. In the middle of the lake there is a helipad. What a way to arrive at a truly luxury getaway as you drop down from the skies to land at your own private waterlodge retreat.

Wairua Lodge - Whitianga on the Coromandel

The Hidden River Valley

Pippy McCurdy

http://www.unusualstays.com/
http://www.easterneuropetravelguide.net

Wairua Lodge is all about nature and beautiful outdoor spaces. It is comfortable accommodation folded into bush covered hills, with a river valley winding through the forest. There is a  gentle river widening out into tempting pools for swimming and playing. This place is simple, lush, green, eco- aware,  and welcoming. It celebrates the outdoors in all its spaces and is quite simply a regenerative and appealing place to be. 

As soon as you realise that here you can enjoy a starlight spa and also a bush bath you will know that you are in for something special;  add to this a fire pit where you can gather of an evening, Fabulous. There is also a semi-outdoor kitchen which is almost a camp kitchen, yet still has all the elements of a more sophisticated setup. Sit outside when the weather is kind, or sit under cover but without walls to separate you from that rich scenery all around.

The starlight spa is a soothing private space where you will not be disturbed and the only sounds are the sounds of the night. The tree-tops bathhouse is a decadent retreat filled with music and candles, opening out over the forest and river valley below.

The chance to gather around the fire pit and enjoy good company and maybe a little music is something that is not all that common in NZ unless you are camping far from civilization and creature comforts. At Wairua Lodge this is a pleasure you can indulge in and enjoy. Flickering flames, frogs croaking, chirping crickets,  a morepork or two, - maybe even a kiwi. What a place.

Aniwaniwa - Nelson District

A Night in a Yurt

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

Aniwaniwa is a small community of homes clustered together near the top of a steep hill overlooking  Tasman Bay. Near to one of these homes is the yurt, - used sometimes as a retreat, and at other times available for casual travellers to rent out. This is a wonderful spot with views out over the Motueka  river valley below and a vista clear to Tasman Bay in the distance. The yurt is tucked down below the crest of the hill. It is sheltered and sunny with a semi-circle of surrounding deck and an outdoor kitchen. A short distance down a path into the bush leads to the open air shower and bath, -  built into a platform overlooking the bush and the great outdoors, yet completely private. What a place!

Inside, the yurt is one large and spacious room with polished floor boards, a comfortable futon and even a pot belly stove.It is simple yet comfortable and appealing with its trellised walls, its swooping high tent roof, and its windows with views which stretch out endlessly. With electricity available this is far from primitive. 

There is a strong eco-message at Aniwaniwa. Recycling is expected, and the toilet is of course, composting.

Being a fan of long hot baths there was not quite enough hot water for me. However the location and that sense of communing with nature did manage to go a long way toward making up for this. This is a bathroom anyone would love. A conventional indoor bathroom pales in comparison.

Aniwaniwa gives that vibe of being a work in progress. There is a hands on feel to the yurt and its surrounding buildings, and the ongoing signs of further construction suggest this is a project with many further plans still to be explored.

I look forward to coming back again.

  

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/