Dear reader,
With its December-to-February summer season just around the corner, New Zealand is on my mind. I first visited the island nation in 2014, and was immediately taken with the natural beauty and outdoor experiences surrounding the hotels and resorts I stayed in.
Robertson Lodges needs no introduction in the luxury travel advisor world. The trio of New Zealand resorts—Kauri Cliffs, Cape Kidnappers, and Matakauri—is the vision of Julian Robertson, an American philanthropist who launched the collection in 2001. The properties set a high bar for hospitality in the region. And as of December 1, 2023, Robertson Lodges will come under the management of Rosewood Hotels.
I’m a Rosewood Hotels devotee. I love how the brand weaves its anticipatory yet unstuffy service into highly localized experiences that bring guests deeper into a destination—across 31 hotels in 18 countries. In New York City, Bemelman’s Bar at the Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel, remains one of my favorite places to take out-of-towners because having a drink there feels like experiencing a living part of Manhattan’s history. In Paris, the vibe on some nights at Les Ambassadeurs bar at the Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel, makes the 8th Arrondissement a little bit cooler. So, the idea of a Rosewood lens in these iconic lodges in New Zealand sounds like a match made in heaven.
The 26-room Rosewood Kauri Cliffs is an oceanside retreat in the Northland region on 6,000 acres of private beaches and forests, surrounded by sheep and cow farms. I have yet to visit Kauri Cliffs but have had the pleasure of staying at Cape Kidnappers and Matakauri. The 24-room Rosewood Cape Kidnappers is in Hawke’s Bay on the North Island, and I’ll never forget the unobstructed views of the landscape and Pacific Ocean, which I took in from the deep soaking tub of my suite and on solo jogs throughout the property. Cape Kidnappers isn’t far from Cape Sanctuary, the largest privately funded wildlife restoration project in the country that acts as an important sanctuary and breeding center for the kiwi bird. (The resort organizes special visits for guests).
On the South Island in the outdoor adventure capital of Queenstown, Rosewood Matakauri provides a soft landing for the plethora of active pursuits in the area, including hiking, skiing, and glacier explorations. The 13 guest rooms and public spaces frame views of the Remarkables mountain range, from floor-to-ceiling windows. I gazed at this view while eating farm-raised eggs in the dining hall; I can’t wait to return one day soon with that added layer of Rosewood’s singular hospitality.
See you on the road,
Jennifer Flowers
Senior deputy editor, AFAR
