Written by Jane Dennis
Select Braemar Lodge and Spa in Hanmer Springs in the South Island in New Zealand is on track to open in December. It will be the newest luxury lodge to open in the Alpine Pacific Triangle, and it’s bound to please the luxury traveller! Having had a sneak peek, I was impressed with the stunning complex, which has been architecturally designed to capture the breathtaking views of its surrounding mountains and the Hanmer Basin. Each of the 24 suites offer open plan living, and feature a lounge, gas fire, double spa bath and a massive window/sliding door, which opens out on to private balcony.
Guests will get to absorb that million dollar view from their bedroom, so even if you do wake up grumpy, your mood will soon switch to gratification once you realise you are cosseted in a haven of beauty! The lodge is equipped with a restaurant, lounge bar, and three conference rooms, all tastefully decked out in neutral colours, so the view dominates wherever you are. A fully equipped day spa with nine treatment rooms, two sauna and steam rooms and cold plunge pools is being built and will be open daily. I’m feeling relaxed already! Leisure activities will also be on hand, with guided local tours, nature walks, mountain biking, white water rafting and so on. The good news is you don’t have to stay at the lodge to capture a taste of it. The restaurant and day spa will be open to the public. The lodge, which has cost about $18 million to build, is on Medway Road – only 10 minutes out of Hanmer Springs Village, nestled in the foothills of the Southern Alps and known for its hot pools. It is also en route to other New Zealand destinations such as the West Coast, Kaikoura and Marlborough. And Select Braemar Lodge and Spa is only 90 minutes from Christchurch. Perfect for a weekend getaway! Visit the Select Braemar Lodge website at www.selectbraemarlodge.com.