The last 12 months for one of New Zealand’s premier luxury lodges has been a spectacular success, with the Whare Kea and Chalet and its team receiving a number of highly prestigious international awards including the ‘Best Asia-Pacific Boutique Hotel’ at the Shanghai Traveller’s Club 2013 Luxury Travel Awards. Owner of Whare Kea, Louise Myer was also honoured with the Relais & Chateaux 2013 Woman of the Year Trophy at the 38th International Congress of Relais & Chateaux in Italy. The lodge is to be congratulated on their world class successes on the international luxury market.
Owners of Whare Kea, Martyn and Louise Myer’s stunning book, ‘WANAKA: Earth to Heaven at Whare Kea’, by Michal McKay, with photographs by Kieran Scott, was the winner for New Zealand and the fourth place getter worldwide of the prestigious 2012 Gourmand World Cookbook Awards for the Best Cookbook of the Year category. In particular, the book highlights Louise Myer’s passion for seasonal, fresh and light cuisine, and the superb menus produced by the lodge’s talented executive chef, James Stapley, which guests enjoy on a daily basis. Stapley has developed close relationships with Wanaka’s exceptional artisanal producers who supply the lodge with quality produce, and he also grows a variety of herbs, organic fruits and vegetables in his own garden.
About the Lodge
Whare Kea has unrivalled access to a wealth of leisure diversions in the spectacular landscape of New Zealand’s South Island. The Lodge’s interior features spacious lounge and dining areas, and six superbly comfortable guest suites accented with contemporary furniture, with paintings and pieces by New Zealand artists.
A stay at Whare Kea Lodge and Chalet starts at NZ$1610 a night in a deluxe room, and NZ$1955 a night in a master suite. This includes a gourmet breakfast and, in the evening, drinks and canapés followed by a five-course degustation dinner.