Style and comfort meets luxury with launch of boutique Wanaka lodge

Lime Tree Lodge, set on a ten acre estate just outside Lake Wanaka, officially re-opens this Friday (June 20), offering luxury boutique accommodation with stunning 360-degree uninterrupted mountain views.

New owners John and Pauline Trotter previously owned a high country station in South Canterbury, and are both warm and welcoming Kiwi hosts with a rich farming heritage and a genuine passion for New Zealand.

The lodge boasts four luxuriously-appointed ensuite guestrooms and two private suites, each with their own French doors opening out to an expansive veranda and gardens with magnificent views of the Southern Alps.

An on-site helipad provides direct access to the region's spectacular ski fields, glaciers and sounds, while a pétanque court, croquet lawn, pitch-and-putt golf course, swimming pool and spa pool make it hard to do anything other than relax and enjoy.

“This is such a beautiful property, and in winter it comes into its own with the roaring log fire in the lounge where guests are encouraged to sink into a couch with a good book and a glass of wine,” said Pauline.

“When snow falls we've been known to wake up in the morning and spot deer tracks around the gardens.”

A range of ski packages are available over winter for stays of three or more nights from July to September. Packages include everything from a complimentary bottle of Central Otago pinot noir on arrival, freshly-prepared breakfasts, complimentary evening aperitifs and courtesy transfers into Wanaka, to a complimentary hot stone massage for one or delicious three-course dinner for two when staying in one of the two suites.

Throughout the year, the lodge is the perfect destination for those interested in fly-fishing, golf or exploring the surrounding countryside, or wedding groups in search of that truly unforgettable day.

“Our lodge suits the truly discerning traveller who enjoys a touch of luxury, and they're often wine and food enthusiasts too,” said John.

“They're looking for open space, magnificent scenery, fresh air and a relaxed environment, with exceptional personalised service, and that's exactly what we offer and more.

“Because Pauline and I have lived and worked for so long in different parts of our outstanding environment, we appreciate what it is for visitors to experience that.

“We have relationships with the very best industry partners and high country station owners which means we're able to provide a range of bespoke, high country excursions by foot, horse, 4WD or helicopter.

“It's not often that people can experience the life of a high country farmer ‘up and close and personal'. They're the sort of experiences that most visitors can only dream about.

“For many of our guests we appreciate that they're on a trip of a lifetime, so we're here to help them explore new things, meet new people and experience the very best that Wanaka and the surrounding regions have to offer.”

Detailed analysis of the South Island market had shown that the lodge would primarily be attractive to international leisure travellers from Australia, the US, UK and Germany, as well as the emerging Asian economies including Singapore, India and China.

Packages to cater for those markets are currently being fine-tuned and will launch in spring 2014. They will initially be focused around high-country excursions such as 4WD, fly-fishing, hiking and walking, hunting and shooting and mountain biking, with exclusive access to some areas, but ultimately will extend to include food and wine and golf packages which will be on offer in the coming months.

“We're keen gardeners, fly fishers, golfers and mountain bikers ourselves so we really will relate to our guests on that very personal level, and our packages will be tailored accordingly,” said Mr Trotter.

Mrs Trotter said Lime Tree Lodge's full wedding event-management service, in one of Central Otago's most glorious locations, was also hugely attractive to brides and grooms from around New Zealand and East Coast Australia.

“When booked by a single group or wedding party the lodge can comfortably and easily accommodate up to 12 guests, and with the range of services on offer in Wanaka from wedding planning to catering, flowers and photography, the big day can be stress-free and stunning.”

Winter packages are currently available on https://www.limetreelodge.co.nz/packages/