The Farm At Cape Kidnappers

Two years after staying at one of New Zealand’s premier luxury lodges, Kauri Cliffs, for a Herald travel writing assignment, I was pinching myself to be doing it again, though this time at the sister property Cape Kidnappers. With Kauri Cliffs in the Bay Of Islands, Cape Kidnappers in Hawke’s Bay and the third lodge in the trifecta, Matakauri, in Queenstown, there’s an even north-to-south spread of these remarkable properties across the country. In my upcoming Cape Kidnappers Herald article find out how it’s the combination of setting and service that puts hotels like this in such an elite class.

The article will also look at all the activities you can do on what is a huge chunk of pristine rural New Zealand land – almost 2500 hectares in total. In the meantime, here’s a little Cape Kidnappers fact box (including the details of “Lodge Life” winter special) followed by my top 50 photos from my weekend away there.

Thanks again to the incredible staff at Cape Kidnappers! Enjoy the photos (particularly the sunrise shots – wow) and keep an eye out for the full Herald feature. Tim.

The Farm At Cape Kidnappers Fact Box:

Located a 30-minute drive from Napier, or approximately six hours from Auckland, five hours from Wellington.
22 guest suites with a four-bedroom owner’s cottage also available.
Created and owned by American billionaire and philanthropist Julian Robertson.
On-site activities include golf, can-am tours, quad-bike tours, clay-bird shooting, bush walks, horse riding, mountain biking, visiting the gannet colony or relaxing in the spa next to the infinity pool.
The Cape Kidnappers “Lodge Life” winter’s special (available until September 30, 2017) lets you stay for $1650+ GST per room (based on two-person occupancy) and gives you a $400 credit to any of the activities mentioned above.
The “Lodge Life” special also includes breakfast and dinner as well as pre-dinner drinks and canapés.
Visit capekidnappers.com for more.