Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat, High Country Estate & Luxury Villa Collection - June 2020
Experience majestic mountain views at Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat, High Country Estate & Luxury Villa Collection, offering five-star luxury amid the unparalleled natural splendour of Aoraki/Mt Cook. Nestled between the glittering turquoise waters of Lake Pukaki and the majestic Ben Ohau Range, under the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, this adults-only retreat might just offer the most incredible views of Mt Cook and surrounds.
Get cosy in a luxury villa with open fireplace, a private lakeside hot tub and uninterrupted mountain views. Your stay is made unforgettable with complimentary daily breakfast provisions, a nightly three-course dining experience for two and complimentary use of the onsite facilities, including mountain bikes, a tennis court and croquet.
Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat, High Country Estate & Luxury Villa Collection is located in the Canterbury region, approximately a 2.5-hour drive from Queenstown International Airport, 3.5 hours from Christchurch International Airport and 1 hour and 50 minutes from Wanaka Airport. Airport transfers are not included in your package, please plan accordingly.
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Concealed from the road by a thick forest wall, Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat, High Country Estate & Luxury Villa Collection is the perfect off-the-grid haven, just a 30-minute drive from the glittering Lake Tekapo and within a three and a half-hour drive of Christchurch and Queenstown.
What You’ll Love…
The Retreat — A private hideaway in the World Heritage-listed Mt Cook National Park
Total seclusion is yours at the adults-only Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat, High Country Estate & Luxury Villa Collection, by the glistening waters of Lake Pukaki and Ben Ohau Range. With a mere three villas onsite — overseen by live-in hosts Kaye and Luke — this boutique escape was made for intimacy, with no more than 12 guests at any one time.
Stargaze under one of the most spectacular skies in the world, part of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, and sip wine or a dram of whiskey with a view from the curated collection at the on-site Pukaki Wine Cellar Observatory (additional costs apply).
Sink into relaxation in your private outdoor spa, perched overlooking the glittering lake, take time to enjoy a game of tennis or croquet on the lawn and savour the taste of nature at the on-site main lodge — or in the comfort of your villa, it’s up to you.
The Location — Possibly home to the most magical Mt Cook views
Enjoy the tranquillity of this World Heritage-listed area with complimentary access to the retreat’s mountain bikes — which will allow you to cycle along the magnificent Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail — stroll through lavender fields just 800m from the property gate and explore the glittering glaciers.
New Zealand’s largest glacier, the Tasman Glacier, and the Mueller Glacier are approximately a 30-minute drive away, with lookouts to Tasman Glacier a mere 30-minute walk away.
The Villa — European elegance with a cosy fireplace
Step into the Moraine Luxury Villa, with access to one bedroom for two, and be swept up in 110sqm of European farmhouse charm, with high wood ceilings, Italian sandstone flooring and soft Tuscan furnishings.
Leadlight double-glazed French doors and windows frame the magnificent Ben Ohau Range views, opening onto the patio and lawn. The bathroom is spectacular, with a rain shower, spa and floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the stunning view, while the drawing room is perfect for curling up with a book by the open fireplace. At sunset, open the patio doors and enjoy a revitalising soak in your private outdoor spa right on the lake’s edge, where you can admire the clear night sky.
Mt Cook View Upgrade: Seclusion reaches new heights in the Ashley Mackenzie Villa, perched on the clifftop overlooking Lake Pukaki and Aoraki/Mt Cook. Inside, you’ll find 140sqm of space with access to one bedroom for two and an ensuite featuring a clawfoot bathtub. Outside awaits the private Japanese-style Fantail Spa, with exclusive access just for you. Made up of three wooden outhouses, the Fantail Spa features a sauna, massage room and small gym that leads to a whirl tub overlooking the lake (massages must be booked in advance, additional costs apply). Plus, enjoy a bonus bottle of sparkling wine when you choose this secluded villa.
Travelling with friends or family? Both the Moraine and Ashley Mackenzie Villa offer two bedrooms. Unlock access to both when you upgrade to a group package for four.
The Food & Drinks — Daily breakfast provisions and a nightly three-course dining experience
The fully equipped kitchen in your private villa comes stocked with gourmet breakfast provisions, including eggs, bacon, muesli, tea, coffee and homemade jam, so you can wake up at your own pace.
Every evening, the in-house chef transforms the freshly picked herbs and vegetables from Kay’s gardens into a wholesome and nutritious three-course dining experience that will be delivered to your villa or served at the main lodge.
See & Do — Perfectly placed for relaxation or discovery
Your stay at Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat, High Country Estate & Luxury Villa Collection is yours to enjoy as you please, perhaps whiling the day away by the open fireplace or bathing in the outdoor spa, spending time learning to cook with Luke in the main lodge, or discovering Lake Tekapo, a mere 30-minute drive away.
Experience the magic of this famous Dark Sky Reserve at the Pukaki Wine Cellar Observatory (additional costs apply) and discover Middle Earth with a local guided tour of the major scenes filmed in and around the Twizel area (additional costs apply) — the retreat is located on Lake Pukaki, aka Laketown in the Hobbit films. Explore the nearby glaciers on foot — Hooker Glacier viewing point is a three-hour return walk — soar above Mt Cook with a red cat biplane experience or take a heli-tour through the Mt Cook National Park (additional costs apply).
- Main lodge
- Helipad
- Tennis court
- Curling rink (seasonal)
- Mountain bikes
- Cycleways and walking tracks
- Pukaki Wine Cellar Observatory
Surcharges may apply to select facilities and services
Valid for travel from 1 August 2020 until 31 October 2021 (bookings must be made before 30 August 2021).
Blackout Dates Apply. Dates are identified in the Booking Calendar.
Surcharge: A non-refundable surcharge per room, per night, applies for certain dates and is payable at time of booking. Dates and prices are identified in the Booking Calendar.
Check Availability: To confirm your dates of stay at purchase, click on ‘Check Availability’ and select your preferred package. Use the calendar to browse and select available dates. Dates with a surcharge are identified.
Buy Now, Choose Dates Later: If you want to secure this offer and don’t know when you want to travel please select ‘Buy Now, Choose Dates Later’. This will secure your package and give you the flexibility to choose your travel dates — within the book by and validity period and subject to availability. To select dates post purchase, simply select ‘My Escapes’ under the ‘My Account’ tab and follow the prompts.
7-Day Change of Mind ‘No Questions Asked’ Refund Guarantee: Things don’t always work out. Our 7-day Change of Mind Guarantee is there to help. Bookings (except for Tour bookings and flights) may be cancelled with a full refund provided that cancellation occurs strictly within 7 days from the date of purchase and provided that the cancellation is made no less than 21 days prior to the check-in date.
Feel Like Changing Your Dates? No Worries… You can make unlimited changes to the date of your booking provided the change is made no less than 21 days before your original check-in date for bookings in Australia and New Zealand, and 1 day before check-in for bookings in all other countries. This is provided you choose dates that are of an equal value and are available. Any change to booking dates is subject to and must be made online in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.
One-Bedroom Moraine Villa and Ashley Mackenzie Villa – Packages are valid for two adults.
Maximum Room Capacity: The maximum room capacity is two people.
Extra Guest Policy: Additional guests are not permitted.
Two-Bedroom Moraine Villa and Ashley Mackenzie Villa — Packages are valid for four adults.
Maximum Room Capacity: The maximum room capacity is four people.
Extra Guest Policy: Additional guests are not permitted.
Child Policy: This is an adults-only property. Guests aged under 18 years are not permitted.
Dining inclusions do not include beverages (unless otherwise stated). Menus are subject to change without notice.
The property, facilities and dining are subject to government regulations and restrictions. Please check the property website for the most up-to-date information as some of the services may be impacted.
Please note that full terms and conditions apply. Refer to website’s terms and conditions.
