Huntaway Lodge

Huntaway Lodge sits in a beautiful area known as the Bay of Islands, and its location high on a steep hill affords views over the Cavalli Islands, Te Ngaere Bay and the other small islands dotting the horizon.

The lodge’s design is fresh and contemporary, with light wood floors, exposed timber beams, and muted pastel furniture. Extensive use of inlaid rimu wood and unique artworks give a distinct feel to each of the accommodation options. Te Ngaere, situated at the eastern end of the lodge, offers stunning views of the sunrise over the Cavalli Islands from its private deck, while Wainui, on the western edge, overlooks Wainui Bay and the surrounding beaches. The Retreat, perched on the hill above the lodge, offers extra exclusivity and even more wide-ranging views.

Huntaway Lodge has a commitment to local food producers, and the ingredients that end up in your food come from the farmers’ market as much as possible. Expect to enjoy lots of fresh seafood and locally reared meat, with snapper and lamb particular favourites. Food is either served in the dining room, or, when the weather suits, from the deck overlooking the surrounding islands.

Huntaway Lodge is surrounded by beautiful tiered gardens, which make the most of the hotel’s location on a steep hill. The gardens are home to local and exotic plants, where native birds like tui have made their home, and are a beautiful place to sit and relax. In a secluded spot on the hillside, surrounded by palm trees, is the infinity spa pool, a beautiful place to wind down in.

While you’d be forgiven for being tempted to do nothing more than relax in the hotel’s gardens and gaze out over the ocean and the Bay of Islands, there are plenty of rewarding physical activities to be enjoyed here. The hotel will happily help you organise snorkelling, swimming and kayaking in Te Ngaere Bay, or you can scuba dive the wreck of the Greenpeace vessel Rainbow Warrior, which was sunk in 1985. In nearby Kerikeri, you can see New Zealand’s oldest European stone building and appreciate the work of local potters, painters and woodcarvers, and fascinating Maori history can be seen at Waitangi, including the Te Whare Runanga longhouse.