New Zealand’s latest luxury lodge sleeps just 10 but does it overdo the understatement?
Helena Bay, nestled in 304 hectares of the North Island, was developed by a Russian tycoon to the tune of US$35 million. The touches are luxe, the dining is fine but you still have to pay for the mini bar
So, what is Helena Bay? The newest addition to New Zealand’s acclaimed lodge scene, Helena Bay is nestled in its namesake, two hours north of Auckland. Built at a cost of US$35 million by a media-shy Russian steel magnate, the lodge caters to just 10 guests at a time.
So it’s remote? Helena Bay is located in the northeast of the North Island, on the long, winding Russell Road, which traces the pristine coastline to the country’s first capital, Okiato or Old Russell. There’s little to tell drivers they have arrived (although many guests arrive by helicopter, landing on the lodge’s extensive lawns) save for manicured gardens, a solitary electric gate and a small forest of surveillance cameras. The lodge itself takes up a fraction of the 304-hectare estate, which includes much of the bay (in which orca can often be seen swimming), five beaches, cattle herds, woods and orchards.
What kind of luxury are we talking about? New Zealanders don’t like to be too flashy and the owner has picked up on that; the lodge is modern but understated – there are no gold-plated sinks or exotic pets roaming the grounds. The low-slung main building is located steps from the water, with suites branching off along the coastline. There’s a European-styled spa with fitness centre, sauna and icy plunge pool; an all-weather tennis court; a 25-metre pool wreathed by sun loungers; intimate libraries and lounges playing host to a contemporary art collection. What will appeal to Hongkongers, though, is the space – I have the entire place to myself during my visit, but even with a full complement, it would be easy to feel alone in paradise.
What about accommodation? The lodge’s five guest suites are spacious and, again, understated, perhaps a little too much; each features a cavernous bathroom with tub and a deep-set patio looking towards the bay, but there are hints of a cookie-cutter hotel room in the overly simplistic design and additional charges for the minibar.