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Grasmere Lodge |
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Grasmere Lodge |
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Book a 2 night stay in any room category before 2/28/09 (for travel until 4/30/09) and receive a third night FREE!*
Grasmere Lodge is in the heart of New Zealand’s
Southern Alps, a 90 minute drive west of
Christchurch and en route to the West Coast
glaciers and Queenstown. The area owned by the
lodge has five lakes and three rivers on or near
it. One side is bordered by Arthur’s Pass
National Park and another by Craigieburn State
Forest Park, both with a wide range of hiking
trails. Their personal commitment to high
standards and attention to detail is
demonstrated by their five-star grading under
Qualmark, the official Tourism New Zealand
grading body.
Grasmere was established in 1858, and grew into
a 43,000-acre sheep station. With a maximum of
26 guests, Grasmere Lodge is the New Zealand
equivalent of an English country house hotel,
where an intimate number of guests can receive
personal attention, relax and can get to know
each other. |
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Hotel Features and Facilities
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In 2000
Grasmere Lodge won the Luxury Lodges, Boutique Hotels
and Exclusive Retreats section of the New Zealand
Tourism Awards, and was named overall winner of the
Accommodation and Transportation category nationwide
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The
prestigious Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Report also gave
Grasmere Lodge its Grand Award – as one of the Hideaways
of the Year for 1998.Good Access.
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Located
just 120 kilometres from Christchurch International
Airport, on a state highway.
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The
well signposted lodge is more than a kilometer from the
road, so guest privacy and peace is maintained.
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Outdoor, heated swimming pool
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Fitness
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Accommodation
The original farm Homestead has been extended
over the years, but it retains the original
walls of local limestone. It now hosts the
pre-dinner drinks and evening gourmet dinner.
The decor is elegant, but in strong colors to
suit the rustic history and the rugged
landscape.
In the summerhouse, a heated outdoor swimming
pool and a fitness center lies on a terrace
behind the lodge. There is also an attached,
underground wine cellar. |
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Lake View Deluxe Rooms
The Lake View Deluxe rooms are each 37 square
meters (400 sq ft) and are in a separate lodge
with its own lounge and mezzanine library. The
lodge is a two minute walk away from the
Homestead and sits beside a landscaped pond.
This building also includes the Grasmere Suite,
of approximately 700 square feet, with its own
stone fireplace and walk-in wardrobe.
Mountain View
Chalet
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The Mountain View Chalet is just a short walk
from the main lodge building and boasts stunning
views of the surrounding mountains. It is
located behind the new pond and waterfall and
set among well-established pine trees for
shelter. The chalet is built in a Colorado
alpine style, clad in cedar with copper spouting
and an enormous chimney of West Coast schist.
It has four junior suite bedrooms of 500 square
feet, two upstairs and two down, each with their
own gas fireplace and butler's pantry (wet bar
with refrigerator, sink, tea and coffee, and our
complimentary mini bar)
Downstairs is available as a one or two bedroom
suite by incorporating the Great Room or central
lounge, measuring seven meters by eight meters,
with an eight-meter-high beamed ceiling, a huge
log fireplace, large leather sofas, and a TV and
video/DVD player. Three or four couples might
want the fully-serviced house to themselves. |
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River View Cottage
The most spectacular views are from the River
View Cottage, looking straight down the Cass
River and into the heart of Arthur’s Pass
National Park. The bedrooms of this one or two
bedroom suite are each 500 square feet, linked
by a large lounge with floor to ceiling windows
to take full advantage of the surroundings. The
cozy den includes a double-sided fireplace,
leather sofas and TV and video/DVD player. |
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Dining
In the evenings, guests gather in the paneled
lounge for pre-dinner drinks, and to choose
their wine and perhaps swap fishing tales.
Alternatively decide on the quiet of the library
and its many books on the region. Meals feature
the best of New Zealand produce and may include
farm-raised venison, lamb or salmon or regional
delicacies in season, such as whitebait from the
West Coast. They are accompanied by an extensive
wine list, which comprises award-winning New
Zealand wines, including a number from the local
Canterbury region. The carefully trained staff
embodies traditional southern hospitality and is
well-informed about the region and all it
offers. |
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Things to do
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Grasmere is set at an altitude of 700 meters,
but is still dwarfed by the 1800 meter mountain
that shelters it from the sometimes fierce
westerly winds. From the lodge verandah, Lake
Grasmere can be seen surrounded by
tussock-covered hills and the Southern Alps.
Although it is a very peaceful scene, the
landscape is dramatic and invites exploration
and enjoyment.
The Mountain Spa has a qualified beauty
therapist living on site providing a range of
treatments from massages and facials to
reflexology and caters for both men and women.
They are happy to leave guests to their own
devices, but in the appropriate season you can
also arrange fishing guides, bush walks and
picnics, 4WD excursions, skiing at two
commercial and three club ski fields or heli-skiing,
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clay-pigeon shooting, and horse treks. The
tariff includes complimentary use of the heated
outdoor swimming pool, kayaks, mountain bikes,
and tennis, croquet and boules equipment. The
staff is happy to show guests seasonal farm
activities as well. The TranzAlpine Express train runs
daily from Christchurch to Greymouth offering
scenic views invisible from the road and its
route passes the far end of the property. Guests
can be met by arrangement at Cass for
complimentary transfers. This train trip is
considered one of the world’s six best
excursions. A helipad and 700-meter grass
airstrip is also available. |
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