The Butler Suite comprises a series of rooms looking over the brick herb garden and the terracotta roof of the sunken game house – now a wine cellar – to the woodland beyond.
The bedroom, separate full sitting room, and two bathrooms feature classic depictions of the evocative Canterbury landscape as well as Otahuna’s historic past.
The decorative scheme reminiscent of the Arts and Crafts period features dark wood, original fireplace tiles and classic furniture.
The butler never had it so good!
Named for the Lady of the House, Jessie Clark, the Clark Suite was Jessie's former bedroom and enjoys views of the woodlands through its exquisite leadlighted windows.
The soft yellows and blues of this classic suite draw their inspiration from the expansive stained glass, tiled fireplace and traditional English country ambience of the estate.
After a day of exploring Canterbury, the Clark Suite is an ideal place to relax, either in front of the fire or in the spa tub.
The paintings of nearby Akaroa harbour will inspire one to see what lies just beyond the hill outside the window.
Perched at the top of the house, the Garret Suite evokes Heaton Rhodes’ passion for the great outdoors.
Writers may draw inspiration from the desk which looks out across eaves and gables to the treetops, while the views from the sitting area extend all the way across the province to the mountains.
Fishing and hunting memorabilia line the warm, wood-panelled walls and an eclectic collection of antiques and mementos will convince one that there is such a thing as a luxury attic.
So named for the tradition of the game at Otahuna, the Polo Suite occupies a sunny position at the front of the house overlooking a courtyard on one side and the Great Lawn on the other.
Heaton played regularly on the lawn, which had to be mown by horses wearing special leather shoes.
The classic leathers, houndstooth fabrics and oak furniture of the suite provide the perfect inspiration to plan one’s own horseback adventures from the comfort of a deep, freestanding bathtub.
Or to relax by one of the suite’s two fireplaces with a good book from the Otahuna Library.
The cuisine celebrates the best of seasonal New Zealand produce, with an emphasis on fresh Otahuna estate-grown offerings.
Dinner is a five-course chef’s degustation menu which changes daily, making use of the best fresh produce and guests’ dietary requirements.
Honest, uncluttered flavours, the finest local ingredients and elegantly restrained presentation are the hallmarks of the Otahuna table.
At dinner, guests dine communally in the opulent formal dining room - ornate original wallpaper, a roaring fire and sparkling candlesticks exemplify the gracious living of the Victorian era.
Alternatively, they may retreat to a private table for two in the sunken wine cellar, the intimate library, the drawing room turret, or a location of their choosing.
Between May and October, Otahuna welcomes small groups of 6 to 14 people wishing to celebrate a special birthday, anniversary, family reunion, corporate launch or other special occasion by prior reservation.
The formal Dining Room, with its original Victorian wallpaper and ornately carved fireplace is the perfect setting for an unforgettable five-course dégustation dinner with perfectly matched New Zealand wines.
The old game house – where game and fowl were hung to dry – now houses Otahuna Lodge’s wine cellar.
Otahuna Lodge offers a different flight of complementary wine pairings with each dinner, emphasising Canterbury and New Zealand wines.
Set into a hillside, the cellar maintains ideal temperature and humidity for the careful maturation of New Zealand wines.
Should guests wish to celebrate with a particular vintage, a list is always available.
A small gym is also available offering an elliptical machine, rowing machine and stationary bicycle as well as free weights.
After a busy day exploring Canterbury, guests might indulge in a relaxing massage. Therapists provide a range of treatments, styles and pressures to accommodate a wide variety of preferences.
The heated Otahuna swimming pool is open from November through March. Meanwhile the outdoor spa pool is available for use throughout the year.
Welcome to Canterbury! New Zealand's largest and most diverse province boasts an amazing array of experiences to incite your own personal sense of exploration.
Whether you wish to sail in an extinct volcanic harbour, take in the panoramas from one of the world’s greatest train journeys or charter a helicopter from Otahuna’s Great Lawn into the jaw-dropping scenery of the Southern Alps, there are numerous options to help you become immersed in the sights, sounds and flavours of the amazing place we call home.
Otahuna Lodge is the perfect venue for 6 to 64 guests to celebrate unique special occasions including corporate retreats, family celebrations and exquisite weddings.
The spectacular 118-year old gardens of Otahuna were laid out and cultivated under the direction of A. E. Lowe who trained at Kew Gardens, London.
Wide vistas over lawn and lake contrast beautifully with intimate walks which wind through heavily wooded areas.
The gardens of the country estate offer a range of guest amenities and activities including swimming, tennis, croquet and petanque among others.
The one-hour drive from Otahuna’s gates takes guests over the crater rim of an extinct volcano, with stunning views of the harbour and the patchwork of farms and forests below.
Embark on one of the world’s greatest train journeys, the TranzAlpine, which traverses the South Island’s majestic landscapes.
Culinary excellence is a cornerstone of the Otahuna experience. A hands-on cooking lesson with Executive Chef Jimmy McIntyre.
Otahuna offers an ideal setting for small conferences, product launches and board meetings.
Canterbury’s rivers provide excellent chances for both the novice and expert fly-fisherman to test their skills.
Excellent golfing is available throughout the region from the nearby nine-hole country course at Tai Tapu to the internationally acclaimed resort courses at Terrace Downs and Clearwater.
A scenic flight by helicopter is the ultimate way to see the natural beauty of New Zealand.
The Lodge offers the complimentary use of 4 bicycles for exploring the immediate area with many guests enjoying the easy 6-kilometre loop in the Otahuna Valley.
Here, guests can attain basic skills such as how to mount and dismount, hold reins in an English saddle and communicate with the horse before departing.
For those who find relaxation in active pursuits, a hard-surface tennis court is available with the use of racquets and balls.
Waipara vineyards are perhaps best known for excellent Pinot Noirs—often sought after for their rich notes of licorice caused by the high amount of limestone in the soil.
Otahuna offers many beautiful sites for wedding ceremonies its of original gardens, including the Great Lawn beside the property’s lake or under the century-old oaks of the formal Dutch Garden
OTAHUNA LODGE
224 Rhodes RoadTai Tapu 7672ChristchurchNew Zealand