Step back in time at Otahuna Lodge, once the 19th century private retreat of Sir Heaton Rhodes, though today one of the most authentic, historic and enchanting luxury hotels in New Zealand.
Why you'll love it here
- This Victorian mansion has just seven suites and is New Zealand's largest private historic residence
- Close to Christchurch Airport, this is the perfect start or end to your South Island adventure
- Indulge with a massage at the Woodland Massage Studio set in the relaxing forest
- Savour a four-course chef's degustation dinner menu with ingredients grown on the estate
Best For
- Honeymoon,
Ricky
Travel Specialist
Your holiday always includes
- Premium lounge passes at UK airports
- VIP meet & greet service at departure
- Private transfers to and from your hotel
- Personal concierge service throughout
- 24/7 assistance when travelling
- The first-hand knowledge of our team
Full accommodation information
Hotel information
Retaining all the regal splendour it would have displayed back in 1895 when the property was built, Otahuna Lodge is, in fact, less a lodge, more a bewitching country mansion surrounded by fairytale gardens and timeless mountain views.
Step inside and you’ll be transported back 100 years in this, one of New Zealand’s premier luxury properties and certainly one of the more unique Christchurch hotels.
Christchurch itself is around 20 minutes from Otahuna Lodge, meaning you’ll have easy access to the city when you want it, and blissful isolation, outdoor activities and countryside walks when you don’t.
And this ‘best of all possible worlds’ theme continues through to every aspect of your stay at Otahuna Lodge. Interiors, for example, are bedecked in original or restored features which are as atmospheric as they come, such as the charming and individually adorned fireplaces (21 of them, no less) tiled and ornamented just as they would have been back in the 19th century.
Your reading room is one of Winchester sofas, exposed beams and wood panelling while elsewhere antique armchairs, the occasional grand piano, treasure chest or mahogany dinner table illuminated under the glow of chandeliers all tell their own story. With its extensive wine cellar, collonaded courtyard and ornate arched balconies, Otahuna Lodge is every bit the bonified country estate of times gone by.
However, amidst this heritage and living history actually lies a fully 21st-century luxury hotel in Canterbury. There’s a heated outdoor swimming pool and tennis court, a small spa, a fleet of 4x4 vehicles, quad bikes and even the hotel’s own sightseeing helicopter to prove it.
Activities around Christchurch also don’t stop coming while here, from the nearby Tai Tapu and Terrace Downs Golf Courses to horseback riding, hiking and biking trails throughout the valley, wine tasting, helicopter tours and so much more.
Then, for a highlight of your South Island experience that’s a little closer to home, wander Otahuna Lodge’s magical gardens until you come across the vast organic allotment and orchards that service their world-class, fine dining fusion restaurant. It’s one of the best in the area and proudly showcases the finest of New Zealand’s ingredients across a daily-changing menu that is as good as any in the country; this is an exceptional South Island luxury hotel indeed.
Room Options
With just seven rooms available – five Suites and two Master Suites – Otahuna Lodge is as exclusive as any Christchurch hotel gets. Though they are all individually decorated and designed, each features a super king-size bed, an original fireplace, luxe marble bathroom with both a spa bath and shower plus an outdoor patio or balcony. The décor scheme is decidedly regal in six of the rooms, as you would expect: thick rugs, throws and deluxe cushions, antique armchairs, a reading desk, artworks on the wall and trinkets, ornaments and extras in each that differ from room to room, depending on what works best within that space. Each suite at Otahuna Lodge also comes with a range of views across various sections of the hotel grounds.
Botanical Suite
The Botanical Suite, once the Morning Room for Canterbury's elite, boasts a wood-burning fireplace, intricate gingerbread woodwork, and a sunlit bay window. Situated on the ground floor, a private exterior door invites you to explore the gardens with ease, whether for a leisurely stroll or an invigorating walk. It's a charming blend of history, elegance, and natural beauty.
Clark Suite
The Clark Suite, named after the Lady of the House, Jessie Clark, offers woodland views through its charming leadlighted windows. This classic suite draws inspiration from its stained glass, tiled fireplace, and traditional English country ambiance. After a day of exploring Canterbury, unwind by the fire or in the spa tub, and let the paintings of Akaroa harbour inspire your next adventure just beyond the hill outside your window.
Jockey Jones Suite
The Jockey Jones Suite, a spirited and elegant retreat, pays homage to a beloved Otahuna figure. "Jockey" Jones, a Scottish immigrant who left his mark in 1890, shifted from the Governor-General's household to the opulent Otahuna estate in Christchurch. For over 60 years, he served as Heaton Rhodes' polo groom, confidante, and chauffeur, even raising his own family on the property. This suite, overlooking the Herb Garden, Wine Cellar, and woodlands, embodies Otahuna's interior aesthetic...
Polo Suite
The Polo Suite, named for Otahuna's cherished tradition, enjoys a sunny spot at the front of the house. It overlooks a courtyard on one side and the Great Lawn, where Heaton himself played regularly. This classic suite, adorned with leathers, houndstooth fabrics, and oak furniture, invites you to plan equestrian adventures from a deep, freestanding bathtub or unwind by one of its two fireplaces with a book from the Otahuna Library.
The Loft Suite
Perched at the pinnacle of the Lodge, The Loft is a design masterpiece. Its vintage Schumacher Chinoiserie headboard, bespoke art collection, and playful nods to the Lodge's heritage create an inspiring enclave. Bright timber-clad walls and fresh green tones harmonize with sweeping views over the Great Lawn to the Southern Alps. A writer's nook, a convertible sofa, and a spacious bathroom with a freestanding tub make it an ideal retreat after a day of exploration.
Rhodes Master Suite
The Rhodes Suite, originally the master bedroom, comprises four elegant rooms, reflecting the graciousness of Sir Heaton and Jessie Rhodes. The palatial bedroom features a magnificent Victorian fireplace, inglenook seating, and stained glass windows. An octagonal sitting room in the turret provides a perfect setting for reading, puzzles, dining, or garden gazing. The ensuite bathroom offers a double shower and spa tub for relaxation, while the private balcony reveals stunning views of t...
Verandah Suite
Exemplifying the "room with a view" concept, the Verandah Suite is an ideal starting point for exploring Canterbury. It boasts four doors leading to a vast arched verandah exclusively for the suite's guests. Here, you can savor birdsong or toast with champagne while watching the sun set over the Canterbury Plains and the Southern Alps. Indoors, you can lose yourself in the cozy crackle of a fire, whether from a plush armchair in the bedroom or a freestanding bathtub in the spacious ensuite ba...Facilities/Amenities
Thankfully, Otahuna Lodge has stayed true to its original architecture, so any onsite facilities have been moulded around that same 1895 layout as when the property was first built. As such, you’ll find more than one cosy reading or lounge room complete with fireplace, lovely gardens to walk around, an outdoor heated swimming pool and tennis court too. Modern amenities come in the form of air-conditioning, Wi-Fi and a small spa for those all-important massages; everything you need between simply enjoying being in the building itself or exploring Christchurch on one of Otahuna Lodge’s countless excursions.
Restaurants & Bars
Otahuna Lodge Restaurant
Providing a memorable gastronomic experience is something the team at Otahuna Lodge take very, very seriously. The refined haute cuisine served here is unashamedly designed to highlight the very best seasonal produce from around New Zealand. None more so than the 120 separate organic varieties of fruit, veg, nuts and mushrooms that are grown in the lodge’s own gardens and orchards. Far from rustic homecooked fare, however, this is in fact contemporary, flavour fusion fine dining of the highest order, just another highlight of booking a room at Otahuna Lodge. Between or after meals, the outdoor patio and multiple lounge areas are ideal for a casual drink, particularly when there is a chill in the air and log fires are roaring.
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Activities & Entertainment
During your stay at Otahuna Lodge, there will be more excursions and activities than you may even be able to fit into one trip. For active types, countless hiking and biking trails dissect the landscape here: from cycling through the Otahuna Valley to trekking the Southern Alps Foothills, coastal walks or extreme downhill routes for expert riders, all zig-zagging their way across plains and into forests, past mountains and lakes or through rivers. For something extra special, take a helicopter tour, setting off from the hotel’s own lawns, or a more laidback outing could see you indulge in an afternoon of wine tasting, perhaps a cookery class, massage at the spa, round of golf on one of the many courses nearby or horseback ride into the countryside. With scenic train rides and 4x4 drives to also enjoy, the only challenge while staying at Otahuna Lodge is working out just what to do next!
New Zealand travel information
When to visit New Zealand
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best time
Good time
Ok time
- Time zone: +13 GMT
- Flight time: 25 hours
- Recommended airlines: Air New Zealand, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airlines
- Currency: New Zealand Dollar
- Tipping guideline: Optional, but not expected
- Health considerations: No major health risks.
- Capital: Wellington
- Population: 5,269,938
- National languages: English, Maori
- Electricity and plugs: Type I (V), 230V
- Mobile phone coverage: Good coverage
- UK passport visa requirements: You need an ETA for New Zealand if you have a British passport - apply online
Want to know more?
Call our Travel Specialists for a chat with our New-zealand experts. They'll share their first-hand insights so you can find your perfect holiday.
Christmas Eve: 9am - 3pm
New Years Eve: 9am - 3pm
25th Dec, 26th Dec & 1 Jan: CLOSED
Monday - Friday: 9am - 7:30pm
Saturday: 9am - 5pm
Sunday: 10am - 4pm
Ricky
Travel Specialist
New Zealand travel guides
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Christmas Eve: 9am - 3pm
New Years Eve: 9am - 3pm
25th Dec, 26th Dec & 1 Jan: CLOSED
Monday - Friday: 9am - 7:30pm
Saturday: 9am - 5pm
Sunday: 10am - 4pm
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