The Manse is set on a rolling hillside overlooking the vineyard-speckled undulations of Hawke’s Bay, only a short drive from Hastings, Napier and Havelock North, and adjacent to the renowned Ngatrawa and Gimblett Gravels wine regions. Formerly a gentleman’s farm dating back to 1910, the lodge enjoys an intimate setting, and as it only caters for up to 4 adult guests at a time, your privacy is assured. The lodge is styled with a distinctly European-inspired brio, and the spacious living areas allow you the freedom to unwind in elegant surroundings. There are just two sumptuous suites here and you’ll find every luxurious comfort catered for, with antique furniture, king sized beds swathed in Italian Frette linens, heating underfoot, while a Nespresso machine and your very own Sky box provide the mod-cons. The bathrooms are particularly lavish, with double monsoon showers, plush bathrobes and Penhaligon amenities. The food here is especially good and pre-dinner drinks and canapés precede gourmet multi-course offerings of farm-to-table cuisine, which is expertly prepared by your host and mostly sourced from the estate. Evenings end with a cigar and whisky tasting in the library, or a fine selection from the well-stocked wine cellar. The outdoor heated saltwater pool is particularly inviting with an outdoor entertaining area for sunbathing or taking in the view, or you can have a tour of the farm full of sheep, cattle, pigs and hens. If you can tear yourself away, adventures outside the lodge include golfing, claybird shooting, fly fishing, 4WD jaunts and tours of local wineries.
