Hi Everyone,
Back in New Zealand and lucky enough to be taking Mr FunkyForty away for a weekend at a sacred, magical resort I discovered last November – Te Whaanga Resort & Spa just outside Raglan on the shores by Whale Bay. Fun fact: great surf most of the year attracts surfers from around the world.
The trip from Auckland to Raglan takes approximately 2.5 hours. Arriving at the driveway of Te Whaanga Resort & Spa a real adventure begins. There’s no sign or sealed road. Simply a letter box and a steep rugged track through deep NZ bush. Lucky we have no dangerous predators – hehe.
You would never expect that at the end of the track you’d be greeted by a welcoming, luxurious sanctuary.
Vicky, the lovely owner, meets us at the entrance. Vicky has become a dear friend of mine since my first visit. It is thanks to her Māori heritage that she and her husband were able to buy the land upon which they have now built a luxurious resort and spa as well as a glamping area. The attention to detail throughout the property is spectacular. It is easy to emerge oneself in the many Maori and New Zealand books lying around. Or to lose oneself wandering through what seems like a curated museum of personal and cultural memory.
Keep on reading for a pictorial account of “A Weekend of Luxury & Magic at Te Whaanga Resort & Spa – Raglan, New Zealand”
A Weekend of Luxury & Magic at Te Whaanga Resort & Spa – Raglan, New Zealand
The Lodge
The lodge there is a lovely deck area with pool and spa pool which is shared by guests.
The kitchen, living room and games room are also spaces shared by all guests. We were the only guests the first night so it truly felt as though the whole lodge belonged to us.
We had fun discovering the outdoor seating places nestled around gas fire pits – just perfect for cosy, romantic nights outside.
The property is set right on the shores of the beach, the perfect spot for a bit of surfing or even surf watching – also a fun sport. We enjoyed having bets at how long each surfer would be able to remain standing – hehe.
Rooms:
There are three rooms in the lodge. Each one uniquely decorated beautiful Māori accents. Each room also has it’s own ensuite bathroom, fridge with snacks and private sliding door access to the pool terrace area.
Lodge Dining:
Meet Chef Yudai and his sister Hozumi who together make a fabulous team and look after guests for dinner. Yudai was born and raised in Japan, and learnt his skills at one of Kyoto’s top culinary schools.
See here for the lunch and dinner menu options. You can see what we ate below:
Canvas Town:
Glamping at it’s best…
Mr FunkyForty is not much of a tent person but even he would stay in these beautiful tents…
Four fabulous tents all facing the ocean and a stone’s throw away from some of New Zealand’s best surf, making Canvas Town a true surfers paradise. Each tent is even equipped with their own sink and fridge.
Daily continental breakfast, fresh juices and more is included in every stay at Canvas Town.
Te Whare Kai:
Te Whare Kai – Meaning the House of food in Maori. This is where those glamping can cook meals, eat breakfast or simply gather together. Once again there is also a lovely seating area with gas fire to spend cosy evenings together – also fun for star gazing.
We liked this dining room so much that we even had our own picnic dinner there on the second night of our stay. So much fun, especially as we had bought artisan bread and bits to eat locally from the cute town Raglan earlier that day.
Ahurewa Spa:
We enjoyed a most rejuvenating massage with Carrissa. She not only has magic in her hands but also a special Māori chant with which she begins each of her treatments.
Listening to the sound of the waves crashing in the background gives the whole experience even more of a unique, back to nature feeling.
Conclusion:
We loved our stay so much. Two nights was like rejuvenating for a whole week. This was my second time here but we are now looking forward to our next visit.
This is the kind of place that once you have been you will always want to return to!
Thank you so much for your hospitality; Vicky, Stranz, and the whole wonderful Te Whaanga Resort & Spa team.
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