Travellers vote Wharekauhau best Pacific resort

Wharekauhau Country Estate in South Wairarapa has been awarded “Best Resort in Australasia and the Pacific,” and 46^th among the top 50 resorts on the planet by Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2023.

Voted for by over half a million travellers, the awards reflect recognition of the exceptional experience at the get-away oasis by guests themselves.

Condé Nast Traveler noted this year’s awards saw voters favouring “more immersive” experiences in isolated and truly exceptional properties, something general manager Richard Rooney said “perfectly encapsulates the unapologetically authentic” Wharekauhau.

Wharekauhau resort is a property of U.S. billionaire Bill Foley, who owns several New Zealand  wineries, including Te Kairanga in Martinborough and multiple U.S. entertainment, sports and wine properties.

Lodge and cottage suite prices at the retreat start from $2,295 per couple in winter and $3,990 in summer. Foley Villa rates for 1-6 guests starts from $15,495 in winter and $17,250 in summer.

“All rates include breakfast, nightly multi-course dinners and pre-dinner drinks and canapes,” a statement from Foley Entertainment Group notes. 

Rooney adds: “What makes Wharekauhau special is our people and place. Wharekauhau has a unique ability to draw you into the landscape – it’s a magic that is often underestimated until it’s experienced.”

The upscale château property, is known for its accessible isolation – just 90 minutes by road or 10 minutes by helicopter from Wellington.

Sitting at the eastern foothills of the Remutakas on eight kilometres of wild Pacific coastline, Wharekauhau (“place of knowledge” in te reo) gives a taste of Aotearoa’s untouched terrain.

“Nestled in the wildly beautiful Wairarapa region in New Zealand, Wharekauhau Country Estate has put down-to-earth Kiwi hospitality on the map,” Foley Entertainment’s PR agency said in a statement.

Wharekauhau’s list of awards dates back to 1986 when it won the Andrew Harper Winner Grand Award “1000 Places To See Before You Die” accolade accompanied the statement.  

Among dozens of other awards:

2004: Wine Spectator Winner Wine List of Excellence

2010: World Travel Awards Winner New Zealand’s Leading Luxury Lodge

2011:International Traveller Publication Awarded 11th Best Luxury Property Globally; 

Conde Nast (UK) Awarded Gold List

2011: Tatler 101 Best Hotels Award 

2013: World Travel Awards Finalist New Zealand’s Leading Spa Resort; Beef & Lamb New Zealand Award of Excellence for beef and lamb

2014: Masterton Region Weaner Sales Top Price Tapiri Angus Bulls in show

2015: Western Lake Gun Club Winners Teams Shooting Trophy

2019: Hospitality Management Awards Winner Best Luxury Lodge, New Zealand

2021: Hospitality NZ Awards Winner Best Luxury Accommodation