Lodge at The Hills

Lodge at The Hills was designed by Crosson Clarke Carnachan Chin Architects. Together with the Hill family, they have created an abode unlike any other in the South Pacific; outstanding in its seamless style, innovative flair and creative design.

From grand entrances and voids to the intimate nooks, incredible music room and private sitting rooms in the suites, the Lodge at The Hills is an architectural masterpiece. It marries intimacy with scale, so that the Lodge fits into the landscape but provides luxurious living both indoors and out.

The use of unique building materials such as natural zinc internal and external panels, iron pasted corton steel panels and chimneys which form a surreal black patina are stunning architectural features. This is complimented by expansive landscaping featuring waves of flowers, wild grasses, trees and lighting. It has extensive private walkways, sculptures, grass tennis court, petanque court and a hedge maize. Guests can dine under flowering cherry trees, or snuggle in front of the fire pit in an enclosed seating area. The heated swimming pool has water crashing from level to level. A corton steel box houses the sauna, shower and changing room.

Unique Opportunities for Guests of Lodge at The Hills

Guests are offered the opportunity to immerse themselves in unique experiences, people and places not normally accessible. At Lodge at the Hills we believe that to truly escape is true luxury.

Golf at the world’s southern most links golf course: Guests fly by helicopter over the rolling Southland countryside and play the world’s southern most links course - Oreti Sands. Having a Pro Golfer join your group adds to this special experience. Just a 15 minute drive from Oreti is the home of New Zealand’s famous Bluff Oysters - the perfect lunch after this boutique golf experience.

High Country Sheep Station Exploration: There are few New Zealand high country stations accessible to the public. Guests are invited by an owner of a working high country sheep station on a tour of a truly stunning piece of New Zealand scenery and farming culture. Guests will also enjoy an alpine farmer’s lunch in the restored shearers’ quarters or shepherds’ hut.

Winery Tour Escorted by a Master Of Wine: The wineries in this region are some of the southern most in the world. Central Otago’s unique ‘terroir’ is world renowned for producing premium quality Pinot Noir. The wine tour takes guests to meet owners and wine makers in what Decanter magazine has described as “one of the top five New World wine producing regions.” Guests may be accompanied by a Master of Wine to truly enrich and enhance this wine tour. The Lodge's Master of Wine will help compare and contrast regions, varieties and vintages to make this a wine tour like no other.

Crayfish, Paua and Blue Cod: The fiords of the South Island are home to New Zealand’s much loved seafood including paua, bluecod and crayfish. Spend a day with the ‘canny’ skipper and experience catching, cooking and devouring these wonderful delicacies.

The Golf Experience

Unlimited Golf at The Hills golf course is available to lodge guests for the duration of their stay. The Hills golf course is home to the New Zealand Open – a cornerstone event on the PGA Tour of Australasia. Measuring over 7000 yards, its thoughtful design provides a challenging and rewarding experience for golfers of all abilities. Each hole uniquely highlights the dramatic elevations of the area with no parallel fairways.

The private course offers exclusivity with less than 200 members. There is no need to be tied to booked tee times, or indeed, order of holes played! There is also a private hole adjacent to the Lodge for the exclusive use of lodge guests.

The Food and Wine Experience

The lodge has its own Michelin trained chef – dining is gourmet but informal! The cuisine is inspired by locally sourced seasonal food and wine. The flexibility of Chef’s service ensures living in the lodge is an experience in itself. Guests may spend time with Chef in the kitchen, enjoying a glass of wine while he cooks and may participate in a master class or two!! Breakfast, lunch, dinner, morning and afternoon tea and canapés are included in the guest tariff. Guests may wish to have lunch prepared as a picnic, or dinner left for them to assemble and serve at their leisure. Alternatively, guests may choose to self cater. The staff will make sure the kitchen is provisioned with the very best ingredients and restocked regularly. A complimentary selection of wine and beverages are provided or guests may choose to purchase from the thoughtfully curated ‘Hills’ Cellar Selection Menu’.

The Art & Sculpture Experience

The Lodge boasts a stunning collection of paintings and sculpture curated by Sir Michael and Lady Christine for their own and their guests’ enjoyment. There is also the world renowned private sculpture park as part of The Hills golf course with works by New Zealand and international artists. Included in the Sculpture Park is the 2012 installation The Wolves are Coming by Chinese artist Liu Ruowang. A herd of stunning cast iron horses The Frolic and the Fancy by English-born artist Max Patte was added in 2013. Guests of Lodge at the Hills are invited to enjoy the Sculpture Park at their leisure, while playing golf or may take advantage of the complimentary art tour arranged by your hosts.

The Lodge art collection is one of the best private collections of early New Zealand Maori Art, contemporary New Zealand Art and Asian contemporary art and sculpture.

The Spa Experience

The Spa at The Hills is ‘state of the art’ but serene. Guests can indulge in the signature Hills Time – a package tailored to their specific needs. The therapists spend time with guests at the start of their lodge stay to create an individual program. Guests can take the time to unwind, relax and enjoy comprehensive spa treatments like no other.