Lodge in fine fettle with global accolade

FINE FUTURE: Wharekauhau Estate is doing well and was just named as one of 100 best hotels and resorts in the world.

The luxury Wharekauhau Lodge estate is not bankrupt or going under, says lodge manager Richard Rooney.

Rumours that the estate was closing had been going around when one of the lots on the estate was put up for mortgagee sale, he said.

US billionaire Bill Foley owns the Palliser Bay estate, but there are a number of privately owned lots on it.

Mr Rooney said there had been some confusion when American investor James Dale Davidson abandoned his $1.6 million mansion on the estate. The six-bedroom house was put up for mortgagee sale after Mr Davidson failed to meet his mortgage commitments.

"He just owned the house and the lot; the lodge is still operating as per normal," said Mr Rooney. He said he had been getting calls from people asking if they needed to cancel their bookings. "So many people were asking if it was closing."

Mr Davidson's former property has not been sold yet - it is still listed on TradeMe and real estate company Bayleys' website.

Mr Rooney said the estate was far from closing and it had just landed a spot on the International Traveller magazine's 100 best hotels and resorts in the world. "It's quite a respected luxury travel publication," said Mr Rooney.

"We are looking at some of the best places in the world."

Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, near Nice, in France, was named number one and Red Bull baron Dietrich Mateschitz's Laucala resort in Fiji number two.

The estate was named 11th in the world and beat out four other NZ lodges.

NZ lodges featured prominently on the list, with Blanket Bay Lodge in Glenorchy, The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, Hawke's Bay, Huka Lodge in Taupo, and The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs, Matauri Bay.

"To be listed at number 11 is brilliant, we seem to be leading the pack," said Mr Rooney.

He said it was great for Wairarapa tourism as it would have knock-on effects.

Guests at the estate have included Jack Black, Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Meg Ryan, the Rolling Stones and Bill Gates.