KEY POINTS:
It used to be noted for its alternative lifestyle - a place for people who wanted to escape the Auckland rat race and swap crowded motorways and cafes for a run-down old weatherboard bach and a septic tank.
My, how times have changed.
Waiheke Island is to have its first five-star resort, with developers saying the $50 million spa will make the island a top international destination for tourists in the South Pacific.
Langham Hotels International (LHI) today signed a new management agreement for Langham Place, a five-star boutique Vineyard Resort and Spa on behalf of Isola Estate on Waiheke Island, which is due to open in April 2010.
A model of the boutique resort, which has Tuscan-style characteristics, was unveiled to the media in Auckland today.
The resort will have 78 condominium-style rooms and suites, spa , tennis courts, restaurant as well as meeting facilities for up to 300 people.
The presentation to media was hosted by Waiheke Island resident and vineyard owner John Hawkesby who said there was a desperate need for a boutique resort and spa on the island.
The spa would bring a "level of expertise that quite frankly the island could use".
Dr KS Lo, chairman of Langham Hotels International, who flew in from Hong Kong for the signing, hinted other locations were being scouted in New Zealand - Wellington and Christchurch were mentioned along with Fiji - for expansion of the resorts.
Brent Gibson, managing director of Isola Estate, told NZPA the resort would make the island the Martha's Vineyard of the South Pacific, catering for the growing market of "wine tourism".
Mr Gibson said the announcement in "these economically awkward times" was great news for New Zealand.
"It's a boutique hotel and on an island which is already well serviced by the domestic tourism market and it will get even more well serviced.
"It is a true five-star international property and the Langham have within their group a discerning travelling public who will want to come down and experience it."
The luxury tourism market was growing worldwide, despite global economic tightening, he said.
Mr Gibson said he had the concept in mind for the past 10 years but only had the opportunity to buy the land in the past 2-1/2 years.
"I was very lucky, I purchased it with resource consent already in place so I didn't have to battle with the council on resource consents."
Mr Gibson said he had a high level of co-operation from Auckland City Council over the past several years once he purchased the land.
"I've been involved in tourism on Waiheke island for the 17 of the 20 years I've been out there and I've become quite well known on the tourism sector there and I would say I'm the most tolerated."
Isola Estate was being developed in a sustainable, controlled manner which fitted with the island's landscape, he said.
"This signals the birth of Waiheke Island as a bona fide international inbound tourist destination."
Mr Gibson said the resort meant Waiheke Island could now be taken to the international market with confidence.
"That's a great thing for the whole island and a great boost for the economy out there.
"The spin-offs for employment will be enormous, not just for the estate but for the other outlets on the island as it grows in popularity."
- NZPA
