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A magazine published by the Japanese Tourism Bureau has named Christchurch's Clearview Lodge the best place to stay in New Zealand.
Rurubu serves as a travel guide for visitors to New Zealand and named Clearview alongside other luxury accommodation providers including Queenstown's Millbrook Resort, Dunedin's Corstorphine House and the Heritage Hotel & Spa du Vin in Auckland's Mangatawhiri Valley.
Clearview Lodge owner Robin Clements said it was fantastic to be singled out for praise in such a highly regarded publication.
"We are just pleased to be recognised. It can be only good for our business and good for New Zealand tourism," he said.
The magazine said Clements and his wife Sue were great hosts and that visitors could "totally relax surrounded by glossy greenery".
"The lodge is located in about 10 acres of a winery. With hospitality and kindness overflowing from the hosts, they welcome you to their resort with smiles that touch the bottom of one's heart," the magazine wrote.
Sue Clements said the article - which is entirely in Japanese - was only brought to their attention when Japanese guests staying at the lodge alerted them to it.
"They brought the article with them and said 'you are number one'."
She said she believed hosted accommodation such as that provided at Clearview Lodge provided visitors with a more personal experience than they might have at hotels.
"We do spend a lot of time with our guests and try to show them how we really live."
In addition to providing accommodation, Clearview Lodge makes its own pinot noir and rose wine. A wide variety of produce - including cherries, feijoas, nectarines, peaches, blueberries and apples - is also grown on site.
The full list of accommodation providers mentioned in Rurubu magazine were:
* Clearview Lodge, Harewood, Christchurch
* Millbrook Resort, Queenstown
* Heritage Hotel & Spa du Vin, Mangatawhiri Valley, Auckland
* Corstorphine House, Caversham, Dunedin
* The Classic Villa, Christchurch
* Elm Tree House, Merivale , Christchurch
* The Dairy Private Luxury Hotel, Queenstown
* Queenstown House B&B Hotel, Queenstown
* Earnscliff, Devonport, Auckland
