Katikati lodge the place for intense pampering

By MEGAN SINGLETON

Tucked away among the avocado trees and kiwifruit vines in Katikati, Fantail Lodge sprawls on to 16ha of lush grounds and native landscaped gardens against the backdrop of the Kaimais.

Native and tropical trees and bushes as well as bright orange birds of paradise are dotted around the pond making for a breath-taking introduction to Harrie and Barbara Geraerts' Tudor-style lodge.

The Dutch couple arrived in New Zealand in 1987 and bought what was then a single dwelling on a property with streams and paddocks and a huge mound of potential. They have developed their home into a guest lodge with little touches of Holland hanging on the walls and blending with rustic timber charm and doors opening to the flourishing garden.

The weekend spa package enticed us for a girly pampering retreat. Spa weekends are the next big thing in the boutique tourism market, with many hotels and resorts around the world offering first-class treatments in state-of-the-art buildings or outdoors under exotic canopies. New Zealand is sadly lagging behind, still referring to a spa as a pool, and few offer a complete package in one place.

We arrived about 5pm and followed Barbara in our car to a villa at the back of the property. It was a rainy afternoon and our cosy flat had toasty under-floor heating and French doors opening to a clearing surrounded by citrus and native trees. The open-plan dining/lounge with kitchenette and two double bedrooms, each with an ensuite, was our home for the night. We dived into a platter bursting with local fruit and collapsed on the couch to watch a bit of rugby. One can be too "girly"!

Happily for us, Harrie is also a top chef. He whipped up a five-course meal in front of the roaring fire in the lodge and joined us for a glass of wine with hors d'oeuvres of mini samosas, chicken on skewers and other little goodies.

He left us to dine on our own with a fresh Greek salad entree, followed by a palate-cleansing lime sorbet in a sugar-rimmed glass. The main course was a selection of local smoked and roasted meats - including smoked hare shank shot on the property and served with a caution to mind out for shotgun pellets. A berry strudel with cream topped it off and we ambled back to our villa for a good night's sleep in preparation for the morning's indulgence.

Fantail Lodge has joined award-winning Tauranga day-spa Dreamers, for the complete experience: a weekend away to relax, eat good food, drink fine wine and be pampered. The Geraerts are in the final stages of planning 10 more villas, one of which will be used as the spa venue.

But the next day it was Harrie's office that was transformed into our treatment suite, with pot plants, fresh cut flowers, soft music and heaters to help us out of our clothes. We chatted with Dreamer's owner Suzanne Bullivant and filled her in on our medical history in the now tranquil room overlooking the garden.

Dressed in white robes and slippers, we began with a foot soak in basins of warm lavender water, fresh petals and milk while the girls set up our rooms and added little touches of fresh cut flowers on the beds.

We were in for the signature Avocado Sensation Wrap, made from local avocados and pure avocado oil. But first a vigorous mud-soap rub sloughed off unwanted cells before being wiped off with hot towels steamed in lavender.

Then a liberal coating of creamy avocado was massaged into my back and I was wrapped in a cocoon of warm sheets while my feet and calves were exfoliated, massaged and moisturised. After the wrap had done its thing, the sheets were peeled back and more hot towels applied before the final massage which transported me to within an inch of bliss.

How to get there

Fantail Lodge, 117 Rea Rd, RD 2, Katikati. Ten minutes from Tauranga. Rea Rd runs off SH2, just south of Katikati. Phone (07) 549 1581, info@fantaillodge.com.

Cost

Room rates start at $230 a person. Spa packages start at $425 a person for a half-day treatment, including one night's accommodation and three meals, or $475 for a full day. Up to six people in a single party booking can be catered for at a time.

Couples' treatments are also popular, and the lodge has a product range designed especially for men.

Facilities

Wheelchair Access: Yes. Children: Welcome. Pets: By arrangement. Smoking: Discretionary, as long it doesn't affect other guests.

Food

Talk over your menu options with Harrie - you could try pheasant, quail and fish. Food tastings and cooking class weekends can be arranged, including cheese-making.