Make yourself at home in Tauranga

By KAREN GOA

From the outside, Cassimir Lodge looks like the sort of place where you had better mind your manners. Set atop a bluff, the stately white lodge presides over 20ha of bush, meticulously groomed lawns and pasture for various furred and feathered beasts.

During refurbishments in 1993, the lodge was expanded from the original 1890 villa to its present palatial proportions.

Owner, former RAF pilot and incurable raconteur Reg Turner bought the property as the deceased estate of an eccentric millionairess. Turner, who had been searching for a new venue after leaving his first hospitality venture, the iconic Solitaire Lodge, found the house's interior in near-pristine condition despite years of abandonment, and opened his new lodge several months later.

The surprise is that, once through the door, it's like visiting an old friend. Named after Turner's grandfather, Cassimir means "peace" in Polish. The unpretentious atmosphere reflects the host's relaxed philosophy of "my home is your home". Guests are encouraged to range freely throughout nearly every nook and cranny of the lodge and grounds.

I browsed through the library, decided against an amateur tinkle on the rosewood grand piano and was tempted by a spa in the bathhouse. I settled for a petting session with Princess the golden labrador by the fireplace in the main lounge, where Turner has discovered guests so unwound they're asleep on the sofa.

Not that they wouldn't be comfortable in the beds. All four suites in the lodge are simply decorated but welcoming. All are different, from the studio-type Sunset Suite with kitchen facilities, to our Cassimir Suite, which has a large bedroom, ensuite, dressing room, separate lounge and a balcony with external access.

The balcony, the sun-struck breakfast conservatory downstairs and much of the rest of the lodge give views as far away as Slipper Island, the Alderman Islands and the Coromandel Peninsula.

For the best scenery, though, I climbed the spiral staircase to the bell tower where the bell rings for weddings.

To give guests some unusual options for extracurricular activities, Turner has assembled a cast of characters around him - Graeme Mills, a professional astronomer-cum-wizard and ex-jockey, masseuse Suzanne MacGregor, who's also in the explosives business (but don't expect a lesson in that), fishing guide/photo-journalist Miles Rushmer and his partner Paula Knight, a talented artist.

Dinner is served beside an open fire in the formal dining room. With the host cracking jokes and proposing toasts between the smoked salmon kebabs, pureed carrot soup, rack of venison and berry brandy basket, it's like being at a family reunion without the grudges.

Turner, who confesses that "I would've been a Rhinestone Cowboy if I hadn't opened a lodge" is prone to breaking out in country and western tunes. Be warned.

Perhaps the last word on Cassimir's hospitality goes to a distinguished gentleman from a wealthy Arab country. After a day's outing the guest walked through the door, slipped on his slippers and simply said, "Reg, I'm home."

* Karen Goa was hosted by Cassimir Lodge.



WHERE TO FIND IT:

Cassimir Lodge, 20 Williams Rd, RD3, Tauranga.

Approximately 20km southwest of Tauranga.
Helipad onsite.

Ph 07-543-2000, fax 07-543- 1999
email relax@cassimir.co.nz

WHAT IT COSTS:

Prices apply to all four suites and include all meals, self-serve cocktail hour and lodge activities. April-November $252 a person/night, December-March $450 a person/night. Four-star plus Qualmark-rated.

WHEELCHAIR ACCESS: No.

CHILDREN: Welcome with single party bookings for the whole lodge.

SMOKING: Outside.

ANIMALS ON SITE: Princess the dog, Cassimir the cat, emus, chinese silky chickens, goats, deer and kunekune pigs.

FOOD:

Resident chef Natasha Peddle prepares lunches and four-course dinners featuring New Zealand produce. Turner is in charge of the farmhouse breakfast. Picnic lunches are available on request. Cassimir Lodge caters for a maximum 12 guests for wedding parties.

WHAT TO DO:

Onsite golf, tennis, outdoor chess, croquet, petanque. Visit the animals or take Princess for a walk to Kopurererua stream.

Cassimir Lodge can organise astronomy evenings, fishing and hunting expeditions, in-house relaxation massage and art classes (charges apply). Ask about Thai cooking courses.