Shore thing for lovers

By LIZ LIGHT*

Since it opened last October there have been three marriage proposals, dozens of couples celebrating wedding anniversaries and numerous honeymooners enjoying the discreet, luxurious ambience of Acacia Point Lodge.

It was built in the late 80s as a private home by a couple who lived in Hawaii. During the three years it took to build, neither money nor effort was spared. The slate on the roof was imported from Scotland, the schist for the vast fireplace came from Otago, the rich red floorboards came from the forests of Hawaii and the carpets are pure New Zealand wool.

The new owners, who live in Auckland, converted this luxurious private house into a boutique lodge last year and the change was relatively easy. That it combines the character and comfort of a home with the service and facilities of the world's most exclusive hotels is another factor that makes Acacia Point Lodge special.

It sits on the point above the lake-edge east of Acacia Bay and our room, one of only four guestrooms, is big enough to dance in. It has three huge bay windows, so while we lounged about on the bed we could feast on views of Lake Taupo, the town and hills beyond.

The adjoining bathroom is nearly as big as the bedroom. It has two toilets, two basins, a granite-clad shower and metres of mirrors and marble bench tops. The oval bath, with Taupo views, is big enough for two, so Sam and I sat, up to our necks in bubbles, and toasted the good life with glasses brimming with bubbles.

Downstairs there's a different type of fun. There is a multi-media room with stereo, computer, pool table and a huge flat screen for whatever you wish to watch.

The doors of the Japanese bathhouse slide back to reveal a heated swimming pool that is warm and steamy on cool nights. There is a tennis court beyond and a putting green.

The park-like grounds include a row of cherry trees along the drive, a citrus grove and 180 rhododendron trees that look floral-surreal in late September. There are love seats in arboreal nooks, tinkling fountains and vast views of lake and mountains.

Amid all this gloriousness it is the details that really take my fancy - that the windows are double-glazed so they never mist over, that I could lounge in the bath and watch the sun going down on Mt Tauhara, that underfloor heating makes the bathroom tiles warm for bare feet, that the marble bench-tops are embedded with fascinating fossils, that the big fire hearth is the exact height for sitting on. And that the library has a considered selection of books - blood-and-thunder for Sam and deep-and-meaningful for me.

Sam went to the walk-in cellar to choose our dinner wine and, over a couple of hours, we navigated our way through a sumptuous four-course meal created by Paul, the resident chef.

Between the Chinook salmon and the dessert of candied date and ginger fondant, I wondered if Sam would finally pop the question. The time was right, after an 18-year trial period, the situation and ambience was perfect too - but no, it was not to be. Acacia Point Lodge still awaits its fourth marriage proposal of the year.

* Liz Light was hosted by Acacia Point Lodge.


Where to find it:

Acacia Bay, 11-13 Sylvia Place, Taupo.

Turn off SH1 just north of Taupo.

Ph (07) 378-9089, Email:info@acaciapointlodgetaupo.co.nz

What it costs:

From $1006 for double room for two people.

Rate includes use of all facilities, pre-dinner drinks, four-course gourmet dinner, breakfast and transfers to and from the airport.

Flying there:

Air New Zealand has daily direct flights to Taupo.

What to do:

The library, swimming pool, bathhouse, tennis court and media centre offer days of in-house entertainment.

Taupo is the trout-fishing hub of the North Island - fly, lake or river fishing can be arranged.

There are bush and lake-side walks in the area and, for those who are not into nature, shopping in Taupo is good.

Food:

Dinner and breakfast are included in the rate and the lodge provides personal service.

The chef can arrange whatever you like, whenever you like it, within reason. For example, if you catch a fish, he will cook it for your dinner.

www.acaciapointlodgetaupo.co.nz