Soft landing in Tauranga

By MEGAN SINGLETON

Long after Tauranga's manicured front lawns have given way to paddocks and you think you must surely be lost in the wopwops, Bella Vista Lodge's iron gates appear on a bend in the road. The 15-minute drive up Ohauiti Rd takes you deep into the countryside where the lodge sits, well positioned to take advantage of the stunning vista.

Magnificent Lord of the Rings-type views stretch from the Kaimai Ranges in the west, over paddocks edged with neat little hedges, all the way out to the Mount, and the sea beyond.

We arrived at 4.30pm and were welcomed by owners Ian and Evelyn Hofmann who made it clear we were there to be pampered as they showed us to our rooms.

The plush master suite upstairs has to be the best bedroom in the house and, luckily for me, it had my name on it. An enormous princess-and-the-pea four-poster bed stands on one side of the room with antique chairs and sofas gathered under the huge sliding windows that frame the view.

A spacious bathroom boasted a huge spa bath under another oversized window with views to the Mount. But the soak was postponed for the chance to sample wines from the local Morton Estate and Thornbury Vineyards.

We tucked into pineapple wrapped in prosciutto while dinner was being prepared in the open-plan kitchen, a place where guests are welcome to pull up a bar stool and chat to former Huka Lodge chef Harrie Geraerts.

Harrie designed the delicate three-course menu for the evening. We started with a cold smoked tomato filled with orzo rice as an entree, followed by marinated medium-rare swordfish with vegetables wrapped in rice paper and finished with a lemon semi-fredo with a wedge of fresh pineapple.

The lodge opened in August last year after two years in the making.

Ian, a bricklayer by trade and formerly of Reporoa, returned from the United States with his American wife Evelyn to look for the perfect site for a lodge. Ian had spent years working on enormous homes in California - he and Evelyn had fallen in love with one in particular. The owner generously gave them the plans which they modified, opening up the lounge and dining areas.

Most of the furnishings and fixtures, including bathtubs, window frames and even the Connecticut stone floor, were shipped from America. The brick exterior came from a demolished home in Remuera and New Zealand native timber is used throughout.

Though she is American by birth, Evelyn's father is Irish and her heritage is reflected in the antique furniture from Cork, tapestries and artwork on the walls and the huge atmosphere created by the voices of the Three Irish Tenors piped through the lodge on our arrival. Overstuffed armchairs invite guests to slip off their shoes, sink into the cushions and marvel at the detail - chandeliers and Waterford crystal among them.

My friend and I were the only guests staying that night so after dinner (and a couple more glasses of wine) the lodge was all ours. We disappeared for a long soak in the gigantic bathtubs in our suites then, with just enough energy left, rendezvoused on the leather lounge suite before clambering into our sumptuous, pillow-laden beds.

* Megan Singleton was hosted by Bella Vista Lodge.

Where to find it

Bella Vista Lodge

1000 Ohauiti Rd

Tauranga, Ph: (07) 544 1812

Fax: (07) 544 1826

Email: inquiries@bellavistalodge.co.nz

What it costs

Rooms range from $300 to $550 a night and the price includes cocktails, continental breakfast, the use of all facilities and transfers from Tauranga Airport.

Access

The downstairs area is wheelchair friendly, but no hand rails in the bathroom.

Food

Dinner can be arranged in the dining room or on the veranda for an extra charge. Picnic hampers can also be made up to take away for the day.

What to do at Bella Vista

Relax in the spa pool.

Play petanque or croquet, or try your skill at the full-sized billiard table.

Arrange for a masseuse/beauty therapist to visit.

Walk in the countryside.

Simply relax and enjoy the vista.

Wine tasting

Mills Reef, Moffat Rd, Bethlehem, Tauranga, Ph: (07) 576 8800

Morton Estate, SH2, RD2, Katikati

Ph: (07) 552 0795

Thornbury Vineyards, Ph: (07) 575 4313

Prenzel Distilling Company, Ph: (07) 579 2668.

Advisory

You'll need a car to get out and about as Bella Vista Lodge is 15km from Tauranga and Mt Maunganui.