Grasmere Lodge, Christchurch Luxury Lodge
Grasmere Lodge — High Country Retreat — where luxury and natural splendour come together in the heart of the Southern Alps, to form what one international guest described as “a whole other world of peacefulness & serenity.”
Built in 1858, the original limestone homestead, now the core of the lodge, introduces you to the style of personal pampering that earned the Harper’s Hideaway Report Grand Award in 1998.
At the same time this traditional New Zealand high country station (ranch), set amid towering 7000 ft peaks, provides a wide range of outdoor activities for those seeking a more adventurous interlude.
Grasmere Lodge also offers a richness of traditional New Zealand hospitality. Owner, Tom Butler, and his staff epitomise New Zealand friendliness and generosity of spirit. Together they take great delight in sharing the magic of Grasmere with their guests.
ACCOMMODATION
The Lodge - This building was added in 1998 and extended in 2000, designed with the early colonial farmhouse style in mind.
Breakfast and lunch are usually served here in the Verandah restaurant, taking full advantage of all-day sun and great views. The lounge is perfect for chatting with other guests over afternoon tea, or finding a quiet corner and a good book on the mezzanine. Feel free to stay in practice at the grand piano, or to stay in touch with home with the complimentary internet access.
- Lake View Deluxe Rooms - The six lake view deluxe rooms in the Lodge building were added in 1998 and 2000. Each measures 37 square metres (400 square feet), and has a view over the lawn and deer farm, to Lake Grasmere and the Puketeraki mountains in the distance.
- Grasmere Junior Suite - Two lake view deluxe rooms are interconnecting. Another connects to the Grasmere Junior Suite. This room is 65 square metres (700 square feet), with a "sink-into-me" sofa and armchairs in front of the schist fireplace, and a walk-in wardrobe
Mountain View Chalet - The Chalet is a short walk from the Homestead, set amongst well-established pine trees for shelter, with stunning views of the surrounding mountains. It is built in a Colorado alpine style, clad in cedar with copper spouting.
Each junior suite can be booked individually and has separate outside access. Alternatively, a central lounge or Great Room measuring 54 square metres (580 square feet) can be combined with one or both downstairs rooms. The lounge has an eight-metre (26 feet) high beamed ceiling, with leather sofas seating eight, arranged in front of the huge log fireplace of stunning South Island West Coast schist. Internal access to the lounge is available if the upstairs rooms are booked by the same party.
- Mountain View Junior Suite - The four Mountain View Junior Suites in the Mountain Chalet are 48 square metres (500 square feet) each, with their own gas fireplace and butler’s pantry (wetbar), as well as all the features of Grasmere’s other rooms. Each junior suite can be booked individually and has separate outside access. Alternatively, a central lounge or Great Room measuring 54 square metres (580 square feet) can be combined with one or both downstairs rooms to form the Chalet Suite.
- Mountain View Chalet Suite - The four mountain view junior suites are 48 square metres (500 square feet) each, with their own gas fireplace and butler’s pantry (wetbar), as well as all the features of Grasmere’s other rooms.
A central lounge or Great Room measuring 54 square metres (580 square feet) combines with one or both downstairs rooms to form the Chalet Suite. The lounge has an eight-metre (26 feet) high beamed ceiling, with leather sofas seating eight, arranged in front of the huge log fireplace of stunning South Island West Coast schist. A TV and video/DVD player is available.
This is a perfect combination for two (or more) couples travelling together, or a family. Internal access to the lounge is available if the upstairs rooms are booked by the same party.
Riverview Cottage - New in 2004, the Riverview Cottage has enormous windows to take full advantage of its sweeping views down the Cass River and across to the Puketeraki Range - the heart of the Arthur’s Pass National Park. It is built to fit in with the surrounding environment in a modern alpine style.
It features two junior suite bedrooms of 51 square metres (550 sq ft), each with their own gas fireplace, with walk-through wardrobes, separate toilets, and spacious bathrooms with individual vanities and jacuzzi baths. In addition, both rooms have a king or twin single beds, comfortable armchairs, antique desks, internet port, and a deck with outdoor chairs and table.
With a full lounge between the two junior suite bedrooms, this can be taken by one couple that enjoys space and privacy, or is perfect for two couples or a family.
The snug has leather armchairs, books, TV with satellite connection and video/DVD player and CD player, to provide a cosy hideaway in front of the double-sided log fireplace in cooler weather.
ACTIVITIES
Our prime aim at Grasmere is for you to relax. If we find a guest asleep with a book in the library, we take that as a compliment.
Some people want to escape from city life by expending energy: going fishing, horse riding, hiking or playing tennis.
More leisurely activities at Grasmere include resting by the pool, being pampered in the spa, or picnicking under a willow tree by one of our nearby lakes.
Whatever you choose, we’ll endeavour to make any arrangements necessary so that you can relax and enjoy this beautiful spot.
We can arrange fishing guides, hunting guides, clay pigeon shooting, skiing, or four-wheel-drive safaris into the back-country. These activities are all subject to season and weather, and carry additional charges.
Complimentary Activities:
- Walking and Hiking on trails around the station. Follow either our easy or more challenging trails. All have spectacular scenery and excellent picnic spots.
- Detailed ‘Self-guided’ nature walk.
- Lovable golden retrievers for walking companions.
- Mountain biking. Extensive network of easy and more challenging trails.
- Outdoor heated pool.
- Gymnasium
- Tennis court
- Petanque / Boules
- Croquet
- Acres of lawn space for ball games such as soccer, rugby or tearing about on.
- English country garden to explore, or just sit and enjoy.
- Extensive Library.
- Chess, board games, computer games and DVD movies. For rainy days.
- Pool and billiard table. Nearby to the extensive bar.
- Bird watching. Forest, wetlands and open country.
- Photography. Leave lots of memory space.
Grasmere Lodge, Christchurch Luxury Lodge Enquiry Form
Address:
11075 State Highway 73
Christchurch
Phone: +64 3 318 8407
Fax: +64 3 318 8263
Web: Visit website
RATES: Quoted in NZ$, Subject to change.
*All rates are exclusive of GST
Tariff valid from 1 May 2010 through 30th September 2010 & 1 May 2011 through 30th September 2011.
Lake View Deluxe Rooms
Rack $NZ435.57 + GST p.p.p.n share twin/double
$NZ724.90 + GST p.p.p.n single
Mountain View Junior Suites and Grasmere Suite
Rack $NZ546.00 + GST p.p.p.n share twin/double
$NZ931.00 + GST p.p.p.n single
Cottage & Chalet Suite (one bedroom)
Rack $NZ644.00 + GST p.p.p.n share twin/double
$NZ1127.00 + GST p.p.p.n single
Two couples or more sharing Mountain Chalet or Cottage (two bedroom)
Rack $NZ1190.00 + GST per.room p.n. share twin/double
$NZ1127.00 + GST per room p.n. single
Tariff valid from 1 October 2009 through 30 April 2010 & 1 October 2010 through 30 April 2011.
Lake View Deluxe Rooms
Rack $NZ622.24 + GST p.p.p.n share twin/double
$NZ1035.56 + GST p.p.p.n single
Mountain View Junior Suites and Grasmere Suite
Rack $NZ819.00 + GST p.p.p.n share twin/double
$NZ1396.00 + GST p.p.p.n single
Cottage & Chalet Suite (one bedroom)
Rack $NZ966.00 + GST p.p.p.n share twin/double
$NZ1690.00 + GST p.p.p.n single
Two couples or more sharing Mountain Chalet or Cottage (two bedroom)
Rack $NZ1785.00 + GST per room p.n. share twin/double
$NZ1690.00 + GST per room p.n. single
Tariff Inclusions:
The room tariff at Grasmere Lodge includes pre-dinner cocktail hour, a four-course table d’hôte gourmet dinner , and full cooked or continental breakfast. Every guest room at Grasmere Lodge has a king bed or two single beds, two armchairs and a coffee table, CD player, minibar, a work desk with a modem plug and chair. Each private patio or deck has two outdoor chairs for enjoying the views and fresh mountain air. A selection of teas, freshly ground coffee, home-baked cookies and sherry is also provided in each room. The tiled ensuite bathrooms feature a jacuzzi bath, separate glass shower, double vanities, thick bathrobes, hairdryer, and nightlight. They have underfloor heating and demisting mirrors. Each room has original artworks inspired by the landscape outside, and is decorated in the rich colours of the tussock-covered hills. Transfers are provided from the TranzAlpine Express train stop at Cass by prior arrangement.