02 December 2020

The stars aligned and the dream of heading to New Zealand for Christmas with friends became a reality for my family in December 2019. What we hadn’t expected was to be able to experience the wonders of the new luxury, and distinctly unique, boutique hotel: The Lindis. The Arrival Two hours drive from Queenstown you turn off State Highway 8 and immediately feel like you have left the worries of the modern world behind. The last thirty minutes of your journey allows you to start taking in the natural beauty of your surroundings. The Ahuriri River snakes along the valley through Ben Avon Station and the large iron wave of a gate is the first clue that The Lindis is no ordinary luxury hotel. The Accommodation The Lindis staff offered us a warm and extremely professional welcome at the main lodge, a building with a unique, curved wooden roof that mimics the contours of the surrounding landscape. This building houses the Great Hall, two Master Suites and three Lodge Suites. Aesthetically your breath is taken away and instantly you understand why The Lindis has won several architectural awards. With privacy in mind, this outstanding property also boasts three unique mirrored pods which are en-suite bedrooms carefully positioned a short walk away from the main lodge. Each pod is impeccably interior designed, with a decking area housing an outdoor private bathtub and small seating area offering breath-taking panoramic views of the valley. It was one of the pods that we called home for our short stay. The Activities Although hard to leave, the rooms are not the main attraction and guests are encouraged to take full advantage of the numerous activities this little slice of paradise has to offer. Special trips like helicopter tours to key South Island attractions and vineyards can be easily arranged. We opted to explore the local valley and surrounding area by taking out E Bikes one afternoon and enjoyed a horseriding trek another. Learning how to fly fish in the Ahuriri River or heading out on a 4WD Buggy Tour are also popular activities worth booking. The Food After active days in the fresh New Zealand air, there is nothing better than being well looked after and being served some of the finest & freshest seasonal produce New Zealand has to offer. Your stay at The Lindis is on a full board basis and thankfully the menu offered in the Great Hall does not disappoint offering a good variety of choices to suit all palates. We enjoyed some of the best meals of our whole trip here, paired wonderfully with fine wine from the exceptional wine list. The remote location of The Lindis guarantees a good nights sleep but before you turn in for the night, hope for a clear sky as the star gazing is an unforgettable experience. The Memories A stay at The Lindis is so unique and magical that I challenge anyone not to wish they could stay longer. We had experienced outstanding service and were privileged to relax in such spectacular surroundings. Thankfully life-long memories are formed because of fabulous experiences and these are what we will hold dear forever.