26 April 2010, TRAVEL DIGEST

Managed by Hilton Worldwide, the brand new Hilton Lake Taupo is one of the first upscale, full-service

international hotel brands to open in Taupo and the second Hilton hotel in New Zealand. Locals in Taupo are buzzing about the new property so I decide it's time to check out what the fuss is all about! Well there's definitely something to be said about this new upscale hotel, which offers 113 deluxe guest rooms, suites and apartments - including a large and luxurious three-bedroom presidential suite (still in its final stages).

Full of history, the hotel is comprised of a Heritage Wing, previously known as the historic Terraces Hotel, built in 1889 and now completely refurbished and a new wing of 100 rooms - the Mountain Wing. The Mountain Wing is positioned alongside the Heritage Wing with panoramic views over Lake Taupo and to the volcanic mountains of Mt. Ruapehu, New Zealand's largest ski field. Each room features a patio with outdoor furniture and is heated using natural geothermal energy - making it good for the environment, not to mention the power bill! Hilton has successfully managed to mix old world with new world, giving guests the option of which style they prefer.

The hotel's restaurant, Bistro Lago, has already been established as one of Taupo's premier dinning venues. The menu has been created by Simon Gault of Masterchef New Zealand fame, who together with head chef Shane Yardley, has designed the breakfast, lunch, dinner and 24-hour room-service menus featuring locally sourced ingredients. The hotel also features a cellar ballroom (for up to 120 banquet guests), thermally heated outdoor infinity pools, spa, steam room and sauna,

a fully equipped gym, bar and an underground carpark, providing easy access to rooms via the lifts. The second stage of Hilton Lake Taupo's development will feature a world class conference centre due to open later this year. The hotel is already one of the top wedding and conference facilities in the region so this development will further enhance whatis already offer.

If you're looking for accommodation with a difference then Huka Lodge, set on the lush green banks of the Waikato River with it's hypnotic deep turquoise waters, offers luxury and truly impeccable taste. Founded in the 1920s by a charming Irishman, Alan Pye, the lodge was quickly established with an unrivalled reputation for superb hospitality and trophy-size trout both of which still draw guests to Huka Lodge to this very day. Over the years the lodge has evolved into an iconic New Zealand property that has been consistently chosen as one of the top

retreats in the world and is sought as an exclusive retreat by the most discerning of travellers.

It was a pleasure to sample some of their fine dining. I enjoyed a delicious three-course lunch, served in the outdoor garden area overlooking a beautiful and elegant river garden setting. The lodge recently appointed Michel Louws to the role of executive chef and his reputation for superb cuisine, originality and a proven passion for creating an exceptional dining experience is clearly evident in the dishes he serves. It comes as no surprise to learn this lodge has won more awards than any other lodge in the world!

The lodge's accommodation has a total of 25 rooms, including 18 lodge rooms with beautiful riverside views and ensuite bathrooms; The Owner's Cottage, which offers the ultimate in hospitality experience and is perfect for a group of

Lake Taupo is where you go if you want to catch a wild trout, swim in a clear lake, walk in native bush, soak in

a geothermal pool or jet boat on a raging river.

Rugged and rich in history, beautiful and accessible.

SARAH WEEKS discovers some of the delights of the region. Turquoise

Taupo's newest hotel, Hilton Lake Taupo

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TRAVEL DIGEST, April 2010 27

combinationa unique

ofexcitementandnaturalbeauty

Karetoto Road,Wairakei Tourist Park(10 mins north of Taupo,55 mins south of Rotorua)

Half an hour of thrills, funand excitement along abeautiful river environment,lined with native bush, sheercliff rock face and natural hotsprings to the very base of theHuka Falls. 9am-5pm daily.Bookings essential.

For travel trade enquiries,contact Michelle Caldwell at info@hukafallsjet.com

or call +64 7 374 8572 | 0800 4 THRILLS | www.hukafallsjet.com

family or friends to enjoy this exclusive self-contained cottage which has four generous bedrooms. The Alan Pye Cottage offers another stunning style of cottage experience with two large bedrooms. There is an all-weather tennis court, as well as swimming pool and spa

pools for the enjoyment of all guests and both cottage's have their own pools.

From 1 May to 25 September, Huka Lodge will present a series of special events, which happily coincide with their favourable mid-season tariff and in many cases are available complimentary at no

additional cost. Events include guest chefs, prestigious winemakers, fine French Champagne, literary luncheon, pheasant and partridge shoot and fine

Turquoise Huka Lodge, on the banks of the Waikato River

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28 April 2010, TRAVEL DIGEST

jewellery trunk show, just to name a few.Further down the Waikato River, you will

find Hukafalls Jet boats, which offer a unique combination of excitement and natural beauty. A 30-minute thrilling (indeed!) jet boat ride in the hands of a down-to-earth, funny professional jet boat driver made a jet boat do things you would never imagine possible - like narrowly missing trees in the middle of the river! This half hour of thrills, fun and excitement takes you along the beautiful Waikato River environment, lined with native bush, sheer rock cliff face and natural hot springs. Combining 360 degree spins and passing nature by incredibly close at disorientating speeds, this amazing experience is must-do for visitors - all of this before we even reach the awe inspiring majesty that is the Huka Falls. From the unique vantage point on the boat you have the best water level view of the powerful Huka Falls – New Zealand's most visited natural attraction. As the only jet boat company operating in this stretch of the Waikato River, it offers exclusive access – our driver even gets up close and personal with this natural beauty, much to my surprise – there is no better

way to refresh and excite yourself!Scenic Cellars is an iconic New

Zealand premium wine establishment, stocking over 3,000 different wine labels and over 100,000 bottles of rare and fine wines from around the world to match all budgets. If you're a wine lover, you'll definitely appreciate a wander through New Zealand's largest underground retail wine cellar which is open to the public, housing wines in all price ranges. The cellar is also used as a function venue for dinners, events and wine tastings. The

store is the second retail premise in the Southern Hemisphere to install an enomatic tasting machine, allowing customers to self-taste domestic and international wines. Book your ticket for one of their many wine tasting evenings, events or themed dinners held through-out the year, or simply pop in for a visit, taste a few different wines and buy your favourite bottles! ✈

Hukafalls Jet, for thrills on theWaikato River

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