The five best places to wake-up this Christmas
Christmas – it’s supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year. But with last-minute gift wrapping to finish, Christmas dinner to cook and piles of washing up – it can often be the most stressful.
If this sounds familiar, this year, why not take a break and spend Christmas Day away from home? Let someone wait on you hand and foot, while you sit back and relax with friends and family. Booking.com has identified five of the most festive resorts and hotels in New Zealand, so you can wake up, open your presents and enjoy your Christmas dinner – all without a care in the world.
Prince’s Gate can be found in the heart of Rotorua, less than 100m away from the beautiful lakefront that this geothermal city is famous for. The hotel has 50 stylish guestrooms and apartments for you to relax in between jaunts to the nearby Government Gardens and Polynesian Spa.
An elegant lunch or dinner is on offer for Christmas Day, as well as a complimentary glass of champagne or a non-alcoholic beverage on arrival. Once you’ve had your fill of food and drink, you can go for a refreshing swim in one of the hotel’s thermal pools. If that isn’t enough, you’ll leave with a Christmas goody bag to enjoy long after the festivities are over.
Millbrook Resort, Arrowtown, New Zealand
This luxurious, award-winning retreat is set in 500 acres of beautiful Kiwi countryside. Its impressive selection of suites and villas offer clear views of the surrounding mountains, as well as access to a golf course and day spa.
For Christmas Day itself, staff members encourage guests to hang up their aprons and let them do all the work! Three different venues will be open across the resort, from formal dinner opportunities to more casual buffet lunches. So, no matter how you’d prefer to spend the day, there will be plenty of choice at Millbrook Resort.
The Cordis, Auckland, New Zealand
The Cordis, formerly The Langham, offers nothing but fun for its guests this Christmas. Expect a sumptuous feast, complete with gourmet trimmings. As well as your festive favourites for lunch, there will be decorations and cheesy tunes aplenty.
If you need to pause and take a break from the celebrations, cosy up in one of the 411 modern guestrooms and suites – all decorated with warm wood, handcrafted furniture and quality textiles.
The staff at Wallaceville House invite guests to experience their friendly service over Christmas Day Lunch, either indoors or outdoors in its tranquil gardens.
If you can bear to leave the comfort of your own private studio, complete with balcony and en-suite bathroom, there is plenty to explore. The house is situated only five minutes’ drive from Trentham Racecourse, and 40 minutes away from the beautiful Lake Wairarapa. Rated highly for a two-person trip, this is the perfect getaway for couples at Christmas.
The Country Hotel, Napier, New Zealand
Located in the beautiful Napier, this luxurious 5-star hotel can be found at the heart of the Art Deco Precinct. Originally built in 1909 for Hawke’s Bay County Council, the rooms at this hotel are elegantly designed and offer stunning, antique furnishings. Tuck into Christmas lunch at the multi award-winning Wine Street Restaurant, or enjoy a tipple at Churchill’s Champagne & Snug Bar. Drinks fans can choose from a superb selection of wines, single malt whiskeys, cocktails and of course – bottles of bubbles.
With a wonderful festive menu on offer, outstanding service and rooms seeped in history – this is a perfect place to celebrate with loved ones.