Me and My Darling’s romantic winter weekend away wasn’t spent entirely at the Chateau – our nights stay was just one of My Darling’s 40th birthday extravaganza treats!
In the remote wilds of Tongariro National Park, in the middle of the North Island of New Zealand, is an indulgent haven of old world hotel opulence which you should experience once in your lifetime – the Chateau.
It’s been 20 years since I was last nearby – having tramped (hiked) 3 days on the Tongariro Crossing (through the most beautifully unique scenery you can imagine), lugging a heavy backpack, camping in the most basic manner and braving pelting rain on the last day – it looked like an oasis to me and I imagined slipping into a hot bath in a sumptuous suite recovering from the physical exertion. But it wasn’t to be…
Until now.
Usually in winter the grounds leading up to the Chateau are blanketed in snow, but we’ve had such a warm winter so it wasn’t such a winter wonderland, but was still every bit majestic with the sweeping entrance leading to the grand portico and main entrance. Built in 1929, the building has been maintained true to it’s original glamour – chandeliers, velvet drapes, plush furnishings. See for yourself.
With warm welcomes from staff, roaring fires and a generous room with a bathtub to soak away those aches from a day on the slopes, it was the most enjoyable hotel stay we’ve had. The nicest touch which really set the scene for me though was the background music – 1920s and 30s tunes. The romanticism was lost on My Darling, but for a brief moment we were transported onto a set of Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby.
I just needed a few more glasses of bubbles!
