Culture Traveler Chief Executive Officer, Kareem George, is off on an incredible Signature Educational Journey to New Zealand. This adventure is hosted by Abercrombie & Kent New Zealand in partnership with United Airlines. Kareem is one of only 5 advisors selected for this exclusive opportunity. These types of firsthand experiences enable Culture Traveler to best serve our discerning travelers.
Follow Kareem on this sensational journey “Down Under” in the forthcoming series of blog posts! You may look forward to stepping inside lavish accommodations, delectable fine dining and breathtaking sightseeing experiences.
The first stop will be Auckland, where Kareem will spend two lovely nights at the Park Hyatt Auckland. With a prime waterfront location overlooking Waitemata Harbour, the Park Hyatt Auckland provides one of Auckland's most sophisticated and luxurious places to stay and dine. With an exterior designed to reflect a welcoming Maori wharenui (house), and interiors created for comfort and elegance, the hotel's style evokes a haven of tranquility. All of the 195 guest rooms feature Maori accents, custom-designed tukutuku panels and rugs, made from New Zealand wool, as well as floor to ceiling windows for views of the quay or harbour. The Park Hyatt features multiple dining options including signature restaurant Onemata and the more casual Pantry, both offering fresh, seasonal meals. The Living Room offers all-day dining and the Captain's Bar serves a range of cocktails and bar snacks. There is also a day spa, a 25 meter infinity pool and a full fitness centre.
Dinner highlights in Auckland will include Kingi at Hotel Britomart and Onemata located in the Park Hyatt Auckland.
The next stop will be Rotorua and 2 nights at the exquisite Solitaire Lodge. Solitaire Lodge Rotorua, one of the first New Zealand luxury lodges, offers secluded luxury accommodation and attentive hosting from a spectacular lakeside location. Styled with comfort in mind, all nine luxurious suites feature breathtaking panoramic views of the glassy lake and magnificent volcano through grand picture windows. With the beautiful backdrop and relaxed styling, the suites emanate serene tranquility. Renowned for its fine dining, Solitaire Lodge serves contemporary modern New Zealand cuisine prepared with fresh local produce and complemented by superb wines from selected vineyards. Secluded hot water beaches and natural thermal hot springs beckoning you to soak in, are a 20 minute speedboat ride away. The lodge is the perfect place to simply relax, indulge and rejuvenate, left in the able hands of your warm, friendly New Zealand hosts.
Suite view from Solitaire Lodge
From Rotorua, he will travel to Queenstown for a 1 night stay at “New Zealand's Ultimate Alpine Escape,” Blanket Bay. This stunning lodge has received many international accolades. Discovery Channel featured the lodge in their “7 Wonder Resorts of the World” and “Five Star Insider” documentaries. The Rob Report has consistently listed Blanket Bay in the top 100 hotels of the world.
The Lodge is situated at the northern end of Lake Wakatipu a forty-five minute drive from Queenstown, surrounded by spectacular and extraordinary mountain scenery. All 12 intimate rooms and suites enjoy magnificent lake and mountain views. Built in the grand style of the finest alpine lodges and finished with native New Zealand timber and stone, the Lodge is a sanctuary of comfort with a cozy lounge, a den, a game room, a wine cave and a fine dining room serving exquisite Pacific Rim cuisine, complimented by an impressive choice of wines. Guests can unwind with a pampering spa treatment, a swim in the heated outdoor lap pool, a steam in the steam room, a workout in the gym, or a jacuzzi dip with incredible lake and mountain views.
Remaining in Queenstown, Kareem spends the remainder of his journey at the luxurious Azur Lodge. It would be hard to imagine a more perfect view than the one from the nine free standing villas at Azur Lodge, one of Queenstown's and indeed, all of New Zealand's finest retreats. Perched on a hillside five minutes' drive from the centre of Queenstown, each villa has been designed to let you absorb the incredible view in luxury and total privacy. The Villas have been made from silver beechwood and stone to blend with the surroundings, and boast uninterrupted views of Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables. Floor to ceiling windows take full advantage of the breathtaking scenery, as does the large outside deck, ideal for enjoying those warm summer's evenings! Each villa offers total comfort and privacy and a generous 79 square meters in which to relax.
Come along with us as we follow Kareem each step of his journey through this welcoming, geographically diverse country. Geologically fascinating landscapes and unique flora and fauna are only a few of the many qualities that make New Zealand such an exciting country to explore. You will not want to miss a moment, so be sure to follow KG on all of the socials!
