5 Ultra Luxury Venues In New Zealand
— By Maria Yeonhee Ji

But if you’re looking for an escape to someplace truly spectacular, to a venue that has the flexibility and facilities for both a celebration to remember and the ultimate unwinding experience, what you’re looking for is the paragon of superb design. We spanned the length of New Zealand to find the five most luxurious venues exhibiting these qualities. Atop, amidst, and along some of the most picturesque areas of our country, these are exquisitely designed venues with world-class hospitality where you’ll want to stay long after the nuptials are over.

1/ The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs, Bay of Islands

Image sourced from Robertson Lodges

The ultimate Northland destination wedding venue, The Lodge has panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, Cape Brett, and the offshore Cavalli Islands. With the capacity to sleep 52 guests, this is one of New Zealand’s larger luxury venues with numerous ceremony location possibilities. When it comes to weddings, the allure of the seaside escape is hard to resist - it’s even more difficult when the venue and services are as exceptional as can be found at Kauri Cliffs. In the morning light, the lodge itself becomes illuminated, making it an exceptional getting ready location that yields exquisite wedding photographs. 

2/ Hurakia Lodge, Auckland

Image sourced from Hurakia Lodge

As far as secluded wedding venues go, Hurakia Lodge is unmatched in its beauty and sustainability. Looking over the sublime seascape of the Hauraki Gulf, this destination wedding venue is situated on the southern headland of Rakino Island. As there is no road access to the site, you can arrive in style either by helicopter or water ferry. Ultimate privacy means you can indulge in the many splendours of Auckland’s only luxury island retreat - including its private jetty and bay, swimming pool, and golf range - without any interruptions. The stunning pavilion-style lounge area can hold up to 120 people, meaning your island getaway wedding doesn’t come at the expense of a smaller guest list, either. This is certainly a venue that can facilitate ‘the more the merrier’ philosophy to the celebration, considering the sheer range of amazing activities that will keep your guests occupied both on and off the island.

3/ Treetops Lodge, Rotorua

Image sourced from Treetops Lodge & Estate

If you’re looking for a luxury wedding venue that doesn’t just overlook nature but is truly enshrined by it, look no further than Treetops Lodge in Rotorua. Set amongst 2,500 acres of 800-year old native forest, this is the dream landscape for a forest or garden wedding. Surrounded by the tranquil atmosphere that can only be found in the heart of our natural environment, you and your guests will be fully immersed in the feeling of having escaped the every-day to celebrate this milestone in your life. However the Treetops Lodge experience extends to beyond the landscape: the exceptional accommodation options are frequented regularly by international clientele who revel in world-class hospitality, and this venue truly upholds an estate-to-plate philosophy with their own vegetable garden and Manuka honey aviaries. 

4/ Annandale Villas, Akaroa

Image sourced from Annandale

Annandale is a heavenly collision of working farmland and getaway splendour. Set alongside the Banks Peninsula of the South Island, it features four unique villas across its grounds: The Homestead, Scrubby Bay, Seascape, and Shepherd’s Cottage. These architectural gems, each with its own character and distinct features to fall in love with, have won Annandale numerous national and international awards.

Image sourced from Annandale

The surrounds of the fully restored 19th-century homestead would make for a stunning garden wedding ceremony venue; the cedar-clad beach house overlooking a private bay could be the perfect setting for a magical post-ceremony experience with your nearest and dearest. The ultra-modern Seascape at Annandale provides the perfect magical yet contemporary space for time alone with your partner. Should you have family members or other important guests who adore the simpler ways of life, Shepherd’s Cottage amidst an undisturbed view of nature’s best offerings would be the perfect place for them to stay.

5/ Whare Kea Lodge, Wanaka

Image sourced from Whare Kea Lodge & Chalet

On the shores of Lake Wanaka, amidst a stand of silver birch, larch, Douglas fir, chestnut, oak, and poplars, lies Whare Kea Lodge. A striking building inspired by the architecture of Japan, the sleek lodge featuring floor-to-ceiling glass rooms has been designed to also maintain a sense of harmony with the rest of the region. With two master suites and four deluxe bedrooms that can accommodate twelve, this is a venue perfect for a truly intimate, boutique wedding of up to 20 guests.