As a New Zealand (NZ) luxury lodge, Claremont Country Estate offers luxury accommodation in New Zealand

Throughout the world, and New Zealand, many propertes are listed as luxury accommodation. On the Tourism NZ website there are approximately 100 properties that are listed under the heading of luxury accommodation throughout New Zealand, including Claremont Country Estate.

Most of those listed as luxury accommodation in New Zealand include small luxury hotels, luxury lodges, boutique luxury accommodation, boutique accommodation and some “up-market” B&B’s (bed and breakfasts). Claremont Country Estate is a luxury lodge, offering New Zealanders and overseas travellers not only luxury accommodation, but for the discerning traveller, an experience unique in New Zealand with a Land Rover safari tour acclaimed as being "the most interesting and diverse in NZ".

Have a look at the sample photos below, view the beautiful rooms and luxury accommodation, check out the range of activities provided by our lodge and come and stay with us! If you want to see more photos, click here>>

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"What a brilliant way to begin our holiday in the South Island. Everything about Claremont is wonderful - and, of course, there is Lulu!"
Peter & Alison Kilmarnock Scotland

We have tried to include on this site all the relevant information you are likely to need to slelect Claremont Country Estate as your preferred luxury accommodation destination in Canterbury and Christchurch, New Zealand. We thought it may also help overseas travellers if we also include some useful information about what actually comprises luxury accommodation in New Zealand, how to determine which acommodation providers truly offer luxury accommodation in NZ and what reputable organisations luxury accommodation (and luxury lodges) should be affiliated with.

So what exactly is luxury accommodation in New Zealand or a luxury lodge in NZ?

It is fair to say that some of the luxury accommodation in NZ is truly “world class” and our luxury lodges offering fantastic accommodation are world renowned. Be aware, however, that many motels and B&B’s market themselves as a lodge. The term lodge is by no means exclusive to luxury accommodation in NZ! The term luxury is, of course, a subjective word and may be relative to both the actual experience and your personal expectations.

So how do you sort out your luxury accommodation needs?

Most accommodation in NZ is Qualmark star-rated so Qualmark membership represents quality assurance but how does this star rating compare with star ratings overseas? Really, the Qualmark standard, although serving a similar purpose, is not directly comparable with anything else such as the AA star-rating system used in the UK or the Michelin star-rating used in France or other standards with which you may be familiar.

Qualmark is uniquely NZ and is the New Zealand official standard but be aware that the same star-rating applies for each separate category and there are several different Qualmark categories!

The category for New Zealand luxury accommodation is “Guest & Hosted” and this applies to both lodge accommodation and bed and breakfast accommodation (B&B’s).

For your information, we have included below the three official Qualmark star-rating standards which apply to luxury accommodation and luxury lodges in NZ.

• 4* Plus equates to excellent. Consistently achieves high quality levels with a wide range of facilities and services
• 5* equates to exceptional. Amongst the best in New Zealand
• Exclusive. Intimate and highly individual establishments which offer the finest of locations, facilities, activities and service. (Only 7 accommodation properties)

Obviously, not all 5 star properties are directly comparable. A 5-star hotel has different criteria and is a different experience from a 5-star luxury lodge in New Zealand, although both are accommodation providers with a similar rating. A 5-star bed and breakfast (B&B) is not necessarily to the same standard as a 5-star luxury lodge – even though this might seem to be implied by the same star rating!

A 5-star back packers again has different criteria and is definitely NOT the same level as a 5-star luxury lodge in NZ! To be objective about your luxury accommodation in New Zealand you need to look beyond the Qualmark star rating and to the actual facilities and amenities on offer. Tariff can also provide some indicator.

Your most reliable assurance, if you want the best, is to stay in luxury accommodation in NZ that is a member of a reputable marketing group such as Lodges of NZ (NZLA) which has less than 30 members, Small Luxury Hotels Group or SELECT Hotels & Resorts International or similar. These organisations have high standards and their own strict criteria for membership and, generally, the members will all be 5-star or exclusive and provide luxury accommodation in NZ.

To stay in one of New Zealand’s luxury lodges that is a member of Lodges of New Zealand means you will experience the finest luxury accommodation in the most comfortable of surroundings, enjoying all the warmth and good humour of the famed Kiwi hospitality. The local knowledge of your hosts ensures you will enjoy the best of the region and our beautiful New Zealand environment.

For those who have not stayed in a New Zealand lodge before, this is a unique experience without parallel elsewhere in the world. All NZLA member lodges and sporting retreats offer you much more than a comfortable up-market bed and breakfast (or B & B).

Food and fine dining is an integral part of the Lodges of New Zealand experience. New Zealand luxury lodges range from 4 -20 bedrooms and offer the finest luxury accommodation and top cuisine in unique surroundings - often in the heart of the pristine New Zealand countryside. Each luxury lodge offers a unique experience with individual value-added features such as personal guiding and on-site or local recreational activities.

Claremont Country Estate is a member of the reputable Lodges of New Zealand and is 5-star guest and hosted.

We are a small intimate luxury lodge in NZ that has just five lodge suites and a self-contained 3-bedroom cottage. Those guests staying two nights or more receive a complimentary Land Rover Safari described by Destination Magazine as “ the most interesting and diverse 4WD experience in NZ”. As well, guests have access to Claremont’s own 2,400 acre estate and private nature reserve.

To stay at any New Zealand luxury lodge is an experience to be remembered. Guests frequently tell us that their stay at Claremont’s luxury accommodation in NZ has been one of the highlights of their whole NZ experience

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