Kauri Cliffs, Cape Kidnappers, Matakauri: how the three compare

When guests ask us which of the three Rosewood properties in New Zealand they should stay at, our honest answer is usually: all three, if the itinerary allows. But since most journeys have to choose, here's how we think about each one — and what kind of traveller each is genuinely right for.

We know these lodges well. Our relationship with the Rosewood team here means that when our guests arrive, they're expected. The team knows who they are, often something about what they enjoy, and that's a different kind of arrival than showing up as a new booking in a reservation system.

Kauri Cliffs — Northland

Kauri Cliffs sits on a headland above the Pacific coast in Northland, New Zealand's northernmost region. The property has 22 suites scattered through coastal forest, looking out over a clifftop golf course and the Karikari Peninsula beyond.

What it does best: The setting is among the most dramatic of any lodge in the country — the combination of ocean, course, and native bush is something you don't encounter anywhere else in New Zealand. The spa and pool are excellent, and the pace here is genuinely unhurried.

The golf: Kauri Cliffs has one of New Zealand's finest courses, consistently ranked among the top in the world. If golf is part of the journey, it's the obvious choice. If it isn't, the lodge still earns its place.

Who it's right for: Guests who want a sense of remoteness combined with genuine comfort. Couples who want to slow down, walk the coastal trails, and feel like they've reached somewhere that required intention to find. Also the right choice if Northland (the Bay of Islands, Cape Reinga) is part of the itinerary.

One thing to know: The drive from Auckland is around 3.5 hours. We usually recommend flying into Kerikeri (Bay of Islands) and driving the final 45 minutes — it makes the arrival feel like a progression rather than a commute.

Cape Kidnappers — Hawke's Bay

Cape Kidnappers is on a dramatic peninsula at the southern end of Hawke's Bay, where the cliffs drop hundreds of metres into the Pacific. The lodge sits above gannet colonies — among the largest mainland gannet nesting sites in the world — with views across the bay to the Mahia Peninsula.

What it does best: The food and wine experience. Hawke's Bay is New Zealand's premier food region — lamb, beef, stone fruit, olives, and some of the country's finest syrah and red blends from the Gimblett Gravels. The lodge kitchen takes this seriously. Paired with a cellar door itinerary through the region, Cape Kidnappers is the right anchor for a food-focused journey.

The golf: Another world-class course, designed by Tom Doak. The clifftop holes are genuinely extraordinary — more dramatic than almost anything in the game. If you're comparing the two courses, Kidnappers has the edge for sheer spectacle.

Who it's right for: Travellers who want the full food, wine, and landscape experience of Hawke's Bay. Also perfect for guests who appreciate art — the Art Deco architecture of Napier is 25 minutes away, and the region has a strong gallery and studio scene.

One thing to know: The Gimblett Gravels cellar doors vary enormously in quality of welcome. We know which ones offer a genuine experience — sitting with the winemaker rather than with a tasting-room attendant — and that's what we arrange.

Matakauri — Queenstown

Matakauri sits on the edge of Lake Wakatipu, just outside Queenstown, looking directly at The Remarkables. It's the most refined of the three properties — smaller, quieter, and with a focus on the landscape rather than the activity offering.

What it does best: The view. There isn't a room in the lodge without a direct sightline across the lake to the mountains. The spa is the best of the three. And unlike Queenstown itself — which is loud, busy, and increasingly commercialised — Matakauri feels removed from all of it while still being minutes away.

Who it's right for: Guests who want to use Queenstown as a base for Central Otago without surrendering comfort. It's the right choice when the itinerary includes Fiordland, Milford Sound, and the wine regions of Gibbston Valley — all within a couple of hours. Also right for guests who want a quieter Queenstown experience than the town itself provides.

One thing to know: Matakauri has fewer rooms than the other two properties. It's worth booking further in advance, particularly in peak season (December through February and July for skiing).

How we typically combine them

The most natural pairing in a two-lodge journey is Cape Kidnappers and Matakauri — Hawke's Bay in the North Island, then the South Island and Queenstown. This covers two very different landscapes and two of New Zealand's strongest food and wine regions.

When the itinerary extends to Northland, Kauri Cliffs becomes the natural opening property — you start at the top of the country and work south.

All three in one journey is possible on a 12-day itinerary with internal flights. It works well. But it requires pace, and not every guest wants to move that frequently. We talk through all of this before we design anything.