A Lyttelton Corner

British Hotel, Lyttelton. Sept. 2008. Ajr

One of the hefty corner pub buildings in Lyttelton, just over the hills from Christchurch.

Lyttelton is the busiest port in the South Island.

Happy Birthday George!

The Cake May 2008. Ajr

When you turn 21 you HAVE to have a birthday cake.

Even if you're a hotel.

And so we celebrated 21 years of The George's fine service to hospitality.

www.thegeorge.com

When Old Age is a Good Thing

Cardrona Hotel, 2007. Ajr.
Welcome to one of the most photographed buildings in New Zealand – Cardrona Hotel. Nestled in to the base of the Crown Range twenty minutes from Wanaka, the Cardrona has a legendary reputation as a popular après-ski hangout. It’s within sneezing distance of five ski fields; I guess that helps. Established in 1863 it’s one of the country’s oldest hotels and with its memorabilia displays, roaring fires and hearty meals it has a quirky, rustic appeal that seems to endure. Now, with a fresh, refurbished face, it’s priming itself for the 2008 ski season. The mulled wine is probably being prepared ‘as we speak.’ www.cardronahotel.co.nz

Glass Treasures

Photographed at SKYCITY Grand Hotel, Auckland, 2007. Ajr

Ann Robinson is New Zealand’s leading cast glass artist. She’s produced a stunning range of glass treasures including this luminous beauty that I photographed last year at Auckland’s SKYCITY Grand Hotel. “Side Carved Flax Pod 2002” is one of a series – saturated in colour, glowing almost. Robinson has had a significant impact on the Studio Glass Movement both nationally and internationally; she’s won multiple awards and exhibited internationally; and she’s been invited to teach at the prestigious Pilchuck Glass School in Washington, USA. You can see more of Ann’s stunningly beautiful pieces by checking in to www.annrobinson.com www.skycitygrand.co.nz

Southern Slumbers

Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel - Photo supplied - By Stephen Goodenough.

It’s hard to imagine anyone ever being short of a bed in Queenstown; the place has more visitor beds than you can poke a stick at. But it’s a good thing that endless visitors have endless choice and when classy new places like Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel spring up on the hillsides overlooking the very beautiful Lake Wakatipu, I want to tell everyone about it. Just nineteen rooms, five stars and in three words – chic chic chic! I love the crispness of their largely black and white interior decor. It's simple, fresh, modern and enticing. www.queenstownpark.co.nz

New Hotel Opens

How lovely to see the old (1912) former Trade Hall Hobson Street in Central Auckland transformed into a gorgeous new boutique hotel. The Auckland City Hotel – Hobson St – just opened - is a modern retreat tucked in to a handsome historic building and if you’re concerned about your carbon footprint, this is the place to stay. Not only are there 1,000 energy saving light bulbs installed throughout the hotel but 50% of corridor lights are activated by motion sensors. Biodegradable corn starch bags and bins are used in the hotel’s kitchens; staff are briefed on an internal recycling scheme; fridges are kept empty where possible to reduce power and recyclable shampoos and bath gel containers are available to guests. In an era of eco-consciousness it’s bound to be a popular central city stay. www.achhobson.co.nz

Happy Birthday!

George Bear - from The George. 2008
The George – that sublime, award-winning boutique hotel on Christchurch’s Park Terrace is about to celebrate. They turn 21 in May and they’re celebrating by offering local diners the chance to try ‘a key in the lock.’ Be the lucky diner on any night between Sunday and Thursday during May and you can unlock a bedroom suite for a night’s stay with breakfast for two the next morning – and believe me it’s worth it. You get to choose when you stay. This all culminates in a 21st birthday party for all 21 winners and invited guests later in the month. And of course the impossibly cute George Bear will be overseeing proceedings. www.thegeorge.com

Tall Storeys

Ascott Auckland Metropolis. 2007. Ajr

Auckland outdid itself in the blue skies stakes the day I took this photograph – one of my favourite views of the phoenix palms ‘tickling the feet’ of the Ascott Auckland Metroplis. www.ascottaucklandmetropolis.com