A Small Piece of Luxury

This is what's called taking understatement to the extreme.

A tiny photo of the very gorgeous

Treetops Lodge & Estate

Nestled into a native bush reserve on the outskirts of Rotorua.

The perfect perfect hideaway.

http://www.treetops.co.nz/

A New Twist on Maori Food

Food by Charles Royal. Photo supplied.

Maori chef, Charles Royal is big on giving Maori food a contemporary twist and you can pick his brains if you indulge yourself in a Wild Food & Wine Retreat at Rotorua’s luxurious Treetops Lodge and Wilderness Estate – a divine retreat set in an 800-year-old virgin forest. Book Charles in advance and he’ll take you on a Maori indigenous food trail around the estate and you’ll sample kawakawa tea and damper bread with flaxseed and pikopiko pesto. Charles has created his own brand of wild herbs - Kinaki – and they’re put to good use in the Treetops kitchens. Check out www.maorifood.com for more information on Charles and the Kinaki range

Going Bush

Treetops Lodge & Wilderness Estate, Rotorua. Photos supplied by Navigate Oceania Collection.

The last time I stayed at Treetops Lodge near Rotorua it was mid-winter 2005 and I had the entire lodge to myself. I was half way through writing the 4th edition of Frommers New Zealand and when I drove down the long, bush-lined driveway, it felt like I was driving into the depths of a Lord of the Rings set. That’s the beauty of Treetops – it feels like it’s a million miles from anywhere, yet it’s just 30 minutes from central Rotorua. Mind you, once you’re tucked up in one of the luxurious bush-clad suites, there’s almost NO inclination to go anywhere. I know I was hoping everyone would forget I was there! It’s one of my favourite New Zealand lodges. www.treetops.co.nz www.navigateoceania.com