Cape Kidnappers and Kauri Cliffs Update (New Zealand)
 

Introduction I know much has been said about these two hotels in the past so I thought I'd give an updated review and compare the two, both of which are generally highly thought of on Flyertalk and in general. Apologize in advance for iPad typos and no photos - need to figure out how to upload! Check In Cape Kidnappers:We arrived late in the afternoon having been driven from Huka Lodge with some wine tasting and lunch in Hawke's Bay along the way. We were greeted nicely with a glass of bubbly ( or whatever you chose), shown the main lodge, given the run down on dining times, activities, etc and shown to our room. Very professional but friendly staff and a good first impression.Kauri Cliffs:We had flown to Kerikeri and were transferred from the airport to the lodge. Again we were greeted, shown around the lodge, offered a drink of our choice, and then due to the time of day sat for lunch. Once finished lunch we had a bit of trouble finding someone to show us tomour room, but did eventually. I think the person who ended up showing us to our room was not used to this as he did not seem to know much about the room and just kind of dropped us off. It was fine as we figured things out, but not quite as informative as Cape Kidnappers welcome.Winner: Cape Kidnappers Room Cape KidnappersWe had a ridge suite with a beautiful view of the property with the ocean in the distance. The room was very comfortable. I would call the style sort of like a big Aspen like country farmhouse design. It was well done. The room had a nice spacious feel with high ceilings, a fireplace, large bathroom, and nice deck. It had a large wardrobe area and nice mini bar set up with all the makings for coffee, tea, and drinks (everything free but alcohol although they do provide one included half bottle of white and one included half bottle of red wine. They also had lots of snacks including home made brownies and cookies. The room was very nice, and although we did not see the inside of the hilltop or lodge suites, based on location and outlook I would recommend this category. The only caveat would be if someone has mobility challenges being in the lodge suites might be a better choice, or fircthe convenience of running back and firth to your room. Of course they would pick you up and drive you to the lodge if you wanted as well. Overall we really liked our room here and it was in very good condition. Kauri Cliffs:The rooms at Kauri Cliffs are along the left side of the property if you are facing the ocean, and run along from the lodge down a hill. We had a Deluxe accommodation here. It is a bit larger than the std, and is more elevated so the views are a bit better. Other choices are a family unit which evidently has a very small room for children or the owners cottage. They are in the process of building 3 or 4 new villas which will each have 3 or 4 bedrooms. They should be ready next year although the building had not started yet - just the land was cleared.Our room was very nice with terrific views of the golf course and ocean. The room was comfortable, had a similar bathroom to Cape Kidnappers ( two sinks, bath tub, sep walk in shower) and had a similar mini bar set up. It had a fireplace and a nice deck, but somehow did not feel as spacious as Cape Kidnappers. It was very nice but had a different feel. It also had a very large wardrobe area, but just felt smaller although I think the square footage was about the same. For those of you who have been to Meadowood the rooms to me had a similar style. Winner: on the overall room I'd give it to Cape Kidnappers as it just felt more spacious, but on the view I'd give it to Kauri Cliffs but that is IMHO and given we have a preference of views closer to the ocean. Service Cape Kidnappers:Excellent. They were very attentive and service oriented. We had one mishap, but they recovered nicely. Kauri Cliffs:Very good, but not as personal as Cape Kidnappers. It was busier and they made two big mistakes. They ultimately made up for it, but they were major mistakes. Winner: Cape Kidnappers but barely. Both very good especially as in both cases their service recovery was good. ( without my even pressing as they knew they made mistakes). I think this is always a sign of a very good hotel. Dining Both hotels had somewhat similar dining. Some differences but similar in many ways.Cape Kidnappers:The food was good. Very fresh ingredients, focus on local, very strong wine list and very good somm ( but wine very expensive!). We enjoyed the food and especially a special dinner we asked the chef to do with one day notice, that was our highlight from a culinary perspective at this lodge. They were more than happy to bring us breakfast in our room as well which we like. Kauri Cliffs:We were lucky here with the weather as we were able to dine outside in the evenings which was nice. The food was about the same in my mind as Cape Kidnappers, but the atmosphere at dinner was better to me. Again the excellent weather was a strong factor. They also brought us breakfast in our room, but we had one big issue with a private picnic we ordered. They rectified it with service recovery in a big way, but it was also a big mistake! Spoiler alert for some on both properties: Men must wear jackets at dinner and it was enforced. Not my husband's thing but since I had snuck a jacket in our luggage he obliged. The one thing he hates more is wearing one they offer, but that is a possibility as well. I do think they need to become more modern on this! Winner : Tie on food, Kauri Cliffs on atmosphere and variety of venues. Location Cape Kidnappers:It is a real working farm and a tremendous piece of property. It is so immense and until we did the 4 wheel drive "Can Am" tour we had so idea the size of the property. It is gorgeous and goes all the way down to the beach. There are a number of outdoor activities one can do as well as a pool, and a spa. Of course the main activity for many is golf and the course is magnificent. My husband and I are not golfers but we still found the property extremely enjoyable and relaxing with plenty to do. We spent 3 nights there but really only had two full days since we wine tasted on the way from Huka, and left fairly early to get to Kauri Cliffs. We did the Can Am tour one morning which was about 3 hours and took us all around the property where we also saw the remarkable gannet colony. We also did the Kiwi walk one morning which was fun - and yes you see real kiwis! We liked CK a lot and would highly recommend to both golfers and non golfers as a beautiful place to explore and relax. Kauri Cliffs:Great location - just gorgeous. Beautiful golf course with wonderful up close ocean views. The beauty just astounded me but then we love, love the ocean and those dramatic views. As non golfers we were able to take fpgolf carts out and ride the course and property at our leusure. The course was never crowded and we loved cruising around looking at those amazing views. There are also 3 beaches on which you can have a picnic ( we did the pink beach which is magnificent), you can ride horses on the property, hike, golf of course, and there are also many offsite activities. We charted a sailboat for a sail round the bay of islands which was fabulous. Winner: A tough one and I think a matter of opinion but we just loved Kauri Cliffs as w love the ocean being closer vs farther away. But I higly recommend both locations and both offer a lot to do. Overall Both are wonderful lodges and I highly recommend. If someone were to ask me which is better I hone stay think it depends on your own preferences. We are very happy we went to both, I liked the physical room better at Cape Kidnapors but I liked the physical location better at Kauri Cliffs. I think the find and service is a toss up. They are both good, with Cape Kidnappers in our experience being a bit more personalized - maybe as it was not as crowded. Kauri Cliffs was a bit more sophisticated. We met great people at both lodges - guests and staff. Had a great time at both, Where. Would we return? Likely Kauri Cliffs. But again That's me! Winner: Both, but for me the edge to Kauri

Thanks for the reviews!

Thank you for your Australia and New Zealand reviews. As mentioned before, we are doing an eerily similar trip in March, so it's great to read about it prior.

It pains me to say it, but I completely agree with bhrubin. We are staying at Cape Kidnappers in March and this simple behaviour really puts me off. We will be traveling with just carry-on luggage for 6 weeks, so I will not be taking a jacket and do not look forward to borrowing one each night of being here. I have never eaten in The Ritz London due to their dress code requirements, nor will I return to places like 2 * Le Gavroche where you must wear a jacket, so it is enough to make me reconsider.

I agree the jacket requirement us a big negative. In fact if my husband had known he likely would have not gone ti these lodges. I would say that the most casual of the two by far was Cape Kidnappers. The owner was in resudenc at Kauri Cliffs so that might have made a difference there. He is a great guy, but I am sure he is the one insisting on the dress code.

We also travel fairly lightly although we have two carry ones and a duffel ( for sailing/boating gear). I snuck the jacket in the duffel which is pretty funny as that is primarily my husband's stuff.

we lived in London for 3 years and never ate at the Ritz for precisely your comment. However we did make an exception to Gavroche and I must admit every year we go back we go there as we love the food and they do take care of us. Again, I have to sneak the jacket in our luggage....oh well!
i do think Vape Kidnappers and Kauri worth the jacket. Both excellent properties but my husband would not have gone if he knew in adavance!

We are currently on our last leg of a 4 week trip - Helena Bay. When I get home I'll write this up. You might want to consider but I need to finish our stay to determine my thoughts and recommendations as we are just here,

Feel free to PM me if you have questions!

I'm still trying to get over the concept of a luxury property called "The Farm" - which still in fact has a farm on the land - that enforces a jacket policy for dinner. Next up Burger King will insist on you dressing as a farmer to even things out.

This is the level of happiness it bestowed upon me
https://www.dropbox.com/s/rjbhrlfic0...1956.jpeg?dl=0

And this is me showing how ridiculous the rule is, by eating in the same room at lunch with the same guests, but wearing my swimwear. No one said anything.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/u3n7ampfqw...1953.jpeg?dl=0

The food at both Cape Kidnappers and their sister property Matakauri has been truly excellent. Last night in Cape Kidnappers they did their best to prolong my misery, by taking over an hour to bring the starters. The question though is whether it's excellent enough to warrant wearing a jacket? Is anything? I lived to tell the tale, but I absolutely hated it and will be sure to pass on the bill for the years of therapy I now must endure, for I suddenly felt like an actual adult - something I've always feared.

We really like Cape Kidnappers a lot but also found the "jacket requirement" ridiculous there - Love your photos!!
We also really liked the food - we were getting tired of the more traditional meals and wanted something different by the time we got there and they did a special Indian dinner for us one night and it was excellent too - but wearing a jacket eating Indian food at the Farm?!

There is a wonderful museum for British cars near Cape Kidnappers, just outside Hastings.

Let me throw in some photos for you


Bedroom


Dining room


Dining room/main area


Views


Pool


Pool/jacuzzi

I really enjoyed The Farm, but did not share your enthusiasm for the room. For a property with such a huge amount of land, I thought the room was cramped, much in the same way that Amangiri is. Not having a separate living room always bothers me, and even more so when the average price per night is close to £2,000. Nothing in the furnishings or style gave it any feeling of luxury, and in some areas I even thought it felt cheap, particularly the bathroom. The main area of the property is so beautiful and thought through, but the room felt so plane and a wasted opportunity. I was immensely grateful that the weather was fantastic as it meant not having to use the room for anything other than sleeping.

Other than that (and the ridiculous jacket policy), I really did enjoy the property. We were there 2 days, and felt that was enough, although one more day would not have hurt. Loved their food, pool, jacuzzi, setting, views and the exclusivity of the property. It is definitely unique. Less impressive was housekeeping, who were pretty useless at not tidying things properly, albeit excellent at restocking food, and service, as we found across all Australia/New Zealand, was always good, but never up at levels you would hope they could achieve with the limited number of guests and prices, e.g. Aman at its best. They tried, such as the private dining, but then someone always came along and ruined it, such as by taking over an hour to bring the food and forgetting about us entirely.

I don't consider either Matakauri or Cape Kidnappers excellent value for money, but they are excellent properties in different ways. Definitely pleased to have visited, but unlikely to return to either anytime soon.