Annandale, near Christchurch, NZ

I recently returned from an amazing trip to New Zealand through Virtuoso and did many site inspections and stayed at many of the luxury lodges. I will slowly be writing about all of them, but there are a couple very new options I wanted to hurry and get out to FT. I am even scooping my own blog for this one.

Full disclosure - this hands down is was the coolest site inspection ever. Because we were super tight on time, we heli hopped the entire property. It was a ridiculous amount of fun.

Annandale Coastal Farm Escape and Luxury Villa Collection is just outside the town of Akaroa or just over an hours drive from Christchurch. If you want to heli (I recommend it) the trip is about 12 minutes. The property consists of 4 different options, each unique with its own features and design. The properties are referred to as The Homestead, The Shephards Cottage, Seascape, and Scrubby Bay. Since I have a lot of pictures I want to share, I will put each property in its own post.

The overall property was bought in 2005 as a working farm. A few years ago, the owners decided to expand the use and create it as it is today with the luxury villas. The villas are in their first season of use and are new to the Virtuoso network as of a couple months ago.

The theme for this property is "Stay Where the World Cannot Find You" and it is just that - very remote, exclusive, and quiet.

Let's start with The Homestead. Here is the view as we flew in:



The Homestead was built in 1880 and was completely gutted in 2005 when the property was purchased. It is a 15 acre property and the house has 4 master bedrooms and a bunk room. This villa is exclusive use so whether it is a family or four couples, you will be the only guests on the property.

A view of the Homestead:


One bedroom:


It's bathroom:


Another bedroom:


A peak towards its bathroom, through the closet:


Each bedroom is unique. The Homestead has a full kitchen, dining room, library and sitting room.





The property has two options for dining: the chef can cook and serve or the 'we create, you serve' option where the cook prepares the multi course meals with instructions on how to plate them. With it being a working farm, they strive to create a farm to table existence - beef and lamb are from the farm as well as vegetables and fruits from the huge garden by the Homestead.

Also by The Homestead are the tennis courts, gym, and pool.

Infinity pool:


Best workout view ever!


I forgot the tennis courts. But they are there.

It is so beautiful there!


Up next, the Shephards Cottage.

The Shepherd's Cottage sits high up on the property with sweeping views of the Bay and landscape:


A closer view:


The cottage is a small, one bedroom unit. It has a fantastic rustic smell to it when you open the door. The bedroom is upstairs and the bathroom, kitchen, living space are all downstairs.

Living room, after just stepping in through the front door. Kitchen is peaking off to the left:


Kitchen:


Behind that paneling is the refrigerator!


Bathroom:


Bedroom:

This villa is great for a solo retreat for for a couple.

Ah, Seascape. This place was amazing. It has won awards for its design. It and the next property were both built with materials sourced from the farm. When looking from overhead, it blends in with the surroundings. This is a fantastic honeymoon or romantic getaway villa. The villa is in a bay all by itself.

You can see the property in the upper left hand corner:


View from up close:


Seascape is a one bedroom unit with an open floor plan. The front face is all glass and from inside, sweeping views are had from every spot you stand.


Bathroom, complete with soaking tub and shower head:


There is an indoor fire place, which would be to the left in this photo, had I captured it:


Next to the outdoor fire place is an outdoor hot tub:


I love this picture and had to share it:

Last up is Scrubby Bay. This villa is in the bay next to Seascape. No worries, even if both units are occupied, the villas are still worlds apart. Scrubby Bay has 3 master bedrooms and one bunk room. The bunk room has 8 bunk beds in it. The villa is great for a family, multi-generational trip, or even several couples traveling together. It has a pool behind it, a hot tub in front, and a full (huge) kitchen.

Not a bad view!


Up closer:


One bedroom:




With bathroom:


The pool is accessed through doors that open the villa up wide to the living space:


There are two sets of sliding doors which can open the villa to the outdoors. One for the pool, one out front.

Living space:



Okay, more information to know. We did not stay, just visited, but the chef did prepare lunch for us. It was extremely good and I can only imagine what all the meals must be like. All but the Shepherd's Cottage have satellite televisions, wifi, and a landline phone. The farm is full of walking and biking trails and bikes are available for complimentary use. Excursions such as a farm tour, guided sea kayaking, ATV tours, and fishing charters can be arranged. The property has a 2 night minimum stay.

The Virtuoso amenities are complimentary breakfast and $100 USD Food and Beverage credit.

I really, really liked this property. Each villa is a different price point. It is important to understand the remoteness though. If you want to visiting town or running here and there doing things, this isn't the place. If you want to go and disconnect from the world with privacy and quiet, this is a fantastic place to visit.