Eagles Nest retreat carries off luxury accolade

New Zealand’s exclusive Eagles Nest retreat has won recognition as the world’s best ‘luxury coastal hotel’ - at the 2010 World Luxury Hotel Awards in Thailand. 

 

The luxurious multi-award-winning private retreat, styled as "somewhere between seven stars and heaven", is located within 75 acres of lush estate near the historic seaside village of Russell, in the Bay of Islands. 

 

Eagles Nest is a favourite with Hollywood celebrities and high-end business clientele. 

 

The World Luxury Hotel Awards are regarded as the pinnacle of achievement in the luxury hotel industry. The awards recognise hotels that have distinguished themselves as truly exceptional places to stay. 

 

Kiwi luxury 

Eagles Nest owners Daniel and Sandra Biskind said they were honoured by the prestigious award. 

 

"This international recognition for Eagles Nest further reinforces the New Zealand luxury sector as being amongst the best in the world." 

 

Sandra Biskind was in Thailand last weekend to receive the award on behalf of the retreat at a glittering black-tie ceremony. 

 

"This was one of the most exciting nights in my career. It was truly a humbling experience. I felt so proud of everyone who has contributed and those who are working in the creation of our dream, that is Eagles Nest," she said. 

 

Private haven 

Eagles Nest is a private haven that has hosted many Hollywood celebrities - Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart, and Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher are rumoured to have stayed there. The retreat was also the setting for the final episode of season 13 of US reality TV show The Bachelor. 

 

Eagles Nest consists of five luxury villas that are available fully-staffed with a personal chef, personal trainer, massage therapist and chauffeur. Villas range in price from NZ$2346 per night to NZ$20,439 in peak season - but prices include a bottle of quality champagne, high-speed internet, fruit platter, minibar and gourmet breakfast. 

 

Four of the villas have a heated swimming pool, and all villas are furnished with a jacuzzi, air-conditioning, original art, home theatre system, luxury New Zealand bathroom products and a fully-equipped gourmet kitchen. 

 

Rahimoana - described as the presidential villa - is the largest and accommodates eight people. It has 320 degree views of the Bay of Islands. 

 

Background: Bay of Islands 

 

Eagles Nest is located on the Tapeka tip of the Russell peninsula, in the heart of Northland’s Bay of Islands. 

 

The Bay of Islands region encompasses Kerikeri, Waitangi, Paihia and Russell. The area is said to have been discovered by legendary Polynesian navigator Kupe, long before British explorer Captain James Cook visited in 1769. 

 

Russell was a whaling station in the 1800s and was once described as ‘the hellhole of the Pacific’. Today, it is known for its carefully-preserved historic buildings, amazing ocean views and as a tranquil oasis, perfect for a seaside summer holiday. 

 

Waitangi is the birthplace of the Treaty of Waitangi, New Zealand’s founding document. It was there that important Māori chiefs and key European representatives met in 1840 to sign the charters that formed the Treaty. 

 

The peaceful Treaty grounds are home to the Treaty House, a fully carved whare runanga / Māori meeting house, and New Zealand’s largest ceremonial Māori waka / canoe. 

 

Less than 15 minutes drive from Waitangi, Kerikeri is a fertile orchard town - famed for its New Zealand tamarillos, avocados and citrus - with a strong arts community. As well as checking out the local farmers’ market and orchards, visitors can follow a wine trail, and walk ancient kauri forests.