Going Green Works - And Wins - for New Zealand Luxury Lodge

Treetops NZ Wins at 20th Conde Nast Readers Choice Awards. 

Conde Nast Traveler USA has ranked Treetops Lodge & Wilderness Estate as the top New Zealand hotel for 2007, according to its 20th Readers Choice Awards.

The annual Conde Nast Readers' Choice Awards are derived from the largest independent poll of consumers' preferences, the Readers' Choice Survey being second only in size to the U.S. Census. A record number of travelers, over 28,000, voted this year.

Treetops Lodge is the only New Zealand property to make the top 10 best hotels list in Australia and the Pacific in 2007, and is in the top 3 overall. This premiere recognition arrives at the heels of two other awards presented to the property this year, the 2007 HM (Hotel & Accommodation Management Magazine) Award as Top New Zealand Regional Property, and as Finalist in the Environment-Friendly Luxury Hotel Category by leading international travel network Virtuoso's annual 'Best of the Best' awards.

These 'wins' are attributed to Treetops' successful Eco-Sustainability programme. "Overseas and New Zealand visitors now have far stronger expectations from luxury property owners to be able to offer green experiences," said John Sax, owner of Treetops Lodge & Wilderness Estate. "Treetops Lodge makes sure that it satisfies these expectations through recycling and reusing, preservation of natural surroundings, energy conservation, and minimizing wildlife disturbance."

"The staff at Treetops have such sincerity and enjoyment in delivering our eco-friendly initiatives to all our guests, so a special thanks to Conde Nast Traveler readers that recognized their efforts" John added.

Award-winning Treetops Lodge & Wilderness Estate is set in 2,500 acres of native forestry and located in the heart of New Zealand's world famous therapeutic thermal region and trout fishing capital, Rotorua. Visit Treetops' website at www.treetops.co.nz.  
Domestic and international marketing of Treetops Lodge & Wilderness Estate is managed by Navigate Oceania. For more information or graphics, contact Karine Thomas on 64 9 307 3633 or email karine@navigateoceania.com.


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Editors Notes:

• Treetops Lodge & Wilderness Estate is set in 2,500 acres of native forestry and located in the heart of New Zealand's world famous therapeutic thermal region and trout fishing capital, Rotorua. The Lodge with its elegant, architectural style derived from the country's pioneering past, and timber and stone finishes, echoes the beauty and simplicity of the great outdoors. Offering the ultimate in world class luxury accommodation, Treetops Lodge & Estate provides a sanctuary and haven with breathtaking scenic views. Treetops Lodge & Estate offers seven streams, on-site fishing, four lakes, over 70 kilometres of hiking trails, mountain bike riding and horse riding.

• Treetops Lodge & Wilderness Estate is a member of Navigate Oceania, a new collection of 26 inspired destinations and unique experiences from New Zealand's best boutique hotels and luxury lodges, an exclusive private island, villas, spa destinations, a luxury expedition-style cruise, and a private motor yacht. Our members are: New Zealand Doubtless Bay Villas, Cable Bay; Cavalli Island Retreat and Spa, Cavalli Islands; Paihia Beach Resort and Spa, Bay of Islands; Bay of Island Lodge, Bay of Islands; Oceanic Discoverer; Mission Hills, Bay of Islands; Waipoua Lodge, Waipoua Forest; The Boatshed, Waiheke Island; Stafford Villa, Auckland; Cotter House, Auckland; Seafields, Whitford; Maungatautari Lodge, Cambridge; Hamurana Country Estate, Rotorua; Kawaha Point Lodge, Rotorua; Treetops Lodge & Wilderness Estate, Rotorua; Chalet Eiger, Lake Taupo; Greenhill the Lodge, Hawkes Bay; Wharekauhau Country Estate, Martinborough; The Bolton Hotel, Wellington; Ohtel, Wellington; Claremont
Country Estate, Canterbury; Huntley House, Christchurch; Elm Tree House, Christchurch; Wapiti Park Homestead, West Coast; Matakauri, Queenstown; Takaro Spa Retreat, Te Anau; Fiji Navutu Stars Resort. For more information on our experiences, visit www.navigateoceania.com .