It’s never an easy proposition taking on an icon, let alone three of them simultaneously. But this is exactly what Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, the Hong-Kong-based ultraluxury hotel brand, is doing in New Zealand.
Late last year, Rosewood made a foray into New Zealand’s iconic luxury lodge scene, as part of an ambitious expansion plan under the watch of CEO Sonia Cheng. This involved taking over the management of the three Robertson Lodges properties – Kauri Cliffs in the Bay of Islands, Cape Kidnappers in Hawke’s Bay and Matakauri near Queenstown – that have been integral in defining and shaping this unique corner of the upscale accommodation market.
It’s easy to understand why the deal has attracted attention. Fundamental to this specifically New Zealand style of luxury accommodation is that these small-scale lodge properties offer distinct and one-off experiences, individual both in terms of their gobsmackingly beautiful natural settings and in the types of activities and amenities they
