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Ashley Mackenzie Villa

And Private Fantail Spa

Nestled on the clifftop overlooking the spectacular blue waters of Lake Pukaki towards Aoraki Mount Cook, the Ashley Mackenzie Villa is set in one of the world’s most picturesque locations. Inspiring and romantic, the villa is a private and peaceful space for you to relax and rejuvenate.

The Bedrooms

The Bedrooms

Two large double bedrooms, named the Mackenzie Room and the Ashley Room after our two granddaughters, have been designed in the style of a European farmhouse, with thick 600mm walls, high wood ceilings, Italian sandstone flooring, leadlight windows and double glazing. 

Restful and light filled, the bedrooms are romantically elegant and decorated in soft Tuscan white with neutral velvet and linens and luxurious bedding. Leadlight double-glazed french doors and windows frame the magnificent views from these rooms. The french doors open out onto the patio and lawn and one of New Zealand’s most iconic and spectacular views over Lake Pukaki to Aoraki Mount Cook. Each bedroom’s super king bed can be reconfigured into two king single beds for twin share.

The Bathrooms

The Bathrooms

Each bedroom has a large ensuite bathroom designed in Edwardian style with tiled walls and a tesselated French Winkelmann tile floor. To add to the sense of elegance, the bathrooms are fitted out with exclusive Perrin and Rowe tapware produced by English craftsmen with a passion for authentic design, quality and durability. You can bathe at leisure in the spacious bath with views to a private garden, or revive under the rain and handheld shower heads.

The Drawing Room

The Drawing Room

A beautiful open plan drawing room connects the Mackenzie and Ashley bedrooms. The drawing room features a high ceiling, an open fireplace, deep comfortable leather furnishings and elegant antique furniture. Original paintings and images by New Zealand artists decorate the walls. The french doors at one end open out to the lawn and an outdoor dining space, and deep angled windows light the room.

Kitchen and Dining

Kitchen and Dining

Ashley Mackenzie Villa features a large, airy kitchen and dining area with a polished wood dining table. The space is perfect to enjoy the fine cuisine prepared by the Retreat’s chefs and delivered to your villa for private dining.

Fantail Spa

Fantail Spa

Guests staying at Ashley Mackenzie Villa have private and exclusive use of Fantail Spa. Named for the small native birds, piwakawaka (fantails) which frequent the area, Fantail Spa’s design captures a harmonious balance of energy and natural elements. Filled with light and open to lake and mountain views, the spa design reflects the natural beauty of its surroundings. Inviting, warm and welcoming, the spa includes a sauna, outdoor hot tub, workout room and massage room. Because Ashley Mackenzie Villa is located in absolute privacy, you can also choose to enjoy a massage outside.

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Amenities

Amenities

Amenities

  • Accommodation in a 195-square-metre luxury villa with private spa
  • Lake view over Lake Pukaki to Aoraki Mount Cook
  • The villa has two bedrooms connected by a central drawing room, kitchen and dining area
  • Each bedroom is connected to its own large ensuite bathroom
  • The Fantail Spa is your private spa and includes a workout room, massage room, sauna and outdoor hot tub
  • Ashley Mackenzie Villa is finished in natural wooden timbers and soft Italian sandstone flooring, with well-appointed furnishings
  • Free access to the Retreat’s private forest walkways and tennis court
  • Bathroom amenities include hairdryer, spa/bath robe and slippers
  • The villa is warm and comfortable with a large open fire and central heating
  • Massage is by appointment and subject to availability

Additional Options

  • Onsite astronomical observatory and wine cellar experience
  • Onsite wellness and massage treatments available by arrangement and subject to availability
  • Private chef service
  • Laundry service
  • Local tours and packages by arrangement

Inclusions

  • Luxury accommodation
  • Free and private use of the Fantail Spa
  • Complimentary bottle of New Zealand wine on arrival, selected from our curated wine cellar
  • Fresh seasonal fruit platter, replenished daily
  • Gourmet breakfast provisions, replenished daily
  • Three-course meal each day including nibbles platter, prepared by our private chef and brought to your villa for private dining
  • Free wireless internet access
  • Free use of the estate’s tennis court, petanque, croquet, and curling rink (in winter)
  • Bathroom amenities
  • Bicycles for use on cycle trails (by arrangement)
  • Tea and coffee making facilities
  • Free onsite parking
  • Daily servicing of your villa
  • Minimum 2 night booking
Surprised Excellence!!  We didn’t know a thing about Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat. We were just looking for a place to stay in the area on our way from Christchurch to Queenstown and luckly found that they had a few nights available that met our travel dates. Arrived to find a privately situated lodge with a wonderful bottle of wine and snack on the kitchen table in the homiest of living rooms. The living room overlooked the deck (and Jacuzzi) onto open fields with sheep and dear meandering about. In the backdrop was a beautiful mountain range. The bedroom and bathroom were to die for. Floor to ceiling windows in the bathroom to a private view of mountains and fields. The bedroom was expansive with windows and light galore. The food was gourmet and individually prepared to meet our dietary needs by the property’s own chef. We opted to have dinner brought to our lodge. Breakfast was placed in the refrigerator the night before for us to eat at our leisure in the morning. Spectacular farm to table fare with incredible plating and presentation. The staff were warm and gracious and made every effort to inquire about our stay to make sure all our needs were met. We would HIGHLY recommend a stay and will be back if we return to New Zealand. You would be missing something really special if you are in the area and don’t drop in for a night or two or three. No hesitation to recommend this to anyone.
Andrew B