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Photo © Home At First |
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Imagine an exotic location where lush subtropical gardens and French
colonial style combine to create a relaxed elegance that soothes the
body and excites the senses. Tahiti? Casablanca? Corsica? St. Croix?
Northland — New Zealand! |
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THE ACCOMMODATIONS: Except for a failed experiment on New Zealand’s South Island, France never colonized New Zealand. Until now. Maison Kerikeri brings a touch of French colonial ambience to the subtropical Northland region of New Zealand’s North Island. The upscale boutique bed and breakfast on the edge of attractive and prosperous Kerikeri town brings elegant French colonial style to its exotic native garden setting. The one-story themed lodging offers three unique accommodations to visitors looking for comfort and style combined with a perfect base for touring and |
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| pursuing an active holiday in this, the northernmost corner of New Zealand. | |
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Two guest suites — each with queen beds and full bathrooms —
are in the main house. One of these looks across the property’s
fantastic gardens of native and European blooms from above the Kerikeri
River valley — one of the island nation’s most historic locations. The
second guest suite, while lacking a grand view, offers more space and
flexibility: the basic bedroom includes comfortable antique living room
furnishings with a couch in addition to its French queen bed. This guest
suite is expandable with the option of a second bedroom and bath
available to couples wishing extra space and privacy. |
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adjacent country cottage.
It accommodates up to three persons, with a king bed and a single bed in
its sizeable open-plan sleeping/lounge/
kitchenette/dining space. A large bathroom completes this spacious
separate facility. The cottage has a distinctly rural Provencal feel,
yet it is only two-dozen steps from the main house. |
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— served each morning in
the elegant dining room at Maison Kerikeri. The breakfasts are made more
convivial by the opportunity to meet other guests and get to know your
hosts. Host
Cliff preparing breakfast. Another |
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THE
SETTING:
Maison Kerikeri overlooks the historic
Kerikeri River tidal basin where early European colonists built a
general store and a colonial mission house which interfaced with native
Maori near the site of a tribal fishing village. This important colonial
contact point has fortunately been preserved and is only a minute or two
from Maison Kerikeri. |
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- Kerikeri town is also a drive of a minute or two — or a five-minute walk — from Maison Kerikeri. Kerikeri is a remarkable place: the market town for a wide, prosperous agricultural region (beef, olives, avocados, and especially for its fruit production: kiwi fruit, grapes, citrus) with a growing tourism economy based on its subtropical climate, proximity to two oceans, and numerous activity options (golf, fishing, boating, walking). The town is home of an active arts and crafts scene, with numerous galleries, studios, and shops lining its mapped arts & crafts trail. Several boutique wineries are in and around Kerikeri, and, with excellent local wines, beef, fish, and produce, Kerikeri offers a wide variety of restaurants and cafés for most budgets and lifestyles. |
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THE
LOCATION & ACTIVITIES:
Kerikeri is near the center of New Zealand’s Northland region, and
connected to the South Pacific Ocean via Kerikeri Inlet and the Bay of
Islands, a great natural harbor, fisherman’s paradise, and tourist
playground. - |
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the giant Kauri
tree forests and spectacular Hokianga Harbour near the western Tasman
coast of Northland. Following the principal touring route, the Twin
Coast Discovery Highway, is easy —
it passes through Kerikeri. THE HOSTS: As with all Home At First New Zealand lodgings, the hosts (a married couple) at the Kerikeri Maison take an active interest in their guests and are especially keen on sharing their knowledge of Northland. The couple has operated |
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boutique lodgings in four different locations in New Zealand (including the North and South Islands) and has been serving Home At First guests with distinction for more than a dozen years. They have great knowledge of their homeland, and are eager to share insights and hints with their guests of what to see and do in Northland and in other regions. Most importantly—because many Home At First guests begin their New Zealand itineraries in Northland — the hosts at Maison Kerikeri provide a sincere welcome and soft landing after the long voyage to Kerikeri. |
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THE OFFER: Maison Kerikeri offers a pretty, peaceful, and practical base from which to explore Northland, as well as an ideal location from which to begin travel throughout New Zealand. Airy, upscale lodgings with a delectable breakfast daily make a stay at the Maison Kerikeri an ideal addition to any New Zealand travel program. With a broad selection of touring options and outdoor activities close at hand, adding a stay at Maison Kerikeri to your independent, flexible, fly/drive HOME AT FIRST trip makes it possible to experience the New Zealand of your travel dreams.
AVAILABILITY:
For current availability information, call
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Learn more about HOME AT FIRST's travel program to: NEW ZEALAND. |
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HOME AT FIRST IS
A DESIGNATED "KIWI SPECIALIST" |