Annandale – Stay Where The World Can’t Find You

Annandale is a spectacular coastal farm escape and luxury villa collection located at Pigeon Bay on the Banks Peninsula, around one hour’s drive from the main city of the South Island, Christchurch, or just 15-minutes by helicopter.

Perfection at Pigeon Bay

Annandale comprises a working farm of 4,000 acres of dramatic coastal pasture, which is home to around 500 head of beef cattle and between 7,000 and 14,000 sheep, depending on the season. They pride themselves on their sustainable farming practices and healthy livestock. The property is the epitome of seclusion and boasts four luxury villas, each with award-winning architecture, chic furnishings and unparalleled levels of service.

The Homestead: This beautiful heritage homestead in a tranquil setting was built in the 1880’s and offers five luxurious bedrooms including loft accommodation in the original stables. The homestead will envelop you in a sense of comfort and feel like it is your home away from home; cut a few flowers from the borders and some salad leaves from the kitchen garden, grab some lemons for your crepes from the orchard, sip NZ wine around the farmhouse dining table, stroll the lush gardens planted with box hedging and daffodils or curl up beside the fireplace in the drawing room and library area. It’s all yours and yours alone.

Scrubby Bay: If seclusion is your ideal, Scrubby Bay is the perfect retreat for your family and friends. Reached via a scenic helicopter flight or a breath-taking 40-minute 4WD transfer across the cliff-top farm tracks, this magical setting in a private bay offers guests serene accommodation in three ocean-front bedroom suites plus a bunk room that can sleep 8. The location is spectacular and in sync with the elements making use of a sun-drenched deck, swimming pool, spa pool and a huge open plan dining and living space to enjoy.

Seascape: A romantic escape for two, Seascape will invigorate your senses with a dose of salt air and luxurious touches such as fireplace and indoor heated floors for year-round comfort. Perfect for a couple’s getaway, this modern retreat seamlessly and discreetly blends into the tussock-grassed hillside with glass façade, stone walls and a turf roof. Watch the changing light as dusk descends in the bay from the cosy outdoor lounge with fireplace, or sit in the outdoor spa with a glass of chilled champagne as you gaze seaward with the possibility to view dolphins or seals. Seascape is romantic bliss uninterrupted.

Shepherd’s Cottage: A charming rural retreat, this cosy cottage offers a historic rustic getaway with splendid views of farmland, the shimmering Pacific Ocean and distant Kaikoura Ranges. Relax by an open fire in a renovated heritage fireplace or soak away the worries of daily life in an outdoor bathtub under the Southern Hemisphere skies in a secluded location.

Farm to Table

Annandale operates within a 100 kilometre food foot print which means guests are treated to the highest quality, locally sourced food.

Savour juicy fruit hand-picked from the orchard, dine on prime meat cuts from their Angus beef and Romney sheep, taste fresh honey from their hive drizzled on warm bread with goat’s cheese and fig conserve, taste the flavour bursts from some of 50 vegetables and herbs lovingly planted in the kitchen garden.

Guests can hire a private chef for a one-off meal or their entire stay. One of Annandale’s unique aspects is their ‘We Create, You serve’ philosophy where their award winning chef will create a morning riser breakfast menu, a superb picnic lunch and a gourmet 3 course dinner. The meals will be delivered to your villa with easy to follow instructions allowing you to simply complete the finishing touches before enjoying some of Annandale’s finest cuisine.

Do everything…or nothing at all

Annandale gives guests a superb opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle and relax in gardens, hike across rolling farmland or mountain bike to vantage points for incredible sea views. You can watch the farm’s sheep dogs at work, whip up a culinary dish in a cooking class with the on-site chef or go kayaking in the surrounding bays.

If you fancy maintaining your fitness regime, state-of-the-art recreation facilities include an outdoor 20-metre heated swimming pool with lighting system, 40-degree spa pool, flood-lit tennis court and top-of-the-line gym equipment including treadmill, weights, exercycle and elliptical, complete with all-weather changing rooms.

Rural New Zealand at its best

With a mixture of luxury accommodation options, remote settings that provide stunning backdrops for photographs and bespoke gourmet menus Black Label thinks Annandale is one of New Zealand’s premier luxury escapes.

This is a truly unique experience that mixes luxury with Kiwi informality and would suit a vast cross-section of clientele from wedding parties, romantic getaways, corporate events, family get-togethers to solo travellers looking for total privacy.

Understated Luxury

Annandale are a Virtuoso Preferred Hotel and Luxury Lodges of New Zealand member which shows their dedication in providing outstanding New Zealand cuisine, heritage experiences and service.

Contact Black Label Experience today to discuss tailored packages for this unique New Zealand retreat including Couples Getaways and Gourmet Experiences.

Note: Stay Where The World Can’t Find You is a trademarked phrase reproduced for this article’s headline only.