Fantail Lodge getting ready to fly

A $3 million building project that made it through the recession is about to start paying off for Katikati's luxury accommodation provider, Fantail Lodge Country Estate.
The lodge, which started with one guest room 20 years ago, will this month open the first of 10 Tudor-style villas on its Rea Rd site, boosting capacity to a total of 30 rooms.
The existing premises will remain a boutique country lodge, while the villas, now just weeks away from completion, will offer a "village" of more private accommodation.
Each villa has two bedrooms and two bathrooms and is set on 850-879sq m of land.
In purchasing a title, buyers will receive up to 60 days' private use of their villas, which at other times will be let out as accommodation for the lodge.
Fantail Lodge owner Harrie Geraerts said the project was a big undertaking soon after giving it the go-ahead.
"It proved to be a major exercise in trying to overcome compliance, legal preparation, marketing and funding, and associated costs," he said.
"On several occasions we had it nearly all in place but, at the 11th hour, something popped up or fell through and, on one occasion, an investor passed away before construction started."
Despite this, the project has forged on ahead and, so far, buyers have snapped up five villas with another two still up for sale.
Mr Geraerts was also happy with the number of forward bookings so far, the first of which is already marked down for October 26. He expected the bookings would increase gradually over the next six months.
"To move ahead during a recession is a risky task but a recession is largely psychological," he said.
"If you are stubborn, convinced of your own ability, determined and have an element of ruthlessness, then nothing is impossible."
Mr Geraerts said that now all the facilities were in place, the future was looking pretty rosy.
"Despite the economic doom and gloom, once business picks up we are ready to capitalise instantly.
"The Tauranga region is earmarked as one of the highest growth regions for people moving into the area, soft adventure, local and international tourism and corporate retreats. Tauranga also stages the highest number of weddings per head of the population in New Zealand.
"All of the villa purchasers will take advantage of this. They will benefit from the next upturn in property, tourism and corporate activity."