Eagles Nest, in the Bay of Islands, has been voted the World's Best Luxury Coastal Hotel in an exclusive competition.
The World Luxury Hotel Awards named the clifftop hideaway near Russell the 2010 Global Winner: Luxury Coastal Hotel at a gala ceremony in Thailand this week.
Eagles Nest's dripping luxury and guaranteed
out-of-sight sanctuary attracts some of the world's wealthiest and most famous people.
Hollywood watchers might be interested to know Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart spent time there early this year. Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher reportedly stayed last year, and the 75ha estate was the setting for part of season 13 of US reality TV show The Bachelor.
As the saying goes, if you have to ask how much something costs, you can't afford it - which might be why it is extraordinarily hard to simply dial up and ask how much a night there would put you out of pocket.
Reports have it that while it peaked at $42,000 a couple of years ago, the cost of a night at Eagles Nest has fallen to a recession-friendly $20,000. For that snip, clients get super-chic everything, four bedrooms with en suites, striking art, views to die for, home cinema, bar, a heated lap pool, spa pool, sauna, gym, private beach, personal butler, chef-stocked fridge and use of a chauffeured Porsche Cayenne Turbo for popping out.
Eagles Nest owners Daniel and Sandra Biskind said they felt "profoundly honoured" to win the pinnacle award. "It confirms the passionate response of our discerning clientele to this new and unique product niche, combining luxurious self-contained villas on a private estate with complete services on tap."
