Exterior view of the main mansion house of Henley Hotel at 151 Maungatautari Rd, Cambridge. Photo / Supplied
Henley Hotel, a well-known boutique hotel just outside the Waikato town of Cambridge, and less than two hours from Auckland, is on the market following a major makeover that has doubled the number of rooms and added a new spa facility.
"This hotel is in a class of its own following its re-styling with flair," says Sharene Temple of Sotheby's International Realty, Parnell, who is marketing 151 Maungatautari Rd, Cambridge, for sale by tender closing at 2pm on March 29 unless sold prior to that deadline.
Temple says accommodation for a total of 36 guests comprises 14 rooms with ensuites and a room currently used as a massage room, also with an ensuite, giving a total of 15 ensuited rooms. Guestrooms range in size from the smallest at 21sq m which houses two guests, to the biggest of the five 'grand' rooms at 49 sq m accommodating 4 guests.
The hotel is set amid 11.8230ha of freehold parkland with a man-made lake and is accessed from a private gated tree-lined driveway leading to 72 car parks.
The Georgian manor-styled main mansion has a total floor area of 1560sq m and 175sq m of terrace decks with individual floors comprising a ground floor of 817sq m, first floor of 625sq m, and attic level of 118sq m.
The Henley Function Room is 524sq m in area complemented by 64sq m of terraces and seats 200 guests seated or 250 standing.
On the grounds is the historic St Joseph's Mamaku church that was deconsecrated as a chapel and which has been fully renovated with new leadlight windows and church bell. Seating 70, it is a popular wedding venue.
"All the individually newly-designed guest rooms feature contemporary decor, sumptuous linens and are fully air-conditioned with soaring ceiling heights," Temple says. The grand rooms also have individual gas fires and soaker baths.
"Luxurious hotel facilities include a day spa, yoga studio, heated indoor swimming pool, sauna, screening room, gym, croquet lawn, helicopter landing area, many dining options, an intimate house bar/cocktail lounge, a separate 200-person function centre and ballroom floor. The property has its own manager's flat and a detached garage of 140sq m.
"With its extensive licences, the hotel can cater for any occasion."
The Function Centre and restaurants are licensed to sell liquor from 7am-1am and the hotel bar from 9am-1am.
Temple says the Henley Hotel is located on perfectly flat land with its own private lake and resource consents to add more guest accommodation and one separate dwelling.
On the practical side, the renovations included the installation of an advanced secondary treatment septic system using the latest textile filter technology; and the upgrade of the Function Centre with new septic system and pump chamber tank.
"The future potential of this property is also outstanding," she says. Resource consent has been approved for the redevelopment of the Function Centre with plans including the addition of two flexible meeting room spaces, a new bar area and commercial laundry.
Further consent has also been approved for the redevelopment of the detached garage, the addition of three new guest rooms (to be called The Stables), staff changing room, pump room and store room.
Approval has also been received for a new tennis court, new utility shed and grape vine plantings.
Temple says the hotel is situated at the heart of the New Zealand horse breeding industry and is near a number of attractions. "The Home of New Zealand cycling is nearby at the AvantiDrome and the Lake Karapiro national rowing centre is a short drive away; as is Hobbiton – of Lord of the Rings fame.
"National attractions like the Waitomo Caves and Rotorua geothermal parks are likewise a comfortable drive from Henley Hotel."
