Sarnia Park picture perfect in Cambridge

Sarnia Park's main hotel building in Cambridge.

Sarnia Park, a five star Qualmark boutique lodge and function centre set in a park-like estate of nearly 12 hectares in Cambridge in the Waikato, has been put on the market.

"This is a picture-perfect property," says Sharene Temple of New Zealand Sotheby's International Realty in Parnell, Auckland, who is marketing 151 Maungatautari Rd as a freehold property and going concern business with the asking price available on application.

"The luxury lodge with seven spacious suites is situated in the heart of Lord of the Rings country near Hobbiton on over 11.8ha of private land with more than 4.8ha of manicured gardens," Temple says. "Sarnia Park is just twenty minutes' drive from Hamilton and only two hours' drive from the Auckland CBD with a dramatic entry to the property along a sweeping tree-lined driveway.

"Tauranga and Rotorua are just an hour away making it an ideal upmarket hospitality business or a getaway prestigious residence for someone looking for their own private mansion. The surrounding countryside, with some of New Zealand's top horse studs in the neighborhood, has some stunning views."

Temple says the hotel of 1560sq m with 100sq m terraces and a ballroom features spacious rooms soaring ceiling heights. Construction is of concrete, steel framing, brick cladding, aluminium window joinery and a shingle roof.

The dining room set for an event in Sarnia Park.

She says guest facilities include secure free parking for up to 69 vehicles; wireless internet access, a library with a collection of New Zealand literature and tour information; laundry facilities, bar, heated indoor swimming pool and spa with glass conservatory; gazebos, croquet and petanque lawn with equipment; and bicycles with helmets for hire.

"The lodge is open for lunches, executive retreats, large and small meetings. Popular for intimate weddings, it also has its own chapel on site along with a man-made lake and plenty of room for helicopter landings. The chapel is a restored heritage church of 66sq m which is over 100 years old and is made of timber framing, weatherboard cladding and an iron roof."

To complement the lodge, the purpose-built function venue or conference centre is licensed for up to 400 persons for five functions per year, otherwise standard up to 200 persons.
The 524sq m conference centre has 64sq m of terraces and has a concrete floor, timber framing, interior timber ceiling and 'Gib' board linings, brick cladding, aluminium window joinery and a shingle roof.

Other structures on the estate include a 140sq m utility shed, a brick aviary and dog kennel building.

An outdoor wedding in progress on the grounds of Sarnia Park.

The seven guest rooms are made up of six double and one single room with a normal configuration of 13 beds and a maximum configuration of 19 beds.

"The Kotuku Suite, which features a king-sized bed and two balconies overlooking gardens, is popular with honeymooners and special rates apply if part of a wedding package," Temple says.

The Kereru Suite has two queen-sized beds, lounge and dining areas, and ensuite bathroom with shower. "It has windows on three sides featuring garden views and is ideal for family use with a single room next door."

The other five suites are also named after native birds - the Weka, Takahe, Kiwi, Tui and Kakapo rooms.

Sarnia Lodge has a liquor licence and comes with a building warrant of fitness and registration by the Waipa District Council as a hotel and eatery with permission to sell beverages.

Sharene Temple, Sotheby’s International Realty, Parnell.

Operational facilities include an office computer system, website channel manager, online management, integrated phone and reservations systems with broadband service.

The property is serviced by a deep water bore pumped into a 15,000 litre tank from where it is pumped through to an underground reservoir holding 100,000 litres. The water for the lodge and garden/irrigation system is supplied from this tank. Another water tank outside the function centre is also fed from the underground bore and holds 15,000 litres. This has a separate pump which pumps water for the function centre use and a by-pass system in case the pump fails.

The Waipa District Council has a town water supply going past Sarnia Park's front entrance but it has not been necessary to draw on this utility.