by Matthew Martin matthew.martin@dailypost.co.nz
Rotorua's Lake Okareka Lodge has been voted the country's top luxury lodge at the 2008 World Travel Awards.
The accolade was voted on by travel agents from around the world.
Diana Moore, country manager for lodge owner lebua Hotels and Resorts, said thecompany was rapt with the news and was thrilled to see a Rotorua business getting accolades on the world tourism stage.
"We're over the moon about this honour. Our aim is for Lake Okareka Lodge to be recognised as one of the most exclusive luxury lodges in the world.
"Winning a World Travel Award tells us we're well down the track to achieving that status," she said.
Guests at the exclusive lodge can expect to pay $6500 per couple per night with the lodge taking a maximum of a party of nine guests, who get exclusive use of the entire three-suite complex.
Bookings are limited to a single party at one time and guests have a 24-hour butler service, personal chef, access to a wine cellar, spa and massage room and a gym.
The lodge has been closed this winter while an upgrade is completed but should be open again later this year.
"We are currently undertaking a comprehensive development programme at the lodge to meet our discerning international clients' needs even better in the future," Ms Moore said.
"We target clients who want to have privacy and exclusivity.
"In other words, we aim at people who don't like to be seen, such as celebrities or people with plenty of disposable income."
She would not say which famous faces had stayed at the lodge as the lodge's clientele preferred to remain anonymous.
"Suffice to say we have had some very famous celebrities stay here."
Winners in the inaugural Australasian sector of the World Travel Awards were announced at a gala function in Sydney this month.
Bayview Chateau Tongariro was voted New Zealand's leading ski resort at the same event.
