Northland: Perfect score for luxury lodge

The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs received an unprecedented perfect score of 100 for service. Photo / Supplied

A luxury New Zealand lodge has been judged as providing perfect service by an international travel magazine.

The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs in the Bay of Islands received an unprecedented perfect score of 100 points for service in Travel + Leisure magazine's World's Best Awards 2012.

It was one of three accommodation providers this year to be the first to achieve the perfect score in the awards' 17-year history.

The others are Oberoi Udiavilas (Udaipur, India) and Posada de Mike Rapu, Explora Rapa Nui (Easter Island).

Rankings are based on reader votes collected in a Travel + Leisure survey.

One reader said staff at the lodge, on a ratio of one to every guest, "predicted our every need".

Set on 2630ha near Matauri Bay, Northland, The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs has three secluded swimming beaches and a PGA championship golf course.

It is the only New Zealand property to be honoured in the World's Best Awards 2012 in any category.

Managing director Julian "Jay" Robertson III said the lodge had received many accolades over the past decade but achieving a rare perfect score might be the most gratifying.

"We have a wonderful team at Kauri Cliffs, many who have been with us since the lodge opened, and for them to be recognised by Travel + Leisure's readers as the best in the world is one of our greatest achievements," Mr Robertson said.

Kauri Cliffs' accommodation rates until December 14 range from $760 a person a night for a double suite to $1395 a person a night for a deluxe single. The Owners' Cottage is $8750 a night.

Last year the lodge was voted Travel + Leisure's top lodge/resort in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.