About this hotel
General information
Rosewood Cape Kidnappers sits high on a windswept peninsula in Hawke’s Bay, in the middle of a 6,000-acre working sheep and beef farm. Pasture, rolling hills and old gullies run out to cliffs above the Pacific; at the heart of the estate lies Cape Sanctuary, New Zealand’s largest privately owned wildlife restoration project, and the cape is home to the world’s largest mainland gannet colony.
The architecture pays tribute to the country’s rural heritage with natural materials and understated elegance, and many rooms have an open fireplace. There are 22 suites and private villas. Tom Doak’s golf course, completed in 2004, follows ridges and valleys 140 m above the ocean. The kitchen draws on its own garden and local farmers, and all around lies Hawke’s Bay, one of the Great Wine Capitals.
Location
Te Awanga on the Hawke’s Bay coast, on the Cape Kidnappers peninsula. Napier Airport, with daily direct flights from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, is 34 km away, about 45 minutes by car. Private transfers are arranged by the concierge, and taxis are easy to find in the region.
Spa
The Spa sits at the top of the path from the main lodge to the Hilltop suites, looking across the valley to the bay. Treatment suites have steam showers; products come from Corbin Road, an eco-conscious New Zealand skincare line, and several rituals use local mānuka honey, among them the signature Mānuka Honey Cocoon with exfoliation, a honey masque, massage and a facial. A volcanic hot stone massage is also offered, and the spa is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00. Nearby are a 24-hour fitness centre, a heated outdoor infinity pool and a jacuzzi, with private yoga in strong, flow and yin styles.
Sports & leisure
Days here revolve around the farm, the wildlife and the golf:
- Tom Doak’s par-71 course with cliff-edge fairways, a driving range and putting green, a pro shop and a clubhouse with a wraparound terrace
- a shepherding tour with sheep shearing and mustering with Huntaway dogs
- day and night tours of Cape Sanctuary — native birds, glowworms and the search for kiwi in the wild
- the gannet colony at the cape, where the birds nest from September to May; a sunrise Can-Am tour with breakfast beside the colony and a run out to the lighthouse
- marked walking tracks along cliffs and gorges, and stargazing with astronomer Gary Sparks
- kitchen garden workshops, Hawke’s Bay winery tours, and outings to Napier’s Art Deco streets and Te Mata Peak
For children
The lodge welcomes children of all ages and calls itself child-friendly; cots are free for infants up to 24 months. The Hilltop Two Bedroom Family Suite has a separate children’s bedroom with twin beds and its own bathroom, and the shepherding tour appeals to guests of every age.
Restaurants & bars
The kitchen sticks to the region — strawberries from Havelock North, Matangi beef, Bostock Brothers chicken, Te Mata figs and the lodge’s own garden:
- The Dining Room — à la carte breakfast and dinner from seasonal local produce, with a menu that changes daily
- Loggia and the private wine cellar — settings for more intimate meals
- Nature’s Dining Room — picnic hampers of local food and wine taken out onto the estate
- private dining in secluded spots around the property, and in-room dining
Swimming
A heated outdoor infinity pool is framed by gardens, with a stone patio and a jacuzzi alongside.
Pets
Pets are not allowed.
Rooms
22 suites and private villas looking over the farm, the golf course and the Pacific — from compact Hilltop suites above the main lodge to a four-bedroom villa.
Private balcony, spacious bathroom with an oversized bath, walk-in wardrobe, mini-bar, television and Wi-Fi.
Hilltop Junior Suite
A suite above the main lodge with views across the estate to the Pacific, a king or twin beds, a balcony and a bathroom with twin vanities. Sleeps two.
Grand Lodge Junior Suite
A suite close to the lodge facilities, with a large balcony over the farm, the golf course and Hawke’s Bay, and a generous bathroom with an oversized bath. Sleeps up to three.
Grand Ridge Junior Suite
Set on a skyline ridge above the farm and the ocean, with a fireside lounge, a balcony and a wet mini-bar. King or twin beds, sleeps up to three.
Hilltop Two Bedroom Family Suite
A main bedroom with a sitting area and a balcony over farmland and the ocean, plus a second bedroom with twin beds and its own bathroom for children. Sleeps up to four.
Hawke's Bay Two Bedroom Suite
A large suite with two en-suite bedrooms, each with its own open fireplace and balcony facing the Cape Kidnappers coast. Sleeps up to six.
Hawke's Bay Two Bedroom Villa
Two en-suite bedrooms with fireplaces and balconies, a kitchen designed for a private chef, a dining area and a private terrace with jacuzzi; the balconies frame the Pacific. Sleeps up to six.
Hawke's Bay Four Bedroom Villa
The largest residence on the estate: four en-suite bedrooms with fireplaces and balconies, a lounge with a stone fireplace, an open kitchen for a private chef, and a stone terrace with jacuzzi and barbecue. Sleeps up to eight.
Photos are for illustrative purposes only. Actual room layout, furnishings, décor, views and amenities may differ from those shown and may vary between rooms of the same category. Hotel and room descriptions are based on information provided by the property and are believed to be accurate at the time of publication, but are not guaranteed. The hotel may renovate or change its rooms, facilities, restaurants and services at any time without notice. The final details of your stay are confirmed at the time of booking. See our Terms of Use.