The luxury market is the fastest growing in the travel industry. People don’t mind paying for quality accommodation in the perfect location. They want something unique I was delighted to be chosen as the Luxury Travel Agent of the Year by the Luxury Travel magazine and was the cover story for the May issue of the magazine. I work for clients who want unusual, private, luxury holidays all over the world, but one of my favorite places is New Zealand where I visit several times a year. I always see something new, whether it be a hotel, lodge, a tour, etc. so I can say “forget it” or put it on my “Must do and see” list. .My network of exclusive hoteliers grows and this is an important part of my job.

They want something different, and above all, good value for money. I spent ten days visiting luxury accommodation in New Zealand, and inspected 27 properties in Auckland, Rotorua, Dunedin, and Queenstown They all are small, from 4 to 10 rooms, and you pay for elegant furnishings, location, and privacy. Usually they are just bed and breakfast, but dinner can arranged..Some really out of the way properties do include dinner. There are now several working cattle and sheep stations which are in magnificent locations, owned by billionaires, who take a few exclusive guests into their homes.

People think bed and breakfast properties are the lowest in price whereas in New Zealand, they are more expensive than the hotels. I added only two to my list of outstanding ones, and I had a long list of lodges which I wanted to see. There used to be only thirteen luxury lodges in the whole country, and in the last two years there has been an explosion of new properties, all high priced, from $1000 a night to $4000. When I arrived at one lodge, where I was expected, the manager told me to take my boots off. No shoes allowed in the house. As I sat on the porch steps I mentally said to myself - This goes on my list of “forget it” - I cant see my wealthy clients be willing to take their shoes off. Even Martha Stewart gives her guests little slippers to put on at the door. I thought it was overpriced and not worth it anyway.

I found three outstanding properties on Lake Rotorua, old country mansions which had been turned into boutique hotels with the owners still living in their lovely homes, with their helicopter pads to enable VIP clients to arrive in style.

Prince Andrew of Great Britain has been in my suite just two weeks earlier.

The gardens I also make a beeline for. I want to see the pool, quiet areas where a guest could relax with a glass of wine or a pot of tea and read. They must be a place to rebalance and restore the soul. I always enjoy talking to the chef, if available, and the sommelier . The furnishings, bathrooms, and meals must always be something to write home about. Anything is possible if you are willing to pay for it. Private guided heli fishing to remote rivers for a l0 lb rainbow or brown trout, a Maori concert on the lawn just for you, boat trips, or even skiing or golf. Spas are big business in the luxury market.

One lodge showed me a 5,000 bottle wine cellar for the pampered guest to select from. I must say that the meals I had in every property where outstanding and the menu’s were of a wide range.

This was a luxury food and wine trip.