You have to have serious vision to look out over a 6,000-acre sheep and
cattle farm and picture a luxury complex, featuring first-class accommodations
with restaurant and spa, but that is just what Julian Robertson did
when he developed the Farm at Cape Kidnappers, opening this month in the
Hawke’s Bay region of New Zealand. Of course, it didn’t hurt that this farmland
is perfectly situated on the world-renowned Cape Kidnappers Golf Club and
affords pristine views of the Pacific Ocean 800 feet below.
From the outside, the Farm looks like any other farm you would see
in the wine country of New Zealand—a cluster of buildings with wood
siding, barn doors and rustic materials. But once inside, guests will find
luxury in the details, including sheets imported from Italy, in-room wet bars
and flat screen TVs. But don’t let these amenities keep you in your room—there
is plenty to do outdoors, including wine tasting, fly-fishing and kayaking.
Oh, yeah. There's also the golf. Tom Doak's clifftop layout, which sits hundreds of feet above the water, is a stern test that makes up half of a formidable one-two punch along with Kauri Cliffs, also owned by Robertson.
The Farm now provides visitors to this must-visit golf destination with accommodations every bit the equal of the golf.
