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Cape Kidnappers Resort
Far out to the east of Hawke’s Bay wine country, The Farm at Cape Kidnappers sits atop rolling hills and rugged cliffs that give way to vast sea views and an ever-present horizon. Home to not only a lodge and spa, this unique property also boasts one of the world’s top golf courses, a sanctuary for some of New Zealand’s most precious flora and fauna, and a working farm. Warm and enveloping, Cape Kidnappers generous suites offer sumptuous comfort and awe-inspiring views in equal parts. Ranked as one of the top two hotels in New Zealand and Australia by Travel + Leisure, and within the top 20 hotels in the world by Conde Nast Traveller, Cape Kidnappers delivers stunning exclusive guest experiences including the Can-Am Farm Tour, Kiwi Discovery Walk, Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony and much, much more.
The Resort lies near Napier Golf Club and Hastings Golf Club. You can experience Cape Kidnappers as part of our Hawke’s Bay Golf Package or signature Marquee Course New Zealand Travel package.
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Golf Resort Location
Resort Details
- Region: Cape Kidnappers, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
- Address: 446 Clifton Road, Te Awanga 4180, New Zealand
- Contact Us: [email protected]
Golf Course Information
Designed by legendary golf architect Tom Doak, the Cape Kidnappers par 71 golf course measures 7,119 yards (6,510 meters) and will challenge golfers of all skill levels. Completed in 2004, this spectacular New Zealand golf course has been hailed as one of the great modern marvels in golf. Built on a ridge-and-valley landscape and with stunning sea views, Cape Kidnappers Golf Course plays high above the ocean atop dramatic cliffs. With cliff-edge fairways perched 140 metres above sea level and with a surface that remains firm and fast, this course offers holes, unlike anything you find elsewhere in the world. While every hole has a spectacular view of the Bay, some play cautiously alongside deep ravines as others intimidate golfers with deep cliff top bunkers and sheer drops off the very edge of the earth. The Cape Kidnappers Golf Course rivals its sibling at Kauri Cliffs Resort, north of Auckland.
“Cape Kidnappers is not true links terrain, with the wrinkles of sand dunes; instead the land tilts toward the sea as a series of ridges jutting out toward the edge of the cliffs. Yet, the play is seaside golf at its finest. The surface is firm and fast, the conditions can be windy, and the player who can control his trajectory will be master of the course. You’ll hit shots over the tops of the tea trees and play along the edges of deep ravines. If you stray on your approaches, you’ll actually hope to get caught up in bunkers hanging off the green’s edge, some of them deeper than you’ve ever seen before. Three times, you’ll have to make the perilous leap from the end of one ridge to the end of the next. And at the sixth and fifteenth holes it’s possible to pull your approach off the very end of the earth, though it will take nearly ten seconds of hang time for your ball to reach the ocean below. For myself and my associates, it was a great adventure to track up the hill every day and build a golf course in such a remarkable setting. We hope you enjoy your time here as much as we have. New Zealand is a long way from my home, but Cape Kidnappers is never far from our hearts.”
– Tom Doak
The golf complex includes a world-class practice range, putting and chipping greens, a well-stocked golf shop, club house and ladies’ and mens’ locker rooms. Premium ladies’ and mens’ rental clubs are available.
Accommodation
Owner’s Cottage
The Owner’s Cottage is a palatial retreat with an everlasting horizon. Perched on rolling farmland that gives way to dramatic, rugged cliffs, this property will take your breath away and restore it all in a moment. Set atop 6,000 acres of stunning pasture-land in Hawke’s Bay, The Farm at Cape Kidnappers affords spectacular 180-degree views of the Pacific Ocean. The expansive, luxurious cottage has four deluxe bedrooms, each come complete with their own open fireplaces, spacious bathrooms and private balconies with stunning views.
With the option to reserve as either a two or four-bedroom house, this exclusive villa has a large living room with stone fireplace, open kitchen and dining area, cooking facilities for a chef if private in-house dining is preferred, two sitting rooms with fireplaces and sumptuous seating, entrance foyer, powder room, stone terrace and outdoor Jacuzzi. This hideaway oasis is conveniently located just a short walk from the main lodge and day spa.
Ridge Suite
The eight Ridge Suites at Cape Kidnappers are deluxe category suites, set atop a skyline ridge with uninterrupted across the Hawke’s Bay. Spacious and with full wet minibars, Ridge Suites include a luxurious seating area beside a fireplace that opens out to a large private balcony. Close to lodge facilities including pool, spa and main lodge buildings, the Ridge Suites are beautifully appointed and will make you feel instantly at home. They are 63 square metres and are perfectly suites to couples or groups of couples. Each suite has a walk-in robe and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Lodge Suite
With a stunning rustic-luxe design, the four Lodge Suites are located adjacent to the main Lodge building, offering the convenience of proximity to lodge facilities. Each room has a spectacular uninterrupted view of the farm, golf course and the Hawke’s Bay as well as full (wet) mini bar. Lodge suites are larger than Ridge Suites, coming in at 65 square metres. They have an oversized bath, large balcony, complimentary Wi-Fi, walk-in wardrobes, California king beds or twin singles, and large balconies.
Hilltop Suite
Perched atop the hill, Cape Kidnappers eight Hilltop Suites offer a magnificent view over the lodge and golf course to the vast Pacific. Offering comfort and spectacular vistas these thoughtfully-designed rooms have private balconies, king-sized beds and elegant bathrooms with twin vanities. The smallest of the suites, the Hilltops are 46.5 square metres but come equipped with spacious bathrooms with twin vanities, a private balcony, oversized bath, king beds or twin singles, and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Resort Dining
Farm by name and nature, Cape Kidnappers harvests much of its own produce from its onsite vegetable garden. Close to the lodge and abundant in every season, the garden enables Head Chef James Honore to create daily menus based on what is freshest.
What can’t be sourced from the farm’s vegetable garden is sourced from elsewhere in the Hawke’s Bay, which is known for its bountiful fruit, vegetables and boutique delicatessen products. Honore says he and his brigade of chefs pride themselves on using freshest, seasonal cuisine available to them.
“Our kitchen is constantly evolving with new dishes and experiences for our guests, which is exciting. It is important not to combine too many flavours or to confuse the palate. I enjoy sourcing ingredients from the very best suppliers in Hawkes Bay, along with our daily picked fruit and vegetables from our own garden.” – Chef James Honore
Cape Kidnappers offers exquisite dining options including in the Snug, Library, Small Dining Room, Main Dining Room and Loggia, with private dining arranged upon request. Gentlemen are asked to wear jackets to dinner. They have jackets available for guests to use during their stay which can be placed in rooms before arrival.
Clubhouse
With amazing views across the fairways and out to the Pacific Ocean, it is the perfect beginning and end to your round. Should you wish to have lunch between the nines, an order can be placed with the Pro Shop before teeing off. Additionally, a full lunch menu is available after the round in the Clubhouse dining room.
Resort Facilities
Pro Shop
The New Zealand Pro Shop offers an attractive selection of golf and casual-wear for men and women and is staffed by a team of internationally trained PGA professionals. The range of clothing and equipment features New Zealand cashmeres from Tolaga Bay, hand-made art, and apparel from vendors such as: Polo, Adidas, Peter Millar, Imperial Headwear, Titleist and Nike.
Spa
Relax and rejuvenate your body, mind and spirit at The Spa at Cape Kidnappers. Located at the top of the path leading from the main lodge to the Hilltop suites, the spa’s incredible views of Hawke’s Bay will calm and relax you before your treatment even begins. With 3 treatment rooms (including a couple’s suite, perfect for honeymooners), we offer a collection of massage styles, facials, pedicures, manicures and hair care. All spa treatments are 60-90 minutes in length and packages can be customised to suit your individual needs.
The Region
Hawke’s Bay is a region of diverse and magnificent land-scapes, from mountains and hill country, to inland and coastal plains, occupying around 14,000 square kilometres on the eastern side of New Zealand’s North Island. Blessed with fertile soils, an ideal contour, and a warm temper-ate climate, the region is known for its award-winning wine and thousands of acres of orchards and farms. The region’s stunning coastline offers visitors an endless array of activities from water sports and beach horse treks, to wildlife encounters, exquisite wine tastings and much, much more.
Hawke’s Bay is blessed with a temperate climate:
- Summer: 19-24ºC / 66-75º
- Autumn: 10-19ºC / 50-66º
- Winter: 09-13ºC / 48-55º
- Spring: 14-20ºC / 57-68ºF
Other Experiences
Can-Am
Largely inaccessible to regular vehicles, Cape Kidnappers is best explored by Can-Am. Discover this rugged terrain with a personal guide as you travel to the very edges of this vast coastal property. Breathe in the southward views towards Ocean Beach and Bare Island before turning back to unrivalled vistas across the entire farm towards Napier and the surrounding ranges; venture through an old creek bed, across expansive farmland and down to historic Rangaika Beach. Ideal for all age groups and fitness levels, this tour is an absolute highlight.
Horse Riding
You will take the reins of a gentle, well-trained horse and head out across the vast 6,000-acre station. See all that Cape Kidnappers has to offer with rolling hills, deep ravines and expansive views both across the Pacific Ocean and out over thousands of acres of working farmland. Your guide will choose a horse and trail that best matches your size and ability before you head out to explore the countryside or pick your way through rejuvenating native bush. Take a picnic lunch and you will be sure to find a sublime spot where you can dismount and relax before continuing your cross-country trek. Horseback is a wonderful way to visit the Cape Kidnappers Black Reef gannet colony and see the life and workings of this rugged coastal sheep and beef station.
Sheep-herding
A farm by name and nature, Cape Kidnappers is a spectacularly rugged farmland. The sheer expanse of coastal Cape Kidnappers Station is awe-inspiring, and with rolling hills and river flats that serve as paddocks for sheep and cattle, the farm’s Shepherding Experience is not to be missed. A must-do for our younger guests, prepare to be amazed as you witness the farm dogs muster sheep. Highly-trained, these dogs are key members of the team at Cape Kidnappers Station and children and adults alike are fascinated by this mustering and shearing display.
How to Get There
The nearest town to Cape Kidnappers is Hastings, just 20 minutes away. We recommend flying in to Wellington or Auckland, renting a car and driving around the North Island experiencing the legendary Kinloch Club and Kauri Cliffs before or after experiencing Cape Kidnappers. If driving directly from Auckland, it’s over 5 hours. From the Kinloch Club in Taupo, it’s 2 hours, and from Wellington, Cape Kidnappers is 4 hours’ drive. If driving from Napier, the resort is just 30 minutes away. Gisborne is 3.5 hours’ drive to the north. It is an isolated resort, but a gem nonetheless; Voyages.golf can arrange rental cars. You can also fly to Napier from Auckland; the flight time is approximately 1-hour.
