Your Hosts
Our staff are proud to make visiting Grasmere Lodge a special experience for guests. We want you to feel at home and well looked after, and we’ll do all we can to make sure that happens. The team that works with us are crucial to that aim, and sincerely want to ensure you enjoy your time with us.
We believe the more time you can spend getting to know us in the high country, the more you will appreciate the unique setting and heritage that make stations like Grasmere part of the classic New Zealand psyche.
Manager Tom Butler owns Grasmere Lodge with his Kiwi business partner John Copson. Tom joined as general “gofer” the day after opening, and has been with the Lodge since, with time off over the years to travel and to train. After learning the tricks of the trade by sharing an office with him for five years, Tom purchased Grasmere Lodge from Oliver Newbegin in 2005.
Oli bought Grasmere Station in 1988, and owned the adjoining Cora Lynn Station from 1981 to 1994. After more than 30 years in the travel industry, he and his wife Vicki opened the lodge in January 1995 in order to share with others a place they love.
Lettecia Thompson and Tim Heine are in charge of administration, reservations, guest arrangements and all loose ends.
Derek Allomes is the executive chef and he is ably assisted by Yoshihiro Aoki and Louise Urquhart.
Heaven and Jessie Karanga look after all housekeeping requirements, and Kiri Bond keeps the grounds looking great.
Assisting on site with other activities are resident beauty therapist Jo Scowen, who runs the Mountain Spa, and Heather Harrington is our horse-riding guide. Heather and her horses get out of the snow in winter but are back on site by October.
Probably the team members most valued by guests are lodge mascots Todd and Lass, our golden retrievers. They are eleven years old, and still keen on leading each other astray, so they take turns exploring the farm and checking whether anyone needs some canine company. They are happy to take you for a walk and love having their heads rubbed, especially Toddy. Please keep one dog on a lead at all times, as they are inclined to roam together otherwise. Sam the little five year old Jack Russell assists with the havoc, whilst Merlin the cat patrols for vermin!
State Highway 73 · Cass · Canterbury · Private Bag 55009 · Christchurch · New Zealand
Telephone +64 3 318 8407 · Fax +64 3 318 8263 · E-Mail Retreat@Grasmere.co.nz
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