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Dave Smith visits Grasmere Lodge, nestled high in the Canterbury hills. With its unrivalled mix of natural grandeur and charm, Grasmere sets itself apart by being world class, down-to-earth slice of the hereafter.

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Best for: An intimate, all-inclusive luxury stay with big breakfasts, cocktail soirees, five-course dinners and fine views of Arthur's Pass.

The look: Grasmere is a 19th century limestone ranch in the Southern Alps, 90 minutes’ drive away from Christchurch. Every suite in the lodge and chalet, as well as the self-contained Riverview cottage, has snow streaked mountain views. Walk through the beech forest nearby with the lodge’s golden retrievers, Todd and Lass. Then picnic by a lake or spend an afternoon pampering yourself in the mountain spa or by the heated outdoor pool. On cold evenings, the place to be is sunk into a Chesterfield by the cracking fire, with a good book from the library.

The rugged high country of New Zealand's Southern Alps is no place for the lightweights. The weather can be ferocious: windy and icy cold in winter and baking hot in summer. But none of that was going to stop mountain man Tom Butler from fulfilling his dream of a picture-perfect guest lodge and the stunning blockbuster scenery.

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We descend to the grassy lawn of a fairytale-perfect homestead complete with weathervane and white wraparound porch. This was Grasmere Lodge, a luxurious, 13- suite resort nestled in an original homestead, cira 1858, where we indulged in a sumptuous, English style afternoon tea. The 13,000-acre homestead is a working farm where guests can watch the care and breeding of Merino sheep, cattle and deer when they’re not participating in the myriad outdoor activities arranged by the lodge owners, including kayaking, river-rafting, bushwalking, mountain-biking and snow-sking.

Grasmere Lodge is the base for a 5,000ha merino sheep, deer, and cattle farm. Grasmere’s mutton pie is “more a three-course meal in itself” says Chef Derek Allomes, “with merino mutton, peas, carrots, and celery severed with mint jelly and rosemary jus.”

There are a number of stunning places to stay around the world, but few are infused with that natural sense of genuinely welcoming hospitality, and Grasmere Lodge on the Arthur’s Pass road to the west coast is one. It’s one of the oldest working stations in the south Island and still operates as such (you can do the ‘farm tour’) offering walks, shooting, fishing and riding.
Riding here is something special as it’s under the command of Heather Harrington – reluctantly famous for her ‘horse whisperer’ skills as she espouses the Parelli riding method – no bits, guiding the horse by halter with soft hands, legs and feet. Whether beginner or skilled, riding Grasmere’s over beautiful country is something spiritual
Grasmere offers the full country hospitality – dinner is communal unless specially requested, and pre-dinner cocktails fun, meeting new people, excellent food and a wine list very well selected.
The staff seem to immediately know your name and are always helpful with your comfort and enjoyment, giving the feeling of visiting your wealthy country aunt and being treated like her heir. I wish I was.