Latest news with #TheLoft
The Age
3 days ago
- The Age
The unexpected challenges of a luxury lodge trip around New Zealand
I stay in the gorgeous attic suite, The Loft, which includes its own door to Narnia in the cupboard. There are several such witty touches throughout the property, such as the chicken coop named Ota-hen-a. And, past the heated outdoor pool, there's a croquet lawn, of course. Cute, black-nosed sheep occupy one of the paddocks. The 12 hectares of gardens are magnificent, with woodlands, orchards, flower gardens and a vast organic vegetable and herb garden from which chef Jimmy McIntyre draws his ingredients. The cooking is off the charts in terms of flavour, using garden produce such as prosciutto and ham from the farm's pigs and fresh eggs from the chickens. Breakfast is a total delight in the big, country kitchen, with preserves, pickles and chutneys from the garden. Otahuna is famous for its carpets of daffodils in spring. More than a million bulbs have been planted and about 100,000 of these bloom every year. In autumn, formal gardens with their red benches are a riot of reddish colours and mossy greens. After the cosy stay, it's a flight to Wellington and then a quick helicopter transport to Wharekauhau (pronounced foray-ko-ho), a working sheep station with 16 cottages and a villa set atop dramatic 62-metre-tall cliffs overlooking Palliser Bay on the very south of the North Island. Wellington has been nicknamed 'Wellywood' for its vibrant film industry, and the lush neighbouring fields we fly over belong to US film director James Cameron, who has been instrumental (with Peter Jackson) in the industry's boom. The landscape is wrapped in the peaks of the Remutaka mountain range. Wharekauhau was one of the first purpose-built lodges in New Zealand when it opened in 1998. It's now owned by American entertainment mogul William Foley, who loved it so much as a guest that he bought the property in 2010. Foley has a stake in a number of local vineyards in nearby Martinborough, which also produce Lighthouse, the craft gin made by Rachel Hall, New Zealand's only female gin distiller. The lodge, set on 1200 hectares, is supremely comfortable, with plush country house-style interiors by Victoria Fisher. The cottages all have canopy beds, sitting rooms by gas fireplaces, large bathrooms and wide verandas facing the ocean. Because of the spectacular storms in the region, storm watching and stargazing are the lodge's most popular activities. Fine dining and drinking New Zealand's famous wines are too, of course. There's a dedicated edible garden which supplies the chefs – and there's a head forager, Jack Fredrickson, an Australian who ventures far and wide on his quad bike to find wild ingredients for the dishes. The main lodge has room after room of overstuffed furniture and beautiful objects and art, a glasshouse with pool, spa and gym, tennis courts, croquet lawn, games room, library and two restaurants. Every detail is immaculate, in line with the expectations of guests. Walks down country lanes to visit the sheep are invigorating. And then there are activities such as ATV and quad bike excursions on the moody black sand beach scattered with bleached driftwood, and clay pigeon shooting at stations along the river. (When the zombie apocalypse comes, I'm not going to be much help – I hit one target out of about 20.) It's a domestic flight from Wellington to Queenstown and on by car to Blanket Bay Lodge, which sits on the far reaches of Lake Wakatipu, near the village of Glenorchy. With the Southern Alps framed in every window, the setting has an undoubted wow factor and the lodge itself, a lofty chalet lined with recycled wharf and woolshed timber polished with wool lanolin, is as spectacular as the surrounds. It's filled with delightful ephemera – antler chandeliers, taxidermy deer and ducks, displays of birds' nests, saddles, fishing rods and bales of wool – which makes it feel like a cross between a swank Aspen chalet and a hunting lodge. Opened in 1999 and developed by American Tom Tusher, a keen fisherman, the lodge consists of five lakeside lodge rooms and five suites in the main building, plus two chalet suites and an exclusive-use villa with four bedrooms and private chefs on tap. (Kylie Minogue is a past guest, as are a number of movie stars when in New Zealand to shoot Wellywood productions.) There are stone hearths and fireplaces throughout, with afternoon teas, cocktails and delicious, chewy cookies served by the fire. (Each cookie arrives topped with a gilded chocolate 'B' – an example of the superb attention to detail throughout the lodge.) The gastronomy is refined, with dinner an ever-changing five-course degustation sourced from New Zealand regions, such as organic chicken from nearby farms and kingfish sashimi from local waters. As with all the lodges, full farm breakfasts are a highlight of the day. Why venture outside? Well, there's the lakefront and peninsula woodlands and sheep farms to explore on foot, plus the world-famous hiking trails on the Alps. One of the experiences is a jet boat adventure along the Dart River, which is a couple of hours of screaming and getting soaked as the driver does countless 'wheelies' in the cold water. Next time, I'll take a slow boat. The big draw is the great Lord of the Rings landscapes of the Southern Alps and Milford Sound. The way to see it all is by helicopter. Our helicopter lands directly on the lawn, scooping us up and darting along the lake and into the jagged mountain peaks of the Fiordland National Park. The two-hour trip includes a thrilling landing and walk on the ever-shrinking glacier in the peaks. It's not pristine – the ice is still covered with ash from the Australian bushfires in 2018. Then we chopper down to Milford Sound and land at the airport, which is squeezed between mountain and waterfalls, and must be one of the busiest in the world, judging by the number of small planes landing and taking off. Back at the lodge, there's a roaring fire in the hearth, cups of tea and those moreish cookies.
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
The unexpected challenges of a luxury lodge trip around New Zealand
I stay in the gorgeous attic suite, The Loft, which includes its own door to Narnia in the cupboard. There are several such witty touches throughout the property, such as the chicken coop named Ota-hen-a. And, past the heated outdoor pool, there's a croquet lawn, of course. Cute, black-nosed sheep occupy one of the paddocks. The 12 hectares of gardens are magnificent, with woodlands, orchards, flower gardens and a vast organic vegetable and herb garden from which chef Jimmy McIntyre draws his ingredients. The cooking is off the charts in terms of flavour, using garden produce such as prosciutto and ham from the farm's pigs and fresh eggs from the chickens. Breakfast is a total delight in the big, country kitchen, with preserves, pickles and chutneys from the garden. Otahuna is famous for its carpets of daffodils in spring. More than a million bulbs have been planted and about 100,000 of these bloom every year. In autumn, formal gardens with their red benches are a riot of reddish colours and mossy greens. After the cosy stay, it's a flight to Wellington and then a quick helicopter transport to Wharekauhau (pronounced foray-ko-ho), a working sheep station with 16 cottages and a villa set atop dramatic 62-metre-tall cliffs overlooking Palliser Bay on the very south of the North Island. Wellington has been nicknamed 'Wellywood' for its vibrant film industry, and the lush neighbouring fields we fly over belong to US film director James Cameron, who has been instrumental (with Peter Jackson) in the industry's boom. The landscape is wrapped in the peaks of the Remutaka mountain range. Wharekauhau was one of the first purpose-built lodges in New Zealand when it opened in 1998. It's now owned by American entertainment mogul William Foley, who loved it so much as a guest that he bought the property in 2010. Foley has a stake in a number of local vineyards in nearby Martinborough, which also produce Lighthouse, the craft gin made by Rachel Hall, New Zealand's only female gin distiller. The lodge, set on 1200 hectares, is supremely comfortable, with plush country house-style interiors by Victoria Fisher. The cottages all have canopy beds, sitting rooms by gas fireplaces, large bathrooms and wide verandas facing the ocean. Because of the spectacular storms in the region, storm watching and stargazing are the lodge's most popular activities. Fine dining and drinking New Zealand's famous wines are too, of course. There's a dedicated edible garden which supplies the chefs – and there's a head forager, Jack Fredrickson, an Australian who ventures far and wide on his quad bike to find wild ingredients for the dishes. The main lodge has room after room of overstuffed furniture and beautiful objects and art, a glasshouse with pool, spa and gym, tennis courts, croquet lawn, games room, library and two restaurants. Every detail is immaculate, in line with the expectations of guests. Walks down country lanes to visit the sheep are invigorating. And then there are activities such as ATV and quad bike excursions on the moody black sand beach scattered with bleached driftwood, and clay pigeon shooting at stations along the river. (When the zombie apocalypse comes, I'm not going to be much help – I hit one target out of about 20.) It's a domestic flight from Wellington to Queenstown and on by car to Blanket Bay Lodge, which sits on the far reaches of Lake Wakatipu, near the village of Glenorchy. With the Southern Alps framed in every window, the setting has an undoubted wow factor and the lodge itself, a lofty chalet lined with recycled wharf and woolshed timber polished with wool lanolin, is as spectacular as the surrounds. It's filled with delightful ephemera – antler chandeliers, taxidermy deer and ducks, displays of birds' nests, saddles, fishing rods and bales of wool – which makes it feel like a cross between a swank Aspen chalet and a hunting lodge. Opened in 1999 and developed by American Tom Tusher, a keen fisherman, the lodge consists of five lakeside lodge rooms and five suites in the main building, plus two chalet suites and an exclusive-use villa with four bedrooms and private chefs on tap. (Kylie Minogue is a past guest, as are a number of movie stars when in New Zealand to shoot Wellywood productions.) There are stone hearths and fireplaces throughout, with afternoon teas, cocktails and delicious, chewy cookies served by the fire. (Each cookie arrives topped with a gilded chocolate 'B' – an example of the superb attention to detail throughout the lodge.) The gastronomy is refined, with dinner an ever-changing five-course degustation sourced from New Zealand regions, such as organic chicken from nearby farms and kingfish sashimi from local waters. As with all the lodges, full farm breakfasts are a highlight of the day. Why venture outside? Well, there's the lakefront and peninsula woodlands and sheep farms to explore on foot, plus the world-famous hiking trails on the Alps. One of the experiences is a jet boat adventure along the Dart River, which is a couple of hours of screaming and getting soaked as the driver does countless 'wheelies' in the cold water. Next time, I'll take a slow boat. The big draw is the great Lord of the Rings landscapes of the Southern Alps and Milford Sound. The way to see it all is by helicopter. Our helicopter lands directly on the lawn, scooping us up and darting along the lake and into the jagged mountain peaks of the Fiordland National Park. The two-hour trip includes a thrilling landing and walk on the ever-shrinking glacier in the peaks. It's not pristine – the ice is still covered with ash from the Australian bushfires in 2018. Then we chopper down to Milford Sound and land at the airport, which is squeezed between mountain and waterfalls, and must be one of the busiest in the world, judging by the number of small planes landing and taking off. Back at the lodge, there's a roaring fire in the hearth, cups of tea and those moreish cookies.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Studio magic: Ron Wilson wows Natalie and Jalen
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — Get ready for some great food and fun on Thursday, June 12. Mind Tricks with Magician Ron Wilson will be at The Loft at Picker's, located at 1000 Indiana. Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m., and the show will begin at 7:30 p.m. Seating is limited, and tickets are $23. Ron Wilson began performing magic at the age of 10 and has been passionate about it ever since. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Irish Examiner
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Wish List: Eight ideas to treat ourselves and loved ones
3D Maps Father's Day is coming up, and if you're on the hunt for something a little different for any sea-loving dads, Sligo-based Outcrop have nailed it. Their beautifully crafted round wooden 3D maps (€99) are the kind of gift that ticks all the boxes — personal, Irish-made, and eco-conscious. You can even mark a meaningful spot with a solid brass pin or add a custom engraving. We love the Atlantic blue stain (a nod to their coastal roots), and the new natural finish is just lovely. Made without glue or nails and fully compostable — how sound is that? Browse over 100 Irish locations at or check them out at stockists like Foxford Woollen Mills, The Loft in Clonakilty, or Krafted in Wexford. Street Carnival Mark your diaries: The brilliant Irish Yogurts Clonakilty Street Carnival is back on Saturday, June 14, and fitness expert Karl Henry has already cut the ribbon. It's one of West Cork's happiest days out — think street food, music, colour, and serious summer vibes. Pearse Street transforms into one long open-air dining room, with top-notch dishes from local chefs (everything from spicy Indian to seafood feasts). Non-food activities are free, but grab meal tickets early from O'Donovan's Hotel or Fuchsia Footwear. Hungry birds Got a dad who loves his garden birdies? FieldDay's bamboo bird feeder could be a sweet little gift. It's part of their expanded collection, which now includes reusable stoneware candle pots and refill packs — great for repurposing and easy on the planet. This bird feeder, along with their wild bird seed, is a gentle reminder to enjoy the outdoors. Find them at and in stores like Avoca, Meadows & Byrne, and Blarney Woollen Mills. Bagged Beach days are back, and we spotted the perfect bag in Clonakilty: The Venice from Burke by Design — fully lined, zipped, with handy internal pockets, and just €39.95. It comes in black, brown, cream and gold, and honestly, it looks far more expensive. Pam's shop is a real treasure trove — think baby gifts, homeware, jewellery (Ania Haie, Ted Baker, Chlobo), and even bespoke wardrobe styling. You'll find them on Instagram @burkebydesign or at Or just pop in if you're in town — it's that kind of place. New tastes I had planned to include Keogh's new crisps in our Tried & Tested spot... but they vanished before I got the chance (thanks, family, ye hounds). Their Ghost Chilli & Sour Cream flavour launched at Bloom, and apparently, it's hot, hot, hot — but it is balanced beautifully by that cool tang. They're €2.89 a bag and available from June in stores and You've been warned! Time to cleanse One thing I did get to try is the new Rosalique cleanser and night cream. I'm a long-time fan of their three-in-one anti-redness cream, and the balm cleanser (€34.95) is gorgeously gentle — and it also doubles as a mask. The night cream left my skin calm, happy, and totally unbothered. Everything is vegan, cruelty-free, and available from pharmacies or Organic beauty Beauty lovers take note: Innersense Organic Beauty has landed in Ireland. If you're into clean, conscious self-care, this California brand ticks every box — high performance, sustainable, and transparent. Prices range from €28-€70 and it's all available via The story behind it is special too, rooted in family, care, and making better choices. Cork pride Oh and before I forget, we had to include Jando's 'Everything Is Better In…' print series. It's a colourful, county-pride collection of riso prints that's perfect for GAA-loving dads or anyone missing home. Naturally, we went for Cork. Up the Rebels! Available in Irish and English, €30 unframed, €70 framed, at
The Hindu
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Akina Contemporary Asian Experience in Hyderabad has an exciting Asian menu
Terraces are great places for get togethers. So when Akina Contemporary Asian Experience from Mumbai decided to launch in Hyderabad, the chosen location was the terrace of The Loft building near HITEC City. The spot seemed ideal to stay true to the party mood. The play of light just as you enter Akina calls for some photographs. Natural light streams through the glass panelled roofs and complements the earthy elements of the decor. Cane chairs, wicker lamp shades, and ornamental grass bloom add charm. Akina is not all in tones of the earth; the green comes from healthy houseplants. In Hyderabad, the vibe and the menu of Akina is designed to represent 'all'. The restaurant's philosophy is inclined towards offering an immersive experience, bringing together contemporary Asian cuisine and cinematic storytelling. The digital menu lists everything neatly under sections. Akina does not serve favourites such as biryani, pulusu, 'manchurian' or makhani gravies with a modern take. Dimsums rule, so does nigiri, sushi and vibrant cold plates. But first a picante. On a balmy afternoon, picante turned out to be a good choice. Then came the Amma's mango-avocado ceviche — avocado's creaminess meets sweet, tangy mango with a hot after taste. From texture to flavours, a well thought out idea. Then came the cold soba noodle salad that changed my view of soba noodles. I always regarded soba noodles as tasteless and stiff. This salad is a mix of soba with kataiffi, cream cheese and finished with fried garlic chips. Every spoonful is a delight. The menu includes striking robata grills. So while I waited for my Balinese chicken wings, chicken Tsukune Anticuchos and tiger prawns in chipotle butter, burnt lemon and micro coriander, I tasted the Akina Spicy Crispy Maki Roll, which comes with stuffed chilli, tempura flakes, citrus cream cheese, chipotle, cucumber, spicy chicken dimsum and chicken and prawn sui mai. Dimsums were bite-sized delights that left no room for complaint. The local touch to the menu comes in the form of Kyoto karam podi, Vantimamidi beets, Mirpakaya tempura, Krishna river prawns and Chevella baby corn. The eatery's Asian menu is pretty strong and since everything worked, the chef suggested I try one of his choices for the main course — Akina fried rice with chicken and prawns with Mongolian cumin and red chilli chicken. While the rice was good to go by itself, the Mongolian xumin and red chilli chicken did not meet the hype. In the meantime, the selection from the robata grills arrived. It disappeared sooner than it arrived. The flavours were fresh and not limited to soya and garlic. It was hot and ended on a fine sweet note. What will I repeat at Akina? Amma's mango-avocado ceviche, the soba noodle salad and the dimsums.
