Mantra Group Expands New Zealand Portfolio with Two New Hotels

The Mantra Group has expanded its portfolio of hotels in New Zealand with two properties joining the group’s Peppers and Mantra hotel networks.

The new additions - Peppers Portage and Mantra Lake Tekapo - will bring the total New Zealand network to 12 properties comprised of eight Peppers retreats and resorts; two Mantra resorts and two BreakFree resorts.

“Peppers is one of the fastest growing luxury hotel brands in New Zealand having added four spectacular properties to the network in 2012 with further expansion scheduled in 2013,” said Mantra Group CEO, Bob East. “I’m also pleased to see further growth of the Mantra network which is a well known brand for both New Zealand and Australian travellers.”

The former Portage Resort Hotel has now opened its doors as Peppers Portage. Plans to upgrade rooms, restaurant and bar plus extensive landscaping of the surrounding grounds to meet Peppers quality standards are scheduled for later in 2013.

The 41-room boutique resort is perfectly positioned to enjoy winery tours in and around Blenheim and Picton, cruising on the Marlborough Sounds, walking New Zealand’s famous Queen Charlotte Track, wildlife eco tours, or sea kayaking, fishing and sailing on Kenepuru Sound. Hotel rooms and spa suites offer spacious comfort in tranquil surrounds with views over the Sound.

Peppers Portage also offers conferencing venues for up to 100 delegates with a variety of outdoor team building activities available. Depending on the season, there are at least 5 scheduled boats to Peppers Portage daily and an airport shuttle can be arranged to meet delegates as required.

The picturesque location also makes Peppers Portage an ideal location for weddings and special celebrations.

Peppers Portage is offering an opening special from $225 per night in a Hillside Seaview Room. Terms and conditions apply.

Peppers Portage will be the fourth property added to the Peppers network in New Zealand in the last 12 months following other 2012 additions, Peppers Parehua Martinborough, Peppers Awaroa Lodge in Abel Tasman National Park and Peppers Carrington Resort in Northland.

There are over 20 Peppers retreats and resorts across the Australian east coast from as far north as Port Douglas, down to the Gold Coast, the Hunter Valley in New South Wales, Daylesford in Victoria and down to Cradle Mountain in Tasmania.

Joining the group under the four-star Mantra hotel brand, Mantra Lake Tekapo offers 28 self-contained three-bedroom villas on the edge of picturesque Lake Tekapo, one of New Zealand’s emerging tourism destinations having been enjoyed by locals for many years as a summer water sport destination and winter ski spot.

The three bedrooms villas offer fully equipped kitchens, two and a half bathrooms with under floor heating and spacious living areas with quality furnishings and private courtyard, with guest facilities such as swimming pool, hot tub and entertainment area complete with a barbeque and huge outdoor fireplace.

Lake Tekapo is situated in the heart of the Mackenzie Country by the Southern Alps and the Two Thumb range, located a short drive from Round Hill snowfields and the world-renowned Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve and Mt John Observatory.

The hotel is offering special rates from $243 per night. Terms and conditions apply.

Mantra Lake Tekapo will join Mantra Marina in Queenstown bringing the total to two Mantra properties in New Zealand. Other opportunities to expand the Mantra brand in New Zealand are also scheduled over the next two years.

There are over 50 Mantra hotels and resorts across Australian capital cities and coastal holiday destinations.

The New Zealand developments are part of an ongoing Asia Pacific expansion for Mantra Group which recently announced it will open its first property in Asia in March – the Mantra Nusa Dua in Bali. A new Peppers development is also set to open on Naisoso Island in Fiji in early 2014.