Summerlee Hawke’s Bay

Summerlee sits in Te Awanga, Cape Kidnappers, on the doorstep of the station that is home to the famous Cape Kidnappers Golf Course, one of the world’s best. At the end of a sweeping, oak-lined driveway and just twenty-five minutes from Napier airport, it’s one of New Zealand’s most charming luxury retreats.

Set on a secluded 10-acre property of beautifully manicured gardens, this private villa has spectacular views along the sweeping Hawke’s Bay coastline. Its orchard and vegetable gardens add to the sense of a home on the land.

The original homestead of Cape Kidnappers Station has been splendidly restored into a home with room for everyone. Downstairs are the kitchen, scullery and a seating area, a spacious open-plan living and dining room with a fireplace, and a separate study that’s perfect for cards or chess. One bedroom is on this level, and the rest are upstairs on the first floor. The professional-grade kitchen has two large ovens, two dishwashers and a glass washer, so it’s a pleasure for a private chef or a group who love to cook. Central heating and cooling run throughout the home, and multiple fireplaces keep winter evenings cosy.

Outside, you can spend your days in the sunshine. The grounds have a floodlit astroturf tennis court, a large pétanque court, croquet, a swimming pool with a pool house and a spa pool that runs all year. The highly appointed outdoor room, or loggia, overlooks the pool and the ocean across Hawke’s Bay, and there’s a gas BBQ for long summer lunches.

When you’re ready to explore, golf, fishing, cycling trails, hot air ballooning, hiking and the local wineries are all close by. Gannet Safaris leave from the bottom of the driveway, taking you over the station to the cliff-top gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers. The nearby coastal village, a renowned surf break and some of Hawke’s Bay’s best wineries and restaurants are all minutes away.

Summerlee ticks all the boxes, and be warned: you may never want to leave.

Please note one bathroom is located in the pool house.

MajorDomo Musings…

Outdoor living is what Summerlee is all about. Make the most of the Hawke’s Bay sunshine with a game of tennis, a swim, a spa under the stars and long, lazy afternoons in the outdoor room.