Global travellers flock to Grasmere alpine lodge

The forecast growth in international tourism numbers through Canterbury and the recovery of region’s corporate sector are credited as the key drivers for channeling guests to a high-end alpine lodge which is now for sale.

Grasmere Lodge near Arthur’s Pass, midway between Christchurch and the West Coast, is an exclusive venue based on an original limestone homestead built in 1858 and subsequently expanded as an accommodation provider to now feature seven upmarket suites and a stand-alone chalet with four bedrooms.

Rack rates at the lodge range from $837 to $2254 – although that does include a four course gourmet dinner matched with wines, full breakfast, four-wheel drive tour of the property, home-baked cookies and complimentary use of the venue’s mountain bikes and full-size snooker table. It can accommodate up to 30 guests.

Grasmere Lodge land and buildings are being marketed for sale by Bayleys. Salesman Chester Rendell says Grasmere attracts not only high-end corporate bookings and leisure travelers from Christchurch some 118 kilometres away but is also a destination for longer-stay international visitors making their way from Canterbury over to the West Coast.

Grasmere’s grounds stretch across a total of 66 hectares. Amenities within the property include an in-ground swimming pool, gymnasium and wood-paneled hunting lodge style library, lounge and games room. Tenders for the property close in February next year.

In August, Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key announced the government’s Tourism Growth Partnership (TGP) was investing in international visitor promotion body Canterbury Tourism Partnership to increase the number of overseas holiday-makers booking vacations in the province.

Some $600,000 is being invested in the Canterbury Tourism Partnership to support the rebuild of the tourism sector in the Canterbury region. The Canterbury Tourism Partnership focuses on delivering a strong recovery of the Australian holiday market after the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes.

The partnership will also lift the Canterbury tourism sector’s capability to attract more leisure visitors from China and will broaden new commercial opportunities for tourism operators across the region. The programme is a collaboration between government, Christchurch International Airport and Christchurch City Council.

“Grasmere will, by virtue of its offering and location, benefit from any showcasing of the Canterbury region and the expected subsequent upturn in international visitor numbers,” Mr Rendell said.

“The lodge’s sits in a strategic location at one of the gateways to the West Coast. With the growth of eco and adventure tourism along the West Coast, supported by government funding, accommodation operations will piggyback off the region’s increasing prosperity from this sector.”

Scott Cordes writes for Bayleys Real Estate