Imagine an exotic location where lush subtropical gardens and French colonial style combine to create a relaxed elegance that soothes the body and excites the senses. Tahiti? Casablanca? Corsica? St. Croix? Northland — New Zealand!

ALL PHOTOS © HOME AT FIRST

THE ACCOMMODATIONS: Except for a failed experiment on New Zealand’s South Island, France never colonized New Zealand. Until now. Maison Kerikeri brings a touch of French colonial ambience to the subtropical Northland region of New Zealand’s North Island. The upscale boutique bed and breakfast on the edge of attractive and prosperous Kerikeri town brings elegant French colonial style to its exotic native garden setting. The one-story themed lodging offers three unique accommodations to visitors looking for comfort and style combined with a perfect base for touring and pursuing an active

Elegant, comfortable guest lounge with
computer access at Maison Kerikeri.

Breakfast at Maison Kerikeri is inviting
to the eye and delicious to the palate.
Expect affable hosts and companions
at the elegant breakfast table, too.

Two guest suites — each with queen beds and full bathrooms — are in the main house.

• THE FIRST GUEST SUITE (click to see details) looks across the property’s fantastic gardens of native and European blooms from above the Kerikeri River valley — one of the island nation’s most historic locations.

• THE SECOND GUEST SUITE (click to see details), while lacking a grand view, offers more space and flexibility: the basic bedroom includes comfortable antique living room furnishings with a couch in addition to its French queen bed. This guest suite is expandable with the option of a second bedroom and bath available to

couples wishing extra space and privacy.

• THE FRENCH COUNTRY COTTAGE (click to see details):

More space and privacy is available in the adjacent country cottage. It accommo-dates up to three persons, with a king bed and a single bed in its sizeable open-plan sleeping/ lounge/ kitchenette/dining space. A large bathroom completes this spacious separate facility. The cottage has a distinctly rural Provençal feel, yet it is only two-dozen steps from the main house.

COMMON spaces in & out of the main house (click to see details): The main house provides a large, sumptuous guest lounge, with computer (broad-band internet), TV, DVD, and a library.

The country cottage at Maison Kerikeri offers
 sleeping for up to three persons, plus
a small kitchen and dining area.

More sumptuous are the breakfasts — featuring

fresh fruit and juices, coffee and tea, home baked goods,

and a selection of cooked delights — served each morning in the elegant dining room at Maison Kerikeri. The breakfasts are made more convivial by the opportunity to meet other guests and get to know your hosts.
          Parking is off-street and close to the entries of both the main house and the cottage. Heating — rarely required in subtropical Kerikeri — is provided by efficient room storage radiators.

PRIVATE patio TERRACE & GARDENS (click to see details):  The exotic gardens deserve a second mention. They frame the furnished patio and lawn of the main house and invite guests to enjoy coffee, conversation, or a good book in beautiful natural surroundings.

Host cheerfully preparing breakfast. Another
day in paradise begins with a friendly greeting
and a sumptuous breakfast at Maison Kerikeri.

THE SETTING: Maison Kerikeri overlooks the historic Kerikeri River tidal basin where early European colonists built a general store and a colonial mission house which interfaced with native Maori near the site of a tribal fishing village. This important colonial contact point has fortunately been preserved and is only a minute or two from Maison Kerikeri.
-

KERIKERI INLET, KERIKERI'S HISTORIC TITLE BASIN, Viewed from Maison Kerikeri. Click to see full panorama.

-
          Kerikeri town is also a drive of a minute or two — or a five-minute walk — from Maison Kerikeri. Kerikeri is a remarkable place: the market town for a wide, prosperous agricultural region (beef, olives, avocados, and especially for its fruit production: kiwi fruit, grapes, citrus) with a growing tourism economy based on its subtropical climate, proximity to two oceans, and numerous activity options (golf, fishing, boating, walking). The town is home of an active arts and crafts scene, with numerous galleries, studios, and shops lining its mapped arts & crafts trail. Several boutique wineries are in and around Kerikeri, and, with excellent local wines, beef, fish, and produce, Kerikeri offers a wide variety of restaurants and cafés for most budgets and lifestyles.

KERIKERI town, northland, new zealand: prosperous, attractive REGIONAL CENTER  with many restaurants and services.

NORTHLAND IS BLESSED WITH TWO OCEANS, SEVERAL SCENIC HARBORS, AND NUMEROUS PRISTINE BEACHES.
ONE STELLAR EXAMPLE IS SCALLOPED MATAI BAY BEACH ON THE PACIFIC COAST NORTHWEST OF KERIKERI.

          Within an hour’s drive of Kerikeri are the wild, empty beaches of Tauranga Bay, and the double-scalloped Matai Bay beaches on the homophonic Karikari Peninsula, spectacular native forest walking by Whangaroa Harbour, as well as the giant Kauri tree forests and spectacular Hokianga Harbour near the western Tasman coast of Northland. Following the principal touring route, the Twin Coast Discovery Highway, is easy — it passes through Kerikeri.
          Within a half-hour’s drive are several major attractions of Northland, including the tour boats and adventure activities (swimming with dolphins, diving) at the popular and busy visitor town of Paihia on the Bay of Islands, the marvelous isolated, golden sand beaches of Russell and Matauri Bay, world-class golf at Kauri Cliffs, and the home of New Zealand nationhood, Waitangi, with its important Treaty House and native Maori presence.

THE HOSTS: As with all Home At First New Zealand lodgings,

Maori flax weaver at Waitangi
near Kerikeri, Bay of Islands.

the hosts (a married couple) at the Kerikeri Maison take an

active interest in their guests and are especially

The knowledgeable, welcoming hosts see
to it that their guests enjoy their stay
at Maison Kerikeri and in Northland.

keen on sharing their knowledge of Northland. The couple has operated boutique lodgings in four different locations in New Zealand (including the North and South Islands) and has been serving Home At First guests with distinction for more than a dozen years. They have great knowledge of their homeland, and are eager to share insights and hints with their guests of what to see and do in Northland and in other regions. Most importantly—because many Home At First guests begin their New Zealand itineraries in Northland — the hosts at Maison Kerikeri provide a sincere welcome and soft landing after the long voyage to Kerikeri.

THE OFFER: Maison Kerikeri offers a pretty, peaceful, and practical base from which to explore Northland, as well as an ideal location from which to begin travel throughout New Zealand. Airy, upscale lodgings with a delectable breakfast daily make a stay at the Maison Kerikeri an ideal addition to any New Zealand travel program. With a broad selection of touring options and outdoor activities close at hand, adding a stay at Maison Kerikeri to your independent, flexible, fly/drive HOME AT FIRST trip makes it possible to experience the New Zealand of your travel dreams.

Exotic blooms in Maison
Kerikeri's magnificent
flower garden.

Learn more about HOME AT FIRST's travel program to: NEW ZEALAND.

HOME AT FIRST IS A DESIGNATED "KIWI SPECIALIST"
TOUR OPERATOR BY THE NEW ZEALAND TOURISM BOARD.


AFFORDABLE DREAM TRAVEL WITH ALL THE COMFORTS OF HOME.