60th Bithday - Part three -The Chateau (part 1)

As mentioned in the first post on my 60th birthday, I was given a voucher to spend a night at The Chateau, the Tongariro Hotel on the side of Mount Ruapehu. I have often wondered what it would be like and some of our friends have been as a group for different occasions and their sharing made me want to try it even more. We had thought of going for our 40th wedding anniversary a few months ago but the family wanted to share a meal together so we just thought we could go some other time.

So when I received the voucher and was asked to read it out I was deeply moved that these people would shout Harry and I, an over night stay with a dinner, breakfast, bubbles and chocolate, a late check-out and a high tea - all the extras. These people are simply wonderful.


I booked our night away the next week and although the weather didn't promise to be good we really just wanted to experience the Hotel and atmosphere. The day started nice but by the time we got to the base of the mountain the weather had closed in and remained that way like a winters day the whole time.

It actually took longer to get there than we thought (2 1/2 hours) so we ended up calling in at Z Tauhara for a coffee and muffin after an hour and half driving.













It's been many years since I have been there and so I had a sort of "are we there yet" feeling.

When we finally reached the base of Whakapaka village there was the Chateau in all its grandeur almost suddenly in front of us.

By now the weather was wet so Harry drove right up to the main doors and a porter came and opened my door and took our suitcase out of the boot bringing it inside while Harry went and parked the car.
Now I can tell you I could quite like this!

Once Harry arrived and I had signed in we were given our keys (well these days its a card that activates the lock) and we took the lift to the third floor. The porter wanted to take our bags up as well but Harry said it was fine he could manage himself and I tried to tell him that's not the point. This man has a job to do and why not let him do it! But by this time the lift had arrived to the third floor.



Our room was a Heritage Room

CLASSIC ROOMS IN OUR HERITAGE WING

HERITAGE

Located in the original hotel wing of Chateau Tongariro, these Heritage rooms offer comfort and style with convenient access to all hotel amenities. Enjoy views of native bush, our golf course or the Dual World Heritage Tongariro National Park.

So we had a cuppa and went for a wonder around checking rooms, decor and some of the many pictures on the walls. Its a very grand hotel with a luxurious early 20th Century themed decor.

 

View from  room window 

All the rooms have names from around the Tongariro National Park where the Chateau is situated. 

While we waited for our time to get dressed for dinner we sat near the large fireplace in the Ruapehu Lounge.

RUAPEHU LOUNGE

The historic heart of Chateau Tongariro Hotel, the Ruapehu Lounge brings yesteryear to life with plush velvet, twinkling chandeliers and a crackling log fire. Clinking cocktail glasses and clacking billiards fill the air as guests reunite for family holidays, business retreats and wedding parties. The lounge serves light food and drinks until late at night.

Harry tried to assist with the stoking up of the fire as it really was not doing the fireplace or the coldness outside justice, which was rather difficult, he said as they were using "wet wood" (as in recently felled trees). And then he would try to count the large number of bunnies hoping around the grounds thinking of ways they could be exterminated without upsetting the guests! We joked that perhaps it was an environmentally good way to keep the grass short!

I just enjoyed not having to do anything and people watching. I was quite surprised that most of the visitors were from Europe rather than the masses we usually have pass through our small home town from Asia. Some spoke in Dutch, German or other Scandinavian languages while others were speaking in their limited English. I occasionally helped them with the correct pronunciation of some of the places they had or were going to visit. It felt  special to just listen to their stories of their holidays.

ELEGANT CUISINE AT CHATEAU TONGARIRO'S SIGNATURE RESTAURANT

RUAPEHU ROOM

Superior dining and delicious Pacific Rim cuisine await at the Ruapehu Room, Chateau Tongariro’s renowned restaurant. Dress for dinner to savour the chef’s signature chateaubriand, New Zealand beef, lamb or salmon, while sipping wine in the glow of shimmering chandeliers and sparkling white linens.

You can also enjoy a daily breakfast buffet with both cooked and continental selections, and stop by on Sunday for a tantalising carvery Roast Buffet while our resident pianist transports you to genteel bygone days.

Our latest menu offerings can be viewed here.

Operating hours: Open for breakfast and dinner daily, and for Sunday lunch.

Dress code: Smart Casual (no shorts or tank tops and closed footwear required)

Dinner was in the Ruapehu Room and once we were seated, we were asked (because we were here on the celebration package) if we were actually celebrating anything. Between us we said that yes it was for my 60th and our recent 40th Wedding Anniversary. The lady disappeared and a young man came and poured 'fresh tap water' into our glasses and then the lady returned with two glasses of bubbly. We said we hadn't ordered any and she said it was complements from the Manager for our celebrations.

So still the blessings were coming.

The menu for the package was a smaller choice of three courses plus breads as starters.

Artisan Breads (v) Cold pressed olive oil, balsamic reduction and confit garlic, butter  

Harry chose

Regal Salmon Beetroot Cured (df) Orange and baby radish salad, horse radish, baby cress

Silver Fern Beef Tenderloin (gf)  Piko piko fern, confit potatoes, candied tomato, cauliflower puree & braised beef cheek

Apple and walnut filo Calvados fluid gel/Honey and thyme custard/Ginger crunch 

While I had

Seared Angus Beef Carpaccio  Shaved pecorino romano, village press olive oil, pickled shallot 

Free Range Chicken Breast (gf)  Feta & herb portobello mushroom, potato puree, leek, jus

Ginger mascarpone tart Pistachio raspberry meringue/Rhubarb sorbet and compote

To be continued.........