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Marlborough Sounds Lodge Stay – A Dream Destination

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Our Marlborough Sounds lodge stay was the ultimate dream destination. The tranquil native beauty of New Zealand at its very finest! If you enjoy unspoilt beauty, luxury lodge stays and being at one with nature then this is the place for you. 

Our arrival was a memorable one, since we arrived in true celeb style on a float plane! I did a whole blog post on that recently as I couldn’t fit it all into one post so if you want to check that out go ahead, here.

The float plane was reasonably priced and a quick way to arrive, as well as being the ultimate scenic flight! Here are a few pics of us in the air looking down on the Marlborough Sounds and then landing on the water. Lucky us, we were met off the plane and our bags taken off on a trolley by the concierge. He met us off the boardwalk and even waded through the water to help us. A really fab service and made us feel so special. A dream destination that feels like arriving in paradise!

Ariel view of Marlborough Sounds from the float plane
Ariel view of Marlborough Sounds from the float plane
Stunning Marlborough Sounds view from the plane
Stunning Marlborough Sounds view from the plane
Inside the cockpit of the float plane
Inside the cockpit of the float plane as we turn to land
Landing on the water at Marlborough Sounds in the float plane
Landing on the water at Marlborough Sounds in the float plane
The aqua coloured water as we landed
The aqua coloured water as we landed
Approaching the Raitihi Lodge Marlborough sounds boardwalk in the float plane
Approaching the Raitihi Lodge boardwalk in the float plane

We could hardly believe our eyes arriving at our luxury lodge. It is the Raitihi Lodge in Raitihi, Marlborough Sounds. I literally cannot recommend this place enough. If I could give it 6 stars I would. I couldn’t help thinking how incredibly peaceful and tranquil it is there.

There are a whole host of native birdlife and they perch in the trees and palms right outside your deck at the lodge. We were blown away by the lodge, it is in the perfect place and it is absolutely stunning. On top of that, the staff were amazing and the restaurant was absolutely outstanding.

Pilot carrying our bags off the plane barefoot
Pilot carrying our bags off the plane barefoot
Waving goodbye to our plane and pilot as he takes off again
Waving goodbye to our plane and pilot as he prepares to take off again
Boat on the water in the distance
Boat on the water in the distance as the plane floats past and around the corner for takeoff
View of the boardwalk from the lodge
View of the boardwalk from the lodge as our plane takes off over the water
Palms and the boardwalk on front lawn of the lodge
Palms and the boardwalk on front lawn of the lodge
Deck and seating outside our room at the lodge
Deck and seating outside our room at the lodge
Trees and aqua waters at Marlborough Sounds
Trees and aqua waters at Marlborough Sounds
View from our room at the lodge
View from our room at the lodge of the garden and water
Interior of the lounge area
Interior of the lounge area

This was the bar and lounge area and they had this gorgeous little garden with stone pathways and water features out the back. Unfortunately I didn’t get any photos of that. It was before my blogging days!

The Raitihi Lodge was so perfect and clean. Really tastefully designed and decorated. We decided to book into the restaurant for dinner, it sounded so appealing on the menu.

Our room at the lodge
Our room at the lodge
Sun loungers perched in the garden
Sun loungers perched in the garden

We chilled out for a while because how could you not?! Then we took an evening stroll along the road next to the beach as the sun started to retreat. Pure bliss, listening to the sounds of nature without a care in the world. Life goes at a slower pace in the Marlborough Sounds.

Perfect place for a getaway, a real relaxing retreat. Very romantic and would be ideal as a honeymoon destination or place to propose. We loved everything about it.

A view of Raitihi on our beachside walk
A view of Raitihi on our beachside walk
A view of the water through the trees
A view of the water through the trees in the evening
View of Marlborough Sounds in the evening
View of Marlborough Sounds in the evening at dusk
Boats on the water
Boats on the water
An old red truck abandoned in a field
An old red truck abandoned in a field

We spotted an old vintage truck with the inscription of a hotel on the side on our walk back to the lodge. We had the most amazing dinner and the ambience was lovely. It is a nice intimate style restaurant mainly for use of the hotel guests with soft lighting. The atmosphere was buzzing and people were clearly having the time of their lives. I have to say, so were we! I was so so happy I embarked on this wonderful journey with my Mum.

We were so impressed with the food, we booked in for the next nights dinner. We were staying for 2 nights and wanted to make the most of it. We decided to make use of the bikes that the lodge provided free of charge. They had a decent mountain bike track or two and it was a popular way to see the sights. They gave us the helmets too and it didn’t cost us a penny. Here are some of the photos of our bike ride.

Sun and shade on the beach with green hills
Sun and shade on the beach with green hills the next morning
Bike ride at Marlborough Sounds trail
Bike ride stop at Marlborough Sounds trail.
Riding bikes passing the beach
Riding bikes passing the beach
Cows on the beach
Cows on the beach

Yes, those are cows on the beach! We knew we could hear mooing from somewhere aha! Only in New Zealand…

Palm trees on the beach at dusk
Palm trees on the beach at dusk
Collected by a float plane to return
Getting collected by a float plane to return, as the skies turn grey
Piggy back onto the float plane
Mum getting a piggy back onto the float plane
Getting carried to the float plane by the pilot!
Getting carried to the float plane by the pilot! Such a gentleman, he didn’t want her to get her feet wet. Bless. 
Selfie inside the cockpit with flight gear on
Selfie inside the cockpit with flight gear on
Waving goodbye to Marlborough Sounds from the float plane window
Waving goodbye to Marlborough Sounds from the float plane window

Waving goodbye to Marlborough Sounds was a little sad but we were so invigorated and delighted with ourselves after such a wonderful stay. We vowed to come back some day. We are definitely going back there! Loved it. I can safely say it was the most memorable holiday I have ever had. Dream destination if there ever was one. Check it out yourself if you are lucky enough to ever get the chance. Those guys are awesome, the place is amazing and you will have the most relaxing and comfortable stay.

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Marlborough Sounds Luxury Lodge Stay

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