Blake House
Set amongst a backdrop of the country's most spectacular scenery and nestled peacefully away from the stresses of the outside world, there lies a luxurious and tranquil retreat in the heart of New Zealand's North Island.
Designed by renowned New Zealand architect John Blair and situated within a 16,000 acre estate in the spectacular Taharua Valley, Blake House offers exclusive world class accommodation.
Crystal clear mountain waters, indigenous beech forest, ferns and lush alpine meadows surrounding Blake House provide breathtaking scenery. With high country wilderness at your doorstep Blake House offers magnificent views while providing complete privacy and relaxation.
Whether it’s a holiday retreat, a formal business meeting or a relaxing base for outdoor activities Blake House is a unique destination for individuals, families and businesses looking for a venue far from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Facilities
Blake House at Poronui contains four double or twin bedrooms and two bunkrooms, each with four single bunks, providing a total sleeping capacity for twelve adults. Attached sunrooms complement the four main bedrooms, each appointed with luxurious ensuite bathrooms.
Two expansive lounges with soaring ceilings and four huge open fireplaces are perfect for entertaining friends and family. And if it’s relaxation you are after, simply curl up with a good book on one of the huge couches in front of a blazing log fire.
A self-catering option allows guests the opportunity to prepare and cook their own meals. This option can be for the duration of their stay, or guests may choose to use the services of our in-house Chef at any time.
Renowned for its fabulous food and wine, full service meals at Blake House showcase New Zealand regional gourmet excellence and include delicacies of Poronui’s game food and local fare.
Activities
With an extensive range of leisure activities, guests at Blake House can embrace the outdoors with a rod or a gun, or a blanket or book.
Poronui is home to two outstanding rivers, the Taharua and Mohaka, which meander through the property’s rugged terrain before heading towards the Pacific Ocean. In the mountains adjacent to Poronui are many rivers and streams abundant in brown and rainbow trout, providing some of the best fly fishing in the world. These can be easily accessed by helicopter for an exhilarating fly fishing experience. The property is also home to trophy red stags, wild Sika deer, ducks, and pheasants, making the area a regular attraction to anglers and hunters from all corners of the world. Guests interested in natural history will find an intriguing array of flora and fauna unique to New Zealand.
For those who prefer to simply relax, why not make the most of our sauna and steam room or treat yourself to an invigorating massage? Blake House is well equipped with a library, cigar room, satellite television and high speed internet services.
Other activities include: horse trekking and riding lessons, rafting, sporting clays, mountain bikes, hiking, heli hiking, target shooting, wine tours and site seeing expeditions.
Nanny services, rental vehicles, and transfers by luxury vehicle/helicopters are also available.
Despite a feeling of being "away from it all", Blake House is within easy reach of popular and interesting New Zealand towns and tourist destinations. Blake House is just 10 minutes away from the main Poronui House, and 40 minutes from the busy tourist township of Taupo.
To the east, 90 minutes by car (30 minutes by helicopter), is the Pacific Ocean and the art deco city of Napier. Surrounding Napier is the world-renowned wine district of Hawke’s Bay. A similar journey to the northeast will see you in Rotorua, famous for its Maori culture, natural geothermal activity and wildlife sanctuaries.