One of New Zealand's most luxurious Eco-lodges, Peppers Awaroa Lodge, is getting ready for its spring/summer season re-opening.

The luxury lodge welcomes its first guests on September 27 and is located in the heart of the stunning Abel Tasman National Park at the top of the South Island. The lodge closes annually over the winter months.

Now, it's a hive of pre-guest activity, with staff tending to the on-site organic vegetable garden, bringing in gas for cooking and calling on local producers to help fill the shelves and fridges with the highest quality produce.

Peppers Awaroa Lodge General Manager, Suzanne Wells says, "We're really excited about the upcoming season, it gets pretty lonely over winter with no guests but we use the time to get everything up and running for another busy season."

Ensuring a light environmental footprint, there is no access to the lodge by car - only  by foot, sea kayak, water taxi or air - making the journey all part of the Peppers Awaroa experience.

"We're an Earth Check Benchmarked Silver Status lodge, which is a world recognised standard for Eco-tourism. It means we have to really think about what we need to bring in to the lodge, and how we can get it out again without leaving too big a footprint," Suzanne says.

"Every product has to help us, rather than cause us more issues, so we use bio-degradable soaps, compost as much as we can, we even crush our bottles and sprinkle them on the pathways for a unique effect.

"It's very important to us and our guests to maintain these eco-friendly practices, not only to preserve the exceptional beauty of the region, but also by going local, it allows us to showcase the incredible produce we have available right on our doorstep."

Peppers Awaroa Lodge has 26 suites and rooms, and is surrounded by golden beaches, sculptured granite cliffs and of course the world-famous Abel Tasman Coastal Track.

Special deal - stay for three nights and only pay for two in a Standard Room from $295 per night, total minimum spend $590.  Valid for sale and travel until 30 December 2013*. Book online at www.peppers.com.au.

*Conditions apply, subject to availability. Block-out dates and minimum night stays apply. Rates are limited in availability and subject to change without notice. Valid for new bookings only, not valid for conference or group bookings. Inclusions are valid per booking. For full terms and conditions visit website for details.

ABOUT PEPPERS RETREATS, RESORTS & HOTELS

Peppers is Mantra Group's luxury level brand of stylish accommodation. There are 28 Peppers properties in Australia and New Zealand in regional areas, leisure destinations and metropolitan locations ranging from boutique retreats, deluxe resorts and chic CBD apartments.  There are eight Peppers properties in New Zealand in locations such as Christchurch, Queenstown, Northland, Lake Tekapo, Martinborough, Marlborough Sounds,  with the first Peppers Resort in Fiji due to open late 2013. All offer a level of style and quality to meet the expectations of the most discerning traveller: www.peppers.co.nz

ABOUT MANTRA GROUP

Mantra Group is a leading manager and marketer of hotels and resorts in Australia and New Zealand. The Group owns and operates three well-known and trusted brands - Peppers, Mantra and BreakFree.  With over 112 properties and 15,000 rooms under management, Mantra Group is the second largest accommodation operator within Australia. The Group is positioned to offer both leisure and business style accommodation ranging from self-contained apartments to luxury resorts and retreats. www.mantragroup.com.au

Media Contact:
Yvette Peverell
yvette.peverell@mantragroup.com.au
+61 7 5631 2543