Napier Luxury Holidays

Situated on the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island, Napier is a wondrous mix of breathtaking architecture and spectacular countryside. Indulge in one of our luxury holidays in Napier to discover the highlights of this fabulous and fascinating place.

History and architecture

Following the calamitous earthquake that destroyed most of the city in 1931, Napier was rebuilt using Spanish-mission and Art Deco styles of architecture. Today, the city centre is renowned for its beautiful facades, and if your luxury holiday in Napier happens to fall during the month of February, be sure to attend the Tremains Art Deco Weekend. This annual festival is held in celebration of the city’s heritage and includes musicians, dancers and performers together with displays of everything and anything from the 1930s era. Wander through the fascinating MTG Hawke’s Bay, the city’s combined museum and art gallery, to find out more about the impressive rebuild project.

Home to some of New Zealand’s oldest and finest wineries, and some truly splendid vineyards, don’t miss the chance to sample the region’s own pinot gris or Syrah. Browse the weekly farmers’ market or tour the infamous Napier Prison, the largest in New Zealand, where you can view the cells, quarry, hanging yard and cemetery as you listen to some of the chilling tales about the prison’s gory history. If you can tear yourself away from the city’s many attractions, head for the nearby golden sands of Waipatiki Beach or Waimorama Beach to relax and soak up some sunshine.

Nature

The city of Napier is surrounded by vast expanses of rolling vineyards and rich orchards just waiting to be explored. Enjoy a stroll along the tree-lined Marine Parade, the city’s seafront promenade, and take the opportunity to visit the Marine Parade Gardens with their iconic fountain. If you fancy a hike, you can climb Bluff Hill for some fantastic views of the city and surrounding landscape or, if you’re feeling even more energetic, hike the 339 metres to the summit of Te Mata Peak for a stunning panorama of the entire region.

At the foot of Te Mata Peak, you’ll find Te Mata Park, comprising a large grove of California redwoods. With an average height of 40 metres, making it the tallest living tree species in the world, the grove constitutes a truly awe-inspiring sight. Be sure to stop off at Cape Kidnappers to the South where you can admire the jagged cliffs and see the largest mainland gannet colony in the world. At the National Aquarium of New Zealand, you’ll find a diverse variety of aquatic wildlife, including sharks, stingrays, octopi, turtles and tropical fish. There are also opportunities for you to observe the indigenous kiwis and tuataras, and hand-feed the little blue penguins.

At Azure, we offer a range of luxury hotels in Napier and can tailor-make a holiday package to suit your individual needs. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team of New Zealand experts today by phone or live chat to find out more.