Recently my mother-in-law very kindly gifted me a stay at a wellness retreat at Cape South in Havelock North, Hawkes Bay.
Hosted by Kate and Cam McLeay, we spent three days and two nights eating vegan, meditating, stretching and taking in the atmosphere. What really had me from the moment we arrived down the tree lined gravel drive was how special this place is.
The main house and cottage is built in a French Colonial style. I shared the cottage with my sister-in-law. The dimly lit dwelling featured slate tiled floors, earthy green lacquered kitchen cabinetry and clay hue walls. High ceilings and curtains framing large picturesque windows. This was a beautiful space that gave a sense of groundedness, comfort and ease. It was Spring time but that wood fire in the lounge would be a delight in Winter. Our lounge also opened onto a private sunny garden. We hardly used the kitchen except to prepare loose leaf herbal teas and graze on home-made dehydrated fruits and nutty granolas between meals.
The two bedrooms each had an ensuite and again were warmly dim due to the wide eaves and orientation of the building. I kept my yellow gingham curtains closed most of the time, enjoying the privacy and the light filtering through them.
The mood of the property was enhanced by the slow pace of restorative yoga, qi gong, reiki and meditation on offer by Kate and her team. All our meals were vegan, prepared by the wildly talented Pia Russell. A family friend I was very lucky to have inherited from my husband. A large proportion of the plant ingredients were sourced from the abundantly overgrown edible gardens. Details such as fresh garden flowers, recipe books and room sprays throughout the accommodation, reinforce the intention of restoring wellness in guests.
My stay here really reinforced how successful an interior is when the intention for the space is determined and how that success translates to a mood or feeling for those inhabiting it and immediately enhances one’s quality of living.
