Perched gracefully on the pillared gateway to Mangapapa Petit Hotel, sit two lion statues guarding with pride the grand, historic homestead. Tall Silver birch trees line the wonderful driveway with peach and apple orchards reminding you that you are in the 'fruit bowl' of New Zealand? There before you is prestigious "Mangapapa Petit Hotel". Mangapapa is everything a gracious homestead should be. Built of weatherboard, the colonial style house has a veranda that wraps around the upper story giving breezy viewpoints of the 20 acres of lush, manicured gardens brimming with roses and established trees. The entrance to Mangapapa hosts a grand portico balcony overlooking a fairy-lit umbrella tree. Capturing the moment from the main homestead is a warm welcome, from the Hotel Manager and staff. You need not think about carrying your luggage, nor consider doing anything from that moment on that resembles effort. The staff at Mangapapa are so obliging that you switch completely into luxury mode. The twelve-ensuite guestrooms are the last word in understated luxury. Their under floor heating and air conditioning soothe weather extremes and each is individually decorated and furnished with snowy white damask bed linen and soft colours. Whether you stay in the Mangapapa suite, Executive suites or Lodge rooms, they are all the pinnacle of extravagance for the discerning. The attention to detail at Mangapapa is meticulous.