For the Love of a Place

A celebration of a place and a way of living – the generosity and style of a grand country estate established in the 19th century, now flourishing in the 21st century.

Otahuna was built by Sir Heaton Rhodes in 1895 as a wedding present for his wife, using New Zealand timbers exquisitely carved and crafted by artisans. A beautiful private park was developed, with rare plant varieties and formal landscaping, as well as kitchen gardens and fields of daffodils.

In 2006, Hall Cannon and Miles Refo bought Otahuna and set about breathing new life into it. After an extensive refurbishment, they opened it as a private luxury lodge, bringing a spirit of hospitality and bonhomie back to one of the country's grandest country houses – and its garden. Food comes largely from the kitchen gardens and from the food bowl that is Canterbury, the wine is sourced from boutique vineyards all around New Zealand, and a spirit of welcome comes from these two Americans, who have so enthusiastically adopted New Zealand as their home.

Rich in personality and anecdote, For the Love of a Place is a beautiful book, celebrating the history of a house as well as the people who made it, and then charting its rebirth as one of the country's most welcoming luxury lodges and sharing many fine recipes from its acclaimed kitchen.