Coastal luxury in the Marlborough Sounds.

Less than an hour by water taxi from Picton, Bay of Many Coves Resort is a gorgeous place to enjoy some great sea fishing, delicious cuisine and let yourself and your partner or friends be thoroughly pampered. The architecture is striking – a contemporary nautical design with strong use of timber, glass and stainless steel, which drew accolades when it first opened nine years ago.

These labyrinthine waterways are quite gorgeous on a calm day, but even if the weather isn’t cooperating there will usually be a quiet spot where you can still get in a good day’s kayaking or fishing, protected from the wind and swell in the internal waterways.

The resort is close to the renowned Queen Charlotte Track which provides a great day’s hiking. Go scuba diving (the wreck of the Russian liner, the Mikhail Lermontov, is definitely worth a dive if you’re experienced), go dolphin-watching or take a kayak or rowboat and explore the nearby bays. Join an eco-cruise and visit nearby protected islands and historic places (Ships Cove, where Captain James Cook took time to rest his boat and crew is just a short sail away), or head into Picton for the day and join a wine tour around the famed Marlborough wineries. You can join the local ‘Mail Cruise’ and help drop mail to local residents in far-flung corners of Queen Charlotte Sound. Much of the area, including the resort, has no road access so everything, including the guests, has to arrive by boat.

The Accommodation

• there are 6 x 1-bedroom apartments sleeping 2 people, with ensuite bathrooms

• 4 x 2-bedroom apartments sleeping 4 people, with two ensuite bathrooms

• and 1 x 3-bedroom apartment, with an ensuite and separate bathroom, sleeping up to 6 people

• a maximum of 34 people at the resort at any one time

• the accommodation is all 5 star, and each apartment has a crafted use of natural timbers and fabrics, with big views out the double-opening windows to the sea below

• each apartment has a deck overlooking the sea, telephone and wi-fi (rural-speed)

The Resort

• breakfast is served in the Kumatage Restaurant overlooking the sea, which is open all day for casual dining and relaxing

• The Foredeck is the evening fine dining restaurant, once again with expansive sea views. The Executive Chef is highly regarded and the evening menu features local delicacies like snapper, crab, scallops and South Island beef. There is also a degustation menu available

• The Quarterdeck Lounge by the water’s edge provides a quiet spot to relax in the afternoon sun while enjoying a crisp Marlborough sauvignon blanc. This secluded space is for in-house guests only

• There’s a hot tub and pool on a terrace high above the sea, and if you want some real pampering there’s the Miritu Day Spa, which offers traditional and local indigenous therapies and massage techniques.