A recent stay in the luxurious Clearwater Resort reinforced to my partner and I that this is a perfect place to return to – with the kids!

On-site Activities

The Resort, home to one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, is set on acres of grounds that provide activities galore.

The most famous and obvious pastime is golf but while the 18-hole course may be one for the grown-ups, there’s a putting green, driving range and organised kids’ days with on-site instruction.

Golf’s not my thing but we didn’t mind checking into a sumptuous lakeside villa, with expansive balcony over the water and sipping on a beer while watching keen golfers take their shots.

But back to the children – itching for alternative outdoor activity we discover there’s acres of other space for kids to play and kick a ball, along with a tennis court with racket and ball hire available.

Meanwhile the lake, stocked with trout and salmon, is an ideal fishing spot that’s close to the rooms. You can rent fishing rods and there are even kids-only fishing lakes two minutes walk away, at the adjoining Groynes family-friendly park.

For more outdoor entertainment the Groynes offers a large playground, BBQ and picnic spots, lots of small fishing lakes and perfect family biking tracks – all just a few minutes stroll from your Resort villa.

 Accommodation and Dining

If all this sounds like far too much exertion, the rooms were spacious and decadent. With two TVs offering SKY and Disney channels, kids’ entertainment pack on check-in and family games at reception you definitely get the feeling your whole family is being looked-after! One-, two- and 3-bedroom apartments plus interconnecting villas provide enough choice to suit any size of family or families travelling together.

Holidaying with children, food is often a first priority, especially after a day of travelling or holiday activities. We arrived to a homely smell of fresh baking in our lounge and discover a fresh loaf of bread waiting in the bread-maker along with a cheese, fruit and dips platter – nice touch!

It’s worth saving some appetite for dinner though as the Resort’s restaurant is superb. For a more casual meal there’s a well-stocked café, and the children’s menu, on offer in both, features a range of healthy but child-friendly options.

We did notice that childminding was available, so if you do want to enjoy a romantic evening in Christchurch why not arrange for a babysitter and have the children’s dinner served in their room?

Location and Local Activities

Peppers Clearwater Resort is just a few minutes' drive from Christchurch Airport – ideal for hassle-free accommodation before or after a flight. However this is far too nice to consider it merely convenient travel accommodation.

On its doorstep are some of Christchurch’s top family attractions – The Antarctic Centre, Willowbank Wildlife Reserve – the best place I’ve found in NZ to view a kiwi, and Orana Wildlife Park. It’s also just down the road from the wonderful family mountain bike park of Macleans Island, with bike hire on-site during summer.

Christchurch city, the harbour and hills, and some beautiful beaches are all a short drive away, and we reckon that after a day exploring this lot, what could be more relaxing and hassle-free than falling into one of Peppers Clearwater’s family villas?

www.peppers.co.nz