Akaroa has a unique place in New Zealand's history as the only French settlement in the country. This tiny village, 85 kilometres south east of Christchurch on the Banks Peninsula (named after Lieutenant James Cook's botanist Joseph Banks), was settled by 63 French people in 1840, 70 years after it was sighted and named by Cook on his voyage across the Pacific Ocean to New Zealand and Australia. The lovely bayside town has many streets with French names and some descendants of the original French families still live there. Akaroa is the oldest town in the Canterbury district, which includes Christchurch, and Langlois Etenenaux is the oldest house in the region. It is the site of the nation's first Catholic Church and the first vineyard in the country.

With tussock hills as a backdrop to the town and the inlet, Akaroa is a well-preserved gem of history. The Akaroa Village Inn is built on the site of New Zealand's first residential hotel, built in 1842. In the centre of the village opposite the wharf from which cruises explore the bay, the 4.5 star hotel has 40 units including the superb Bruce Apartments opened in 1998. These two-bedroom waterfront apartments are either on the ground or first floor with courtyards or balconies. All have fully equipped kitchens and hi-fi stereo systems. The centrepiece of Akaroa Village is the Presidential Suite with superb harbour views out to Akaroa's historic lighthouse. It has two bedrooms, private balconies, a modern kitchen. Separate dining room and spa bath.

A little less luxurious than the Bruce Apartments, Le Voyager apartments are also on the waterfront with lovely harbour views and one to three bedrooms. Last but not least, Jacques Village two-bedroom apartments are clustered around the hotel's sheltered courtyard. They have bench-top cooking facilities and microwave ovens. And, for the ultimate getaway, the Beach Road Retreat is a restored historical house, which has been converted to a two-bedroom apartment away from the main complex. It has a seaside balcony and private garden.

Akaroa has a cluster of fine restaurants along the waterfront. The food in the township features local salmon, crayfish, beef, lamb and venison. For guests who don't wish to make their own breakfast, Akaroa Village Inn specialises in gourmet breakfast in bed. There are several excellent wineries in the area, so there is no excuse to go thirsty.

A stay here is a truly memorable experience. The waters around Akaroa are home to a pod of Hectors Dolphins, the smallest and rarest of their species in the world.

• Reception
• Guest laundry
• Parking

• Private bath with shower
• Heating
• Balcony or terrace (most rooms)
• Opening windows
• Colour television with Sky channels
• In-house pay movies
• Kitchen facilities with hotplates and microwave
• Refrigerator

• Direct-dial telephone

• Outdoor swimming pool
• Spa pool

• MasterCard
• American Express
• Diners Club
  
• Visa

• 2 pm/10 am

• 81 Beach Road, Akaroa, New Zealand

• Christchurch city, 85 kilometres, approximately 90 minutes by car