Susan Roberts – Boutique Hotels and Lodges

1) Who are you and what do you do?

Hi I’m the owner of a luxury marketing group – Boutique hotels & Lodges NZ. Tourism is in my veins – I’ve always been involved from the exciting world of airlines such as Air New Zealand and Malaysia Airlines through to promoting New Zealand to the world through our collection of small boutique luxury hotels, villas and lodges.

2) Why do you like living in Wellington?

I love Wellington city as it’s so compact and easy to get around. It’s edgy, has the best cafes and restaurants and has a real creative buzz with its museums, galleries, wind sculptures and film industry.

3) What’s your most favourite memory of Wellington?

My favourite memory of Wellington is when we lived in Highbury, which is on the edge of the city and very close to Zealandia Santuary. We had our own private sanctuary there with our bush garden, which attracted the colourful Tuis, Kereru, Saddlebacks and the wonderful, funny, entertaining Kakas – they are such clowns and made each day very special for us. The Tuis and Kakas would fight aerial battles over who was going to drink the honey water which we put out each day for them.

4) If you like coffee – which cafe serves up the best for you? (!)

Kafe Eis on Oriental Bay serves up the long macchiatto for a takeaway. Or if you need to be indoors then Mojo at Poneke is great too. Then there’s The Hangar, Spruce Goose and more……..