Hall Cannon & Miles Refo
Hall Cannon and Miles Refo are the proprietors of Otahuna Lodge. Both were born and raised in the United States but fell under the spell of New Zealand while on holiday in 2004. They relocated from New York City to purchase the property—New Zealand’s largest private historic residence—in 2006 and opened it as a hotel the following year. Having lived and worked at Otahuna for nearly two decades, the duo (now proud Kiwis) have overseen multiple renovations of the historic homestead, the continuous redevelopment of its century-old botanical and productive gardens and an extraordinary new chapter for one of New Zealand’s most fabled icons.
Under their ownership Otahuna has become a renowned destination. Their efforts have caught the eyes of many leading national and international publications. The Lodge has been profiled in Architectural Digest, Bon Appetit, The Financial Times, Time, Travel + Leisure and Town & Country. The property has received a number of accolades including being named Hideaway Report’s No 1 “International Hideaway” in the Andrew Harper Reader’s Choice Awards, one of the world’s “Top 100 Hotels” in the Conde Nast Traveller Gold List and one of the world’s “101 Best Hotels” by Tatler. Additionally, they are the authors of the Penguin Random House book title, For the Love of a Place: The Stories and Cuisine of Otahuna.
Hall and Miles continue to advance their personal vision for Otahuna, furthering the Lodge’s long-standing reputation for gracious hospitality, celebrated wine and food offerings and a host of unique experiences that allow guests to uncover the heart and soul of New Zealand’s incomparable South Island.