New Zealand Herald On Sunday August 2011

RWC: How the rich see the rugby

The thread count of the Egyptian cotton sheets and length of the bath are among some of the queries made by wealthy visitors arriving for the Rugby World Cup.

For companies renting out mansions for as much as $20,000 a week, business at the high end has been brisk.

It did slow after the second Christchurch earthquake and the Japanese tsunami. But the request lists are quite impressive - everything from helicopter trips to exclusive Kauri Cliffs, in-house ski-boot fittings at Queenstown properties, luxury boats with skippers, guided shopping expeditions, personal chefs and chauffeurs.

Jacqui Spice, owner of Touch of Spice, a high-end tourism and hospitality company, said she had not been "bombarded" with clients at the high end but had had a steady stream at a time of year when that part of the business would normally be slow.

Spice's company has a portfolio of luxury homes from the Bay of Islands to the bottom of the South Island.

Clients paid more than $15,000 a week for luxury homes over stays ranging from three to eight weeks. "And the houses are worth it; they are top-quality homes."

The homes usually came with pools and spas, beautiful views, top-quality linen and fittings, and had four to six bedrooms, she said.

Spice and her team were now focused on providing a concierge service for clients, which included chaffeured meet-and-greets at the airport, day trips, restaurant bookings, tee-off times at golf courses, organising in-house chefs and private functions, and stocking pantries with gourmet food and wine.

Homeowners earned their money, she said.

Luxury homes had to be immaculately presented and stripped of all personal items and photographs.

Clients included visitors from Australia and Britain, and some well-heeled ex pats returning home for the World Cup.

Director of Luxury Rentals 2011 Kerrin Parton has also rented out houses at the $20,000 mark during the semifinals and finals weeks, mainly in Herne Bay, Remuera, Ponsonby and Parnell.

She too thought the homeowners "earn every cent", saying preparing a high-end home for the corporate or luxury market was extremely hard work.