Heritage Lodge at Kinloch Lodge

The location is amazing, and the restaurant on site was nice. In the room, though, there was a feet smell, and the smoke alarm went off on its own at midnight. The shared bathrooms have tiny sinks, so the floors are always wet and there’s nowhere to put your things.

Kinloch turned out to be a stunning, almost magical place, with affordable rooms and a really nice restaurant. As someone from Alaska, I found the mountains, rivers, riverbeds and nearby glaciers reminiscent of Talkeetna. I came across it by chance while searching for accommodation in Milford Sound, then chose to stay closer to Queenstown. It’s genuinely out of the way, which gives you a chance to step away from city life and reconnect with nature.

The spa was so calming and restorative, and kayaking surrounded by those views turned into a memory we’ll keep. Kinloch Retreat is beautiful, peaceful, and in a great spot for a relaxing break. The atmosphere and activities made the whole stay special. I’d recommend it to anyone wanting both downtime and a bit of adventure.

The walks were wet and wild, which made them even more fun and a little adventurous. We did Lake Sylvan and the Routeburn Nature walk, then soaked in the lovely hot pool at the Wai Spa area, detoxed in the Sauna, and rinsed off quickly in the cold shower. We all slept like logs and drove away feeling refreshed and full of friendship love. Three friends and I came for a girls getaway, hoping for nature, relaxation, walks and wine, and got all that and more. The cute Pukeko room had big slumber-party vibes, with clean toilets and hot showers just a minute away. The shared kitchen impressed us. We could’ve made a gourmet meal, but chose a yummy platter and wine instead. On our second night, dinner at the restaurant exceeded every expectation. Toni and her amazing team spoiled us rotten. Thank you, Toni and team xx