Lake Taupo Lodge

I felt calm and right at home in the lodge’s beautiful setting, and didn’t want to leave. Our room was a little older but spacious and very comfortable, while the bathrooms were modern, roomy and had lovely views. The team has created a lovely mix of luxury and homeliness. The service was impeccable. They remade our room multiple times a day, made breakfast to suit our dietary restrictions, and shared lovely advice and conversation. Just so you know, it feels less like a formal hotel and more like a lodge or bed and breakfast. That’s not a complaint, just something to be aware of.

The grounds are beautiful, and the location is good. Chef chris and hostess/coordinator Victoria are wonderful and do a great job. But the owner, Gary, is a grumpy dictator. We had three rooms for three nights. On our second night we wanted to order pizza and eat outside on the patio, but Gary told me outside food wasn’t allowed on the patio, in our rooms or anywhere on the property. They only serve breakfast, with no dinner option. We were also told all common-area lights had to be off and doors locked at 9:00 pm. Between the unwritten rules, dated rooms, broken TV service and very slow internet, this didn’t feel like a lodge and wasn’t worth the price.

Gary and Shirley were lovely hosts and went above and beyond for us. The house is in Frank Lloyd Write style, with an interior to match, and our room, "Frank", stayed nice and warm thanks to the heat pump and bathroom underfloor heating. The bed was incredibly comfortable, and the food was great, thanks to the very passionate chef. The views are stunning and the garden is something to see. Absolutely beautiful property, a must to visit!

Gary, the owner, and Chris, the manager and chef, are two of the kindest people. They made the place feel like home, and we had lots of fun and got to meet other people. It became a highlight of our trip and was worth the journey. We’d definitely recommend the breakfast and freshly baked cookies!