Long regarded as one of the world’s most revered and inspirational luxury accommodations, Huka Lodge is set among 17-acres of established, parklike gardens along the banks of the emerald-blue Waikato River near Lake Taupō on New Zealand’s North Island. With humble beginnings more than a century ago as a fisher’s camp with white canvas tents pegged along the trout-rich river, Huka Lodge has today secured its place as one of the country’s oldest and most celebrated luxury lodges. In 2024 Huka Lodge closed for a carefully considered ‘centenary redesign’, and reopened its doors in March 2025, ready to welcome a next generation of global luxury traveller.
Fit for a King: twenty guest suites along with two exclusive owners' residences, the Alan Pye Cottage and Alex van Heeren Cottage, are dotted along the banks of the Waikato River and among verdant gardens, each opening onto rolling green lawns and with the sounds of birdsong and the burbling river as nature's orchestral score.
The fine dining and exceptional cuisine on offer at Huka Lodge continues to define the world-class hospitality experience. A vast wine cellar of premium vintages complements a daily-changing menu, showcasing New Zealand’s finest produce. The restaurant, bar, lounges and terrace offer a traditional lodging ambiance, while signature dining venues are dotted around the estate.
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Units
Facilities
Restaurants
Credit: BaillieLodgeshttps://hukalodge.com/
Credit: BaillieLodgeshttps://hukalodge.com/
Credit: BaillieLodgeshttps://hukalodge.com/
Credit: BaillieLodgeshttps://hukalodge.com/
Credit: BaillieLodgeshttps://hukalodge.com/
Credit: BaillieLodgeshttps://hukalodge.com/
Every last detail required for guest comfort has been carefully considered, from the finest monogrammed bed linen, and feather pillows, to the freshly baked biscuits.
French doors open onto the wooden terrace beyond and all 18 Junior Lodge Suites face the hypnotic deep turquoise green waters of the Waikato River. Its long journey from Lake Taupo takes it flowing past Huka Lodge to the full force of the famous Huka Falls beyond and then on to the sea.
The bathrooms offer every indulgence as well as being spacious and light, with the most decadent deep bath, thirsty towels, heated floors, and twin basins. Dressing rooms are both large and generous in proportion.
The Lodge Suite consists of light, spacious, comfortable rooms. One with a super-king size bed, which can also be reconfigured into twin beds, and lounge area with writing desk. There is also a large walk-through dressing room as well as a beautifully detailed en suite bathroom including bath, shower, twin basins and under-floor heating. Mini-bar, with tea and coffee facilities is also available.
Another connecting room offers a well-appointed lounge, with dining area. This features a cosy gas fireplace and boasts the same style of en suite bathroom as its companion room.
Both rooms comprising the suite enjoy French doors that open out to an outdoor wooden terrace that spans the front of each room. From here, guests enjoy views across the lawn to the deep turquoise green, hypnotic waters of the beautiful Waikato River.
The Lodge Suite is surrounded on three sides by natural bush and manicured gardens, with the river beyond. It also works really well for families travelling together – the second bedroom can readily be configured for two younger family members to share with single beds and their own bathroom.
Four superbly decorated spacious en suite guest rooms are anchored by a central living room, dining area, kitchen and den. The colour palette is deliberately muted with elegant use of soft cream and caramel hues for the walls and bleached oak wooden parquet floors throughout. This all contributes to an ambience of calm restful relaxation within the Cottage.
The en suite rooms all have super-king size beds, comfortable chairs for lounging and the romance of a fireplace in your bedroom. Two of the guest suites face the river while the other two enjoy a beautiful private courtyard garden aspect. These gardens also feature one of the magnificent outdoor fireplaces that can be found tucked away within the environs of Huka Lodge.
The bathrooms are beautifully appointed with twin basins, deep baths, separate showers and heated towel rails. The cathedral-style ceilings bathe the rooms in a high level of natural light. The floors are made from wood and all enjoy under-floor heating. Large and generous walk-through dressing rooms are adjacent to all of the bathrooms.
The Den has a workstation, computer, plasma screen television and DVD player, extremely comfortable leather chairs and a cosy fireplace complete the picture. A laundry service is also available with the Cottage.
A well-equipped kitchen is set up for use by guests or a personal chef, with butler service also available if required. Guests may choose to stay in or to wander over to the main Lodge and dine there.
A large outdoor deck extends in a continuous line from the living room until it meets the amazing cantilevered infinity pool. The grounds within the Owner’s Cottage also feature a heated spa pool, outdoor furniture suitable for dining, sunbathing, reading or a quiet nap.
Alan Pye Cottage takes every advantage of a superb location and sits above lush rolling green lawns and manicured gardens on the banks of the Waikato River, where the powerful and hypnotic turquoise green waters surge downstream on their way to the Huka Falls. Whilst spacious and faultlessly generous in execution, the Alan Pye Cottage boasts a cosy and intimate atmosphere due largely to an extraordinary level of attention to detail, combined with a deliberately eclectic style of furnishing and interior decoration. Rustic antiques overlay with museum-quality Maori antiquities, wonderful paintings and textiles rich in texture, with the colour palette drawing together stunning combinations of deep teal, lime and turquoise for moments of bold punctuation.
A magnificent open plan living room, with an open fireplace features a very high ceiling, and dining to take place as well as relaxing. This room offers decadently comfortable furniture and everything guests will need to feel this is a true ‘home away from home’. Floor-to-ceiling opening doors feature on both sides of the room – facing the river and the infinity style swimming pool on one side and the enclosed courtyard garden and outdoor pavilion, on the other.
The Cottage boasts two large and stylishly appointed suites, with individual fireplaces, en suite bathrooms and generous walk-through dressing rooms. Both suites are superbly decorated and offer a highly considered level of comfort.
The bathrooms are beautifully appointed with twin basins, deep baths, separate showers and heated towel rails. The floors are made from limestone and all enjoy under floor heating. Large and generous walk-through dressing rooms are adjacent to all of the bathrooms.
A well-equipped kitchen is set up for a personal chef – guests may choose to stay in or to stroll over to the main Lodge and dine there.
A study is tucked away with desk, plasma flat-screen television and sound system. This room also has its own separate bathroom and can be readily converted into a single room, should it be required to accommodate an accompanying party.
A heated infinity-style swimming pool and a separate private spa pool have been integrated into the outdoor landscape. There is also a fabulous stone outdoor pavilion within a private courtyard garden, featuring a magnificent fireplace.
Property Facilities
Communal Dining, Library, Pool
Room Facilities
Balcony / Deck, Bath, Cooking Equipment, Cooking Facilities, Electrical Outlets, Fireplace, Laundry Service (Available), Lounge Area, Mini Bar, Shower, Tea / Coffee, Television, Underfloor Heating, Verandah
The Main Lodge building draws guests like bees to honey. It is from here that having breakfasted well, guests either set off for adventure, or settle in a comfortable chair with a book beside a log fire.
Come evening, candles are lit, lights dimmed and the drinks set out. Guests gather to make each other’s acquaintance, share stories of their day and enjoy the superb cuisine, prepared using the finest of ingredients and complemented by exceptional wines. Service is both solicitous and seamless, designed to anticipate.
Your Stay
Reference No: 4470
2 Nights
Premier - Executive Club / Premier Benefits
All Local Brands (Spirits, Wine and Beers) Included