Payments made by partners impact the order of prices displayed. Room types may vary.
The listings of booking offers for each property take into account the compensation paid to us by our partners. Prices shown may be for varying room types. Prices displayed are the lowest available, corresponding to the least expensive room type available, as provided from our partners as of the time of the user’s search.
Kingfish Lodge
Full view
View all photos(101)101
Room & Suite (51)
Dining (5)
View prices for your travel dates
Contact accommodation for availability.
There are similar hotels available.
View allDid you already book this hotel?
Tell us so we can help you plan.
About
4.5
#2 of 2 hotels in WhangaroaLocation
Rooms
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Boutique water-front lodge accommodation.
More than just a fishing lodge.... Romantic escapes, rest and relaxation, wedding and event venue, private parties and special occasions, corporate events, conference facility.
Families welcome, young children with prior arrangement please due to water proximity.
Read more
Suggest edits to improve what we show.Improve this listing
Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Free breakfast
Beach
Pets Allowed ( Dog / Pet Friendly )
Business Centre with Internet Access
Conference facilities
Non-smoking hotel
Wifi
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Laundry service
Room features
Minibar
Refrigerator
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Business
Romantic
Location
Whangaroa Harbour, Whangaroa New Zealand
Getting there
95Reviews2Q+A1Room tip
ReviewsWe perform checks on reviews.Tripadvisor’s approach to reviewsBefore posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
Traveller rating
- 78
- 7
- 2
- 4
- 4
Time of year
Traveller type
Language
Selected filters
- Filter
- English
Sort by:
Detailed Reviews
We read these reviews with interest as we note the last few have been written well after the time we closed the lodge for rebuilding. There can be no mistaking that it is closed... there is a large sign on the edge of the jetty saying so and there is obvious construction works. SO for reasons only known the the reviewers, those that are reporting they have visited since after May 2016 have not actually been here!!!
Watch this space for future announcements of a new and reinvigorated Kingfish Lodge
Watch this space for future announcements of a new and reinvigorated Kingfish Lodge
Read more
Date of stay: July 2017Trip type: Travelled on business
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
It was not the first time we had been here, having spent a lazy sunny afternoon here in the 1990s. Things have changed though. You still need to get the Whangaroa water taxi to get in and out and the trip across this historic stretch of water is in itself a treat. The welcome, however, is not so warm and the service could be better. The current menu would probably give Gordon Ramsay a stroke. There are "humorous" ( but not funny ) pictures in the loos and overpriced wines available. The new decor points the way to a brash corporate new world when a ambience which was more at ease with itself would be more in keeping. Author and big game fisherman Zane Gray came here once but one can't help thinking he wouldn't touch it now with a boat hook.
This place needs a real rethink in my view - it has bags of potential and could be one of the top ten restaurants in the North Island.
This place needs a real rethink in my view - it has bags of potential and could be one of the top ten restaurants in the North Island.
Read more
Date of stay: April 2016Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from SINZ, Manager at Kingfish Lodge
Responded 19 May 2016
Well David One cannot please everyone… Did you stay or were you a casual visitor? At the end of the season a simple all day bar menu was offered which appealed to most for snacks and lunches. Our functions menu and evening set meals were popular throughout the season with our chefs offering a new three course meal every night with choice of 2 entrees 2 mains and 2 desserts, thus guests staying 2-3 nights did not have to work through a menu. Guests with longer stays were also offered personal cheffing options where food was prepared and cooked to their wishes. Special diets were catered for every night. (vegan, gluten free and vegetrarian) Wines? Well which planet do you come from? Wines from $10-15 per glass, and bottles from $27? Price points are similar or less to most establishments in NZ. Most wines under $44 per bottle…. A great selection of local wines (#7) and all other mostly NZ wines tempted most palettes. Why did you not comment at the time of your visit to any of our team? Just as well we are all different as your sense of humor is certainly that. Over the years many an adult, parent, grandparent, child has remarked and enjoyed a little snigger over the retro images and delightful pictorial comments. Sorry you did not 'get' any of them! Regarding your welcome from the water taxi - well we greet all in-house guests on arrival and escort them to their rooms. Casual lunch diners arrive with various transfers as provided by the fabulous local Whangaroa Harbour Tours. It is not possible to greet all these casual or unplanned arrivals, or where the water taxi has a change to schedule. Sometimes with functions and group bookings where 10-12 guests arrive at once it can also be a less desirable way of welcoming and directing guests to their rooms. But this aside, thankyou for drawing this to our attention. (PS: I will not repeat what one of our former staff has just emailled and commented about you)
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We had the most amazing time at Kingfish Lodge. Everything was perfect - the food, the rooms, the lodge, the fishing...I could go on and on. However, the thing that we appreciated most was the lovely owners (Jacqui and Jeremy) and the staff (Dave & Nina) who paid extra attention to make sure that our stay is perfect.
We can't wait to come back and enjoy what the lodge has to offer (with the boat next time).
If you love your fishing, yummy food, friendly people and a relaxed tranquil setting this is the place...it really doesn't get any better!
Thanks for making our trip so memorable, we hope to see you all again soon! :)
Bronwyn & Freddie
We can't wait to come back and enjoy what the lodge has to offer (with the boat next time).
If you love your fishing, yummy food, friendly people and a relaxed tranquil setting this is the place...it really doesn't get any better!
Thanks for making our trip so memorable, we hope to see you all again soon! :)
Bronwyn & Freddie
Read more
Date of stay: April 2013Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from SINZ, Owner at Kingfish Lodge
Responded 28 Apr 2013
Dear Bronwyn and Freddie Thankyou for choosing Kingfish Lodge for your special 'surprise' break. Your words of encouragement to our team are most appreciated and we certainly look froward to meeting up again one day. Even now as we head into autumn/winter, our special little place at Kingfish Cove is still so warm and tranquil. No need to head for the Pacific Islands when Kingfish Lodge beckons.... Kindest regards Jeremy
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This hotel is situated in one of the best locations I have ever stayed in. However, even with this competitive advantage, the hotel is terrible.
As opposed to giving the owners a public grilling I have instead decided to offer some advice. Here is my 5 point plan which, if implemented, will make your hotel passable.
1. Buy some sun beds and parasols. At the moment there is nowhere to relax. You insist your guests stay for three nights (a rule I would seriously question) but if the old kayaks are being used then, if you want to enjoy the view, you are restricted to perching on a chair outside your room which you share with your neighbour (ours was a chain smoker).
I'm currently writing this review under a flickering light outside your bar, unfortunately the view is obscured by overgrown shrubs and the waves cannot be heard over the loud humming fridge. I would move but my wife needs to stay here to 'benefit' from the intermittent/non-existent wifi so we can rebook a hotel for tomorrow night (we managed to twist the owners arm to release us from our last nights stay).
2. Clear the path to the look out and make this a feature. It is a really beautiful spot but we only knew to explore there as we saw it on the way in. Also, to get there the only path is past your dumping ground/rubbish tip - clear this and put up a sign.
3. Make a welcome pack. If your staff are too busy to greet your guests on arrival then you need to write a welcome pack. Where should guests relax (point them to your newly built areas), where can they take the kayaks to, walks, activities, wifi (get this working), boat times etc.
4. Retrain\train staff and get a new chef. I would guess that no one you employ has ever worked in a mid-range hotel. They need to learn how to talk to guests.
5. Add flexibility to the boat taxi. At the moment you charge $50 extra per person to leave or enter your hotel outside the times of 10.45am and 5.15pm. This is incredibly restrictive. Either strike a better deal with the boat taxi or buy a small boat and do it yourself. This huge restriction and charge should be extremely clear on your website, at the moment it is not.
This hotel has the potential to be fantastic, but it needs a huge amount of work. I hope you find my plan helpful. When completed send me a message and I will give you point 6 to 10.
As opposed to giving the owners a public grilling I have instead decided to offer some advice. Here is my 5 point plan which, if implemented, will make your hotel passable.
1. Buy some sun beds and parasols. At the moment there is nowhere to relax. You insist your guests stay for three nights (a rule I would seriously question) but if the old kayaks are being used then, if you want to enjoy the view, you are restricted to perching on a chair outside your room which you share with your neighbour (ours was a chain smoker).
I'm currently writing this review under a flickering light outside your bar, unfortunately the view is obscured by overgrown shrubs and the waves cannot be heard over the loud humming fridge. I would move but my wife needs to stay here to 'benefit' from the intermittent/non-existent wifi so we can rebook a hotel for tomorrow night (we managed to twist the owners arm to release us from our last nights stay).
2. Clear the path to the look out and make this a feature. It is a really beautiful spot but we only knew to explore there as we saw it on the way in. Also, to get there the only path is past your dumping ground/rubbish tip - clear this and put up a sign.
3. Make a welcome pack. If your staff are too busy to greet your guests on arrival then you need to write a welcome pack. Where should guests relax (point them to your newly built areas), where can they take the kayaks to, walks, activities, wifi (get this working), boat times etc.
4. Retrain\train staff and get a new chef. I would guess that no one you employ has ever worked in a mid-range hotel. They need to learn how to talk to guests.
5. Add flexibility to the boat taxi. At the moment you charge $50 extra per person to leave or enter your hotel outside the times of 10.45am and 5.15pm. This is incredibly restrictive. Either strike a better deal with the boat taxi or buy a small boat and do it yourself. This huge restriction and charge should be extremely clear on your website, at the moment it is not.
This hotel has the potential to be fantastic, but it needs a huge amount of work. I hope you find my plan helpful. When completed send me a message and I will give you point 6 to 10.
Read more
Date of stay: January 2016Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I thought we have a nice new years eve dinner with friends for NZD 75. But the only good thing was the music, which might have taken up all the money. NZD 3500,- for the night as Jeromy pointed out. But it can´t be an excuse for the unbelieveable unprofessional embarrassing buffett. Whoever had a buffett in his life before must have been very drunk to cope with this buffett. A slice of roast, a slice of ham, a spoon of potatoe salad and the most bitter coleslaw you can think of were sparingly portioned on a plastic plate. As cutlery you got a plastic fork and a fragile little plastic tea spoon. Asking the chefs for a knive they refused to give you one. You think the tea spoon is for the desert - no desert at all. I regretted it so very much to have this place chosen and will never ever enter it again. I felt so embarrassed inviting our friends to KF lodge.
It is the first time that I complain this way. But enough is enough.
It is the first time that I complain this way. But enough is enough.
Read more
Date of stay: December 2013Trip type: Travelled with friends
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from SINZ, Former owner at Kingfish Lodge
Responded 10 Sept 2016
Just for the record, we did respond with the organiser of your group. What you fail to acknowledge in your comment was the evening package of $75 pp was inclusive of cover charge, continuous finger food and canapés, then concluding with a late light supper before the fireworks and departure after midnight. For NYE it was plainly advertised no formal dinner service was scheduled for the evening. The canapés/finger food as circulated around all guests covered till about 10:00pm when the light supper was presented picnic/party style. Lovely ham sliced off the bone, premium fillet of beef + simple salads. Yes to serve 111 people we had to dish up your plates, but after the initial queue rush, many came back for seconds. There were NO rations or restrictions. Several of your group were all schooled to make similar comments. We are sorry the experience was different to what you were expecting. But the formula for the evening has worked well each New Year, and allows an informal and friendly family style evening where everyone is free to wander/talk/dance/sing etc to their own pace. Thankyou for highlighting your concerns.
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We radioed to see if we could come along side their wharf, were told no and to pick up a certain bouy located about 50 meters from the Kingfish Lodge wharf. I'm on the bow with the boat hook to lift the bouy and unfortunately it is at it full length of chain and will not lift in order to attach the anchoring rope. We radioed to the Lodge once again and reluctantly were given the go-ahead for the wharf but were told we could stay long. After a couple of minutes we're along side and making our way along the wharf to the Lodge. I'm not joking here .... some guy who looked like he had been pulled through the bushes backwards came to greet us and asked what we were doing here. Our reply was to have a look at the lodge and stay for a bite. "Oh" said the attendant with a look that would have said out loud ..."bugger off". We were told that there is no food and that the "chef" is re-arranging the kitchen. We went into the lounge/bar area and looked at some of my parents photos from the 1960's as they were both avid fishers of big game and were asked "how long are you going to be here" (looking at those photos)? Very obviously we weren't welcome by any means, so we made our way back to our 45 footer and left with a really bad taste. Disgusting to say the least in so far as the staff. The place was rather dated but from what we looked at in the general area, it was quite clean. We were the only people at the Lodge apart from the three visible staff and we still wonder why we were told to take a mooring bouy when we were the only boat at the Lodge ... there were no others!
So all in all .... very disappointing to say the least.
So all in all .... very disappointing to say the least.
Read more
Date of stay: April 2016Trip type: Travelled with friends
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:Â Look before you buy!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I had talked up KF lodge to some friends, one was an ex Allblack the other was a former TV presenter about how awesome KF lodge was so I decided to take them there. Well I felt embarrassed because of the way we were treated We all felt that the management (Jeromy) was very unaccommodating to my guests and our children. The are a few suggestions that I would like to make, the first one is that there should be a clear sign on the jettie/ wharf stating clearly who you want at Kingfish lodge, this would save a lot of trouble for both the customer and the KF staff especially Jeromy. Rules such as appropriate attire such as a suit or evening gown would help indicate that you are targeting wannabe money machines. The second suggestion is that you need to make customers feel valued regardless whether you are having a bad day or not, you shouldn't buy into the industry if you aren't prepared to engage with customers and give them a positive experience they would take away to brag about how awesome KF was, sadly that did not happen. The waiters were not really confident and you can tell that there is a high turn over of staff simply because of the way Jeromy micro manages his staff. They were worried about what Jeromy thought. The waiter got our lunch order wrong. Especially after we specifically check the order before the waiter went away. Finally, don't judge people by their appearance, it was such a shame that we felt stereotyped and even one of the waiters agreed and apologised for the inconvenience. You can save people from having a negative experience and from spending money by putting a sign up the front stipulating who you require.
Read more
Date of stay: December 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beautiful spot, rooms have been refurbished nicely, however in our room the ceiling fan was terribly wobbly and made a horrible noise all night, so no sleep was had! Prices of food is rather outrageous considering what you get. Food was alright, but not worth $53 for a main. Lovely hosts, however might need to consider behaviour, alcohol consumption and mixing with guests. A standard needs to be maintaned when dealing with the public. While it is indeed a lovely spot and has alot to offer, I doubt that we will return as overnight guests. A day visit is recommended however as it is a piece of paradise!!
Read more
Date of stay: March 2013Trip type: Travelled with friends
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from SINZ, Owner at Kingfish Lodge
Responded 10 Apr 2013
Thankyou ANONMOUSNORTHLAND for your comments. Trip advisor have just given us access as new owners to respond to feedback on this account. Some of your comments may have been simply addressed personally. The wobbly ceiling fan we had no inkling of until your comment. New ultra silent fans have been reinstalled in all our new rooms, but room 10 does make some noise when on full setting, on low there is obviously some noise form air movement. It will be replaced thanks to your initiative in advising us. Regarding the pricing of main course meals I think you must be mistaken as our menu prices range from $22-$38 with no item ever priced at $53. Perhaps the charge you referred to covered two meals? If you wish to identify yourself I can then ascertain whether this is the case or a simple error has occured. You may email us direct from our website. The night you were here ALL our lodge guests were dancing to ABBA 'Mama Mia' on the dining deck after dinner. On that occasion we were asked to sit and join some other guests at their table where they offered us a social drink.As proprietors we were not on duty, nor serving at the bar, and our barman was also our duty manager. No one consumed alcohol to excess that eveing - neither guests nor staff. I would welcome you back to our lodge and appreciate you personally discussing any matters troubling you. But as you will note from prior and onging feedback your experience and obsevations (total 3 Tripadvisor comments traced back to a single computer) are inconsistent with the overall Kingfish Lodge experience we have created, foster and wish to develope in an ongoing manner. I will always wish to recieve feedback and act upon it promptly and accordingly, to ensure the comfort and safety of all our guests, visitors and staff at all times.
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lodges in New Zealand might be luxurious, but expensive. Whilst living in New Zealand we tried one of the "cheaper" lodges we could find. Acccess to Kingfish Lodge in Whangaroa is by private launch. By leaving your car behind you are beholden to activities such as fishing, sea kayaking, swimming in the warm waters or reading a good book looking out at some of the most beautiful coastal scenery in the world. We found the decor a little too rustic for the price and the food not to the gourmet standard I expected given the "lodge" status. Tthe harbour views were so glorious that the other details paled into the background.
[----------------]
[----------------]
Read more
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We did not stay at The Lodge, but received a recommendation to dine at their restaurant and to have the chef's $75 per head special. We drove one hour north from where we were staying and then took a water taxi across to the Lodge, it was a picture perfect day, warm, blue skies and aqua water !! The lodge was nestled in native bush land and looked very picturesque.
We were greeted at the wharf and led through the Lodges lounge/kitchen/dining area to a table on the verandah. Sadly these areas looked run down and smelled of musty carpet, wet dog and old cooking fat, not a great beginning!!! The waitress informed us the Chef would not be cooking his specials today and were handed a paper menu with very very limited choices at high end restaurant prices. The boys opted for an entree of some bacon/corn fritters on salad at $25 per serve, a dish any Mum could knock up at home and probably taste better. We all chose the fish Terakhi, described as oven baked served on salad. It was a grey mass of 2 or 3 pieces of bland smelly fish on the same salad as the fritters. It was horrible and we struggled to eat it, even asking for some tartare to
improve its flavour. We left a lot on the plate, awful at $35. The girls opted for dessert trying the lemon brûlée!!! Yuk!!! A large Dob, of what tasted like commercial lemon curd was in the midst of an over cooked custard, the toffee top
Was okay the side of ice cream half melted when it got to the table! $16. Our bill came to nearly $300 with a bottle of shared wine and a pre dinner drink, what a waste of time and money, we couldn't get out of there fast enough never to return!!
We met people staying there, the rooms looked fair/okay but the whole place needs some tender loving care!!! You just can't trade on the view and the setting!!!
There are so many amazing places to dine in the Bay of Islands but this was not one of them.
We were greeted at the wharf and led through the Lodges lounge/kitchen/dining area to a table on the verandah. Sadly these areas looked run down and smelled of musty carpet, wet dog and old cooking fat, not a great beginning!!! The waitress informed us the Chef would not be cooking his specials today and were handed a paper menu with very very limited choices at high end restaurant prices. The boys opted for an entree of some bacon/corn fritters on salad at $25 per serve, a dish any Mum could knock up at home and probably taste better. We all chose the fish Terakhi, described as oven baked served on salad. It was a grey mass of 2 or 3 pieces of bland smelly fish on the same salad as the fritters. It was horrible and we struggled to eat it, even asking for some tartare to
improve its flavour. We left a lot on the plate, awful at $35. The girls opted for dessert trying the lemon brûlée!!! Yuk!!! A large Dob, of what tasted like commercial lemon curd was in the midst of an over cooked custard, the toffee top
Was okay the side of ice cream half melted when it got to the table! $16. Our bill came to nearly $300 with a bottle of shared wine and a pre dinner drink, what a waste of time and money, we couldn't get out of there fast enough never to return!!
We met people staying there, the rooms looked fair/okay but the whole place needs some tender loving care!!! You just can't trade on the view and the setting!!!
There are so many amazing places to dine in the Bay of Islands but this was not one of them.
Read more
Date of stay: February 2016Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LOCATION
New ZealandNorth IslandNorthland RegionWhangaroa
NUMBER OF ROOMS
12
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim Your ListingKINGFISH LODGE | Hotel Reviews (Whangaroa, New Zealand) - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about Kingfish Lodge
Which popular attractions are close to Kingfish Lodge?
Nearby attractions include Whangaroa Harbour (5.8 km), Taupo Bay Beach (5.1 km), and St Paul's Rock (4.2 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Kingfish Lodge?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free breakfast, and an on-site restaurant.
What food & drink options are available at Kingfish Lodge?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
Are pets allowed at Kingfish Lodge?
Yes, pets are typically allowed, but it's always best to call ahead to confirm.
Does Kingfish Lodge offer any business services?
Yes, guests have access to a business centre and conference facilities during their stay.