Huka Lodge
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Huka Lodge

Escort room
Traveller (430)
Alan Pye Cottage outdoor pavilion
Room & Suite (88)
Wunderbare Eggs Benedict
Dining (65)

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About

5.0
#2 of 6 small hotels in Taupo
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Location
4.9 of 5 bubbles
Cleanliness
4.8 of 5 bubbles
Service
4.4 of 5 bubbles
Value
Huka Lodge is New Zealand’s oldest and most celebrated luxury lodge. Set on the lush green banks of Taupo’s Waikato River, just upstream from the dramatic Huka Falls it’s easy for guests to become mesmerised by the ever-changing waterway; one moment lazy and deep, the next swirling and icy blue. Unforgettable dining champions the best local produce whilst regal suites woo with king beds and palatial baths combine with serene riverside views to create an arresting sense of place. The Taupo countryside is perfect for wilderness walks, luxurious Lake Taupo cruising, trout and fly fishing and scenic helicopter jaunts. Back at the lodge, there’s time to unwind and read a book, sip on cool drinks and take dips in the heated pool. Private dining in charming outdoor alcoves framed with topiary hedges or in the subterranean wine cellar is an unforgettable experience - always with the rumbling of the rapids in the background.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Pool
Free breakfast
Bicycles available
Tennis court
Babysitting
Airport transportation
Parking
Wifi
Hot bath
Outdoor pool
Heated pool
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Breakfast buffet
Special diet menus
Wine / champagne
Fishing
Banquet room
Spa
Baggage storage
Concierge
Gift shop
Non-smoking hotel
Outdoor fireplace
Butler service
Private check-in / check-out
Dry cleaning
Laundry service
Ironing service
Room features
Bathrobes
Air conditioning
Housekeeping
Private balcony
Room service
Safe
Bottled water
Minibar
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
5.0 of 5 stars
HOTEL STYLE
Quiet
Luxury
Languages Spoken
English

Location

271 Huka Falls Road, Taupo 3384 New Zealand
397Reviews5Q+A92Room tips

Reviews
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Detailed Reviews
asavvytraveller2016 wrote a review Jan 2020
Hong Kong, China
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Reputably the best place to stay in NZ does not disappoint. Stunning grounds with perfectly manicured rolling lawns and a river running through it. The property is most tastefully decorated - the kind of look Ralph Lauren would have died for. Location is amazing, being only 15 min away from the main town but seems a world away. There are a number of locations for dinner (all fantastic) so you sit somewhere different every night, or eat in your room/cottage. The owner's cottage (with four large bedrooms and out rooms for security/nanny) where I stayed had the best view and most secluded location. The only drawback is the price which many may find it hard to swallow.
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Date of stay: December 2019
4.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
5.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
Room Tip: Owners cottage is superb. Otherwise any room is good.
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.
FoodieGregs wrote a review Jul 2020
Montazeau, France
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Stayed for only one night as fully booked for the next night. We'd eaten here before so knew the food would be outstanding and it was. Lunch, canapes, dinner and breakfast were just absolutely delicious. Very difficult to choose from the lunch and breakfast menu as every option was so tempting. The five course dinner was exquisite in taste and portions just right. We chose a private dining area which was perfect for a romantic evening.

Our Junior Lodge Suite was just perfect. From the quality of the bed and pillows, amazing bathroom, comfortable sitting area with a view over the river to the well stocked minibar - you only pay for the alcohol. Can highly recommend the in-room massage service and Phoebe the beauty therapist. The grounds are just spectacular too.

The staff are extremely professional and friendly, again, just a very high standard.
Lots of extras that smack high end quality - our car washed, hot water bottles in the bed on our return after dinner. Thank you!

Our favourite hotel is the Le Manoir aux Quatres Saison in the UK and we benchmark everywhere against this. Huka Lodge is now our equal favourite!
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Date of stay: July 2020
5.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
5.0 of 5 bubblesSleep 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.
120anonymous wrote a review Mar 2020
Newport Beach, California
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Beautifully situated near Huka Falls, each generously sized room has a wonderful view of the river. Grounds are impeccably maintained with lots of little areas to explore. International staff are dedicated to providing great service. Food was the best of our trip. Dining tables sprinkled inside and out. If you have a preference for table location, make sure to contact the property in advance of your arrival. We stayed three nights and two would have been sufficient to explore the area. We drove from Auckland, but other guests said the flight to nearby local airport was easy. Other guests also recommended the fly fishing activity (which we did not do). Only experienced one issue: our room #12, although quiet and dark, did not have a fireplace (may not have been available in our room class) and smelled a bit musty. Rooms are shaded by forest so this may be contributing. Otherwise another amazing location in an exceptionally beautiful country.
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Date of stay: February 2020
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
4.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
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.
Richar64 wrote a review May 2021
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Excellent accommodation, with each of the junior suites a separate building, with a view of the river flowing down towards the falls. Staff very friendly, helpful and efficient. Food top quality. We had breakfast, lunch, pre dinner canapes and a 5 course degustation dinner included in our tariff but only had lunch once because we weren’t hungry. The room had fruit, nuts and chocolate, all of which were included.
Pre dinner drinks were included, with an excellent selection of high quality wines. Alcohol with meals was an extra cost. Grounds superb and really peaceful setting. A ten minute walk to Huka Falls. You need a car to tour around. Highly recommended place.
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Date of stay: May 2021
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
5.0 of 5 bubblesSleep 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 Tash Little-Weastell, Sales at Huka Lodge
Responded 7 Jun 2021
Thank you Richar64 for your glowing endorsement of Huka Lodge! Creating an experience that is completely seamless and unforgettable in every way is exactly what we strive for and we couldn't do it without our dedicated team who go above and beyond. We hope to see you again sometime! Nga Mihi Team Huka Lodge
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Oharn wrote a review Jul 2020
Auckland
5.0 of 5 bubbles
I'm not one for long winded reviews so I'll keep my summation brief. Our three night stay was superb. Attentive staff, excellent food, excellent wine, excellent accommodation and stunning grounds and facilities. In any high priced establishment consistency is key and this place had consistency in spades. Every need and request was met and a solution always found. The real highlight after a long day exploring was having an exceptional dinner waiting for you that changed every night. Ignore any negative reviews on here about the food (if you find fault with the food at Huka you need your head examined). Huka Lodge in terms of facilities and service is world class. I find New Zealand really struggles with service and consistency in terms of its so called 'higher end' hotels. So if you are used to Ritz Carlton and Shangri-la type properties in Asia and want an experience in NZ that absolutely meets and exceeds this level then I recommend staying here. A cut above the rest. Will certainly come again.
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Date of stay: July 2020
5.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
5.0 of 5 bubblesSleep 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.
John h wrote a review Jan 2020
3.0 of 5 bubbles
The surroundings are spectacular, the accommodation excellent and the service attentive but variable. Disappointment 1: we had advised of dietary requirements 3 months in advance of our visit and were told the menu changed daily.... so imagine our surprise and disappointment when we were given the menu and crab, our allergy, was on it. We were given 3 unimaginative and with no where near the $ equivalence to the crab to choose from! The rest of the courses were no where near the creativity and taste of top $ restaurants. In fact we had far superior meals at a much less cost in Martinborough. Disappointment 2: exceptionally overpriced wine list for the quality of the wine. Disappointment 3: we had a small amount of laundry done and we horrified to find a charge of $ 75 on the bill.... equivalent to an outstanding bottle of wine in Martinborough. Huka Lodge was to be the highlight of our 5 week North Island holiday but it has been the low light.
For a bill of over $4000 for less than a 24 hour stay it was extortionate.
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip 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 Thehukaretreats, General Manager at Huka Lodge
Responded 16 Jan 2020
Dear John H, Thank you for your review. I am delighted that you enjoyed the surroundings and facilities and service at the lodge but I am obviously concerned about the disappointment aspects that you have highlighted in your review. We greatly appreciated the advance warning you provided about your dislike of crab, On any given night we would expect to have at least 1/3 of our guests with a mixture of food allergies, dietary restrictions or food preferences that combined would mean that practically any type of seafood or protein would not be able to be placed on our daily changing five course dinner menu. In order to ensure that we can meet all these requests we do produce a daily menu and discuss this with our guests well in advance of dinner service. We knew that you did not eat crab and therefore we had three alternate suggestions for that course that we considered to be appropriate. I am very sorry to hear that you felt that this was not the case but the alternate dishes that we offer would be the same as menu items from either past or future menus, I apologise that we did not make this clearer to you at the time but assure you that we were not ignoring your food preferences. We pride ourselves on our extensive wine list, with over 4,500 bottles in our beautiful wine cellar including New Zealand's finest wineries we are able to cater for all tastes. With bottles starting from $70 and the options for Coravin glass pour wine pairings or ½ bottles availability we believe that we are able to effectively showcase to all the wonderful wines that New Zealand has to offer. Thank you for bringing your laundry charges and prices to our attention, we had recently lowered these to allow laundry to be a general option for guests to utilise during long stays and long in-country trips. I did take the time to retrieve the laundry list that you submitted your laundry on to make sure it was current and had the correct pricing, and although it did, I would have been more that happy to discuss this with you on your departure and come to an arrangement had I known you were dissatisfied. I will take this up with my management team to see if we can do some more work on this. We really did enjoy meeting you both and having you stay with us. We have an inclusive room rate that covers accommodation, pre-dinner drinks and dinner followed by breakfast the next morning, we very much value feedback positive or otherwise as we are always looking to find ways we can improve our guest experience, for this I offer my sincere thanks. Kerry
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Cathy13092014 wrote a review Oct 2020
Christchurch, New Zealand
5.0 of 5 bubbles
We had the pleasure of enjoying a night at this beautiful Lodge. From the moment we arrived we were made to feel like we were the only guests, handed a glass of champagne and then taken on a tour and to our room by the General Manager. The canapes and drinks were fabulous then on to a stunning five course dinner. The rooms are exquisite, the service is outstanding with delightful staff who are extremely professional but with a personality. The General Manager, Kerry is an absolutely asset to the Lodge and was so accommodating at assisting us get to the National Equestrian Centre and into Taupo, even offering to come back and pick us up ..... all after we had technically checked out. Breakfast was enjoyed in the 'queens' room and lunch outside by the fire. We didn't want to leave. Still dreaming of our wonderful experience. Thank you Kerry and your team, your super stars and showcase incredible New Zealand hospitality.
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Date of stay: October 2020
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
5.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
Room Tip: They're all stunning with private decks and views of the river.
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.
The Luxe Critic wrote a review Jul 2023
Australia
4.0 of 5 bubbles
No question this is a BEAUTIFUL offering. No matter the time of year the sheer natural beauty is incredible and the birdlife beautiful. The greeting on arrival is really warm and the checkin seamless. Rooms are beautifully appointed and the bedding is exceptional. The bathrooms are extremely well done and everything you could need is at your fingertips. Housekeeping is spot on. Note there is no TV in the rooms nor anywhere in the main lodge.

Staff are very accommodating and the drivers are FABULOUS! Each of the three we had were great company and ready and waiting to serve with a smile and a story or two on the journey.

We did struggle to contact the lodge several times when in need of transport. There system had gone down which left us booking ubers instead.

This is a premium property with top notch facilities such as tennis, croquet, great spa baths and pool. The massages we had were average at best so even though we'd planned several for our stay we chose not to repeat.

The one down side is the dining. There is a set menu each night and its rigid. They don't like any variations and beyond that the food was just consistently disappointing. We struggled to eat at dinner each night and the portions are tiny. The men in our group left hungry each evening. The wines on offer are limited and largely local. Surprisingly lunch each day is the SAME and only a few options to choose from. Dreadful if you simply want to remain on property for your stay and rest, dine, enjoy the outdoors etc. This is Huka's main dilemma in our view. It's a serious one.

Definitely recommend experiencing Huka Lodge. It is a very special place on the planet....just don't expect a fine dining experience.
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Date of stay: May 2023
3.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
4.0 of 5 bubblesService
Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip: The food is not great. It is flavourless and boring.It's the biggest let down of this offering....
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 Baillie Lodges, Marketing at Huka Lodge
Responded 10 Jul 2023
Dear Luxury Solo Traveller, Thank you for your review of your recent stay at Huka Lodge. We're delighted to hear that you found the natural beauty of our property to be incredible, regardless of the time of year, and that the warm greeting upon arrival and seamless check-in process contributed to a positive experience. We're glad that you appreciated the beautifully appointed rooms, exceptional bedding, and well-designed bathrooms, as well as the attentive housekeeping. Our staff takes great pride in providing excellent service, and we're thrilled that you found them accommodating. It's wonderful to hear that our drivers were fabulous company, ready to serve with a smile and share interesting stories during your journeys. We apologise for the difficulties you encountered when trying to contact the lodge for transportation. Your feedback will help us improve the quality of our spa services moving forward, and we appreciate your honest feedback regarding the dining experience. We are excited to have a new Executive Chef starting this week, who will bring a new take on the Huka Lodge dining experience. Thank you for recommending Huka Lodge as a special place to visit. We value your feedback, and it will help us in our ongoing efforts to provide exceptional experiences for our guests. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back to Huka Lodge in the future. Best regards, Team Huka Lodge
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Reverie72 wrote a review Feb 2024
5.0 of 5 bubbles
This is one of the most beautiful lodges in the world. The grounds are manicured to perfection, the entire property sits on the banks of the Waikato River and adjacent to Huka Falls.

The most exquisite aspect of this lodge is the setting, it defies description and pictures do not do it justice. There are blooming trees, bushes, brilliantly manicured hedges around a truly old world gaming lawn (croquet, bocce, etc) quiet spaces to sit on the banks of the river and magical areas hidden away for yoga, meditation or just to sit in awe of the grounds.

The only thing that rivals the aesthetics is the cooking. My gosh, the food is absolutely amazing!! Nearly every single meal we had there ranked among the best we’ve had anywhere in the world! The chef even surprised us with an off script dinner that was lamb 3 ways because we kept raving about the lamb.

Another beautiful touch is the transportation to the park where my husband and I hiked Huka Falls. When we returned the manager shared an absolutely hysterical exchange. He was fantastic the entire stay!!

The villas, sitting on the banks of the river are exceptional. We had resident ducks on our patio politely asking for our minibar snacks regularly which was absolutely adorable. The rooms were spacious, lovely and perfectly cleaned.

It was so perfect that we will be returning next year, in spite of the fact that it is half way around the world!
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Date of stay: November 2023Trip 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.
255106Kim wrote a review Oct 2020
Auckland Central, New Zealand
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Stayed 2 nights here over Labour weekend. Has been on our list for a long time, and the opportunity arose when the Border closure meant access for Kiwi's was a little easier. A sensational 2 days fro the moment we arrived. Have never experienced service like it. The Lodge was full for the weekend...full of a wide range of NZérs enjoying their own backyard, and it was great to chat in the Lounge around the fire after what were 2 nights of amazing culinary excellence. Cottages are awesome, right on the river, and we've never heard the "Birdsong"like it at sunrise each morning.
There were so many extra touches, each one shows why they are consistently in the Top 10 Lodges in the World.
Wow...we need to get back there
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Date of stay: October 2020
5.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
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.
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Answer from TheBrownsAdelaide
Adelaide, Australia250 contributions71 helpful votes
Huka Lodge, upstairs in the trophy room, beautiful !! You can’t go wrong, every thing is just perfect.... happy 50th for November....
Robert S asked a question Jan 2018
Chicago, Illinois28 contributions43 helpful votes
Can one eat I the restaurant if not staying in the hotel?
Answer from Michael M
Auckland Central, New Zealand246 contributions115 helpful votes
Hi Robert We have stayed at Huka a number of times and, subject to how full the lodge is at the time, they do allow non guests to dine. Email them in advance and I am sure you will be allowed to dine. The property is truly wonderful and, if you are allowed to eat there, I would recommend dining in the wine cellar
pattyanddick asked a question Jul 2015
Boca Raton, Florida60 contributions76 helpful votes
Does the hotel have air conditioning? Would you go back?
Answer from Fiona T
Berrima, Australia88 contributions59 helpful votes
Did it? Probably. I was in a dream for four days - this lodge is perfection.
TexasHomey wrote a tip Feb 2024
41 contributions19 helpful votes
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"There are several private dining options- the fireplace, the wine cellar, the "green room". You need to reserve way in advance."
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TravellingSMH wrote a tip Dec 2023
Miami Beach, Florida575 contributions146 helpful votes
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"Boat trips are focused on fishing, so if that’s not of interest, you may want to pass. Request outdoor tables for dinner when booking"
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The Luxe Critic wrote a tip Jul 2023
Australia143 contributions246 helpful votes
4.0 of 5 bubbles
"The food is not great. It is flavourless and boring.It's the biggest let down of this offering. Dismal even. The rest is wonderful."
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Ann-Marie N wrote a tip Apr 2023
Greytown, New Zealand125 contributions72 helpful votes
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"Try dining in the wine cellar. Book dining locations when you make your initial booking to avoid missing the truly special places."
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Cathy13092014 wrote a tip Oct 2020
Christchurch, New Zealand9 contributions10 helpful votes
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"They're all stunning with private decks and views of the river."
Read full review
…
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PRICE RANGE
$2,991 - $3,093 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
huka hotel taupo
LOCATION
New ZealandNorth IslandWaikato RegionTaupo DistrictTaupo
NUMBER OF ROOMS
20
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.
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HUKA LODGE | UPDATED 2024 Hotel Reviews & Price Comparison (Taupo, New Zealand) - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Huka Lodge
What are some of the property amenities at Huka Lodge?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free breakfast, and a pool.
What food & drink options are available at Huka Lodge?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
Is parking available at Huka Lodge?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Huka Lodge?
Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay.
Does Huka Lodge have airport transportation?
Yes, Huka Lodge offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Are any cleaning services offered at Huka Lodge?
Yes, dry cleaning and laundry service are offered to guests.
Does Huka Lodge have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the river view available here.
Is Huka Lodge accessible?
Yes, it offers wheelchair access and facilities for disabled guests. For specific enquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.
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