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Hidden on the southern shore of Lake Brunner, surrounded by some of the oldest protected podocarp rainforest in the world, Lake Brunner Eco Lodge is a classic wilderness retreat with native birds and plants, glow worms, waterfalls and one of the best stargazing spots on the West Coast. This historic, cosy lodge was built in 1935 by the owners at the time, Mr and Mrs Morgan who owned and ran the lodge for many years, along with their son. The Morgan’s were ahead of their time in harnessing the power of the Carew Falls, situated behind the lodge, by creating their own hydro-power system, that we still use today. The interior of the building features elegant rimu panelling and regal fireplaces throughout, reflecting the times and geography if the Mitchells area, both in regard to its milling history and the West Coast climate. The lodge features large windows throughout so that the surrounding forest and lake can truly be appreciated, no matter the weather. The lodge features three lake view suites, four forest view suites, one two-bedroom cottage, Mitchells Restaurant and Bar for dining, lounge areas, billiards and darts room and library, all finished in the same beautiful aesthetic and designed for the utmost comfort and luxury. Lastly we have our own private hot tub nestled in the surrounding forest, only a minutes walk from your suite. The environment around us offers many ways to further explore the West Coast Landscape. From angling for brown trout in Lake Brunner, or salmon in the surrounding Crooked, Arnold, Ahaura and Taramakau rivers to hiking the nearby Mount French or Te Kinga tracks. The Lake Brunner Eco Lodge experience extends far beyond the lodge.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Romantic
Charming
Languages Spoken
English
Location
1950 Kumara Inchbonnie Road Westland, 7875 New Zealand
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From the manager and owner’s warm welcome to us as strangers, through to the farewell/departure as new friends, our two-day stay at Lake Brunner Eco Lodge at Mitchells was a most enjoyable experience. The Lodge is a beautiful old building with native timber paneling, generous-sized bedrooms with tasteful furnishings and very comfortable beds. There are quiet spaces in the form of the library and lounge rooms and a more recently added dining room with picture windows capturing views of the lake and surrounding forest-clad mountains. A deck with views of the lake is a great place for a late afternoon drink. Did we experience relaxation, adventure and connection with nature? Absolutely! Close-by there is a 30 min walk to the Carew falls via an easy-gradient track though the forest, and a lake-side board walk through regenerating silver pine bush. Tuis, fantails and morepork on hand, and glow worms at night. The adventure element included trout fishing from access points on the lake shore and from the owner’s boat (thank you Kevin). The breakfast and 3-course dinner are included and are all prepared in house. A good selection of wines and other drinks are available. Where possible the meals use locally-sourced ingredients (such as venison). The continental breakfast was top notch and the dinners of a high standard. Mitchell’s is ‘a little bit isolated’ which is a real positive for a quiet holiday away from crowds, for being with people who also respect the land and the nature, and with sufficient local recreational activities if you want them.
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Date of stay: January 2025
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Trip type: Travelled with family
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 Brenda Lynch, Owner at Lake Brunner Eco Lodge
Responded 12 Jan 2025
Thank you so much for your heartfelt and detailed review! It was an absolute pleasure hosting you at Lake Brunner Eco Lodge, and we’re thrilled to hear that your stay was such an enjoyable and memorable experience. We’re delighted that you appreciated the charm of the Lodge, from the native timber paneling to the cozy library and lounge, as well as the stunning lake and forest views from our dining room and deck. It’s wonderful to know you found both relaxation and adventure during your visit—whether it was through the tranquil walks to Carew Falls and the lakeside boardwalk or the excitement of trout fishing with Kevin. Your kind words about our meals mean a great deal to us. We take pride in crafting dishes with care, using local ingredients where possible, and we’re glad you enjoyed the dining experience, from breakfast through to dinner. We’re especially touched by your mention of arriving as strangers and leaving as friends. That sense of connection is exactly what we hope to create for our guests. Thank you again for sharing your thoughtful feedback and for choosing to stay with us. We’d love to welcome you back anytime to enjoy more of the magic here at Mitchells.
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We thoroughly enjoyed our overnight stop at this lovely hotel. The beautiful and peaceful setting were a welcome reprieve from the busy bustle of some of the previous stops on our tour of South Island. We were warmly welcomed by Brenda who is a wonderful host. The Lake Brunner team provided great hospitality and very comfortable, airy rooms. We enjoyed predinner drinks on the veranda in the evening sun and dinner and breakfast were excellent. Loved the little extras, including Brenda's guided glow worm walk and the opportunity to kayak on the lake.
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Date of stay: February 2025
Value
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Location
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Trip type: Travelled with family
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 Brenda Lynch, Owner at Lake Brunner Eco Lodge
Responded 3 weeks ago
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed your stay with us and that the peaceful setting provided a relaxing break during your South Island tour. It was a pleasure welcoming you, and we’re so glad you enjoyed the little extras like the glow worm walk and kayaking on the lake. We’ll be sure to pass your kind words on to the team. We’d love to host you again if your travels bring you back this way!
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We were hoping for some time in a quiet , warm comfortable place, and Lake Brunner Eco Lodge certainly exceeded our expectations. We were very warmly welcomed and felt at home straight away. The Lodge was beautifully warm, spacious, immaculately clean, very quiet and very very comfortable. The pre-dinner platter, with complimentary wine in from of a log burner, was plentiful and tasty, and the three course dinner was top class and absolutely delicious. The service was great and we were very pleasantly surprised to be asked our choice of music!! The scenery was magic, .... and we didn't want to leave. Thank you, Brenda and family.
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Date of stay: July 2024
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Prepare to relax....
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 LakeBrunner Lodge, General Manager at Lake Brunner Eco Lodge
Responded 5 Aug 2024
Thank you so much for your heartwarming review! We are thrilled to hear that your stay at Lake Brunner Eco Lodge exceeded your expectations and provided the quiet, warm, and comfortable retreat you were hoping for. It's wonderful to know that you felt at home right away and appreciated the cleanliness, spaciousness, and tranquility of our lodge. We are especially pleased that you enjoyed our personalized service and the opportunity to choose your music. The magical scenery is indeed something special, and we’re delighted that it added to your experience. We all look forward to welcoming you back soon!
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Me and my parents who was visiting me from overseas really enjoyed our stay at Lake Brunner Eco Lodge. Brenda was very helpful and kind, always looked after us. She took us glow worm tour which was just few minutes walk from the lodge, we all very amazed to see it. My mum never done kayaking, so we enjoyed kayaking in the lake, at the same time my dad had a good time doing fly fishing in peaceful nature. Every morning we woke up with birds songs, it was unforgettable. Weka, Fantail, Tui and other native birds were everywhere. Historic building was very interesting too, learning about it was so much fun. Outdoor hot tub surrounded by Punga definitely made my day! View from our cottage and restaurant window were outstanding, we couldn't stop watching beautiful outside nature during our stay. We will definitely come back soon again. Thank you so much, Brenda, her mum and dad :)
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Date of stay: October 2024
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Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:There are no supermarket around, so better to prepare some food on the way to the lodge. Lunch...
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 LakeBrunner Lodge, General Manager at Lake Brunner Eco Lodge
Responded 6 Nov 2024
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted that your stay at Lake Brunner Eco Lodge was such a memorable experience for you and your family. It was a pleasure hosting you, and we’re thrilled you enjoyed the glow worm tour, kayaking, and your dad’s fly fishing adventure. We love hearing how much you appreciated waking up to the sounds of the birds, spotting our native Weka, Fantails, and Tui, and relaxing in the hot tub surrounded by nature. Thank you also for mentioning our historic lodge! We’re so glad it added a special touch to your stay, along with those incredible views from the cottage and the restaurant. It was truly a pleasure meeting you and your parents, and we look forward to welcoming you back to Lake Brunner Eco Lodge soon. Warmest regards, Brenda (and family!)
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Very friendly and warm welcome. Brenda is a great hostess and we felt very comfortable. The highlight was the experience of tracking down glow worms with Brenda at night and canoeing together on Lake Brunner the following morning. Nice family run lodge!
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Date of stay: November 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Gravel road on the way there
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 Brenda Lynch, Owner at Lake Brunner Eco Lodge
Responded 18 Nov 2024
Thank you so much for your lovely review! It was a pleasure having you stay with us at Lake Brunner Eco Lodge. We're thrilled you enjoyed your visit, especially the glow worm experience and kayaking on the lake – those are some of our favorite activities too! Your kind words mean the world to us, and we’re glad you felt comfortable and welcomed. We hope to see you again for more adventures at our little slice of paradise!
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Very personal care of the owner, good food all freshened up. Very remote, who loves rest in nature the ideal place to enjoy for a few days. Kayak available free of charge,
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Date of stay: January 2025
Value
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Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip 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.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I stayed in the cottage for one night with my husband and our young baby. Our only regret is not staying longer. The cottage is the perfect mix of rustic off the grid living (gas cooking, wood fire with wetback) with just enough modern touches (Netflix and wifi) to keep anyone happy. The business is family owned, and it shows in the care and attention the staff pay to their customers. Walking distance to lake Brunner for fishing or walking, and a great restaurant on site. Highly recommend to anyone.
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Date of stay: August 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
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 Brenda Lynch, Owner at Lake Brunner Eco Lodge
Responded 20 Aug 2023
Thanks Caitlin for your review. We are glad you enjoyed your time in our cottage in our small piece of paradise. We hope you come again soon.
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Excellent stay with Lake Brunner Eco Lodge. The staff couldn't have done more to make our stay the special weekend we had hoped for, wines were chosen with care and the chefs a gem. Lunch and dinners are tantalizing morsels prepared to perfection. Staff always happy to go out of their way to pick up from Moana Station and make recommendations for short walks. We enjoyed walking to the waterfall behind the lodge and along the foreshore as well as bonus canoeing on the lake. Finished with a romantic hot tub under a full moon in an arbour of tree ferns.
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Date of stay: September 2022Trip 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.
The lodge is absolutely beautiful set between native bush and the lake. Lovely furnishings reflecting the period /style of the lodge. Exceptionally comfortable bed. Very friendly and welcoming host who went above and beyond taking us to see the glow worms at night. The hot tub was a treat Dinner was delicious and breakfast plentiful.
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Date of stay: August 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip 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 Brenda Lynch, Owner at Lake Brunner Eco Lodge
Responded 30 Aug 2023
Thanks for your review Margaret. We are glad you enjoyed your stay with us! We really love taking our guests to see the glow worms at night.
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Perfect and charming family run place. The service and facilities are top class. The owner Brands is open and very helpsome and even showed us the secret Glow worms place at night. The view from the room and restaurant is magical. The room are large, clean and charming. A perfect place to stay
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Date of stay: March 2025Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Bring fishing gear
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 Brenda Lynch, Owner at Lake Brunner Eco Lodge
Responded 2 weeks ago
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're delighted that you enjoyed your stay and found Lake Brunner Eco Lodge to be a relaxing and magical place. It was our pleasure to show you the glow worms—such a special experience! We truly appreciate your support and hope to welcome you back again soon for more memorable moments. Safe travels!
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There are more places to choose from in the South Island area.
PRICE RANGE
$560 - $757 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
New ZealandSouth Island
NUMBER OF ROOMS
7
Prices are provided by our partners for one room, with variable occupancy rules as provided by the property, 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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Yes, it offers wheelchair access, reduced mobility rooms, and facilities for disabled guests. For specific enquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.
