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Wairua Lodge sits on a sunny ridge in a bush clad valley only 12 kilometres from Whitianga. 4 double rooms look out across the valley into Coromandel mountains, and the Kiwi Apartment is a 2 bedroom fully self contained suite, overhanging a bushclad ravine.Swim in the river, walk the nature trails,soak in the Treetops bath house or in the Night sky spa pool.Centrally located for all days trips around The Coromandel.
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Nestled in a serene rainforest setting, Wairua Lodge - Rainforest River Retreat garners high praise for its impeccably clean and tidy accommodations that blend luxury with simplicity. The lodge's value is celebrated for its combination of premium amenities, stylish rooms, and thoughtful extras. Guests find the rooms comfortable and well-furnished, enhancing the tranquil atmosphere.
With natural swimming holes, spa facilities, and homemade food, the amenities are a highlight, all within a convenient location for local exploration. Warm and attentive service adds to the exceptional experience, making it a highly recommended retreat for many travelers.
Location
Convenient
Atmosphere
Tranquil
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Exceptional
Cleanliness
Meticulous
Service
Attentive
Amenities
Abundant
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The property was easily reached by car, via a reasonably short drive into the hills. The Lodge is nestled in a beautiful valley, carved by the water which features prominantely in 2 of the trails the Retreat boasts, The trails are well maintained and offer a great opportunity to stretch the legs and experience a good variety of the North Island’s flora, many of which are helpully signed along the trails.
The trails end in 2 amazing swimming holes, equipped with day beds, hammocks, chairs and tables to help you decompress in nature. From there its a short 2 min walk back to the Lodge.
The Lodge is certainly a premium property, with manicured grounds, soaker tub, hot tub, and many attractive chairs and tables from which to soak up the natural beauty. The large property afforded us an opportunity to just listen to the many birds, day and night, gaze at stars and forget our worldly cares.
Our room was exceptional. Perfectly designed to access luggage, store your belongings, watch TV, or enjoy a refreshing beverage - no detail was forgotten. The beds and showers were everything you would hope and want them to be.
The breakfast, while simple, was large in portion, and absolutely delicious. Cheeses, meats, eggs, hot beverages, home made bread, yogurt, granola, pears, apricots, and apples, left us full till dinner!
Our hosts are experienced, kind, and willing to go above and beyond, reuniting us with a personal treasure we left behind. They were also generous with thier helpful tips/advice as we planned our daily adventures
If you are in the area - this is a must stay. We only had 2 nights, and given its convient location, it made visiting all the other local attractions easy, we wished we had a week.
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Date of stay: January 2025
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:We made our dinners on this amazing iron ring they had.
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 Debbie Baumberger, General Manager at Wairua Lodge - Rainforest River Retreat
Responded 17 Jan 2025
Hi Leanne. Thank you so much for your comprehensive review! We were so glad to see you both getting out and enjoying Wairua and all it has to offer! Best regards, Debbie & Ernst
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Our stay at this wonderful lodge in New Zealand’s “Prime Forest” was simply unforgettable! It was the perfect place to relax, unwind and enjoy the tranquillity of nature. Surrounded by dense greenery and birdsong, we immediately felt connected to the surroundings and were able to leave the everyday stress completely behind.
We were particularly impressed by the warmth of the hosts Debbie and Ernst. Already on our arrival we were warmly welcomed and pampered with homemade bread, our own honey and jam from the neighbor. Their hospitality was exceptional – they made us feel welcome as friends rather than guests. This openness and warmth made our stay even more enjoyable.
Already on the first evening we could enjoy the “Hot Tub” and admire the view of the sparkling Milky Way – an unforgettable moment! The lodge, lovingly maintained by the owners, impressed us with its natural swimming pool, the cosy resting places and the well-marked hiking trails. This beautiful environment gave us many relaxing hours surrounded by nature.
The lodge itself was extremely cozy and decorated with great attention to detail. Everything you needed for a relaxing stay was available. You could feel in every corner how much passion Debbie and Ernst put into this place.
We can only recommend this property to anyone looking for a break in nature. A big thank you to Debbie and Ernst for sharing their little paradise with others!
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Date of stay: October 2024Trip 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.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Incredible place. It takes 20 min by car from Whitianga and even cross a ford, but then we arrive in a small paradise of nature. Warmly welcomed, we were able to enjoy many facilities in the house and the estate (kitchen, barbecue, jacuzzi and bathtub in nature, sun loungers and relaxation areas, walk and swim in the stream). The rooms are spacious and beautifully decorated. On arrival, we receive a tray with good local products to choose from to make breakfast in the room.
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Date of stay: January 2025Trip 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.
My partner and I had an amazing getaway at this beautiful retreat. Set in stunning native New Zealand forest with small walks for you to explore and learn about you surroundings, as well as amazing swimming holes which will be wonderful to relax by and cool off in, in summer. Comfortable rooms with spacious bathrooms and everything you need to enjoy the delicious continental breakfast of fresh home baked bread, local honey, home made jams plus more. We especially loved the fire pit, it was great for cooking dinner on. Also the outdoor bathtub was a lovely space to relax and enjoy the natural surroundings. We would recommend for anyone looking to stay here to bring all your food, drinks and snacks with you so you don't have to leave this amazing environment. We highly recommend Wairua Lodge and will be looking to return as soon as we can.
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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.
Response from Debbie Baumberger, General Manager at Wairua Lodge - Rainforest River Retreat
Responded 3 Nov 2022
Hi Connie. Thank you so much for the amazing review! Very helpful for new guests! We look forward to your return. Best regards Debbie & ERnst
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A fantastically beautiful and very well-kept large area with specially signposted small hiking trails along waterfalls with bathing areas, where there are even lovingly arranged seating areas. We didn't know beforehand that these belonged to the property. Beautifully furnished and above-average equipped accommodation, by far the best bed and breakfast we have ever had. In the evening we were able to have our barbecue on the fire ring. The fire was lit for us and the seats were lovingly prepared. The children were given marshmallows. If we have the opportunity to travel to New Zealand again, we will definitely come back to the Wairua lodge.
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Date of stay: January 2025Trip 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 Debbie Baumberger, General Manager at Wairua Lodge - Rainforest River Retreat
Responded 11 Jan 2025
Hi there. Thank you so much for your comprehensive review. We are so glad you all enjoyed staying at Wairua and getting out and bout into the rainforest. We do hope you can come back and stay. Kind regards, Debbie & Ernst
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Situated in the rainforest not far from Whitianga, this was the perfect place to stay. Debbie and Ernst, the owners, are great hosts. The rooms are well appointed, very comfortable and stylish. But there is so much more to this lodge. The gardens are beautiful and full of bird life. The walking trails on the property are well designed with good trail and tree markings and are well maintained. They even have places to sit and contemplate the forest or launch yourself into swimming holes. And at the end of the day you can relax in their tree top bathhouse, watch the stars from a bubbling hot spa or join other guests around the fire pit where you can cook your dinner or roast marshmallows. These guys have thought of everything. When you’ve finished enjoying the property, most of the major attractions of the Coromandel are within easy driving distance. And Debbie and Ernst will tell you how best to negotiate the various attractions and provide you with rubber boots, spade and bucket or whatever equipment you need. We stayed in the 2 bedroom Kiwi Apartment but the double rooms with shared kitchen/dining area were equally as stylish. We are so glad we chose to stay at Wairua but 3 nights was not long enough.
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Date of stay: September 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Don’t just think of Wairua as a place to sleep. Give yourselves some extra time to relax and...
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 Debbie Baumberger, Owner at Wairua Lodge - Rainforest River Retreat
Responded 11 Sept 2022
Hi there. Wow... what a review! Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a comprehensive and glowing review! We loved having you here! Best regards Debbie & Ernst
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As a conclusion to our trip through New Zealand's South and North Island, we booked three nights at the Wairualodge - it couldn't have been better! Pure nature, relaxation and best hosts! Many small activities for all ages, lovingly furnished rooms, well-kept surroundings.
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Date of stay: January 2025Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Badekleider mitnehmen
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.
Spent 3 nights at the Wairua Lodge and was blown away with how beautiful it was. Our hosts were lovely - extremely welcoming and tended to our every need. The accommodation was superb. Our room was beautifully presented, well equipped with all we needed along with luxurious extras. We loved the hot bath overlooking the forest and relaxing in the hot tub at night whilst star gazing. The breakfast was really nice with loads on offer. The homemade bread and jam are delicious! We booked the Lost Springs Package which included welcome bubbles and snacks and vouchers for a 2 hour soak in the Lost Springs hot pools which were fab. All in all we would highly recommend the lodge for a holiday and plan to return soon.
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Date of stay: April 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Take some food which you can cook on the open fire plate.
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 Debbie Baumberger, General Manager at Wairua Lodge - Rainforest River Retreat
Responded 23 Apr 2024
Hi Kelly. Thank you so much for your fantastic review! So glad you enjoyed all there is on offer here at Wairua! We look forward to your return. Best regards Debbie & Ernst
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We had our baby moon at the Wairua Lodge and it was perfect. It rained for the duration of our stay but that made it even more cozy and relaxing. The tree top bath was 10/10 and the hosts made us feel right at home. Definitely would recommend!
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: October 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.
Response from Debbie Baumberger, General Manager at Wairua Lodge - Rainforest River Retreat
Responded 21 Nov 2023
Hi Jimmy. Thank you so much for the great review. It was lovely having you here. All the best! Debbie & Ernst
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We had a fantastic stay at the lodge, which is in an amazing location (though the road up and the entrance were a bit intimidating the first time - but fine after we'd done it once). Debbie and Ernst were friendly and kind and there's plenty to do at the lodge if you want to chill out or walk the trails in the grounds. There are so many different locations to sit and admire the views and listen to the birds. The stars at night are incredible too. The location is also great to explore Whitianga and not far by car from Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach. The accommodation is top quality and very stylish.
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Date of stay: November 2024Trip 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 Debbie Baumberger, General Manager at Wairua Lodge - Rainforest River Retreat
Responded 24 Dec 2024
Hi David. Thank you so much for your top review! We are so glad you enjoyed your stay with us. Best regards, Debbie & Ernst
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Whitianga, New Zealand8 contributions1 helpful vote
Hi there,
All guest can book one hour time slots in the Treetop Bath house, or the spa pool. We have some lovely bush walks, and swimming holes in the river.
Check out our website for room options.
Hope this helps
Regards
Tam and Charles Stevenson
Whitianga, New Zealand8 contributions1 helpful vote
Ja die Lodge ist mit einem normalen Auto problemlos erreichbar. Die letzten 1,5 km sind eine Kiesstrasse. Die Flussquerung ist eine betonierte Unterlage. Wie auch die letzten 150 m zur Lodge hinauf.
The rivercrossing is a concreted drive.
There are more places to choose from in the Whitianga area.
PRICE RANGE
$254 - $260 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
New ZealandNorth IslandWaikato RegionCoromandel PeninsulaWhitianga
NUMBER OF ROOMS
5
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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