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HOTEL STYLE
Modern
Mountain View
Languages Spoken
English, Dutch
Location
3890 State Highway 47, National Park Village 3948 New Zealand
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Discovery lodge is one of the calmest campsites that we have stayed in New Zealand. Right next to the volcano and the ice capped peak, the sunrise from the park is stunning.
One of the highlights of the park is the water which is supposed to be from the mountains. Tastes sweet and crisp.
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Date of stay: December 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.
The lodge is just after you pass the airplane tour on Rt 47 (disappeared on my GPS and had to stop there for directions). It is extremely convenient to the Tongario National Park entrance and Chateau. Additionally they have one of the earliest if not the earliest shuttles for the Tongario Alpine walk starting at I think 4:30 am. Room was nice/good bathroom facilities (nice hot/good pressure shower) and comfortable bed-heater.
I was planning on doing (had booked-purpose of visit) the Alpine walk and disappointed to learn the park was closed for two days after my arrival/short hike due to a medical death on the walk and Maori tradition of respect (as well as safety review) to close the park-walking trail for two days Tried to get one of my two nights cancelled but they said I could not get a refund so I was stuck there. But not a bad place to be stuck. The front desk people were helpful/friendly and did provide alternate hikes/information as to where I could hike instead,
There were many day or outside campers/tents spaces for people but I found the lodge rooms comfortable.
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Date of stay: January 2020
Location
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.
Lovely caravane Park, good location with a wonderfull landscape. Good equipement and good kitchen and bathrooms. Very clean. The staff is very nice! We booked the bus for the alpine crossing very late and that was not a problem, they do their best for you. We really recommend this place, there no WiFi but there is also a very good restaurant and bar 5 minutes driving where you have free wifi
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Date of stay: November 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.
Check her language shez txting rubbish to her guests N she denied to give extra heater when we requested last night And her old heaters not strong enough is putting on us Her electric blanket is not working she never check while making beds and later when we complained then she said it is not her fault. Changed another electric blanket at 9:30pm, came without texting us. Knocked our door at 9:20pm to change blanket which is weird why didn’t inform us before coming.
Milk was expired for coffee, I did vomit cz I had it and later checked the expiry date June2022 Posting pic to see date also
Kettle is dirty she is not accepting that she keeps saying its not harmful you can still drink in it In the morning without our txt msg she again started you did this for a refund
Found 5-6 hair on bedsheet and two on pillow, when asked her she was saying again I am complaining bcz I was discount or refund.
No iron available when asked she said she doesn’t advertise for iron.
So many things to write but can’t write each and everything Last thing Please don’t waste your money and your holidays to book this place
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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 discovery lodge is not what the website claims. The management is disorganized and rude. The services promised are lacking That being said the chalet accommodations are comfortable and clean. Hiking the tongarairo crossing is worth the hassle of staying at this sun par lodging.
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Date of stay: March 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Know that they claim to be turn key support for hiking the crossing. They r not. Bring ur own...
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.
Camper van experience was not great. The lack of the usual facilities for camper-van stay made this great location a little below par. No toilet waste on site, no easy grey water drain. As car parked over drain. Showers we communal and not private but good to have a free shower.
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Date of stay: November 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Make sure your van is empty before arriving or expect to make a 20km trip to empty your toilet
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.
Great stay for hiking the tongariro alpine crossing. Get the discovery lodge earliest own shuttle service for an amazing experience hiking the track before the big run of tourists start. Had an amazing experience with marvolous sunrise at the top. Stayed in the private cabins with great view on the vulcanos. For all loving to hike I can recommend this lodge.
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Date of stay: February 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:get the earliest shuttle option for the alpine crossing
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.
Top notch experience for our family of 3 including a toddler
Service by the lodge staff was top notch. They looked after us extremely well and helped us out with their local knowledge and connections.
Great location - in between National Park and Whakapapa Village - only minutes from either key locations.
Room is not modern but very clean and tidy and well stocked.
Heating system looked very new and easy to control. Our room temperature is just how we wanted. The staff turned on the heater in our room before we arrived (best to let them know your ETA).
Overall, the great care by the staff, the great location, the clean warm room, made our stay very pleasant. Definitely one of our best experiences in New Zealand or anywhere for that matter.
Micki, thank you for everything. YOU ROCK!
We will stay there again the next time we are around.
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Date of stay: July 2020
Rooms
Cleanliness
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 Callum Harland, Owner at Discovery Lodge
Responded 21 Dec 2020
Hi mjkiaora, Thanks so much for staying with us, we really appreciate it! And thanks also for the really nice review. Miki and the Discovery Team all work very hard to make everyone's stay a great experience. Best wishes to you, Callum
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We just had an amazing experience staying at Discovery Lodge. The surrounding is so peaceful and the view is spectacular especially at sunset and 4am in the morning when on a clear night you could see all the stars. The shuttle drivers were helpful, on time, friendly and humble. The chalet was tastefully decorated, modern and very clean. We highly recommend the Tongaririo Crossing experience and staying at Discovery, one of the closest accommodations to the crossing as well as the ski area for winter.
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Date of stay: January 2022
Rooms
Cleanliness
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.
Callum is very knowledgeable and helpful. He is the only service that leaves early so you can enjoy the crossing without the crowds. He gives practical info (his blog is fab) so you know you have the right gear and will be safe. He does early pick ups too so you get back to wherever you are staying early. I highly recommend the shuttle service!
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Date of stay: February 2021
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.
Hi there, thanks for your question. I've only just seen it so sorry about the late reply. You can use the camp ground kitchen if you stay in a twin room. You do need to bring your own pots, pans, cutlery, plates etc. The kitchen has hotplates and microwaves. The kitchen is not heated. If you have any other questions head to the footer of our website where there are multiple ways of contacting us. All the best, Callum
Amersham, United Kingdom147 contributions82 helpful votes
I would email them. The staff are really helpful. Find the email address on website.
They won't take you on transport unless the weather is ok and they deem it safe to walk. Plus they check you have the correct clothing - waterproofs etc.as its a high altitude demanding walk.
There are more places to choose from in the National Park Village area.
ALSO KNOWN AS
discovery hotel national park village
LOCATION
New ZealandNorth IslandManawatu-Wanganui RegionNational Park Village
NUMBER OF ROOMS
22
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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