Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat
4.5
Excellent(36 Reviews)Nature lodge in Otago
Reasons to book
Great for petsBring all your friends and family, even the furry ones
Includes essentialsGarden, Pets allowed, Kitchen or Kitchenette and more
Book with confidenceWe partner with the top travel sites so you know you're getting a great deal on the perfect rental
About this nature lodge rental
Nestled between Lake Pukaki and the Ben Ohau ranges, Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat offers free WiFi, a hot tub and free daily breakfast and dinner. All accommodations offer stunning views.
Amenities
Pets allowed
Kitchen or Kitchenette
Internet / Wifi
Fireplace
Parking
Laundry
Balcony or Patio
Hot tub or spa
Wheelchair accessible
Gym or Fitness Center
Garden
Family friendly
Map of Otago
Available Rooms
1 King • 1 King • 2152 ft²
Sleeps 4
You'll be directed to Booking.com for availability & pricing
1 King • 1776 ft²
Sleeps 2
You'll be directed to Booking.com for availability & pricing
1 King • 1 King • 1614 ft²
Sleeps 4
You'll be directed to Booking.com for availability & pricing
1 King • 1237 ft²
Sleeps 2
You'll be directed to Booking.com for availability & pricing
1 King • 1 King • 1614 ft²
Sleeps 4
You'll be directed to Booking.com for availability & pricing
$$$$
Reviews
4.5
Excellent(36 Reviews)100% verified reviews
4.5
The villa was much nicer than I anticipated, with its own private hot tub (maybe I missed it on the booking page, but I was pleasantly surprised). The grounds are very beautiful and you can take a walk through the woods to get to a view point for the lake.
The drive into the reception area is on a dirt road.
We struggled to get through to staff via phone upon check in, check out and also once to try to order wine, although eventually we got through to someone each time. However, we understood that since the property is so large and the rooms are spread out so far, the staff are always running around (and driving around) to get to various points in the property, so it was not a problem in the end.
4.5
The shower was very good, the bed and pillows comfortable and the view towards the mountains was excellent. We ate in the main Lodge on two occasions with Luke, his wife Kaye and other guests which was very enjoyable. We attended a cooking demonstration with hufa which was excellent and was followed by a lovely lunch.
Luke the owner was very prompt in coming to discuss all our concerns but couldn’t change anything, he offered the cooking demonstration and the opportunity to eat in the main lodge with him, which we accepted.
1) The gravel 1.25km road to the lodge was very uneven and full of pot holes. 2) There is no TV in any guest lodge (it’s not advertised as having a TV) but we would have liked the opportunity to choose ourselves but Luke decided ‘ no one would want to watch TV ! ‘ 3) No air conditioning in the lodge which makes it difficult to sleep when the weather is very warm, Luke said we should open the doors, but of course a lot of flies would come in and we were also worried about our security. We were given a fan. 3) The bathroom has a floor to ceiling window which is ‘mirrored’ on the outside and clear see through from inside, unfortunately, at night when the lights are on, it is totally see through from the OUTSIDE and there is no blind, which leaves you feeling very exposed.
4)Breakfast is continental and left in the fridge the day before. Eggs are available on request and brought to your lodge but by the time they arrive they are overcooked.
5) Dinner is also brought to your lodge and there is no choice, you have what the chef decides, in our four day stay we had beef twice and lamb twice and although it was excellently cooked we would have liked a choice. You also have up to a forty five minute wait between the starter and main course.
6) The photos on the website lead you to believe that all the guest lodges have a lake view, when in fact, only two have.
4.5
Villa was super well appointed, food was amazing and aplenty. Very warm welcome by owners and staff.
4.5
The property and the staff there gave us such unique and luxurious experience at the Mount Cook. The scenery, the meals we enjoyed in our villa was top notch.
nothing
4.5
Villa itself, parking outside, view from our room, open fireplace and included dinner.
Location. The name and advertising showed a lake view and implied proximity to Mt Cook. Neither was true. We had a nice view of distant mountains (not Mt Cook) and nearer pastures with grazing deers. It was not the view we drove 4 hours to see. The retreat should be renamed Twizel Retreat.
4.5
absolutely beautiful lodge with the most amazing scenery. dinner provided to our room was nothing short of amazing. the hot tub overlooking the mountain ranges was a bonus. the entire experience was 10/10
4.5
Great breakfast, especially the salami.
4.5
The location would have to be up there with one of the best anywhere on the globe. The foresight of the owners to build this for travellers to enjoy is truly inspirational. The construction and interior design of each villa is testament to the respect the owners have invested in honouring the beauty of Mother Nature and this world class location. The warmth of the villas in such a crisp clean cool environment was so comforting like being wrapped in a warm blanket sitting on a cloud of pure majestic natural wonders. Without a doubt our best holiday due to location and the accommodation not to mention the hospitality and care extended by the owners of the property. It simply is a bucket list experience for rest or play.
We could not find any fault with the property at all. Perfect!
4.5
Stayed at the Ashley-Mackenzie villa. Stunning spot, hot tun well placed with sauna and ultimate privacy. My dog who was also very much welcomed, was super comfortable in the place running around the large place - assuming chasing bunnies that pop up often, which adds to the idyllic charm of the place. Can highly reccommend.
It was a great stay, to make it even perfect: perhaps an easier way to communicate with staff and/or book activities and services - maybe via the tablet? Also a more varied menu, perhaps an a la carte selection even for an extra fee would be great. Option to have a TV too would be great.
4.5
Amazing views. The facilities are to die for, the food upstanding.
They know how to make their guests feel truly special.
Nothing.
4.5
This retreat is truly "all class". The location is unique, peaceful and a beautiful example of rural Aotearoa. The villas are beautifully appointed accommodation. The attention to detail in the decor and the little touches is exceptional. The experience of staying at this retreat was for us very romantic, but equally it would be a wonderful place to meet up with close friends and share a high class getaway together. The food cooked by the chef is exceptional and despite this retreat being a distance from civilisation the food choices are impressive. We cannot recommend this retreat enough.
Not one single thing!
4.5
Woke to snow on the mountains and it was the icing on the cake! Dinner served in our villa, hot spa in the cool rain, and the biggest rooms I have ever stayed in. And amazing friendly people.
Should have stayed longer, brought more people with us, and would have loved more stars in the sky!
FAQs
How much does this nature lodge cost compared to others in Otago?
The average price for a rental in Otago is $290 per night. This rental is $191 less expensive than the average.
Is parking included with this nature lodge?
Yes, parking is listed as an amenity at Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat. For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.
Is there a pool at this nature lodge?
We didn’t find pool listed as an amenity for this nature lodge. It may be worth double checking if a pool is important for your stay.
Is Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat pet friendly?
Yes! This nature lodge is pet-friendly. For more information, we recommend contacting the booking provider about animal policies.
What amenities are available at Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat?
We found 12 amenities for this rental. This includes pets allowed, kitchen or kitchenette, internet / wifi, fireplace, and parking.
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