Huka Lodge New Zealand
Huka Lodge
271 Huka Falls Road, Taupo
New Zealand
www.hukalodge.co.nz
HOTEL INFORMATION
Group
Baillies Lodges
Shareholders
Privately owned
Date of Creation
1924
Hotel General Manager
Born and raised in New Zealand, Kerry Molloy has been at the helm of the prestigious property since 2014, after a career in high-end hospitality and as manager of some of the country’s most esteemed luxury lodges. Kerry’s first job as a porter paved the way for a stint in the hotel industry in London for 14 years. Stopping by in Sydney on the way through to work at the Intercontinental Hotel, Kerry then worked at New Zealand’s trio of Robertson Lodges before landing at home at Huka Lodge. Working here, he says is like being on a movie set: lots of action behind the scenes and blissful tranquillity out the front.
HUKA LODGE
History & Story
In 1924 Irishman Alan Pye founded Huka Lodge as a fishermen’s camp with a gathering of white canvas tents lining the banks of the trout-rich Waikato River on New Zealand’s North Island. Nearly a century later, Huka Lodge is one of the world’s most celebrated luxury lodges, welcoming distinguished guests and a reputation for providing outstanding hospitality in an idyllic setting.
Twenty guest suites along with two exclusive owners’ residences, the Alan Pye Cottage and Alex van Heeren Cottage, are dotted along the banks of the Waikato River and among verdant gardens, each opening onto rolling green lawns and with the sounds of birdsong and the burbling river as nature’s orchestral score.
Main Strengths, Special Touch
A location of great natural beauty, with just 25 rooms, all nestling within 17-acres of manicured grounds on the banks of the Waikato River. Huka Lodge offers superb ambiance and absolute style, with over 20 exquisite private dining venues, stunning cuisine and truly attentive, personal service.
Location
The ever-changing Waikato River and broader Lake Taupō region provide a magnificent natural setting for Huka Lodge. Taupō is found on the central plateau of New Zealand’s North Island, distinguished by its vast lake and endowed with a gentle climate, a leisurely pace and spectacular landscape. Formed from an ancient volcanic caldera, Lake Taupō’s vast waters spill into the thundering Huka Falls. Snow-capped mountain peaks, rolling pastures of golden grasses, lush green wilderness and the clear waters of lakes, rivers and streams offer a calming and rewarding vista from every turn. How do I get there?
Key sites/activities in the area
Lake Taupo brings amazing opportunities for aquatic adventure – especially fishing for trophy-size Rainbow trout, kayaking, sailing, para-gliding etc. Golfers are superbly catered for with Wairakei International Golf Course within a 5-minute drive of Huka Lodge, and New Zealand’s only Jack Nicklaus Signature Course, The Kinloch Club, is 20-minutes away. The area has an amazing range of hikes, with one of New Zealand’s most famous one-day walks, The Tongariro Crossing, readily accessible. Helicopter sightseeing makes it possible to take in the amazing panoramic scenery, as does horseback riding over the vast Poronui Station. A collection of Huka Lodge lifestyle packages has been created especially to showcase everything this exceptional area has to offer.
Fun Facts
Lake Taupo is both beautiful and vast , sharing the same land mass as Singapore! The Queen has stayed at Huka Lodge on four separate occasions, and the lodge guest list includes names like Mick Jagger, Bill Gates and Barbra Streisand.
Children’s Corner
Huka Lodge welcomes children ten years and over.
HOTEL FEATURES
Accommodation
Junior Lodge Suite
True retreats in every sense, the Junior Lodge Suites at Huka Lodge each open on to the Waikato River and are designed to offer personalised luxury and a harmonious flow with the spectacular natural landscape outside. fer king or twin beds dressed in fine monogrammed linens and plump feather pillows. A light and spacious bathroom offers every indulgence including deep bath, heated floors and twin basins. Adjacent, a generous dressing room makes it truly easy to feel at home. Designed to welcome the natural beauty of the landscape inside, the open-plan lounge offers guests a serene place to contemplate the ever-changing waterway, with French doors opening onto outdoor terraces and rolling green lawns. Guests are spellbound by views of the deep, hypnotic waters of the Waikato River beyond.
Alan Pye Cottage
The two-bedroom owner’s residence, the Alan Pye Cottage makes the most of its superb location, set above lush rolling green lawns and manicured gardens on the banks of the Waikato River. A magnificent lounge room features vaulted ceilings with skylights, a wood-burning fireplace, luxuriously inviting sofas and lounge chairs accented with down-filled pillows. Antique furniture pieces are enhanced by the many museum-quality Māori artworks collected and on display. Floor-to-ceiling doors open onto the Waikato River just beyond an infinity style swimming pool surrounded by lush green lawns. A private spa and outdoor pavilion, complete with fireplace and lounge, is the perfect setting for relaxing with a drink and a good book. Two generously proportioned, stylishly appointed bedrooms each with a king size bed dressed with premium linens, fireplace and walk-through dressing room. Ensuite bathrooms feature deep baths, monogrammed linens and premium amenities. French doors open to a private enclosed lawn garden or onto a wide wooden veranda where a heated infinity pool blends seamlessly with the hypnotic turquoise waters of the magnificent Waikato River beyond.
Alex Van Heeren Cottage
Set on a sunny private bluff, the four-bedroom Alex van Heeren Cottage offers a secluded retreat with views downstream towards the thundering Huka Falls. Generous lounging and dining rooms open on both sides with floor-to-ceiling glass doors onto the terrace and private garden courtyard, creating a large, open plan in and outdoor living area. High ceilings and an open fireplace complement generous lounges and large dining table, perfect for occasions with family and friends. Outside, a private courtyard is warmed by fireplace, and the river-facing terrace is a private suntrap, home also to a plunge pool and spa. Four bedrooms each with kings bed, premium linens, fireplace and ensuite bathroom make the Alex van Heeren Cottage the ultimate location for a get together with family and friends. Two bedrooms open to views of the Waikato River as it descends towards the Huka Falls, and two open to the private courtyard. Each bedroom features a fireplace, dressing room and opulent ensuite bathroom with deep baths and premium spa amenities.
Restaurants & Bars
Dining at Huka Lodge is at the heart of the tradition of generous hospitality for which the lodge is world-renowned. Showcasing New Zealand’s finest, often sustainably produced ingredients and complemented by a magnificent selection of wine, the menus at Huka Lodge are daily changing and reflect the seasons and the environment outdoors. Dining can be enjoyed in the sumptuous surrounds of the main lodge or experienced in one of the lodges unique dining locations dotted around the property, from the Wine Cellar to the Orchard or Jetty Pavilion.
Wellness
• The 17-acre grounds feature an all-weather tennis court, a swimming pool, spa pools, Petanque court, Yoga lawn and croquet lawn.
• Guests can enjoy in-room massages and beauty treatments.
• Mountain bikes available for guest use.
Corporate & Celebration Events
Huka Lodge is superbly set up to offer a perfect venue for corporate retreats, small business meetings and planning sessions, special birthdays, and anniversaries. Huka Lodge presents a stunning series of seasonal and inspiring events featuring winemakers, guest chefs and presenters, in partnership with some of the world’s most prestigious brands.
Extra Notable Features
The Executive Chef is more than happy to present a demonstration for guests during a special event or as part of a corporate retreat.
Hotel & Restaurants Awards
Travel and Leisure Top 500, 2021
Number of employees
70 – 80