Great Barrier Lodge — Hotel in Aotea Great Barrier

We travelled to Great barrier lodge with a large group for a 60th birthday with 4 kids and 16 adults. We hired the entire place out and it was the perfect venue for the occasion! The views are outstanding, deck is fabulous, rooms are great and the restaurant food was delicious. Although the owners were quite grumpy and it seemed like a burden that we were there. Most things we asked for were met with negativity and resistance. Even asking for some chips to go with our dinner seemed like hard work. Kayak hire was also really difficult. Understandable they were concerned about the sea conditions but it was beautiful conditions at 7am when the kids wake up, they wouldn’t allow us to hire from this time (or sort the night before) and had to wait until they were awake at 9 when the wind had picked up. The kids were told off many times and we’re pretty scared to go anywhere near the shop. Which would have proved lucrative to their iceblock and lolly supplies had they been encouraged! We were there for a 60th cancelled due to covid so there were a few celebrations but we made sure we weren’t too rowdy and that was the point of hiring the whole place out as not to disturb anyone. And the neighbours daughter and family even joined us! Perhaps if you’re heading to stay here, maybe don’t travel as a large group or with kids and it might be a fantastic experience. I’m just a bit confused as to why the owners are in...

I had phoned this place a fortnight prior to our visit and booked a table for two for my wife's 70th birthday as this fell during our stay in a bach on the island. I made the booking after receiving a strong recommendation from a local as the 'best place on the island' for a celebration meal. All this was explained to the person who took the reservation. I provided a cell phone number which the receptionist wrote down. At lunch time on the said date I phoned the venue to confirm a time of arrival, only to be told with that it was now not suitable for us to come as they had already booked 25 'noisy' (ex?) rugby players and would be serving only barbecue food and curry. I suggested we come earlier in the evening but was basically given the 'don't come' message in very heavy hints. The venue said they had phoned the day before and left a message, but on checking the number they admitted they had dialled a '0' instead of a '6', hence no message reached me. Anyone aware of dining out on Great Barrier Island will know that options are limited. We had already been to the other two reputable restaurants on the island. Oh well, we can recommend the takeaway salads and quiche available at a lovely little cafe called My Fat Puku in the township of Claris. And less driving to get...

Spent 2 nights at this lodge as part of 3 day package on the island. Accomodation was lovely and clean, although easy to hear other guests snoring through the walls. Food in the restaurant was absolutely superb with fresh snapper being served each day prepared magnificently. Owners son was a real character and a great addition to the staff at the restaurant - he will go a long way and had us ordering their special dessert with freeze dried pineapple lumps in a chocolate brulee - so rich and tasty. Only comment would be as we had bought a package that didn't leave Auckland till 10am and had a 7hr walk that day then drive to the Lodge to find they would be shutting the kitchen in 5 mins we almost missed out on the only place to each in the bay that night. Maybe a bit more communication between the Barrier operator booking these packages, the Lodge and the clients would be beneficial. Fortunately we were given an extra 5 minutes to clean up and get to the restaurant. On the second night we preordered our means when they opened at 5pm so we knew we wouldn't be disappointed later on at dinner. All in all a fabulous meal at reasonable prices and a fabulous spot to stay for a few days. Gluten Free options were well marked...