Alpine Lodge — Hotel in South Island

This was a great place to stop while hiking Te Araroa and coming out of the Richmond Ranges. I was tired and broken and the woman who greeted me at reception on Tuesday Feb 13 was a delight. She was super helpful, cheery and took care of everything I needed, including putting me up immediately in a 4 person female bunkroom. The food I ate at every meal was delicious and the service was impeccable. The scenery in the restaurant yard area is gorgeous! My one complaint is, the following day, I was looking to head to Nelson to rest my swollen knees and find cheaper food and accommodation for a few days, but couldn't find a ride. So I decided to stay another nite. But, at 4pm, 2 hrs after the posted room check-in, I found a ride. I tried to see if I could be refunded for the nite, stripped the bed, cleaned up after myself and even offered to vacuum the room. This receptionist on Feb 14 was not at all accommodating and acted like I was a big inconvenience. I asked if I could be refunded half (it's twice the price of similar bunkrooms in bigger towns) and she said absolutely not. Then I asked if someone else could benefit from my payment to the bed that I was no longer staying in and stay at my cost. She sighed and said she'd "put it in the notes". I felt a bit like a cash cow at that moment. I hadn't asked for any other favors and had contributed a great deal to the lodge's restaurant, rooms, and grocery store in town. Any other place I've stayed in NZ has given me a return on nites not spent there. Without issue. St Arnaud doesn't seem to be hurting with the amount of tourism they get, so why would my request be so impolitely refused? It wasn't the greatest way to exit. And I truly wish I'd talked with the other receptionist who was a pleasant...

Lovely accommodation in one of The most beautiful places on earth. The reception staff that received us on the Saturday morning was so friendly and so lovely, it made the stay open with a welcome feel. It is only 5~8min stroll away from Lake Rotoiti, and 30min track from Teetotal & Skating Pond tracks. Though, I had requested to change to a room with the 100s number, which have full access to the garden without vehicles on both sides. Because our current room in the 200s block is close to the vehicle driveway on the right, the back garden (despite being fenced opposite the rooms) is still wide open to the driveway, Our pup had near run-ins with turning vehicles. For this reason, it is an irony to have the safety of the fence to allow the dogs to run freely while it is wide open to the drive on the right hand side...

I asked whether it'd be possible to change room to the 100s block room, but the Sunday staff said it wouldn't be possible, as the 100s block isn't dog friendly. The staff then asked me to just put the dog on the leash when letting them out. It is a reasonable suggestion, I will certainly do so for the rest of our stay, At the same time, it also somewhat defeats the purpose of the garden for dogs to access...

I hope that Alpine Lodge owners would consider having the dog friendly room to be shifted to the other side with full access to the garden by the stream, Or, please simply add a closing fence to the right hand side of the 200s block. That would be much more reasonable from a dog owning guest's...

Nice interior, outside area is stunning with the view of the mountains. Unfortunatelly our experience was dissapointing. Staff was super slow more interested at chatting to each other than looking after the guests. There were 3 tables of guests only and 4 members of staff we at least could see. and we had to ask to be served when the staff approached the guests who came after us first. Then another staff came with coffees asking if these are for us.. we said no. 2 minutes later exactly same situation another staff came with coffees asking the same question.. it seemed quite funny to us. Having only 3 tables and such a mess in the order system. Then we got our meals and were asked to go for our cutlery eventhough the staff passed twice the cutlery table with free hands. The guests next to us had to ask for the glasses when they were served the drinks. And noone had come to ask how was the meal. Even when we finished our meals noone came to ask if we want some dessert... just like we weren't there. We even had to go inside and ask that we want to pay. And the best came in an half an hour after we left this place I got diarrhea probably from the fish or mayonnaise I had. I am strongly convinced it must have been from this meal as my partner was fine having different meal and we have eaten exactly same things except that lunch. I am sorry to write this but I would rather knowing this as the owner of this place so the things can improve. For us this was definatelly the first and last stop here...