Matuka Lodge — Hotel in South Island

Wow! Love the Matuka Lodge!!!

From the moment we walked in the door, we were warmly greeted by Mel, the most lovely, warm and engaging host. She made us feel right at home the entire trip. We stayed for five nights and were treated to a spectacular breakfast by her charming husband, Mark.

Words can’t express how awesome this place is! We loved meeting the other traveling guests and visiting about our countries during breakfast. Even though this is a lodge/ bed and breakfast, there is a large shared space that makes you feel like home. We never felt cramped or like we didn’t have our own privacy. The individual rooms had EVERYTHING WE NEEDED, down to heated towel bars, robes and houseshoes!

We were truly sad to leave. Particularly because we had made a fun friendship with Mel and Mark, the lovely hosts.

Mel was so helpful with our daily and evening plan ideas and even made reservations for us several nights for restaurants. If you think you don’t need a reservation to some of these restaurants, you are wrong!

Again, 5 Stars and Huge shoutout to Matuka Lodge! They are getting it right and Mark and Mel are the...

Where to start… We are pretty sure most of the comments are not real, because its impossible that people that have been in real 5 star lodges and hotels say that this is the best they have been in New Zealand.

We spent one night after many weeks of travelling and staying in great hotels and lodges, which were REAL 5 star, so our opinion is based on a very fair comparison.

This hotel is definitely NOT a 5 star, 3 star at best! Overall hotel is not bad, well decorated and well located, but house is small, rooms are small and very noisy (you can actually hear people talking next room!). Hosts are kind but nothing out of the extraordinary. Besides ther is no additional service available (laundry, lunch, dinner)

But the most awkward situation was breakfast time: you have to share the table with the rest of the guests and its served only at 8 so you cannot have any privacy nor enjoy your breakfast.

Funny this is considered a...

We loved our 2 night stay at this B&B lodge. Rooms & lodge are comfortably elegant and impeccably kept with beautiful high country views. It was a tad chilly when we first arrived and the fire in the lounge as well as homemade snacks & tea always available was a treat. When the sun came out, i did a bit of yoga on the deck by the pond. Most importantly, the manager Libby is a helpful, warm and genuinely friendly host who made us delicious hot breakfasts each morning, reservations for dinner, and sightseeing suggestions. I forgot my toiletries kit and she was so kind to have it sent to our next location. We also found Twizel to be a wonderful alternative to staying in Mount Cook with more amenities and access to all the sights. Don’t hesitate to...