Ngahere Hou — Hotel in South Island

3 couples came together here to celebrate 5 50year birthdays. The accommodation was perfect to relax and catch up. Chilled, laid back, relaxing. My hubby arrived after 3 and claimed the summer house bedroom and the other 2 couples shared the yurt. Everything was perfect. Ian the host left us to it and went swimming. We had travelled from Wellington so rested a bit. The hot pool was ready and Ian offered to cook pizzas for dinner which was good as everyone didn't feel like cooking although we bought enough food. Friday it rained on and off but we managed to walk down to their beach and pick some oysters at low tide. We drove to Portage to watch Friday night rugby and had a buffet dinner. It was nice but we probably would have liked the Punga cove option although it was raining. On Saturday, we thought we should walk 30mins up to the Queen Charlotte track and maybe walk to the inlet view but Ian encouraged us to go to Punga cove, a 4 hour walk. So 3 of us grabbed some water and a wallet and ran/walked. There were a few good hills but it was worth it for the beautiful views and the craft beer at the end in Punga cove. One wife was the driver to come get us. Ian gave us such a great option to get us exercising. The other couple were going to use the kayak but the tide was going out. Breakfast was provided every morning with Ian making croissants and amazing bread. We cooked our lunches and dinner in the gas oven and used the charcoal bbq. On our last night Ian and the 2 dogs took us to see the glow worms by the stream. This was amazing. Ngahere hou is perfect if you are on the track. The drive in was windy roads so slow going if you get motion sickness. That made me want to stay for longer. Ian was the perfect host and we would love to bring the girls if we do that track...

We had the most wonderful night at Ngahere Hou. I would recommend it to anyone who is walking the Queen Charlotte Track, or looking for somewhere to stay in the sounds.|We were tired and footsore from 8 hours walking and Ngahere Hou was the perfect restorative place to relax and reset. |The yurt is huge, comfortable and beautiful and it even has a wood burner. |Watching a gorgeous sunset from the kitchen was wonderful and seeing the stars from the hot tub was just the icing on the cake.|Ian was the perfect host, he picked us up from Portage and dropped us back for the next day’s walking. He showed us round and offered us use of the kayaks and then was entirely unobtrusive and left us to relax.|I highly recommend the pizzas.|The inclusive breakfast was fabulous with fresh home made croissants and bread and bacon and eggs.|Ngahere Hou is a really special place and we will...

I read the reviews before I booked. But after having stayed, i struggle with the high rating. Not justified IMHO. The location halfway on the QCT is great, but the way down from the QCT to the hut is a steep trail and wild bush. I had my push bike both ways (nobody leaves their own bikes up on the trail/bush). But it was hard, a bit frustrating and a lots of harsh scratches on my shin. It's should be the QCT that is hard, not the trail to relaxing. The trail down should have been cleared, just a bare minimum. Ian was nice and friendly. However it felt a bit like autopilot, low effort. The place needs refreshing, updating from when it was set up. It's worn. Not expecting luxury, but kept fresh. The views and hut tub was great. I slept well (was cold during the night). Breakfast fresh bread, coffee...