Westholm lodge — Hotel in South Island

While helicopters and airplanes offer incredible views of the Fox and Franz Josef glaciers, they don’t lend themselves to a relaxing afternoon or evening. To enjoy some tranquility, we chose the charming town of Harihari as our base for two nights. Nestled on the edge of a scenic reserve and roughly halfway between the glaciers and Hokitika Gorge, it was an ideal location.

The Westholm Lodge exceeded our expectations. This quiet, warm, and comfortable retreat is surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens, providing a serene escape from the tourist crowds.

Our room was spacious and thoughtfully designed, featuring a wonderfully comfortable bed and what might be the best bathroom and shower in all of New Zealand—luxurious and inviting.

Breakfast at the lodge was a delight. The continental spread included Stacey's homemade yogurt, made with fresh milk from a local dairy, along with freshly baked pastries and bread that were both fragrant and delicious. It was clear everything was prepared with care and love.

For travelers who might be too tired after a day of hiking, biking, or driving, Stacey offers the option of a homemade dinner with a day’s advance notice for a small additional fee. We were fortunate to enjoy her lasagna and venison pie, both of which were absolutely delicious. Wine and beer are also available, adding a lovely touch to the meal.

Stacey's hospitality shone in her thoughtful recommendations for local activities. She suggested places to visit near the glaciers and Hokitika Gorge and even told us about a nearby glow worm walk in Harihari—a magical and unexpected highlight of our trip.

One of the joys of staying at Westholm Lodge was meeting fellow travelers. During our stay, we chatted with friendly bicyclists from England and a retired couple from Vienna, Austria. These connections added a personal and memorable dimension to our experience.

If you're looking for a peaceful, welcoming place to stay while exploring New Zealand's West Coast, Westholm Lodge is a hidden gem you won’t...

My husband and I stayed at Southern Alps Park (or Westholme Lodge as it is now known) whilst touring the South Island of New Zealand only booking on the day we arrived. What a haven it was! After a long journey and unable to find anywhere to eat en route, Stacey whisked up the most delicious evening meal on our arrival - a real bonus! The room we stayed in was a deluxe room with a spa bath (and very roomy separate shower) and was beautifully decorated. It also had a lounge and patio doors into the fantastic rose garden. All areas of the B&B were immaculately clean and Stacey was a fabulous hostess. Breakfast consisted of all sorts of home made goodies, cereals, yogurt, bread and eggs etc and was absolutely delicious. I couldn’t fault the hospitality and comfort at Westholme Lodge and would highly...

Wonderful garden but otherwise location not great as right next to highway and noise from trucks and traffic starting early in the morning. Skip the dinner which is overpriced and the vegetables curry is lukewarm, watery and with only a few pieces of vegetables, so definitely not worth $45. Breakfast was included and nice. Room was not ventilated at all before arrival and hot and sticky on a...