Do Not Disturb Mobile Logo
Nav Icon
phone icon
Search Icon
Inquire White Arrow Icon
Huka Lodge

Huka Lodge

One of New Zealand’s most celebrated luxury lodges since 1924 on the banks of the Waikato River in Taupō, closed in 2024 for a full redesign and reopened in March 2025 for its centenary, with 20 guest suites and two private cottages including the Alex van Heeren Cottage above the thundering Huka Falls, the Huka Spa Wellness Grounds inspired by the traditional Kiwi bach, and daily changing menus built around New Zealand’s finest seasonal produce.

At Do Not Disturb, we match you with one of our dedicated luxury travel experts who designs a tailor-made itinerary around how you want your time away to feel. With deep destination knowledge and meticulous planning behind the scenes, we transform complex travel into something effortless and entirely your own.

The world without distraction.

Inquire White Arrow Icon

At a glance

Huka Lodge stands on the banks of the Waikato River in Taupō, one of the world’s most celebrated luxury lodges and freshly redesigned for its centenary.

The lodge has been welcoming guests for over a century, counting Queen Elizabeth II among them. After closing in 2024 for a carefully considered redesign, it reopened in March 2025, refreshed without losing any of the character that made it legendary.

Twenty guest suites and two private cottages are scattered along the riverbank and through the gardens, each opening onto rolling lawns with birdsong and the sound of the river as a constant backdrop. The interiors are comfortable and well-designed throughout the property. Taupō’s volcanic landscape, its internationally recognized trout fishing, and proximity to some of the North Island’s most dramatic scenery make this a compelling base, with Huka Lodge simultaneously one of New Zealand’s great historic institutions and one of its most exciting current openings.

Plan Your Trip Arrow
Huka Lodge

In detail

  • Food and Drink

    Food and Drink

    Dining at Huka Lodge is a cornerstone of the experience, with daily changing menus built around New Zealand’s finest seasonal and sustainably produced ingredients, taken in an elegant dining room overlooking the Waikato River.

    Breakfast sets the tone with a hearty country spread of fresh eggs, free-range bacon, local produce, and proper coffee, while lunch offers a light à la carte menu served fireside or on the sun-drenched terrace. Dinner is the main event, beginning with drinks in the lounge before a menu that showcases North Island beef and lamb, Tora Crayfish, Mount Cook Alpine Salmon, and native ingredients including kawakawa and paua served as an amuse bouche in its iridescent shell.
  • Spa and Wellness

    Spa and Wellness

    The Huka Spa Wellness Grounds draw on the remarkable natural resources of the Waikato region, where geothermal activity has shaped the landscape for centuries. Inspired by the traditional Kiwi bach, a collection of rustically cool contemporary huts houses a gymnasium, two treatment rooms, a sauna, ice contrast shower, and a steaming hot pool set among lush gardens.

    Treatments exclusively feature verité, a New Zealand skincare range handcrafted in small batches from organic plant extracts, while signature therapies incorporate manuka honey, greenstones, and thermal mud for a wellness experience that feels as rooted in Aotearoa as the lodge itself.
  • Location

    Location

    Huka Lodge stands on the banks of the Waikato River in Taupō, at the center of New Zealand’s North Island volcanic plateau.

    The thundering Huka Falls are directly downstream of the property, and Lake Taupō, the largest lake in the country and the caldera of a supervolcano, is a few minutes away. The region is internationally recognized for its trout fishing, geothermal landscapes, and hiking, with Tongariro National Park and Rotorua both within easy driving distance. Taupō Airport is around 15 minutes by car, with regular flights to Auckland, Christchurch, and Wellington.
    Plan Your Trip Arrow

Room Types

Lodge Suite

At 60 square meters, the Lodge Suites open directly onto the Waikato River and are designed to feel as connected to the landscape outside as they are comfortable within.

An open-plan bedroom and lounge features king or twin beds dressed in monogrammed linens and feather pillows, while the bathroom delivers every feature you would expect at this level including a deep bath, separate shower, heated floors, and twin basins. A generous dressing room rounds out a suite that feels easy to settle into.

Plan Your Journey White Arrow Icon
Lodge Suite

Alan Pye Cottage

Set above rolling lawns on the banks of the Waikato River, the Alan Pye Cottage is a beautifully considered private residence centered around a substantial lounge with a wood-burning fireplace, antique furniture, and museum-quality Maori artworks. Floor-to-ceiling doors open onto a terrace with an infinity pool, while a courtyard garden houses a heated spa pool and outdoor pavilion.

Two bedrooms with king or twin beds, walkthrough dressing rooms, and en-suite bathrooms with deep baths and monogrammed linens complete the picture.

Request a Quote White Arrow Icon
Alan Pye Cottage

Alex van Heeren Cottage

Set on a private bluff above the Waikato River with views downstream toward the thundering Huka Falls, the Alex van Heeren Cottage is as exclusive as it gets on the property.

Four king or twin bedrooms, each with a fireplace, dressing room, and opulent en-suite, surround a vaulted living room that opens through floor-to-ceiling glass doors onto manicured gardens and a river-facing terrace with a heated infinity plunge pool and spa.

Speak With an Expert White Arrow Icon
Alex van Heeren Cottage

Our reviews

“Our trip was truly magical and full of core memories that will last us a lifetime.”

Michael • Bora Bora Honeymoon

Star Icon Star Icon Star Icon Star Icon Star Icon

“We just returned from an incredible journey through Ireland, and we couldn’t have had a better experience”

Brad • Ireland Adventure

Star Icon Star Icon Star Icon Star Icon Star Icon

“This was a flawless experience. They took all our thoughts and perfectly curated the most beautiful honeymoon.”

Kris • Sicily Honeymoon

Star Icon Star Icon Star Icon Star Icon Star Icon

Our team brings over 35 years of experience in luxury travel, shaping bespoke journeys for discerning clients worldwide. The reviews below reflect the trust placed in us and the experiences we continue to create.

See more reviews on Trustpilot

Travel inspiration and editorials

Auckland 8 min read

Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city and its primary international gateway, which means most travelers pass through it. The city has become genuinely interesting in recent years, with a restaurant scene that ranks internationally, galleries and museums that justify time, and neighborhoods that feel lived-in rather than designed for tourism.

Milford Sound 8 min read

Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound are the two primary fjords, and they operate on completely different scales and rhythms. Understanding the distinction between them is essential to planning properly.

Marlborough 8 min read

At Do Not Disturb, we work directly with winemakers, cellar door managers, and producers throughout New Zealand’s regions to arrange private tastings, behind-the-scenes cellar visits, and dinners that connect you with the actual people shaping the country’s wine culture.

Kenya’s most compelling honeymoon itinerary moves between two entirely different worlds: the wildlife-dense plains of the Maasai Mara and the ancient coral-stone quietude of Lamu Island. Together, they form a journey that is both dramatically varied and precisely calibrated for couples seeking depth over spectacle.

Your next steps

Planning your trip should feel effortless.

We Listen

You share what matters, whether it’s a destination, a feeling, or a moment worth celebrating.

We Curate

Your dedicated expert shapes a thoughtful, private itinerary tailored entirely around you.

You Travel

Every detail handled. Every moment considered. Support before, during, and after your journey.

Tell us about your journey

    Step 1 / 2

    close icon

    Let's design your escape

    Answer a few quick questions and we’ll craft a journey as unique as your state of mind.


    close icon

    Ask us anything.