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.

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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.

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 centre 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.

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.

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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 centreed 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.

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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.

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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

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

Brad • Ireland Adventure

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“This was a flawless experience right from the beginning, we had so many thoughts and ideas flowing around and they took all of them and perfectly curated the most beautiful honeymoon for us.”

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