Signing the oversized guestbook at Huka Lodge means joining some illustrious company, not least of all Queen Elizabeth II, whose portrait sits in a frame on the welcome table. New Zealand’s most famous lodge was a favourite of the late monarch, and she visited four times.
The storied property sits on the banks of the Waikato River near Lake Taupō, a three hour drive south of Auckland (but faster in a chopper, the preferred mode of transport for many guests). It’s a destination for royalty, rockstars, tech billionaires and Succession-style family meetings.
Huka reopened in March 2025 after a 10-month, $22.6 million renovation driven by owners Baillie Lodges (of Southern Ocean Lodge fame). The 100-year-old former fishing camp has retained its classic style and communal vibe but now gleams with contemporary polish. The most substantial new addition is to the main dining and lounge areas, with an expansive terrace offering epic views of the park-like gardens and the rushing river which flanks the property. The colour of the water is almost surreal – vivid emerald green and clear enough to spot the rainbow trout that inspired its former reputation as a fly-fishing mecca.
The interior designer behind the 1984 renovation which put the lodge on the global luxury hotel circuit, Virginia Fisher, returned to the project 40 years later. The result is a Kiwi take on a romantic aristocratic lodge with huge sliding windows taking in jaw-dropping views, Burberry-style tartans, autumnal red drapes, lush green sofas, gilt-framed oil paintings, double-sided fireplaces, and quirky curios throughout.
A zen wellness retreat has been built among the trees, with treatment rooms, a hot and cold plunge area, and a compact gym seemingly lifted from a celebrity mansion.
The 20 cabin-like suites linked by verdant stone pathways were also given a makeover, with four-poster beds, heavenly linen, cosy bathrooms and a generous minibar (all included) stocked with New Zealand wines and snacks. There are two private “cottages” for larger groups complete with kitchens, spacious living quarters and horizon pools for the ultimate getaway.
There are a few rules: no children under 10, no televisions in the rooms, and no room service. Meals must be taken in the main lodge, with each stay including one “signature private dining” offering. These intimate dinners are held at one of the property’s many charming nooks, such as the Queen’s library (her favourite spot to eat), the 4500-bottle stone cellar, or the hedged orchard. Each is straight out of a storybook – or perhaps the next season of The White Lotus.
Lavish food and drink is included on a rotating menu so guests don’t get bored. A four-course dinner might be a bright ceviche of snapper, or a saddle of “Bill’s lamb” (sourced from a local farmer) with cheffy foams and gels, finished with cheese and petits fours. À la carte breakfast and lunch options are casual and comforting, from scrambled eggs and smoked salmon to Caesar salad.
Huka – the Māori word for “foam” named for the spectacular waterfall a few hundred metres downstream – is both calm and exhilarating, simple yet indulgent. The down-to-earth staff can arrange outdoorsy activities such as hiking, biking, and boating, but it’s equally a place to unwind by the fire with a stiff whisky. Once visited, never forgotten, Huka Lodge is ready for another 100 years welcoming rockstars and royalty.
Rates start from $2900 per suite per night. 271 Huka Falls Rd, Wairakei, Taupō, New Zealand. Email [email protected], call +64 7 378 5791, or online at hukalodge.com
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