Huka Lodge was originally built as a fishing lodge in the 1920’s by Irishman Alan Pye. He realized the Waikato River was excellent for fly fishing and built the lodge to support the activity. It remained a rustic lodge until the mid 1980’s when current owner, Alex van Heeren purchased the property and transformed it into a luxury lodge.

Today, it has 18 Junior Lodge suites, one Lodge suite, and two private cottages. Guests can borrow fishing equipment to fish the stunning water beside the lodge or enjoy various other amenities such as a pool, spa pools, tennis, croquet, petanque, a library, and study.

Huka Lodge is located just outside of Taupo and upstream of where the Huka Jet boat runs. If you have a chance, I highly, highly recommend the Huka Jet boat. It is a quicker ride, only about 30 minutes, and much more adventurous than I gave it credit at first glance (I have a pretty adventurous lifestyle, I thought it was going to be boring. It wasn’t!)

The views from the property are stunning. The main lodge has on older design with a lot of little rooms. When we took our tour, they were running at capacity, so it felt a bit crowded at times. I loved the rooms, which are villa style and detached from the lodge and completely peaceful and serene. What is nice about all the rooms in the lodge is the abundant choices a guest has dining options, 21 total options. You can dine every day at a different location, including several outside choices, even with fireplaces.

Rates do include breakfast, pre-dinner drinks and canapes, and a five course dinner with the menu changing daily.

The property is gorgeous. I could have sat here all day and just enjoyed the views.

A few shots from different places in the property:

They have an amazing wine cellar.  It is a true cellar, one you walk down stairs into the ground to enter.  It contains 5,500 bottles of mostly New Zealand wine.  And, you can even have a meal in the room!

There are many activities on site, such as a swimming pool, hot tubs, tennis, croquet, and more:

The rooms are seriously gorgeous.

Every room has its own french doors, patio, and chairs with views of the river.

And finally, the washroom.  They each feature a soaking bath tub, shower, and his & her vanities.

I loved the rooms at Huka, but not the lodge itself. Coming from an isolated lodge with only a few rooms and visiting Huka at capacity, the main lodge felt crowded at times. That being said, for dining, they will spread out the guests so that issue won’t be pressing.

Huka Lodge does some pretty sensational special events during May-Sept including guests chef’s, themes like opera, wine, or the Art of Living.

Huka Lodge is a Virtuoso property and through our partnership, I am proud to offer the following amenities: Upgrade on arrival, based on availability; daily full breakfast, for up to two in room guests; $100 USD food and beverage credit; guests staying 3 or more nights will receive the “World’s Apart” book; early check in/late check out, based on availability