I will start this out by saying this is a very expensive lodge- over 1600NZ dollars a night (1100 USD with taxes). While the lodge and facilities are beautiful and the setting is absolutely lovely, the service was sorely lacking in this price range. We often feel that it is the little things that add up and there were very few if any "little things" that were added to make us feel special. At similar priced lodges we have stayed at, dozens of little things were done to make the experienc wonderful and to forget the price. That didn't happen in the least here. There was no welcome tea and cookies - you were shown to your room and that was it. To tour the farm, it costs a few hundred dollars. In our opinion, this should be included. Also, you were charged for all drinks and snacks- including juice and sodas. The gym needed a cleaning and the machines had sweat from the previous user. The introductory book states that there was a library of books but when we asked about it, we were told that they are working on it. For a place with weather issues, it would be nice if they had a library of books and dvds to entertain guests room-bound due to rain.

There was minimal management presence. We got a brief hello if that. The dining service for dinner was totally inept and did not know what they were serving us. When we asked what a dish was, they shrugged their shoulders. In addition, did not initially serve us everything on the menu but asked "oh you want that?" when the evening was over and we asked if we were getting petit fours like on the menu.

It is toward the end of the season and the lodge was not fully booked and we were told that some of the staff have left for the season. If this is so, we feel we should have paid low season rates. It has the potential to be amazing but as it stands now, the management need to get more involved and ensure that their customers are feeling pampered and special.

If you have the money to spend and want a truly excellent lodge experience, then stay here on your next trip to NZ. Cant say enough about the staff, the accomodation, the activities, the sheer beauty of the location, and the food.

Wharekauhau, there is no substitute....