A truly magical setting with service to match. We’ve stayed in many New Zealand hotels, and this was the first where the staff seemed truly focused on exceeding guests’ expectations. And boy, did they! We had room service dinner, and each—absolutely delicious—course was delivered exactly when we were ready for it, and at the perfect temperature. With no television, we had only conversation (mostly about the food!) and stars to keep us entertained, but seeing every constellation imaginable is an experience we’ll remember forever. We started the next morning with a brisk walk up the trail directly behind the lodge to earn our breakfast. It was cooked to order, magnificent, and served in the cozy dining area, with morning views of Mount Cook and the stunning blue of Lake Pukaki. We didn’t want to leave and would have stayed a week if we could afford it!
