Luxury Lodges We Love - Huka Lodge

Photo by Geoff Mason

What have Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Vice President Dick Cheeny, Bill Gates, Michael Douglas, Burt Reynolds, Joan Crawford and myself all got in common? We’ve all stayed at Huka Lodge in New Zealand’s central North Island. Her Majesty can’t get enough. She’s stayed there three times!

As you might have figured out from the guest list Huka Lodge is old school - well known on the international luxury lodge circuit and a favourite with people who have what I call the “Senator on Vacation” look. That doesn’t mean it feels old fashioned though. Its vibe is actually quite modern, relaxed luxury.

What works about Huka first and foremost is its location - smack bang on the Waikato River nestled among native forest. The river’s with you in virtually every room you step into and is so magnificently meditative that I felt relaxed within the first minute of arriving. The other thing I love about Huka is there are roaring, crackling fires in almost every room, though, regrettably, there are also a few of those awful pretend fire places with a gas flame and some fake logs which are never a good look. Still, we won’t hold that against them. There’s plenty to make up for this slip including the homely, gently luxurious interior, the wonderful food and wine (the 5 course degustation dinner is unforgettable), the constant but never overbearing service and the fact it feels nothing like a hotel and everything like a home - you feel completely comfortable taking your shoes off and curling up on the couch to read a book in front of the huge fire in the main lounge.

When the lodge was first started in 1924 accommodation was 4 simple canvas-clad huts. Today’s luxurious villas are all wonderfully separate from the main lodge. A good few minute’s walk through native forest brings you to your spacious villa, also right on the river. The riverside of the villa opens up completely and I went to sleep with the curtains open looking at and listening to the river rolling past. There are few better ways to nod off. The villas have all those little details one expects and loves in a luxury lodge - spongy carpets, heated bathroom floors, large dressing room, home made cookies, and, best of all, a couple of old fashion hot water bottles in the bed all warm and toasty come lights out time. Only two black marks against the rooms - again, a fake fireplace, and, astoundingly, the choice of mini bar - why would a luxury lodge provide Smirnoff Vodka pray tell? Surely a super premium spirit (e.g. Grey Goose, Belvedere, 42 Below) would be more fitting than something deros drink.

If you really want to push the boat out - grab a few friends and have a house party in The Owner’s Cottage. An incredible and spacious house away from the main lodge and right on the river it has 4 bedrooms with en suites, a large living room / dining room, a den, a kitchen, a plunge pool overlooking the river, a jacuzzi right by the river and two separate quarters for nannies / body guards / p.a.s (and who doesn’t travel with out all three?). If you’ve got a lazy NZ$10,000 (high season) lying about there are few better ways to spend it that on this little slice of heaven.

For me a weekend at Huka is best spent lazing, gazing and grazing but for many people the real attraction is strapping on some thigh high rubber boots and standing in the river for a few hours waiting for a trout to swing by. Chef will cook it up for you and hey presto, you’re a real live hunter gatherer.

Whatever rows your boat Huka is a great getaway and something that little bit special for when you think life owes you a treat.

www.hukalodge.co.nz