Luxury Hotels Atlas / Places / New Zealand / Taupō / Huka Lodge
Huka Lodge
Taupō, New Zealand · Baillie Lodges · Apex Luxury
Founded in 1924 by Irishman Alan Pye as a canvas-tent fishing camp on the Waikato River, Huka Lodge became New Zealand's defining luxury retreat after Alex van Heeren purchased it in 1984 and commissioned designer Virginia Fisher's opulent interiors. Queen Elizabeth II visited four times during her reign. Acquired by Baillie Lodges in February 2021 and reopened in 2025 after a NZ$23 million renovation, the 20-room lodge sits 300 metres upstream from Huka Falls and ranked #88 on the World's 50 Best Hotels 51–100 list in 2025.
- 20 rooms
- Opened 1924
- Neighborhood: Waikato River, Taupō
- Interiors: Virginia Fisher
About Huka Lodge
- Queen Elizabeth II visited Huka Lodge four times during her reign — more than any other New Zealand hotel — earning it the informal title 'Grande Dame of New Zealand.'
- The lodge began as a fishermen's camp of white canvas tents in 1924; its transformation into a luxury retreat was led by designer Virginia Fisher after the 1984 acquisition, and the same designer returned to oversee the 2025 post-Baillie renovation.
- Baillie Lodges paid an undisclosed sum for the Relais & Châteaux icon in February 2021 and invested NZ$23 million in a full renovation, completing it in time for the lodge's World's 50 Best Hotels 2025 debut at #88.
- The lodge occupies 17 acres and sits just 300 metres upstream from Huka Falls, where the Waikato River — New Zealand's longest — narrows to 15 metres wide before dropping 11 metres in a single torrent.
History
Founded in 1924 by Irishman Alan Pye as a simple fishermen's camp of white canvas tents on the banks of the trout-rich Waikato River, Huka Lodge became New Zealand's defining luxury retreat under Alex van Heeren, who purchased the property in 1984 and engaged designer Virginia Fisher to create its opulent interior style. Queen Elizabeth II visited four times during her reign, cementing Huka Lodge's reputation as the 'Grande Dame of New Zealand.' Following a NZ$25 million renovation completed ahead of its 2025 World's 50 Best Hotels ranking, the lodge now offers 20 riverfront suites and two multi-bedroom private residences, including the Alan Pye Cottage with its own pool, butler, and dedicated chef. The lodge's five-course dinners, guided fly-fishing, and helicopter excursions embody a century of quiet, purposeful luxury.
The setting
Situated on 17 acres along the Waikato River in Taupō on New Zealand's North Island, the lodge lies 300 metres upstream from Huka Falls. The surrounding geothermal landscape, trout-filled rivers, and Taupō crater lake — New Zealand's largest — create an extraordinary wilderness setting for a property that has defined luxury lodge travel in the Southern Hemisphere.
Restaurants and bars
- The Dining Room — Room service · Five-course dinner using premium local produce · Perrin
- River Room — Restaurant
Experiences
- Dining in private spaces — Private dining in the Library, Loft, Piper Room, River Deck, Green Room, Orchard and subterranean Wine Cellar.
- Private candlelit dining in the Wine Cellar — Intimate candlelit dining for two up to ten guests in the cool underground cellar lined with revered vintages.
- Huka Spa treatments — Treatments using the New Zealand-made verité skincare range, with gym, sauna, contrast ice shower and hot pool.
- Spa Thermal Park and Huka Falls riverbank walk — A stroll to the Spa Thermal Park and a walk downstream to see the thundering Huka Falls.
- Tongariro National Park hike — Hiking through Tongariro National Park.
- Golf rounds on two championship courses — Rounds of nine or 18 holes on two picturesque, world-renowned golf courses.
Amenities
- 20 riverfront suites
- Alan Pye Cottage (private pool, butler, dedicated chef)
- Owner's Cottage (4 suites)
- Wellness Grounds (gymnasium, sauna, contrast ice shower, hot plunge pool)
- Huka Spa
- Fly-fishing on the Waikato River and surrounding 40+ rivers
- Swimming pool
- Tennis court
- Croquet lawn
- Wine cellar (private candlelit dining)
- Helicopter transfers available
- Golf nearby
- Horseback riding
- Infinity pool
- Hot tub
- Fine dining
Awards
- Condé Nast Traveler Gold List (2026)
- Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star (2026)
- La Liste Top Hotels (2026)
- MICHELIN Two Keys (2026)
- World's 50 Best Hotels 51-100 (2026)
- Condé Nast Traveller Readers' Choice Awards (2025)
- Forbes Travel Guide recognition (2025)
- Tatler Best 100 Hotels Asia-Pacific (2025)
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