Luxury Hotels Atlas / Places / New Zealand / Ben Ohau / Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat
Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat
Ben Ohau, Canterbury, New Zealand · Independent · High Luxury
The first villas and the Fantail Spa opened in 2014, followed by the addition of the Pukaki Wine Cellar and Observatory and the Moraine Villas. Established by Luke and Kaye Paardekooper after they discovered the 66-hectare site in 2010, the retreat was 'crafted' to offer a secluded high-country experience. It gained global recognition in 2024 when it was named one of TIME's World's Greatest Places for its unique stargazing and dining offerings.
- 5 rooms
- Opened 2014
History
Established by Luke and Kaye Paardekooper after they discovered the 66-hectare site in 2010, the retreat was 'crafted' to offer a secluded high-country experience. The first villas and the Fantail Spa opened in 2014, followed by the addition of the Pukaki Wine Cellar and Observatory and the Moraine Villas. It gained global recognition in 2024 when it was named one of TIME's World's Greatest Places for its unique stargazing and dining offerings.
The setting
3 km from Lake Wardell.
Restaurants and bars
- The Moraine — Restaurant
- Pukaki Observatory Billion Star Dining — Restaurant · Fine dining
Experiences
- Billion Star Dining — A 6-course fine dining menu followed by dark sky stargazing at the private Pukaki Observatory.
- Stargazing at Pukaki Observatory — A range of stargazing experiences from the private Pukaki Observatory.
- Royal High Tea — Pastries, sandwiches, a glass of New Zealand sparkling wine and a selection of tea and coffee classics.
- Tennis or pickleball — On-site court for tennis or pickleball.
- Pétanque — On-site pétanque.
- Walking tracks — Over five kilometres of on-site walking tracks.
Amenities
- Pukaki Wine Cellar and Observatory for "Billion Star Dining" experiences
- Fantail Spa featuring a sauna, outdoor hot tub, massage room, and gym
- Outdoor recreation including a tennis court, petanque, and croquet lawn
- Private forest walkways across the 66-hectare estate
- Gourmet farm-to-table dining at the onsite Moraine Lodge
- Luxury villas with open fireplaces and private outdoor hot tubs
Awards
- MICHELIN One Key (2026)
Open Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat in the atlas for live weekend rates, photos, and the full folio.