Awaroa Lodge

We stayed a night here as part of our trip around New Zealand as we thought it was a good way to experience the Abel Tasman National Park with limited time, and we were right. We got the Abel Tasman Sea Shuttle there and back which is an experience in itself. Although the weather was patchy while we were there, it didn’t really affect us too much as there’s loads to do. We went on a hike in the forest, plus a hike along the beach and shoreline, plus we saw the glow worms and fed the eels. The meals we had were good and the staff very friendly

This place is a little gem - whole team were first rate. The room we had was well equipped and had fabulous views over the bush and the eel pond and very close to the restaurant and other hotel facilities as well within easy reach of the stunning beaches and walking tracks. The lodge has so many good features but with a few small easily sorted thing which stopped it getting a 10 out of 10. Rooms could have been better presented - with only a couple of weeks into the summer season - one would expect the rooms to have been freshened up over the winter - an hour with a screwdriver and a paint brush and some good "spray and walk away" and it would present so much better. Tea, Coffee and sugar (my partner likes a cup of tea after being out and about) was not refilled each day and biscuits on arrival did not appear on subsequent days. The real issue I had was - we were on a Dinner Bed & Breakfast package and for example - during meals we found it embarrassing and I am sure the staff felt the same - having to say within earshot of all the other dinners - "as we were on a package I was not allowed a certain fruit juice for breakfast as it was extra" - I do not drink tea or coffee so do like a nice fruit juice at breakfast - but did not want the world to know it was going to cost me extra!! - there has to be a better way !!!

Stayed two nights here during our honeymoon. It is a truly incredible setting, accessible only by water, then a short walk. Staff at the lodge transport guests luggage from the beach using a quad bike/beach buggy. We checked in with a lovely English girl at reception, whose name we completely forgot to ask! She was very personable and knowledgeable on the area, providing recommendations and guidance on what we could do during our stay there. Including feeding the eels in the wetlands, seeing the glowworms and the local walking/hiking options. We stayed in a superior suite. The room itself overlooked the wetlands and surrounding hills, it had a large decked balcony which was very tranquil. The restaurant has a good number of beers and wines on option and the gourmet food was nicely presented and tasted delicious, and there was a good variety so we were both able to try different dishes each night, this also applied to breakfast and lunch. Unfortunately whilst we were there due to the season, the outdoor pizzeria was closed.