5 New Zealand lodges loved by the Royal Family

Since the Queen first stepped ashore New Zealand in 1953, the country’s vast array of luxury lodges have been the accommodation of choice for visiting royals. Here we unveil the best of the best lodges, with the royal family’s stamp of approval.

Huka Lodge, Lake Taupo

Topping the list is Taupo’s Huka Lodge in the central North Island – a favourite of Britain’s HM Queen Elizabeth II who has stayed at the secluded property several times.

Regularly awarded for its elegant accommodation, service excellence and fine dining, Huka Lodge has no shortage of accolades, including ranked #42 in our countdown of ‘100 Best Hotels and Resorts in the World’. The revered Huka Lodge joined the Baillie Lodges portfolio of luxury accommodations in early 2021 and is in good company; Longitude 131°, Capella Lodge, Silky Oaks Lodge, Southern Ocean Lodge (to be rebuilt) in Australia and Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge in Canada all fall under the Baillie Lodges’ banner.

It’s been said that Her Royal Highness is especially fond of the trout fishing here, which guests can enjoy a few steps from the lodge, situated on the banks of the Waikato River.

Joining Queen Elizabeth and the Queen Mother on Huka Lodge’s guest register is a long list of princes and princesses, dukes and duchesses, lords and ladies from the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemburg, Denmark and France.

Taupo’s Huka Lodge in the central North Island is a favourite with the Royals.

Stewart Island Lodge

Prince Henry of Wales found a home away from home at Stewart Island Lodge when he visited New Zealand’s island hideaway during a week-long tour in May 2015.

The six-bedroom bed and breakfast owned by Real Journeys boasts stunning sea views and native bush surrounds, and is just a short walk from the centre of Oban, Stewart Island’s village.

Prince Harry shared the view on Instagram with a photo of the sunrise from his balcony and enjoyed a close encounter with a kaka (a large, forest-dwelling native New Zealand parrot), one of many native birds that can be spotted from the lodge.

Stewart Island Lodge was Prince Henry’s home away from home in 2015.

Wharekauhau Lodge, Wairarapa

Wharekauhau Country Estate, set on a 5000-acre working sheep station overlooking Palliser Bay north of Wellington, joined the list of New Zealand royal residences when the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge first arrived in New Zealand to embark on their 2014 tour.

Wharekauhau (which means “place of knowledge"), began life as a sheep station in the 1840s, but has since been transformed into a lavish hideaway that ranked #11 in our countdown of ‘100 Best Hotels and Resorts’.

As a melting pot of luxury accommodation and soft adventure, horse trekking, archery, clay bird shooting and golf is all readily available.

And being on the doorstep of the boutique Martinborough wine region, fine food and wine is never far away either.

Wharekauhau Lodge is set on a 5000-acre working sheep station north of Wellington.

Riverrun Lodge, Wanaka

Prince Harry also took time out from his full New Zealand schedule to enjoy a private, overnight visit to Riverrun Lodge, near Lake Wanaka in the picturesque Southern Lakes region.

As well as being a small luxury lodge, Riverrun is also a 500-acre working sheep farm.

Set on an escarpment – the remains of an ancient glacier terminal moraine – bordering New Zealand’s largest river, the Clutha, Riverrun guests have access to 30 kilometres of walks and running trails.

As indulgent as the views is the dining, featuring a selection of local ingredients like Cardrona merino lamb, Aoraki salmon and Blue River sheep’s cheese.

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Matakauri Lodge, Queenstown

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s 2014 tour included a visit to Queenstown, New Zealand’s year-round adventure resort, now rated one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world.

As well as checking out local attractions like jet boating at Shotover and wine tasting at Amisfield, the couple experienced some of the region’s famous luxury accommodation, enjoying a night at the award-winning Matakauri Lodge on the banks of Lake Wakatipu.

With panoramic views of the lake and the dramatic Remarkables mountain range from every suite, Matakauri Lodge is part of the Relais & Châteaux global family, priding itself on fine haute cuisine and down-to-earth New Zealand service.

The award-winning Matakauri Lodge on the banks of Lake Wakatipu in Queenstown.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.