Solitaire Lodge

We had a lovely 2 night stay at Solitaire Lodge. The property is beautifully set on the lake within the lush flora and fauna of the area. There is only one road in and out from Rotorua (20-30 minute drive depending on traffic or road works), with no other amenities along the route. We pulled up to the gated entrance and Wayne buzzed us in, after which he met us outside to greet us and help with our luggage, however not before a quick tour of the property. We were also immediately offered some lunch or a platter to our room which was greatly appreciated. The room itself was simple but elegantly designed, with fantastic views from the large windows out across the lake. The minibar was nicely stocked with drinks and snacks that we greatly enjoyed, especially the homemade biscuits. The bed was very comfortable, and it was a treat to have a bath outside on our balcony. The bathroom itself was simple, with a bidet, but the shower was consistent and powerful- one of the best we have used in NZ. The communal areas were simple but comfortable, but could do with a refresh or some modernisation. Food was wonderful, and the chefs were had were greatly accommodating with any dietaries (or pickiness) we had. The lunch meal we had was our favourite of the visit. A special thanks to Ian for his service in the evenings and for making the best espresso martinis we had in NZ! We could only find a few minor points with our stay: our room had a TV, but it was so small and the signal was so poor that we felt it actually detracted from the quality of the room, and it would have been better without. We would also have loved to have seen some local soaps/shampoos/conditioners in the bathroom, and the skylight in our bathroom was looking very old, mouldy and the paint was beginning to peel so this could have done with some TLC. Finally, the decor and offerings feel well suited to an older clientele. However, the guests (including ourselves) at the time were all around their 30s. With that said, the stay would be enjoyable for all ages.

This place is very special . I would recommend very much The view is amazing and peaceful The room very spacious and the atmosphere is very pleasant The service very much good The Restaurant serves excellent food Breakfast unique with home made bread and brioche The best you can find in NZ is the early morning bath in the hot spring in the forest This experience is unique Thank you to the owner who made all the effort to give us the best including the helicopter excursion to the Vulcan . Unforgettable ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Location, property, staff, accommodation, food, management and attention to detail 5/5 across the board. What a gem. Old world charm with a modern sophisticated feel. Would highly recommend. This Kiwi lodge has it all. Massive thank you to Wayne and the team.

We thoroughly enjoyed this lodge. The staff is wonderful and the food is absolutely amazing. We both agree it was the best cuisine we encountered during our 3 week NZ trip. The view is spectacular and the waterfall hike and morning boat to hot springs exceeded expectations. A little off the beaten path but completely worth it!

Everyone there PERSONALLY cares about you and your enjoyment….more than most families. They ensure your entire experience in the local area is the best. Wayne and Ian were amazing…great wine, cocktails and food! Don’t miss fishing on the lake and the waterfall trail (this mostly flat trail does have a few steep areas that you have to navigate), the beauty of the falls made it worthwhile. The rooms were nice and spacious with great views.

As the name says, it is very peaceful, and you feel way from everything. But don’t mistake that for there’s nothing to do. We found there were a lot of activities to do on the grounds, including: kayaking, hot pools, hikes, and just lounging about. Rotorua is a quick 30 minute drive from the lodge so you won’t miss out on all the cultural experiences it has to offer. We were treated to a five star meal every night nice pre-dinner cocktails. The staff was extremely friendly and they made sure our stay was a five star experience. Last, but certainly not least the scenic views of the lake or breathtaking, we found ourselves, just sitting on the balcony looking over the water And enjoying our time together. It is on the price your side but I think the experience is worth the price. Thank you to the Solitaire Lodge for a wonderful stay. I can’t wait to go back.

Perfect tranquility. Hospitality excellence. Incredible picturesque landscape to be admired from all over the lodge - in your suite, at the restaurant or outside. Incredible fine dining and the best staff. They really do try hard here and it’s thoroughly recommended.

Driving up to the gates, we knew something special awaited. We were not disappointed. Wayne came out to welcome us, and the next few days were wonderful. The views from our room and from the dining room took our breath away. Lake Tarawera kept changing colors, with mist rising early in the morning. The chef created fabulous, elegant meals, and the staff was always available to answer questions (and offer really good single malt scotch at the cocktail hour)! We enjoyed a walk around the lake, a kayak paddle at sunset, and the boat ride to hidden hot springs. We would recommend Solitaire to anyone as a relaxing, elegant retreat. Nearby hiking and geothermal wonders meant we could be active in the day and come home to our private retreat.

Thank you Wayne and your amazing staff for such a wonderful, albeit short stay. Nothing was too much trouble. We will stay longer next time. From the minute we arrived service was warm and personal. The views were amazing and the thermal hot springs a definite highlight. Captain Dave very informative on the area. The accommodation was fantastic, with attention to little details. The food and wine were particularly good. Such a highlight on our short New Zealand trip.