Bathroom of the economy "lodge rooms" at New Zealand's Huka Lodge

Do you imagine yourself vacationing with royalty and movie stars?  How about fishing along side one of the richest men in the world?

If you like your luxury mixed with star power, consider booking a stay at the Huka Lodge in Taupo, New Zealand. Located beside the Wairakei Park Reserve on New Zealand’s North Island, the Huka Lodge has played host to Queen Elizabeth II, Bill Gates and Kate Winslet. What attracts the mega rich and mega famous to the hotel?

Well, first of all, it’s more like a paradise retreat than a hotel. The Huka Lodge sits on 17 acres beside the Waikato River and has gone to great lengths to create a natural, soothing environment for guests.

Picture waterfalls, babbling brooks, and birds chirping in the trees. And if all that isn’t enough to soothe your senses, there’s always the tennis court, heated swimming pool, spa pools, petanque and croquet courts.
The property is set on 17 acres, but includes only 25 rooms, the most exclusive being two cottages set in the grounds.

Of course, you couldn’t have all this piece and quiet if you had to share your space with hundreds of other guests. Not to worry, the Huka Lodge maintains its exclusivity by offering only 25 rooms in total – 18 Lodge Rooms, one suite, the four-bedroom Owner’s Cottage and the two-bedroom Alan Pye Cottage.

Scenery at New Zealand's Huka Lodge

And how does one get to this exclusive and secluded paradise? You can certainly drive (or, let’s be honest, ride) to The Lodge. Driving by rental car or limousine takes about 3 hours from Auckland, 4.5 hours from Wellington and 1-hour from Rotorua. But if you’re in a hurry, helicopters are available from the same cities for a quarter of the travel time. Because – of course they are.

How much will a night at The Lodge set you back?  Surprisingly, not as much as you’d think.  A single room during the off season is only $1,095 per night – and that includes pre-dinner drinks, a five-course dinner, full country-style breakfast, use of all Lodge facilities and transfers to Taupo Airport. It’s practically budget pricing! Of course, if you want to upgrade to the Owner’s Cottage, prepare to shell out a little more than $8,000 (more if you bring extra guests).

Reservation information (and pictures to make you drool) can be found on The Huka Lodge website.

Photos courtesy of The Huka Lodge.