Solitaire Lodge

We had been waiting for the “wow” moment on our NZ holiday and Solitaire Lodge provided it. Exclusive accommodation is an understatement. Wonderful location, beautiful rooms, great food, stunning views. The entrance is understated and easy to miss. You need to press the intercom to contact reception who will then open the gates. We wish we could have stayed longer!

Charming as can be! Beautiful secluded small hotel adjacent to Lake Tarawera so a bit outside of the city but fully worth it. There are 9 individual bungalows. My room overlooked the lake. I had a two bedroom bungalow for those with a family. A entry way opened up into a beautiful living room with a refrigerator with fresh cream, breville espresso machine, and a hot pot for water, with multiple options for coffee, tea, and biscuits as well as fresh fruit. The living room had a full view of the lake. My bedroom has a king bed, spacious and comfortable also with a continued lake view. The bathroom in the adjacent bedroom had two full sinks, and a bathtub, all in sparkling white granite. My bathroom, was modern in a gorgeous slate gray with a wonderful shower (perfect after a day of hiking). Heated towel racks are a plus. Cocktail/canapes at 7pm are a must! There are books, chess set and other games with a full bar. The wine selection is fantastic. Rolando and Graham were lovely! The food is incredible whether it is breakfast or dinner. PLS eat a croissant and have a carb day. The croissants are incredible and is a MUST!!!!!!! Wayne and Ingrid are the kindest and they have truly created a treasure. It is a wonderful place to go solo, couple or for a family.

Stunning location, great food and amazing service. Yes it’s pricey, but worth every penny for that special occasion. 5 course evening meals and breakfast didn’t disappoint We stayed for 3 nights for our honeymoon, and you defined recommend you do the early morning boat trip to the hot water pools across the late on a speed boat!

In all my years of travel I have never patronized a hotel which was better in any aspect of hotel service. Ingrid and Wayne and the entire staff make the extra effort to make the stay better than enjoyable. The meals are excellently prepared and they make sure they accommodate any food issues.. They accommodate all your touring and transportation needs. The cost is high but the value is higher. I would have no problem recommending Solitaire to anyone.

We had high expectations for our stay at Solitaire Lodge in Rotorua, based on friends who had stayed 7 years before as well as 5 star rating. The setting here is stunning, but the lodge is not a five star accommodation as advertised. Our room had a beautiful view of the lake and was comfortable but tired furnishings and smallish bathroom. Bath products were not from New Zealand and were too perfumed and not luxury at all. Bed was very comfortable and outdoor bathtub a very nice touch. The Owners seemed distracted and stressed, often not noticing when we entered the lodge. They were doing renovations on some rooms during our stay, which we were not notified about, and we heard construction noise our first few days which was not relaxing when in our room. The common rooms also were very tired looking and unattended to. The Staff were very nice and accommodating, but several were completely untrained in the restaurant, not knowing how to clear plates or recommend wine. The food was a mixed bag. Breakfast and lunch were very good but dinner was not- 5 courses that were not coordinated at all, too many conflicting and heavy flavors and sauces mixed into dishes. Overall a disappointing experience. We cannot recommend staying here until the above are addressed. Definitely not currently worth the high price charged.

Solitaire Lodge is an idyllic location for rest, relaxation and exploring the many things to do in this magnificent area. Wayne, Ingrid and the whole team are welcoming, friendly and professional. The food is delicious and the chefs caterer to your needs perfectly. We were staying at the beginning of spring, which is a beautiful time of the year to see the spring blossoms and flowers. The views of the Lake are breathtaking. The Lodge is well equipped, the rooms beautifully clean with wonderful amenities, fluffy towels and comfy bathrobes. Highly recommend if you need a wonderful break.