Huka homecoming

The first hint? It’s in the new River Room. The River Room, where floor-to-ceiling windows pull you towards the emerald-blue Waikato River like it’s sharing secrets just for you. Those clever architects have basically turned the view into a piece of art.

And then, to really ruin you for all other views, there’s the outdoor terrace. Imagine a cocktail in your hand next to a double-sided fireplace (why have one side of cosiness when you can have two?), watching the light play across the water. It’s a moment so beautifully curated it makes you wonder if the river filed a costume request in advance.

Inside, things just get better. The dining area has expanded, because apparently the only thing more spectacular than one amazing space overlooking park-like gardens is two of them.

Upstairs, they’ve got the Loft and the Piper Room, prime spots for quiet gatherings, toasts to life’s big moments, or even an exclusive meeting or two, if you insist on working in paradise, that is.

Now, as charming as all that is, wait until you hear about the wellness grounds. Honestly, it sounds like the kind of place where your soul kicks back, takes a holiday from its existential angst, and sips metaphorical champagne. Secret garden alert!

You’ll wander past stepping stones that feel enchanted (maybe enchanted by some incredibly tasteful North Island artisan, but that counts), and then discover huts inspired by Kiwi ‘bach’ houses.

These huts have it all, sauna, a cheeky ice-cold contrast shower for the brave, and a steaming plunge pool for everybody else.

And of course, there are experiences. Because why merely lounge around in all that beauty when you could also have an adventure or two? You can do the Craggy Range Culinary Escape (which is basically food, wine, and views, with a cheeky helicopter flight thrown in for good measure).

Or maybe you’re feeling an Epic Rotorua sort of day, with culture and adrenaline making an unlikely but excellent pair. And then there’s the Ultimate Huka Experience, complete with helicopters lifting you to cinematic heights, making you wonder if your life suddenly got the Hollywood treatment.

This lodge isn’t just built into the landscape; it’s part of it. Every detail, the tartan designs in the interiors, the layered gardens that change with the seasons, the careful focus on natural splendour, has been dreamed up to make you feel at once very small and very special.

It’s luxury with soul – high hedges offer privacy, while whispery tree ferns and white-flowered Amelanchier trees create dappled light, the kind of lighting that makes even your casual holiday snaps look like something out of a magazine.

Refurbishment leader James Baillie describes it as a “full circle” moment, the chance to honour Huka Lodge’s legacy while looking ahead to its next chapter. Designer Virginia Fisher agrees, noting that the new Huka Lodge feels closer to its original self, homely, intimate, and intensely charming.

Imagine wrapping yourself up in luxury that somehow feels like a warm, welcoming hug. That’s the vibe. Huka Lodge is back. And it’s not just back, it’s better than ever, ready to sweep you off your feet and into a century of elegance, adventure, and impeccable Kiwi hospitality.

Book your trip, pack your fanciest pyjamas, and give yourself over to the magic of it all. For reservations, email reserve@hukalodge.com or call +64 7 378 5791.

firstclassmagazine.co