Huka Lodge in Taupō, New Zealand has reopened to visitors after a multimillion-dollar refurbishment.
Owners Baillie Lodges sought to remain faithful to the hundred-year history and charm of the building while and enhancing its features to maintain modernity in order to welcome new guests. The lodge, situated on the banks of the beautiful Waikato River, follows the signature Baillie Lodges design, which seamlessly blends architectural elements into the surrounding natural environment.
Such design elements include a new River Room with floor-to-ceiling windows providing stunning views overlooking the Waikato River. Guests can pass through French doors to arrive at an outdoor terrace which hosts both lounging and dining facilities, made cosy by a crackling open fire. To capitalise on the breathtaking natural scenery, Baillie Lodges have also expanded the main lodge which overlooks the river and gardens, including enhancements to the dining room and bar areas.
The garden is also home to newly added wellness grounds, the design inspiration for which is drawn from the traditional ‘bach’, or Kiwi vacation home. The grounds include amenities such as a gym, spa, sauna, ice contrast shower and plunge pool to meet all guests’ fitness and wellness needs.
Beyond improvements in architecture and facilities, the newly-improved lodge also offers a curation of guest experiences which allow visitors to explore the food and wine scenes, culture, and natural beauty of the surrounding areas – including by helicopter!
The renovations were headed by James Baillie, founder of Baillie Lodges, in collaboration with Christian Anderson Architects, as well as interior designer Virginia Fisher and landscape designer Suzanne Turley – both on whom were initially appointed by Huka Lodge’s prior owner Alex van Heeren. Mr. Baillie says he feels very privileged to be entrusted with the legacy of Huka Lodge to carry forth and build on over the coming years and considers it ‘a great personal and professional honour to have completed this important redesign project for such an iconic property’.
Mr. van Heeren is delighted to see how the redesign cleverly leverages the lodge’s excellent location on the banks of the Waikato River, embracing its beauty and majesty. He finds the lodge’s second century an apt moment for a resdesign, stating that ‘…it’s timely to have our much-loved grande dame readied for a next generation of global traveller’.
Prospective guests may also want to tune in to the Baillie Lodges podcast, which guides listeners through the property’s features and history.
