Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat, High Country Estate | Luxury Villas | Weddings | Restaurant

A spectacular and very special place to stay; tranquillity with stunning views and surrounds. The hosts and team were wonderful, and Anna was extremely helpful in organising our trips with a local fishing guide and to the Tasman Lake and Glacier. All her communication was prompt, she was friendly, and her suggestions were spot on. The Chef’s Tasing Experience at the Moraine Lodge was outstanding, in particular the perfectly cooked venison, with divine herbed potatoes, and strawberry dessert. We had an amazing stargazing experience with Benny, who was very knowledgeable, and the experience came with a tipple from the wine cellar. A wonderful, relaxing stay with lots of thoughtful details; highly recommended.

WOW WOW WOW!!! We had our wedding reception at the Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat & WOW is the first word that comes to mind. Just spectacular in every single aspect - our guests were raving about the food for days & some even asked for the recipe (haha!)! So delicious. And the staff, where to start, so super friendly & welcoming & as we would put it really do go "the extra mile". A special shout out to Anna & Gary for bending over backwards to make this such a special day for us as well as handling multiple last minute changes due to road closures & weather disrupts like champs!! We ended up needing to relocate our wedding to the wedding lawn at the Retreat as the Helicopters couldn't go ahead for our planned mountain wedding & honestly, the wedding lawn wedding was BETTER!! Thank you so much guys - words cannot describe how grateful we are for YOU! 🫶🏽🩵❄️💍

From the moment we arrived at Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat, we were swept into a dreamlike experience that blended world-class hospitality with the raw beauty of New Zealand’s high country. The setting is jaw-dropping—perched above the glacial blue waters of Lake Pukaki with panoramic views of Aoraki/Mt Cook—but it’s the people who make this place truly special.||The staff were warm, attentive, and made us feel like family from the start. One of the unexpected highlights was an incredible dinner hosted by the owners, alongside guests from the local community—an intimate, authentic evening that gave us a true taste of South Island culture. The cuisine was, without exaggeration, some of the finest we’ve had anywhere in the world. Every course was beautifully crafted, seasonal, and sophisticated. And the desserts? A revelation. The pastry chef deserves a standing ovation—we felt like we were transported to a patisserie in Paris or a five-star restaurant in London.||Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat isn’t just a luxury lodge—it’s a deeply personal, immersive experience in one of the most magical corners of the world. We’ll be talking about this stay for years to come.

I’m not sure words can adequately describe my experience at Mount Cook Lakeside Retreat. There is something truly special about this place. The location is breathtaking, with spectacular views across Lake Pukaki to Mount Cook, and plenty to enjoy in the area. The staff are delightful and hosts Luke and Kaye were warm and welcoming. Every detail has been thought of. The food was delicious and the stargazing experience with Benny was magical. Can’t recommend highly enough!

This is a well located retreat close to the beautiful blue water of Lake Pukaki and a 40 mins drive to Mt Cook. Our accommodation was comfortable and spacious and included a hot tub on the terrace. The food was excellent - the pastry chef is incredibly skilled - although the dining room was not a space which particularly appealed to us. The staff were very nice but there were too few staff to provide the service levels which one would expect based on the cost of the accommodation and the high prices of the extras.

Our lodge definitely had the most stunning view we’ve experienced in NZ, the staff was adorable, our Ashley villa was amazing with a private sauna, gym & hot tub, all the little details added made our stay very special. We missed the stargazing but we heard it was definitely worth it. Thanks to Anna & the whole team for this magical stay!

*** Spectacular - but be careful! The resort is gorgeous and views are unbeatable. It's unlike any resort we've ever stayed at, and gets 5 stars on that front. Beware of sneaky price gouging however - our family of 4 was charged $675 at check out for stargazing, a price we were never informed about beforehand. The staff spoke about the experience as if it was included in our stay the entire time, until surprising us at the last moment. Similarly, we were charged nearly $200 for a packaged lunch - something they never informed us of either. Overall, it's a fantastic place but the stargazing experience & food is just not worth the outrageous price - just step outside your room and the entire Milky Way is visible for free. Hope this helps future residents!!

The most stunning place on earth. The views are to die for. The peace is amazing and the air so clean it's sweet. Our first nights dinner was first class, followed by Benny's amazing trip around the stars. He is passionate and so knowledgeable that you become passionate too. Would Highly recommend on all fronts