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

I just left the Mt Cook Lakeside retreat this morning and felt like I had to write this review asap while the memories are still fresh in my head. Luke (the owner) and his entire staff not only made us feel like vips, but they made us feel like family. Everything from the food to the villas to the service was first class and done with love. Waking up to the majestic scenery and gentle bellowing of the pet cows was a once in a lifetime experience. My husband went for walks with the owner’s Springer Spaniel Max and he said it was probably the most fun he had on our entire trip to NZ. On our second day there I was not feeling well, Luke volunteered to drive me to town for a visit to the medical center. Talk about going above and beyond!! the Mt Cook lakeside retreat will forever hold a special place in our hearts. Thank you for an unforgettable 3 days!

We went to experience the world class dining and found that our high expectations were exceeded by far. (We are locals and did not use the accommodation). Each course was exquisitely prepared and faultlessly presented; each one a standout! We were served well and were able to meet the chef afterwards. It was a very special and memorable night.

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.

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.

Can not wait to return! We were in a private lake house earlier during our stay in Te Anau and thought it was incredible. Yet, the Ashley Mackenzie Villa & surrounding property here at Mt. Cook lakeside retreat absolutely blew us away. We booked through ATJ, Asia Transpacific Journeys in Boulder, CO where we live. Honestly we had no idea how delightful the staff, food, villa and lake view would be. Thanks for the hospitality! I’m writing this after our 2nd dinner on Thurs evening 11/22 when Sierra served us. Not sure how tonight could top last nights dinner served by Benny, it absolutely did. And that Granny Smith dessert was a dream from cocktails to the last bite our family of 4 enjoyed it all. We had the option of eating in our villa yet eating in the dining room both nights was a treat. 6 delicious courses. Breakfast delivered to the villa by Maia was special & yummy too. |My husband & I did the star gazing at the Pukaki observatory on site on Wed night. Benny was so passionate & educated at describing the night sky. We just wish our teens had joined us because we were informed tonight the night sky was not ideal for viewing @10 pm & we opted to cancel instead of waiting til 11pm to decide if they will have a midnight show? |This retreat is obviously a labor of love for the owners. It felt special that Luke swung by as we were enjoying dessert the first night.

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!

*** 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!!