Rosewood Matakauri

For what they charge, I was expecting an insanely nice property. New Zealand is beautiful for sure, and the property is right on the lake, so the views are amazing. However, the price calls for an insane breakfast, spa and gym. The gym was good at best, and the massage was good but they call that a spa for a $440 massage?! The staff was very nice but the person helping me with my luggage disappeared and left me to haul it the rest of the way through the gravel to my car. If you need a firm bed like they have in Europe-this is not for you.

Note: This review is not on the Rosewood Matakauri accomodation, it is review on the restaurant only. Firstly, thank you Rosewood for opening up the lodge restaurant to the locals (instead of traditionally only available to in-house guests)! We were there for 3 course lunch tasting menu for 2 adults and our child had a seperate kids menu. Dining Environment: Superb view and well appointed interior. Intimate dining room but somehow lacking vibes (might just be the date we were there which was off peak season). Drinks: Good wine list with lots of local options. I had the Kauri Bees Knees cocktail including gin, homegrown honey, basil etc. which is essentially a gimlet - subtle and refreshing. Food: Chef accommodated one of us not being able to have the fish starter so swapped for a vegetarian option which was very nice. My kingfish crudo starter was well presented but not quite to my liking - it might just be because I try crudos wherever I go and can be fussy about it. The venison main was very good with complimentary flavours and the meat wasn’t gamy (which venison can be sometimes); the steak option had bone marrow on top which overpowered the flavours. The dessert was the highlight - it has depth in the flavours with well balanced sweetness. Overall: Highly recommended dinning experience in a beautiful setting.

Exceptional! Of all the five star luxury hotels we have been blessed to stay in, the Matakauri is right up there with our absolute all time favorites. When we walked into the hotel lobby we were mesmerized by the beautiful decor and gorgeous artwork. The captivating views from almost everywhere we looked took our breath away. The staff at the Matakauri was outstanding and went above and beyond to accommodate all of our needs. The food was top notch and exquisitely delicious. The chef made us gluten-free dishes that were absolutely mouthwatering! Our room was luxury at its best- spacious, beautifully decorated, and the attention to detail was exceptional. The views were otherworldly and we felt lifted into a magical space of tranquility and inner peace. We will always hold dear to our hearts the extraordinary experience we had at the Rosewood Matakauri. Highly recommended and a slice of Heaven we will most definitely will never forget.

This review is only for the Rosewood Matakauri Spa. My experience at the spa was disappointing and didn’t live up to the Rosewood standard I am used to. There was no warm welcome on arrival, and the staff felt inattentive throughout. I booked a day pass to enjoy the facilities, but they felt outdated, and no one could confirm whether the hot tub or cold plunge were even functional. There was no relaxation room or post-treatment offerings like tea or snacks, which was surprising. There was also no dedicated spa attendant to support throughout my visit. The highlight was my 90-minute massage with Tomoni, she was absolutely wonderful and provided an excellent treatment. Unfortunately, the overall spa experience lacked the hospitality and attention to detail I expected at this price point and brand reputation, especially with so few guests on property. Beautiful views, but the atmosphere felt uninviting and needs improvement.

We dined at Matakauri Lodge on Saturday to celebrate our 10 year wedding anniversary. I honestly cannot recommend this experience enough. We treated ourselves to the 5 course set menu and it was absolutely stunning. Each dish surpassed our expectations, everything was melt in your mouth delicious and seasoned to perfection. To top it off the view from the dining room was amazing and the service was on point! Thanks to the team, for helping us celebrate this occasion in style.

Smaller than the other Rosewood lodges but perfectly positioned to showcase the natural beauty of Lake Wakatipu. Davide provided an excellent welcome and made arrangements. Much appreciated. Dining here is wonderful. We booked a helicopter adventure with Cody as our pilot - saw mountain peaks, distant shores, and landed on Glacier Saddle. The helicopter also took us to Milford Sound, which was breathtaking.
||||The hotel arranged a trip on a classic steam ship as well. Though more compact than its sister properties, Matakauri delivered experiences that were just as memorable.

My husband and I stayed at Rosewood during our trip to Queenstown. I can’t express how amazing our stay was. All the staff were really lovely and accommodating, they even served us early breakfast so that we could get to the ski fields on time. We dined at the restaurant for breakfast and dinner and were so impressed with the quality of the food - everything was so delicious and flavorful. And the view from the room was breathtaking. It was lovely to come back to a roaring fireplace at the end of every day. We will definitely be staying here again when we return to Queenstown.

This hotel is wonderful! Stunning rooms and excellent staff. Our thanks and well wishes to dear Nell, Larissa, Conrad and the Frenchies, Ceclia and Fabien. Dare I say it, we felt like friends for a week!. And to Elias the restaurant manager, thank you for de-icing my cars windows. Wishing you all the very best. Vikki, Ant and Harper.