The Hermitage Hotel

This hotel has a five star location but at best is a three star hotel however they charge five star prices ! Our room had a fantastic view however I would describe it as tired and comparing it to other accommodation we stayed in whilst in New Zealand not worth the price. The front desk staff seemed all new and had difficulty operating the system, other members of staff were efficient and helpful. The food offering was buffet style and good but way over priced at 89 dollars per person for an evening meal. Also it’s worth noting that when the hotel is full car parking is challenging !

Excellent experience overall. We stayed in Premium Plus as a couple, with the best stunning view. Breakfast and dinner buffet are both satisfactory. We enjoyed the variety of food provided. The restaurant was always busy and it's reasonably expected. I just wish we could be allocated to a table closer to the window among 4 meals on the odds. Dinner reservation was convenient with a phone call. Staff (at bar, restaurant and housekeeping) are friendly and helpful. I wouldn't mind coming back again in a different season.

I booked a Standard King Room through the official website. At the time, the hotel staff informed me via email that “Our Standard rooms have a view of Mount Sefton on one side and towards the Tasman Valley on the other.” However, when I checked in, I discovered that the view from my room window was almost completely blocked by a skybridge. I called the front desk hoping to change rooms or upgrade to a different room type by paying the difference, but I was told that the hotel was fully booked and no other rooms were available. Considering that this hotel is well known for its scenic views and given the price of the stay, this experience was quite disappointing. A view obstructed by a skybridge cannot reasonably be described as “a view of Mount Sefton.” Staff should communicate more honestly with guests when describing the room views.

The hotel has nice views, but you won't miss out by not staying here. The good news is you can get similar views of the mountains by hiking behind the hotel, getting lunch or dinner at the hotel's Alpine Restaurant, or walking around the village. The Hermitage Hotel is definitely set up to cater to big group tours and not individual travelers. There also isn't much to do in the hotel when the weather keeps you inside - there's the museum and theatre ($29pp), the bar, the restaurant, the museum cafe (open from 10am-4pm) and a piano. Getting a packed lunch for the trail from the restaurant requires placing an order 48 hours in advance. Of course the idea is to be out on a trail or at the lake, but weather happens. As others have said, the room walls are quite thin and the internet is limited (there is 1 day of included wifi which is capped at 10GB - it doesn't reset after 24 hours). The rooms themselves are comparable to a Ramada or Holiday Inn (which I like, but have a much lower price point, even after adjusting for location). Parking is also pretty tight, and you need to watch out for the group tour buses that round the blind corners at high speed. That said, the staff I spoke with at the Sir Edmund Hillary Museum were all very nice, and the tour guides for the Glacier Explorer were also great. They deserve 5 stars, separate from the hotel. There are also trails that start right next to the hotel, and the Mount Cook visitor center is a 2-minute walk away...but first time visitors should know that everything is walking distance in Aoraki Mount Cook Village. Overall, I'd suggest staying at another motel or just getting a camper van instead. I still had a nice trip, but the hotel was surprisingly 'meh' even in comparison to simpler accommodation options.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Lifesaver in the Most Beautiful Place in New Zealand The Hermitage Hotel sits at the bottom of the Hooker Valley, right beneath the glaciers and towering peaks of Aoraki/Mount Cook, Mount Tasman, Mount Sefton, and Mount Kitchener. I’ve traveled all over New Zealand, and this valley was hands‑down the most beautiful place of my entire trip — nothing else even came close. The hotel feels like it’s tucked right into the mountains themselves, with glacier views that don’t look real. 🌄 The Setting If you’re coming to Mount Cook to hike, explore, and spend your days outside, this hotel is the perfect base. You walk outside and you’re immediately staring at glaciers, alpine lakes, and some of the best trails in the country. It’s not a “hang out in your room all day” kind of place — it’s a place to rest, reset, and recharge between adventures. 🆘 A Midnight Mishap Turned Into a Lifesaver We ended up at the Hermitage because of a campervan disaster. After a full day hiking up and down the mountain, we got back to our van in the dark only to find that our cooler had leaked and soaked all of our bedding and a ton of our clothes. Everything was freezing and drenched, and we were exhausted. Even though it was almost midnight, we drove to the Hermitage hoping for a miracle — and we got one. The night manager, Senacola, was an absolute lifesaver. I explained our situation, and she didn’t hesitate for a second. She helped us get a room, showed us where we could dry our clothes, and genuinely treated us with kindness at a moment when we were cold, tired, and out of options. She was the light at the end of a very long day, and we’ll never forget that. 🛏️ The Room The room itself was beautiful — clean, warm, comfortable, and with mountain views that made waking up feel unreal. The beds were great, the shower was exactly what we needed after a long day on the trails, and the amenities were spot‑on for travelers who just need a place to rest and regroup. 🍽️ Breakfast With Glacier Views The next morning we went to the buffet breakfast (not the Alpine Café — the main breakfast room), and it ended up being one of our favorite meals of the entire trip. Huge variety, great quality, and floor‑to‑ceiling windows looking straight out at the glaciers and peaks. Eating breakfast while watching the mountains light up in the morning sun was unforgettable. ⭐ Overall The Hermitage Hotel didn’t just give us a room — it saved our night, reset our trip, and gave us one of the most memorable experiences we had in New Zealand. Between the location, the views, the food, and especially the staff, this place is something special.

An amazing few days at the hermitage. We had a Panorama room. The outer room on the 8th floor which gave us two aspect views. Room amenities were great, bed great, everything about the room was 5*. We went in the summer and the hotel was full. This meant getting sat for buffet dinner and breakfast was more challenging. The cafe at lunch time was also at capacity with significant wait times even if you only wish to buy a drink. Thought needed there... A visit to this hotel if touring South Island and visiting the Mount Cook national park is very recommended!

I stayed one night in a standard king bed room. The room was clean, and the bed was comfortable. Sadly, there was a rather horrible smell from the bathroom fan, which turned on automatically when I needed the light. The room was pretty basic despite the high nightly fee. The staff members that I interacted with were friendly, efficient, and helpful. I was upgraded to a free breakfast when I checked in. I was not told why and didn’t bother to ask. I wonder now if it had something to do with the smell. The location is perfect for the hikes I was interested in.

Hermitage Hotel, Mount Cook – Honest Review for Future Travellers If you’re travelling to Mount Cook , you’ll quickly realise accommodation options are extremely limited which is the only reason many people, including us, end up booking the Hermitage. For the price charged , the room was not worth it. It felt more like a basic motel room than a premium hotel stay one would expect in such an iconic location. The buffet experience was disappointing. While average overall, what stood out (and not in a good way) was the fruit section canned fruit being served as “fresh fruit” was genuinely off-putting and unacceptable at this price point. Service was another major letdown. We fully understand staff can be busy, but basic acknowledgement goes a long way. Requesting a quick photo is not unreasonable if staff are occupied, a simple acknowledgment or directing someone else would have sufficed. Instead, we were met with rudeness. The manager at the buffet reception displayed no basic etiquette, and unfortunately, the same applied to the front desk staff at check-in. This feedback is directed at senior leadership your team is in urgent need of hospitality and customer-service training. Yes, people will continue to stay here because there is no real alternative at Mount Cook, whether this review is read or not. But travellers deserve to know what to expect and what to be prepared for. Mount Cook itself is breathtaking. The hotel experience, sadly, did not match the destination.

3.5 stars. The location of this hotel is perfect. The beds are nice and comfortable. The rooms are quite spacious. The views from the hotel are gorgeous because you're able to see Mount Cook, Hooker Valley and other areas very easily. The reason I give them 3.5 stars is that parking was an issue (every space in the parking lot was occupied), they didn't tell us that their restaurant AND bar both close before 10 pm (so when we arrived at 10:30 pm, we had to drive back down to Chamois where we only had bar food options) and their breakfast is paid. The rooms here aren't the cheapest and I know that we are paying for the location and views, but I'd like a little more flexibility on the hotel's side, especially in the summer when the days are long and people tend to stay out later. The breakfast was a mix of continental, American, British and Asian cuisines. I know I would still stay in the area when I visit Mt. Cook again, but I might try the other lodge in the area.

stayed at the Hermitage for 2 nights. We left our "Sleeping/Do Not Disturb" sign out after the first night. The housekeeping staff disregarded the sign and came into the room while we were out exploring. My daughter had left her AirPods on the bed, along with some other items, as we both believed no one would come into the room. The AirPods went missing and we reported this to the front desk while we were still on site. The front desk manager refused to accept that his staff came into the room against our wishes and instead treated it as a lost item. We corresponded for weeks afterwards, trying to get some acknowledgment of what happened. We sent screenshots of the AirPods location and yet never received any compensation or even acknowledgement the staff had done anything wrong. It was a very frustrating experience.

Love love the nature and nurture of natural beauty. However the restaurant, the venue left a bad taste in the mouth. There is a monopoly by The Hermitage, a family owned Hotel for many many years. Firstly the restaurant only offer buffet for $80 per person. Began and Vegetarians pay same for the menu item. Mostly carbs and salad and tons of sweet dessert. No Ala carte options. Being Vegan and vegetarians we did not like one bit the buffet they served for the price one is forced to to pay. Why force, because there is no other options available around here. It's a monopoly and no competition allows The Hermitage to gouge the public. There is no convenience store nearly and the restaurant in the other nearby location closes by 7pm. My partner had the buffet but absolutely stated it was not worth $80 maybe $30 at best and that's because you do not have a choice. If there were other restaurants available nearby, we don't think anyone would pay $80 for a buffet. It's not 5 star. The location is superb and there are many walking trials etc nearby. However monopoly void of competition is not what the public should stand for.

Buyer beware. A dishonest booking experience through the website. If you choose to stay here, book carefully. We booked at what we thought was the Hermitage Hotel through its website. When we arrived, we were informed that we were instead booked at their sister property, Mount Cook Lodge and Motels. This is a totally separate property, with its own branding and logo, none of which was displayed on the website. The website was also unclear that this property is actually half a kilometer from the actual Heritage Hotel, with no view of Mount Cook. If I had known what I'd known now, I'd have booked at the Haka House around the corner. Had a great experience with them in Lake Tekapo.

The views are spectacular if weather is good. The dinner dining experience was miserable. The site makes it look like it's 4 star dining. It's a buffet where the salads were just ok and everything else very weak. Come for the views, bring your own food and wine. Ps.....WiFi didn't work

A historic and classy place in one of the more special spots in New Zealand. Even if you're not staying there, take advantage of the museum and the movie theater. A single $20 ticket gets you access to all the films playing over a 3-day period. And don't forget to check out the Sir Edmund Hilary museum.

My husband and I had a wonderful stay right here in the heart of Mt Cook. This hotel was worth the money- beautiful view from our balcony, and the room was very clean and spacious. We loved how you could just walk over to some hiking trails from the hotel. Some of them (like the Blue Lakes) you had a short drive to. The free parking was a plus! The hotel offered a happy hour in their lounge area (which wasn't crowded at all), and was SO cozy after a day of hiking in the sleet. We met two wonderful people- one a local and the other his caregiver. Probably one of my more memorable times on vacation as we talked about everything and they were both so humble and sweet. There are two on-site restaurants. We ate breakfast at the buffet (a bit pricey, but we didn't have many options). It was alright. There is also a cafe upstairs on the second floor that offered a variety of items (think Disney World prices). We loved that the hotel offered a free shuttle to a couple of restaurants close by at other hotels, for free! That was nice! We tried out Chamois and loved it. One thing to be aware- when I planned my trip, I read so many articles about being overprepared on hikes due to the weather changing in an instant. Since we were traveling south, Mt. Cook was our first experience with the wildly changing weather. I am glad we were prepared. We started our hike in short sleeves and pants. Three quarters up the Sealy Tarns, it was sleeting and super windy. We had gloves and heavy jackets, but man, it was no joke. I wanted to make it to the top but a group coming down said the visibility was bad and the wind worse (plus altitude sickness was kicking in for me). We decided not to risk it and turned back. BE PREPARED WHEN HIKING. It was definitely a fun experience. I wish we stayed longer than one night to try more trails. I will definitely be back!

This is a beautiful, modern hotel located in the stunning national park of Mt. Cook/Aoraki. It is clean and comfortable.Was grateful to get an upgrade to a premium room on check in! our room had two double beds, nice sized bathroom, fridge, Nespresso coffee machine (which made horrible coffee, by the way), tea kettle, and binoculars for looking out the huge picture window that faces Mt. Cook. All around there are fantastic hikes for all levels of hikers. Check the app "All Trails". You can also do kayaking, helicopter tours, and hire expert guides to take you on tough hikes. This location is a designated Dark Sky zone. This means artificial lighting is almost nonexistent, making for the perfect observation of the constellations. I was so excited to see the Southern Cross! Coming from a big city (Philadelphia), I almost never see stars. This was really a treat. I have two suggestions for the hotel: Better food. There are 3 or so restaurant choices all run by the same company and there is overlap in the menus. (Pizza, burgers, fish and chips, etc). It's not cheap, though I don't begrudge them as food has to be brought quite a distance. It's the same in many remote U.S. national parks. But some variety would be good. And more vegetarian choices. The snacks in the shop are horrible and weird. Like, why supply boxes of unflavored gelatin, but no decent cheese, cookies or crackers? There's no place within 40 minutes to buy groceries. A small grocery/canteen would be great. Second: there's not much to do on a rainy day. You can visit the excellent visitor center which has interesting info about glaciers, wildlife, and the history of the area. But a fitness center/sauna would go a long way and I think a spa would be heavily used. All that said, it is a spectacular natural setting and a very special place. You can understand why the Maori thought it was sacred.

The Hermitage is the top of the heap when it comes to lodging near Mt. Cook. You can't find a better place regardless of budget. This is it. It's the grande dame of Mt. Cook Village. So, how does it measure up? Not well. It's tired, old, a disjointed mess of buildings indicative of how it was added onto over the years as crowds at the National Park have grown. Separate elevators, long inter-building hallways, limited parking, a bizarre arrangement that requires you to walk through the bar to get to the first restaurant, and through that restaurant to get to the "premium" Panorama restaurant. It's all very weird. I understand how it must have evolved but as a guest it's annoying. We were upgraded to a premium plus room which had remarkable views of the massive Mount Cook right out our window. That is why you come here. Words can't describe it. But the room? Just ok, nothing I would judge as premium plus or for that matter, premium. It came with free WiFi (all others have to pay) but that was nearly worthless. You've all had that experience with crappy WiFi. I don't need to explain. Service was just ok, both at the desk, restaurant, and maid. It wasn't till after 4:00 that the maid came to make up our room. Service staff lives on premise since it is so far from what passes for civilization. So I'm sure they aren't attracting top talent. There is literally nowhere else to eat, get a coffee, snack, drink or anything within about 40 miles. Translation? They gotcha. They know it. Captive. Ok, I accept that. But, you ask, how bad can it be? Breakfast my friends is $32NZ. No option. One price. Lunch? $34NZ. No choices. No "I just want a burger or a small snack". Dinner? 2 choices. Buffet dinner (reminiscent of cruise ship or all inclusive resort) for $67NZ. Second choice? Panorama room with prix fix or a la carte dining. A la carte requires 2 course options per diner. No matter what, you're stuck at $70-$100NZ per person. And service was slow. They offer "adventures" that include guided hikes which are the same hikes you can do yourself for free. Not sure why anyone would sign up. Bottom line? You should stay here if you're coming to Mt. Cook National Park. Bring food with you. Enjoy the view.

When we walked in our room #103, we went straight to the patio doors and opened the drapes to see the view. Wow! What a gorgeous view in a May sunny afternoon - Mt Cook was right out there in a distance! Such a joy stepping to the patio out there to take in the fresh air and amazingly beautiful surrounding scenery! We also went for a trail walk near the hotel. It took us about an hour and half round trip. The path was well designed with some sections of wood board walk, dirt and gravel. At the end of the trail you get to enjoy the sight of glacial closer-up. We also had dinner & breakfast buffet in the hotel. It was very busy when we went. the food selections were pretty sufficient and decent.

If you're into quality stay, variety of services, The Hermitage is a place for you. If not, a motel or an RV is another option because outside is beautiful nonetheless. many people look for deals when staying onthe road because they don't want to splurge on a room with a fancy view. The pros The hotel itself is located in prime location, nature and more nature. When you think about it, location it's all about location. If in a bustling city, a hotel by the water is most expensive, this is quite the equivalence. Let me tell you why it's worth it... before you go, "I ain't spending that much a night." It's my turn to change your mind. Rather, get into that mindset of "yes I do deserve this maybe even for a night." Why go for a cheap room when you can go for a premium one? Hey, if you can get a premium for a bargain by all means go for it. But spend a few hundred more on a premium room with a better view and amenities. If you're on a honeymoon like me, it's rather easier to say yes than no. Because my wife is worth it. The 3hr drive from queenstown is worth the hustle, and you won't regret it either because the journey to this special place is worth the picture, because there are so much picturesque views on the road. I know, you could rent an RV from Jucy, but don't ignore this hotel because inside has stuff My favorite memory of this place was going hiking during the day and then eating at the Alpine restaurant inside. If you don't stay at the hotel you should just eat here instead, the restaurant accommodate almost every ethnic group, Asian sashimi/sushi or pork shoulder, lechon, pasta, Indian curry with rice, New Zealand ice creams and pavlova, to salad bars for the vegetarians and soup people. The quality of food is fresh and made well. I went a little crazy taking a little bit of everything. My favorite was the roast pork and sushi. We're addicted to this land, New Zealand, Aotearoa. Being from another islands in the pacific(Hawai'i), it's easy to take things for granted. This place is magnificent all around, from the friendly people, the vast landscapes and picturesque places, to the food and the international dark sky reserve. It's definitely a place to be in. It's worth every penny, even if we're only here for a limited time. You have just one life, spend it, spend your money, or not, but visit this place (Mount Cook), if not the hotel, but things around it. You won't regret it. You don't have to stay in this hotel to have a pleasant stay in Aoraki, because outside is magnificent itself, it is the only reason to even come here. But if you like and into nice hotels, then it's an option.

We stayed here for our honeymoon over Christmas eve and Christmas! Pros: - The views! Amazing, you can see the mountains even on a slightly cloudy day from the restaurant. We paid more money to get room that faced Mount Cook and it was so worth it. - Chocolate treats congratulating us on the marriage, great touch! Thank you :) - Restaurants - best restaurants and food in the Mount Cook area. I would book ahead of time. Cons: - Room was small so if you can fork out more money for a bigger room - Tons of tourists and very limited parking. We brought a car and were able to find a spot every night but we were lucky. - Expensive but you get what you pay for! Would definitely stay here again :)

Check In was fast. As we only stayed for a night so we got a standard room. The room itself was spacious, clean and simple. However, what bothered me was the smell. I could not figure if it was from the cleaning solutions or what. It took me a couple of hours to get used to it. If I were to stay for more than a night, I would have probably asked for another room or paid for an upgrade. Bathroom was clean as well though the showers could use a couple more scrubs. Though it was a standard, the view from the balcony was not too shabby. It was not like Im staring at someone's room.

Did not stay at the hotel, was there for the day during a trip to Mt. Cook. There is so much to see and do inside. Beautiful items in the gift shop, a nice dining area upstairs with amazing views out the glass windows. Enjoyed exploring and relaxing here. The hotel was welcoming to all visitors even if not staying there.

Great stay, amazing views. You can so much when you are there. I booked the chalet, which included the buffet breakfast. It was a pleasant stay despite the slightly out dated decor. It was the dry summer months when I was there, so please be aware that the Argo tour will kick up a dust storm and cover you head to toe with dust. But the view from the top of the lookout over seeing the glacier is simply breathtaking. Thinking about taking a driving down there in the winter months. But this time I will make sure I book the hotel rooms instead of the chalet.

Although we would give this hotel 5 stars for the view from our room (which was great), the rest of the hotel, although clean, was tired and needed a refresher. Service was fine and the fact that there was an activities desk with very helpful staff in the hotel was nice. A good amount of construction was going on in multiple wings of the hotel, although our room was quiet at night so it did not disturb us. We would stay here again not because the hotel stood out in any way but because it is the only place to stay in the beautiful Mount Cook area and is right in the middle of the National Park with accessibility to all the trailheads just a few minutes away. The restaurant was very good for dinner (we had the a la carte menu; we would totally go there again), and the buffet breakfast was also very good with a wide variety of hot and cold breakfast foods, served in a room with an amazing view.