Lakestone Lodge, Aoraki / Mount Cook Village

• Enjoy panoramic views across Lake Pukaki toward the Southern Alps and Aoraki / Mount Cook. 
• You'll be located within the country's only International Dark Sky Reserve, and adjacent to the famed Alps2Ocean cycling route. 
• The contemporary rooms are spacious and comfortable, with king beds, floor-to-ceiling windows, and deep soaking tubs with lake and mountain views.
• The inclusive rate includes breakfast and a three-course dinner, showcasing local ingredients paired with New Zealand wines.
• Guests can borrow complimentary bikes, book a massage in the therapy room, or join an optional Night Sky Experience for guided stargazing. 

• There are no TVs in the rooms, though the media room offers a large projector screen and access to cable and streaming services. 
• The property doesn't have air-conditioning, but both the setting and the sustainable architecture mean you're never likely to need it.

Authenticity

Lakestone Lodge's low-profile structure feels like an organic extension of the grassy slopes along Lake Pukaki's windswept shores, with innovative, off-grid architecture designed to withstand the sometimes harsh conditions of the Mackenzie Country. Interiors take inspiration from the surroundings, with polished concrete walls and blue-green textiles echoing the water and mountains visible through the large expanses of north-facing glass. Despite the clean, contemporary design, there's no shortage of cozy corners, including an inviting lounge with a roaring woodburner and a telescope for stargazing within the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve.

Location

The lodge sits almost equidistant between Christchurch and Queenstown (roughly a 3-hour drive from each), perched on a hillside at the southern end of Lake Pukaki. It's well placed for day trips into Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park, about a 40-minute drive north, and the nearest town is Twizel, a 10-minute drive southwest. The area is renowned as New Zealand's only International Dark Sky Reserve, offering phenomenal stargazing opportunities, and it's also an ideal spot for cyclists—you can pick up the 186-mile (300 km) Alps2Ocean bike trail at the lake's edge. There's free parking on-site, and EV charging stations are available in Twizel; you'll even find a helipad if you're planning to arrive in style.

Rooms & Bathrooms

Each of the lodge's six rooms is thoughtfully designed to maximize the lake and mountain views, with floor-to-ceiling glass windows that open out into private lawn areas furnished with rustic chairs carved from repurposed wine barrels. The decor is clean and contemporary, with pops of color in the form of local artworks depicting the surrounding landscapes. All units feature king beds with premium linens and spacious bathrooms with walk-in showers and freestanding, window-facing soaking tubs. The larger Suite options add a private outdoor hot tub and a complimentary minibar. Two separate self-catering apartments are also available, though they don't include the inclusive amenities of the lodge rooms.

Amenities

Breakfast and dinner are included in the room rate; expect a spread of homemade muesli, baked goods, fruit smoothies, and barista coffee in the morning, while evening brings a three-course, farm-to-table meal paired with New Zealand wines. Massages and facials are available in the small therapy room, and you can settle into a leather recliner in the media room to watch a film on the projector. Outside, pull up a chair around the fire pit, or book a Night Sky Experience to cuddle up with blankets and hot drinks for guided stargazing. Complimentary bikes are offered for guests keen to explore the nearby Alps2Ocean cycling route, and e-bikes are available to rent for longer distances. 

Family-Friendliness

Lakestone Lodge is adults-only; children under 12 aren't permitted unless the entire property is booked exclusively. Families should consider booking one of the property's two self-catering apartment units, which are separate from the main lodge.

Sustainability

Every aspect of the lodge was designed with sustainability in mind. The property is completely off-grid, with most of its power provided by extensive solar panels. Underfloor heating and a Clean-Air woodburner keep things toasty in the cooler months, and the north-facing design and large expanses of glass make the most of passive heating. Organic waste is recycled and used as compost for the vegetable garden and orchard, rainwater is collected and filtered on-site, and the kitchen works with local suppliers to source seasonal and sustainable ingredients.