Fiordland Lodge (iHotelier) (Te Anau, New Zealand)

Set in a World Heritage Area, Fiordland Lodge offers the discerning traveler comfort and privacy. The elegance and splendor of the Lodge is mirrored in the breathtaking views of Lake Te Anau and Fiordland. Private and serene, the Lodge is the perfect base for a Fiordland experience. The open architecture of the lodge reflects the vastness of the Fiordland National Park. High ceilings, full trunk pillars, and a massive riverstone fireplace provide a warm spacious environment, with a sense of solidity and style. Superb New Zealand cuisine, along with specially selected New Zealand wines, is served in the Lodge's dining room. Complementing the Lodge's ten guest rooms are two traditionally built Log Cabins, ideal for families. Fiordland Lodge is home to Fiordland Guides, a professional and experienced guiding service for fly fishing, birdwatching, and nature walking. Fiordland Guides specializes in upstream sight fishing on the remote rivers of Fiordland, or back country fishing closer to home. All fishing is catch and release. Situated on a rural property, 5 mins north of Te Anau, Fiordland Lodge is the perfect base from where to discover the magic of Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound, explore the Glowworm Caves, or take a scenic flight. It is the departure point for the world famous Milford, Routeburn and Hollyford Tracks, and just the place to relax in comfort on your return. The mountains appear closer than usual, imposing and immense. As a hawk circles overhead, alert for any small movement in the grasses below, the eye is caught by ripples of breezes playing across the lake's surface. Celestial beams, escaping from storm clouds, throw spotlights onto islands at the entrance to South Fiord against a backdrop of the Kepler and Murchison Mountains. Meanwhile, nature voyeurs are transfixed as they witness the raw beauty on display before them. Fiordland, on New Zealand's southwest corner, has long been recognised as one of the great eco-heritage areas of the world. Now discerning visitors to the region can enjoy a level of comfort previously unavailable there. Fiordland Lodge It is on the edge of this mighty wilderness that Ron and Robynne Peacock have built an imposing luxury accommodation lodge, Fiordland Lodge. Just north of the township of Te Anau on the road to Milford Sound, a private road leads to Fiordland Lodge, which sweeps into view briefly and only at the last possible moment. It is effectively camouflaged, having been built with materials such as western red cedar shingle for the roof, and sited for the best possible views from the inside, but practically unseen from the outside. Entry is through two huge oregon doors and, once inside, an 11 metre high floor to ceiling wall of glass gives unimpeded views of the South Island's largest lake, Lake Te Anau, and the Kepler and Murchison Mountains beyond. Built from nature's materials, the main building has 10 ensuite guest rooms, including an executive suite, a Great Hall, dining room and bar, library and reading room, plus a small conference room, whilst two two-bedroomed log cabins nearby give an alternative for families or small groups. Within the building, some of the many natural features include massive logs and native timbers used as structural supports throughout. Hundreds of oregon logs sourced from the Dusky Forest near Tapanui in Northern Southland, support the ceiling. The timber floors are native silver beech, milled and kiln-dried at Tuatapere in Western Southland. In the foyer a kowhai tree, salvaged from Te Anau Downs, supports the mezzanine floor, and a massive slab of native rimu, washed ashore on the Fiordland coast, serves as the bar and reception. In the Great Room a massive welcoming open fire entices guests to linger and exchange travel tales over pre-and after-dinner drinks.