On our second stay at the Lake Ohau Lodge we stayed in the Maitland Wing. Whilst not the deluxe lodgings that can be found in the Upper Temple Wing, the room was very comfortable and we were impressed with the value for money. We also noticed the emphasis that is placed on cleaning of both the rooms and the common areas.

Our stay reinforced that this lodge is a rather special place to stay and it’s half the reason that Ohau is such a gem. It has some similarities to the great vibe of staying at an Alta lodge or at the Portillo Hotel, except that the lodge isn’t ski-in ski-out and Ohau is a fraction of the cost.
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Considering that Ohau is just a small ski field and somewhat like a New Zealand club field, I had conjured up thoughts of this “lodge accommodation” being like club field accommodation – basic lodging with bunks and dormitories, chores, and simple food. However my pre-conceived ideas about Lake Ohau Lodge couldn’t have been further from the truth. It’s a far cry from club field accommodation and more like a hotel. It’s got the best of both worlds; the facilities, food and hospitality of a hotel combined with the friendliness and skiwi traditions of club field accommodation. And importantly you don’t have to do any chores!

We stayed in a delightful room in the Upper Temple Wing (the deluxe standard of accommodation) with a queen bed and stunning views of Lake Ohau and Mt Cook. Whilst the décor would not be described as opulent, the quality of the furnishings was definitely of a high standard. The room had a huge wardrobe and nice “extras” such as tea and coffee making facilities and a hairdryer.

The lodge caters to a range of budgets, and the rates are very reasonable (especially when you compare it to club field accommodation) considering the quality of the accommodation and meals. Other pros include the delightful views, the family friendliness of the lodge, and a really sociable vibe.
See our video here