Country Lodge Kinloch

You know what? I wasn’t expecting much when I first pulled up to Country Lodge Kinloch on Hitiri Road – honestly, the name sounds pretty generic, doesn’t it? But this place actually surprised me in the best way. It’s tucked away in this quiet corner of Kinloch (about a 20-minute drive from central Taupo), and the moment you step inside, you get why it’s pulling 9.5 ratings. The lobby has this warm, lived-in feel that somehow manages to be both rustic and polished – think exposed timber beams but with really good lighting and comfortable furniture you’d actually want to sit in. The staff genuinely seem to know the area too, which is rarer than you’d think around Lake Taupo these days.

What really got me was how they’ve nailed the whole “country lodge” thing without making it feel forced or theme-park-ish. The rooms are spacious (I mean properly spacious, not hotel-brochure spacious), and mine had this huge window overlooking the lake that I probably spent too much time staring out of with my morning coffee. The beds are excellent – I’m talking proper good sleep, which matters when you’ve been hiking around Kinloch all day. Speaking of which, you’re literally minutes from some of the best walking tracks around the lake, and the staff will point you toward the less crowded ones if you ask. There’s decent parking right outside, which sounds boring but trust me, after driving around Taupo’s packed waterfront looking for a spot, you’ll appreciate it. The whole place stays pretty quiet even when it’s busy – the building’s solid, and they seem to attract a more relaxed crowd anyway.

Here’s the thing though – this isn’t one of those places trying to be everything to everyone. It’s genuinely focused on being a really good base for exploring this part of the lake, and they do that well. The restaurant sources a lot locally (the venison was incredible, and I’m usually skeptical about hotel dining), and breakfast actually feels worth getting up for rather than just functional fuel. If you’re planning to be out on the water or hiking the Kinloch tracks, this is honestly one of the better spots to come back to at the end of the day. It’s not cheap exactly, but for a 4-star place with these ratings, it’s reasonable – especially considering how much some of the Taupo waterfront hotels charge for way less character. Just book ahead if you’re coming during summer or ski season, because word’s definitely getting out about this place.