Solitaire Lodge

Solitaire Lodge is perched in solitary splendour on the tip of a bush-clad peninsula overlooking magnificent Lake Tarawera and is the perfect place to base yourself for kayaking, lakeside walks and trout fishing or to relax and do absolutely nothing in the welcoming, serene retreat of this luxury hotel.

Solitaire Lodge's suites are sublimely luxurious and each have either lake, lagoon or mountain views visible from their floor to ceiling windows or from their private balconies. All have spacious living and dining areas and there is also a two-bedroom suite and a private villa available for those traveling with larger parties or families.

Fresh, locally sourced ingredients are used by the chef to create fabulous New Zealand cuisine and are complemented by a superb selection of the country's wine. Relax in the lounge in front of the open fire with a book from the lodge's library or enjoy the bar facilities at hand for guests. The atmosphere here is relaxed and homely, with pre-dinner drinks and canapés feeling more like a house party than a hotel.

Solitaire Lodge offers an abundance of activities from boat charter and trout fishing to helicopter flights and natural hot water springs. A knowledgeable Maori guide will take you on a sightseeing tour of Rotorua and tell you Maori stories and legends or you can discover the beauty of Lake Tarawera Falls on a 3-hour walk along the river.

Solitaire Lodge's six Lake and Lagoon Suites have balconies with dazzling views and are spacious with lounge/dining areas and all mod cons. The Tarawera Suite has stunning panoramic views from the balcony across the lagoon to the majestic summit of Mount Tarawera. The two-bedroom Solitaire Suite has a second small bedroom, perfect for children and has a breathtaking outlook across the glassy lake. The Villa also has two bedrooms and a striking deck overlooking the inner lagoon and its birdlife.

Children are very welcome at Solitaire Lodge and will revel in the lakeside setting and the long list of outdoor adventures to be had here. Children under 12 years are requested to dine in their suite, terrace or in the dining room before 6pm. There are no specific facilities for children at Solitaire Lodge except for babysitting which can be arranged on request.

The main lodge is home to a restaurant with both indoor and al fresco dining serving the finest in fresh, New Zealand cuisine. There is also a lounge with floor to ceiling windows and stunning panoramic lake views and a bar and library. The lodge has a private jetty from where many of the watersports are accessed and there is also a therapy room for massage, health and beauty treatments as well as a terrace spa pool overlooking the lake.

Activities during your stay at Solitaire Lodge include the use of motorized dinghies, kayaks, trout gear and tackle and there are some wondrous lake walks. For an additional charge, charter boats, fishing expeditions, a fly fishing guide, sightseeing guide, beach expeditions, golf, mountain bikes, helicopter and floatplane flights and jet boat safaris can be organized. Rotorua is only a 20-minute drive and is New Zealand's thermal capital, with many geysers and thermal parks to explore.

The climate in New Zealand is incredibly pleasant, with warm and balmy summers and cold crisp winter months with wonderful clear, blue skies. The warmer high-season months of November to April are perfect for outdoor exploration. The colder months of June to August are the best time to ski.

Both North and South Islands are drier on the east coast, rather than on the west, where mountain ranges act as a trap for the moisture-rich winds from the Tasman Sea. It is also worth remembering that it is usually a few degrees cooler on the South Island than the North Island and as New Zealand has a maritime climate, the weather can change rapidly.