Glenorchy Waterfront Reserve - 34 min drive - 25.7 km
Glenorchy Wharf - 34 min drive - 25.7 km
Getting around
Queenstown Intl. Airport (ZQN) - 113 min drive
Restaurants
Glenorchy Trading Post - 34 min drive
Glenorchy Hotel - 34 min drive
Queenies Dumplings Gy - 34 min drive
Gallery Cafe - 34 min drive
Glenorchy Fur Products - 34 min drive
About this property
Kinloch Wilderness Retreat
Upscale eco-certified hostel refurbished in 2023 and located near Lake Wakatipu
You can look forward to a terrace, a coffee shop/cafe, and a garden at Kinloch Wilderness Retreat. Active travelers can enjoy amenities like fishing and cycling at this hostel. For some rest and relaxation, visit the spa tub. The on-site local cuisine restaurant, The Fernery, offers breakfast, dinner, light fare, and happy hour. Stay connected with free WiFi in public areas, and guests can find other amenities such as an arcade/game room and a library.
You'll also enjoy the following perks during your stay:
Free self parking
Cooked-to-order breakfast (surcharge), bike rentals, and an area shuttle
An electric car charging station, wedding services, and concierge services
Room features
All guestrooms are individually furnished, and offer comforts such as separate dining areas, in addition to amenities like WiFi.
Other conveniences in all rooms include:
Eco-friendly toiletries and hair dryers
Balconies or patios, separate dining areas, and recycling
Awards and affiliations
Eco-Certified Property
This property participates in Qualmark Sustainable Tourism Business Award, a program that measures the property's impact on one or more of the following: environment, community, cultural-heritage, the local economy.
Languages
English
Property amenities
Internet
Available in all rooms: WiFi
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi
Parking and transportation
Free uncovered self parking on site
Electric car charging station on site
Area shuttle (surcharge)
Food and drink
Cooked-to-order breakfast available for a fee daily 8 AM–10:00 AM: NZD 18-32 for adults and NZD 9-15 for children
1 restaurant and 1 coffee shop/cafe
1 bar
Coffee/tea in common area(s)
Hosted evening meal available daily for a fee of NZD 90
Restaurants on site
The Fernery
Things to do
Arcade/game room
Bicycle rentals
Bike parking
Fishing
Kayaking
Spa tub
Family friendly
Arcade/game room
Full-sized refrigerator
Laundry facilities
Microwave
Separate dining area
Separate living room
Conveniences
Gift shop/newsstand
Library
Guest services
Concierge services
Front desk (limited hours)
Housekeeping (on request)
Laundry facilities
Luggage storage
Tour/ticket assistance
Wedding services
Business services
Conference space (215 square feet)
Meeting room
Outdoors
BBQ grill(s)
Garden
Outdoor furniture
Picnic area
Terrace
Vegetable garden
Accessibility
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
This property does not have elevators
Smooth flooring in public areas
Thin carpet in public areas
More
At least 80% lighting from LEDs
At least 80% of food locally-sourced
Communal living room
Comprehensive food waste policy
Comprehensive recycling policy
No plastic coffee stirrers
No plastic drinking straws
No plastic soda bottles
No plastic water bottles
Renovated entire property - September 2023
Reusable cups only
Reusable tableware only
Shared microwave
Shared refrigerator
Smoke-free property
TV in lobby
Vegan dining options
Vegetarian dining options
Room amenities
Bedroom
Bed sheets
Blackout drapes/curtains
Heating
Bathroom
Eco-friendly toiletries
Hair dryer
Shampoo
Soap
Toilet paper
Towels
Food and drink
Cookware/dishes/utensils
Dining room
Freezer
Microwave
Oven
Refrigerator
Rice cooker
Shared kitchen access
Spices
Stovetop
Toaster
Outdoor space
Balcony or patio
More
Bulk dispenser for toiletries
Eco-friendly cleaning products used
Free local calls
Individually decorated
Individually furnished
Laundry detergent
Recycling
Window screens
Policies
Check-in
Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 18
Check-out
Check-out before 10:00 AM
Contactless check-out available
Special check-in instructions
The property charges 2.7 percent for credit card payments
The front desk is open daily from 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Guests will receive an email 24 hours before arrival with check-in instructions and an access code; front desk staffed during limited hours
Access methods
Access code, front desk (limited hours)
Pets
Pets stay free
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
2 total pets
Specific rooms only; pet-friendly rooms can be requested by contacting the property at the number on the booking confirmation
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are available for NZD 50 per night
Property payment types
Important information
Optional extras
Fee for cooked-to-order breakfast: approximately NZD 18 to 32 for adults, and NZD 9 to 15 for children
Rollaway bed fee: NZD 50 per night
Hosted evening meal: NZD 90
Credit card charges are subject to a surcharge of 2.7 percent
The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts major credit cards, debit cards, and cash
Cashless transactions are available
This property uses solar energy, plus eco-friendly cleaning products
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
We should mention
This property does not have elevators
This property welcomes guests of all sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBTQ+ friendly)
National rating
Rating provided by Qualmark®, source of official star ratings for accommodation in New Zealand.
How much is parking at Kinloch Wilderness Retreat?
Self parking is free at this property.
What time is check-in at Kinloch Wilderness Retreat?
Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime.
What time is check-out at Kinloch Wilderness Retreat?
Check-out is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Kinloch Wilderness Retreat located?
Situated on the waterfront, this eco-certified hostel is 0.1 mi (0.1 km) from Lake Wakatipu and within 12 mi (20 km) of Routeburn Track and Routeburn Shelter.
Kinloch Wilderness Retreat Reviews
Reviews
8.2
Very Good
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Historic property in excellent condition for the age. We especially liked the communal kitchen/lounge area. The rooms are compact but clean, the heating was insufficient whilst the hotties were a nice touch, an electric blanket and heat pump would have been better for the money. Need a few hooks on the walls for jackets etc. The spa was very relaxing and great views. Despite the remote location and expense of getting food we still felt $90 per adult was a bit steep for the 3 course meal that was dished up to us and we felt the courses were rushed through, no time to digest. Overall we can appreciate the challenges of running a remote lodge and can see the benefit in staying here if you love the outdoors.
Amazing views - though shared toilets/showers/kitchen everything was very well organised - bedding was really comfortable - staff extremely friendly and accommodating
If you want to be close to nature very weak network and wifi but will get some if you are desperate then this is the place. Your shared bathrooms are pretty big cozy and nice & clesn with all amenities you can imagine. Their breakfast is really good with a killer view and outdoor hot tub has a very nice view. Amazing experience!
The property was the closest accommodation to the start of the walking track we walked. The room was not exactly like the photo on the website. (The photo showed a King bed plus two single bunks but the actual room had one King bed plus a single bed.) However it suited us OK.
The isolation and scenery are stunning. Very picturesque .
Unfortunately we didn’t sleep much as the bed was too small for the 2 of us. Glad we had a ensuite though as the walk to the loo would have been fresh.
Dinner and drinks were enjoyable but very expensive . May have been better off with not booking dinner and having the bar snacks.
Staff were extremely friendly and helpful.
There is only one option for dinner each night. More variety would be nice.
Expedia needs to update it's website as it says the retreat is only 2.3 miles from Glenorky but that is only as the crow flies. It is 27 km by car some of it on gravel roads
Our stay was well below what we expected. We were checked in by Toni, who was absolutely lovely, unfortunately the remainder of our stay was below average. For the price paid basic comforts were not provided. The room was extremely hot and no fan was provided, the wifi does not work well in the rooms, the bathrooms were at average cleanliness, and the walls are paper thin. To be fair the room was very clean and the bed very comfortable. We normally do not expect these things to be top notch, but for the price paid we do expect a bit more than average. To make matters worse, the entire property is extremely loud at all times of day and resembles more of a holiday park than a “wilderness retreat”. We called management to complain about kids running and screaming directly in front of our room while we were attempting to relax, and we were told by John to handle the situation ourselves. The property is improperly advertised and overpriced as a “retreat”, and management is not willing to help make your stay more comfortable. Disappointing.