River Birches

“A wonderful oasis with delightful hosts.”

A wonderful oasis. Jason and Rebecca are delightful and gracious hosts and the lodge is beautiful, luxurious and wonderfully comfortable. Our only mistake was to book only one night. Treat yourself and stay longer.

“An absolutely marvellous place to stay”

My wife and I are currently staying at River Birches however we are quite sad to be leaving tomorrow. This has been such a fabulous place to stay. We are staying in the Duchess Suite which has a really nice view to the garden from the bedroom area. The room has a refrigerator which is stocked with … more

My wife and I are currently staying at River Birches however we are quite sad to be leaving tomorrow. This has been such a fabulous place to stay. We are staying in the Duchess Suite which has a really nice view to the garden from the bedroom area. The room has a refrigerator which is stocked with beer, wine soft drinks plus there is red wine available also. Our bathroom was very large with a generous shower area and also a large bath which looks out to lovely greenery. There is also a dressing area so plenty of room for your clothes and luggage. There are communal areas in the main building for watching tv, another area just for relaxing and a dining area. We booked bed and breakfast and my goodness the breakfast didn’t disappoint. Lovely selection of fresh fruits, cereals, pastries and a cooked breakfast. You won’t be disappointed. Our hosts are Jason and Rebecca who are both lovely people who go out of their way to help you without being intrusive. If it weren’t so far away we would come back every year.

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“5 Star place to stay with great concierge services.”

Highly Recommend. The hosts are so accommodating and helpful. We have stayed at 4 places in New Zealand and Rebecca and Jason were the best, they somehow knew when to be available and when to give you your privacy. The property is small but immaculate and peaceful. The common areas were so nice an… more

Highly Recommend. The hosts are so accommodating and helpful. We have stayed at 4 places in New Zealand and Rebecca and Jason were the best, they somehow knew when to be available and when to give you your privacy. The property is small but immaculate and peaceful. The common areas were so nice and the outdoor areas ensured comfort and privacy. The rooms and linens were 5 star. The location is amazing as a very short walk leads to a river walk. Be sure to book Steve to drive you to your dinners and back each night. This is a small community and the restaurants both called Steve to let him know when we were ready to pick up - that was such a nice touch. Had a great time with Wayne, our fishing guide. Jason planned everything for us and was extremely re,I able and interested in any and all feedback. We actually stayed in a couple of rooms due to my booking error on the dates and the team moved us seamlessly between rooms. The major room was my favorite but we honestly loved the entire lodge. One small suggestion would be to have access to ice and small alcohol bottles and mixers available in each room for purchase.

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“Excellent hosting and the best base for the Tongariro Crossing”

A really excellent stay and one of the best lodges we experienced in this part of New Zealand, but with a couple of small factors that stopped it quite reaching five stars for us. What stood out: • Hosting: Justin and Rebecca were warm, welcoming and attentive without being intrusive • Room: the… more

A really excellent stay and one of the best lodges we experienced in this part of New Zealand, but with a couple of small factors that stopped it quite reaching five stars for us. What stood out: • Hosting: Justin and Rebecca were warm, welcoming and attentive without being intrusive • Room: the Duchess Room was very well designed; while a little small, the large semi walk-in wardrobe provided excellent storage • Mini bar: very well stocked and a genuinely nice touch • Communal areas: exceptional — lots of space to relax, with beautiful, calming gardens • Breakfast: excellent, with standout granola (the best we’ve had) • Location & logistics: the best base for the Tongariro Crossing, with transport and packed lunches easy to arrange A couple of minor challenges: • Dinner options: evening dining options in the area are very limited, and the lodge did not provide dinner whilst we were there. After a long day on the Tongariro Crossing, even a simple in-house option (e.g. set-time pizza) would have been really appreciated • Privacy (Duchess Room): large windows open onto a seating area and walkway, which reduced privacy slightly Overall, a beautifully run lodge with great hosting and a very relaxing atmosphere. Evenings are very quiet, which is lovely, but does reinforce the need to plan dinner ahead. This is an excellent choice for guests prioritising comfort, hosting and easy access to the Tongariro Crossing, particularly if happy to organise evening meals in advance.

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