cabot lodge, fiordland
feel like a guest at a friend’s home; if those friends were gourmet chefs, farmers, and beekeepers who lived on acres of rolling hills.
in their words: At Cabot Lodge guests are warmly welcomed onto the property by hosts Breidi and Brad Alexander with a drink and a tour of the Lodge. Each evening guests enjoy cocktail hour with a drink and canapés, before savouring a set-menu evening meal showcasing the property's farm to plate produce. Guests wake to a cooked breakfast, with home baking and seasonal fruit replenished daily in all suites. There are several walking trails, a private fishing jetty, an extensive library, massage services, and a spa pool for guests to enjoy alongside 4WD farm tours and beekeeping excursions.
location: New Zealand's south island, manapouri, bordering fiordland national park
number of rooms: 4
guides on staff: yes, as well as owners Breidi and Brad who provide many on-site offerings,
spa: yes, treatment and yoga room overlooking the river, and an outdoor hot tub
children allowed: age 10+ unless you rent the lodge exclusively.
apartment rooms: in addition to the 4 (one bedroom) rooms, there is a two bedroom suite separated from the rest but still on the property, with more of a private home feel (opening Dec '24)
price point: $500-1,000/night
rate includes: arrival drink, canapés and evening drink, multi-course set-menu evening meal, cooked and continental breakfast, minibar, in-suite baking and fruit, and laundry.
minimum stay: only over holidays
in my words: It’s easy to forget you’re staying on a working farm when you can spend your days in cozy comfort, shuttling between gourmet meals and on-site experiences. Breidi and Brad have just gone above and beyond with this welcoming experience form the moment you arrive, to evening canapes, to coursed dinners. It’s not rare to have excellent founders who imprint their vision on a lodge, but it is rare to get to spend your day with them! I love that they host different experiences throughout your stay from 4WD farm tours to beekeeping. The property itself has many places to relax, from the spa room, private riverside jetty, various trails, and hot tub. Highly recommend adding a few days here to your south island itinerary!
little luxury
a favorite little detail...
deciding weather to enjoy your wine and evening canapés on the terrace with sweeping views, or in the cozy library.
lost luggage
area with room for improvement...
I'm sure everything at this lovely lodge is deliberate, but if I were to say anything, it's not as decor and design forward as other eco-lodge peers. It's simpler, more like a comfortable home. Absolutely go! But for the outdoors, not the indoors.
the ideal day at cabot lodge a choice day
morning: I view Cabot Lodge as the perfect place to relax after an adventurous few days exploring Fiordland National Park, a Doubtful or Milford Sound cruise, and all of the incredible hikes in the region. For that reason, I’d recommend you sleep in on your first morning, or book a private yoga or pilates class in the spa room by the river.
afternoon: Explore the lodge’s 2,000 acres. You can go fishing on the private jetty on the Waiau river for some solitude, or join the hosts for one of their immersive experiences. Breidi hosts 4WD farm tours and sheep dog demonstrations. You can join Brad for a trip to the hives to learn about his beekeeping. The in-house chef offers cooking classes.
evening: Every evening, canapes are served alongside a pre-dinner drink. It's a great time to meet other guests; I remember chatting with a couple on their honeymoon. The outdoor terrace has full glass windows to not obstruct the view over the mountain ranges of Fiordland national park.
Afterwards, head to the dining room for your included multi-course dinner. I cringed a bit when I looked at the key photos I selected: a beautiful lamb dinner dish which had been prepared by Brad at the time, before they had an in-house chef. Below it? Adorable baby lambs which we had bottle fed right before the photo was taken. Well... the circle of life! If you are going to eat meat, it is a consolation to know they lived a beautiful healthy life on the farm. The farm doesn't only house sheep, it's home to over 7,000 animals. Sheep, deer, cattle, chickens, bees, and even two miniature horses. (Not all for eating of course!)
When you retire back to your room, maybe you are feeling up to a dip in the hot tub. Bring the binoculars and stargazing guide provided in your room and try to catch the southern cross from your midnight soak. What a way to cap off the perfect relaxing day, still immersed in nature!
If you're in the area, also check out...
Fiordland Expeditions Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise - we did this back in 2018 when we visited NZ, and it was an incredible "Lily's Lodges" worthy experience with gigantic lobster caught right off your boat and top notch camaraderie with the crew and other guests during meals and evening star watching. Cabot Lodge makes a perfect relaxing stay after a busy couple of days out on the water.
Aro Ha Wellness Retreat - This can't really be put in the same category as Cabot Lodge, as it's only accessible via 6 day retreat. Probably better as a solo trip or with likeminded companions, whereas Cabot Lodge is a better base to explore the region with anyone you're traveling with. Could work well in tandem with each other.
