Kahere Retreat

I cannot recommend Kahare Retreat any more highly. After staying one night, we booked two more just to be able to spend more time there. Beautifully hand crafted cabins, set tactic-fully far enough apart to feel secluded, surrounded by beautiful flora and fauna with a gorgeous spa and sauna to boot! The hosts are a lovely family and were incredibly helpful and hospitable.

The 5 or so lodges that are on the retreat are lovely. We were allocated one with a view of the mountains. The cabin was clean and well equipped with 2 bedrooms upstairs and bathroom downstairs (a little inconvenient). There was no washing machine and for this money I would expect proper shower/shampoo dispensers in the bathroom instead of a measly packed mini soap and shampoo sachet. Cheap quality coffee and tea. The bathroom heating in our unit was out of order which was very inconvenient as the night can be very cold in Franz Josef. The chalet has a relatively large kitchen but no dining table or counter to eat from? Recommendation; close off the area above the bedroom door as having a door defeats the purpose if its not closed of. A good coffee machine like a Nespresso machine would be nice!

Eco-tiny house vibes, the chalets are just perfect for couple or young families. They have clearly been built with real love and a personal touch which is visible in the details of the finishing. Best for self catering as they are a little out of Franz Josef village, but the kitchenette is thoughtfully appointed with everything you need to make a great meal including a nice oven and gas hob. The master bed was so comfy with beautiful linen and waking to rain on the roof just over our heads was a scrummy. The shared spa and sauna with mountain views was a treat - and the spa is the cleanest water I’ve ever seen in a share situation. Only thing is the stairs are steep so if may not be great for those with poor mobility. No TV (which is a plus in my eyes) but great wifi. The negative reviews here are missing the point. This is an escape to a beautifully designed and appointed tiny house / chalet in the middle of one of the most beautiful spots in NZ, not a hotel. Can I live here please?

A beautiful location and very peaceful and quiet. The cabin is very rustic and to be honest not really what we expected. It's obviously been lovingly built with good intentions. The stairs were interesting (handmade) and going to the bathroom at night meant waking my partner as they creaked and squeaked loudly. Also negotiating them was tricky especially when half asleep. The bedrooms are all in the same open roof cavity with a sloping low roof, which we kept banging our heads on (ouch!). The main bed unfortunately was uncomfortable. Very soft and we rolled into the middle. It needs replacing. The place was very clean. The hosts were friendly and accommodating.