Blanket Bay Lodge, near Queenstown 

We stayed four nights in a beautiful, spacious mountain-modern chalet room a few steps away from main lodge and loved it. The property is beautiful and well-located for access to hiking trails including the Routeburn trail. We had no problem accessing the resort or trailheads using our own vehicle but appreciated the concierge's input on current trail and road conditions given recent rainfall. Gorgeous views happen everywhere you turn so exploring the resort property is a pleasure. We enjoyed swimming laps in the 18m heated pool with a lake view. The staff was friendly and attentive, particularly in the restaurant, where the staff took pride in presenting a beautiful 4-course gourmet meal each evening. Sommelier Sebastien presided over meals and cocktail hour, making sure guests paired the right NZ wine with meals. Breakfast was excellent too. Housekeeping was immaculate and took place efficiently behind than the scenes better than anywhere I've stayed before. Highly recommend this as a place to unplug and explore the beautiful South Island.

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I had the absolute misfortune of staying at Blanket Bay Lodge, and I can honestly say it was one of the worst decisions of my life. From the moment I arrived, I felt more like an inconvenience than a guest. The staff seemed bored and disinterested, acting as if every request I made was a personal affront. So much for “hospitality.” Location & Views: Everyone raves about the views of the lake and mountains, but I barely noticed anything through the haze of frustration. Sure, the scenery is gorgeous if you can ignore the fact that it takes an eternity to get there on winding roads that made me carsick. And once you arrive, you’re practically trapped—there’s nothing else around, so you’re stuck with whatever they decide to offer you on-site. Rooms & Cleanliness: The room was supposedly “luxury,” but I’ve had better nights in budget motels. The linens felt stiff and over-laundered, like sleeping on sandpaper. The décor was bland, outdated, and looked as though it came straight from a mediocre roadside inn. I found dust in every corner and a strange musty smell that lingered no matter how wide I opened the windows. Service & Staff: If you enjoy waiting ages for your food or for any type of assistance, this is the place for you. Housekeeping? Barely saw them. Reception? Half the time they were nowhere to be found, and when they were there, they seemed annoyed at my mere presence. I had to practically beg for basics like fresh towels or an extra pillow. Dining Experience: The meals were overpriced and underwhelming. I’m all for gourmet cuisine, but not when it arrives cold, flavorless, and on a tiny plate that looks more like a garnish than a meal. I ended up craving fast food just to feel satisfied. Good luck getting any special dietary requests fulfilled—staff responses ranged from blank stares to outright shrugs. Amenities & Activities: They brag about all these fancy activities, but you’ll need a small fortune to participate. Even if you do shell out the cash, don’t expect anything special. The so-called “spa” felt more like a cramped bathroom with a lukewarm tub. And if you’re into outdoor adventures, you’d better bring your own gear—what they offer is outdated or unavailable half the time. Value for Money: Honestly, it felt like I was being scammed at every turn. For the exorbitant price I paid, I expected at least basic courtesy and a comfortable stay. Instead, I got mediocre service, dingy rooms, and constant frustration. I’ve stayed in places at a fraction of the cost and had a far more enjoyable experience. Overall: Blanket Bay Lodge is all hype and zero substance. If you’re looking to waste your money, be treated like a burden, and leave feeling disappointed, by all means, book a stay here. Otherwise, save yourself the headache and find literally anywhere else. It can’t possibly be worse than this overrated lodge. Final Word: This place left me questioning every travel decision I’ve ever made. I’d rather camp in my backyard than return to Blanket Bay Lodge. Zero stars if I could.

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We recently enjoyed a 4 night stay at Blanket Bay and couldn’t have loved it more. We’re huge R&C fans, so I wasn’t surprised that we loved Blanket Bay, I am surprised at how much we loved it. Working with their team before arrival was terrific. You want to plan a private guided hike on a NZ holiday, no worries they made it happen. You want to reorder the various events you have scheduled due to weather considerations, no troubles they got it handled. We stayed 3 nights in the Fantail suite/villa and 1 night in the Routeburn room in the main lodge. Both were great. The Fantail had its own hot tub which I looooved, but the lid was quite heavy and I couldn’t figure out how to work the lever thing. But, like with everything, a call to the front when we were done so they could put the lid back on, no problem. The views from everywhere on the property are amazing. So, don’t fret if you’re staying in the main lodge or the villa, you’ll get great views at both places. Food was excellent. Their breakfast hash brown was amazing. Pre-dinner drinks and canapés, a lovely convivial experience. Word to the wise, show up on time as the bar fills up quickly. Their Somm (Sebastian) and their bar tenders deserve a special shout out, excellent. It’s pricey, yes, but we felt truly taken care of there and it seemed like time stopped in the best way. I got to feel like I was on vacation.

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