Blanket Bay

We had a very nice three-night stay at Blanket Bay. The property is spectacular, with so much space it often feels like you've got the place to yourself. The food was exceptional and very well portioned - we always left dinner feeling full but not overly so. The wine our sommelier picked out for us each night was perfect, and we especially enjoyed the pre-dinner cocktail hour in the bar before dinner each night. We wound up making friends with another couple, which was great fun. The room was spacious, the bed firm and very comfortable. We had just a few qualms, though, including very unflattering lighting in the bathroom and the fact that there was an adjoining room to ours where other guests were staying (we had wrongly assumed their cabin/villa options were all their own self-contained units). Another issue that I'd love to see them remediate is to add some anti-bird collision stickers to the windows. The views are beautiful from the room, but a swallow flew into our window while we were there. When I went to check on it I found other dead swallows under the window - a pretty distressing discovery. Other than that, though, everything was very enjoyable, and I would recommend a stay at Blanket Bay to anyone visiting NZ.

We had an outstanding two night stay at Blanket Bay and wish we were there even longer. The stand out of the hotel is the staff, they are truly above and beyond and we felt we would struggle to match their brilliance else where. From the moment you arrive you feel like you’ve arrived somewhere special, you are greeted with a warm smile and tour of the property, then guided to your room with your luggage neatly stowed away. There is no formal check in process and chargeable items are billed to your room using your first name so you never need to sign anything. Whilst dangerous for the wallet, the lack of a transactional feeling makes it feel like you are a guest in someone’s house. Dinner is included in the stay, the food is expectational with set menu items changing every night. Even though it was cold outside, you can comfortably sit outside for dinner taking in the breathtaking scenery due to the many heaters, blankets and fires around to warm you up. We stayed in a chalet suite, although a bit dated and slightly tired, it was extremely clean and comfortable with amazing views. We can’t really fault the hotel and its team, we loved every second of our stay apart from having to leave at the end!

We stayed a night here as part of our New Zealand road trip to get a night’s luxury on our trip, and it certainly gave us that. The hotel is a bit like a Scottish lodge with lots of stone and wood, very cosy. The rooms and the hotel overlook the lake, it’s a stunning location. We had the dinner and breakfast package, the food was excellent. Staff were very friendly and helpful. There’s also a games room where you can play pool, darts etc. and help yourself to drinks, and also there’s walks you can do around the hotel, plus Glenorchy village is a short drive away

Blanket Bay is outstanding in every way. We knew we were in for a treat when we were greeted on arrival and given a personal tour of the lodge rather than taken to a desk to fill in paperwork. The experience was warm, luxurious and non-transactional - it was more like staying with old friends who just happen to own a majestic lakeside lodge than with a hotel chain where you are customer #2898301. The lodge is stunning, inside and out. Our room had a huge balcony overlooking the lake and mountains, and whilst the inside of the room lacked a little natural light, we didn't mind at all. It was so peaceful. I don't usually sleep well in hotels, but I slept deeply at Blanket Bay. Each and every staff member was so warm, friendly, and authentic. Their personalities shone, as did their passion for the property and their roles within it. We actually missed them all after we left. I can't remember making connections like that at any other hotel. The lodge itself is beautifully crafted and sits in a location that feels like you are stepping into a dream. We took a a helicopter tour to Milford Sound, returning via a glacier, and getting picked up from the lawn definitely felt like a rock star moment. The food was incredible - changing menus every night - and the pre-dinner cocktails (and lunchtime cocktails, we did indulge in everything) were outstanding. Our only disappointment was that we weren't able to order any extra oysters - but we will ask for them beforehand when we visit again and make sure the kitchen has a few spare. Within a few days of leaving, we'd already booked our next visit. We can't wait to return and experience the lodge in summertime!

What an amazing experience. I've been wanting to try this lodge for years, and finally just decided to splurge and go on my own - so pleased I did. Where do you start? The location is amazing - mountain range opposite, Lake Wakatipu in front, pristine, and silent. Absolutely gorgeous. Then the lodge and the room. Just lovely. Laid back and comfortable, fire burning in the main guest lounge through the day, grab your book and sit in front of it, or on the other side and just gaze. Rooms all over the place - a games room, a spa etc. but I didn't feel the need. My room was also great - always find it amusing when a bathroom is almost as big as the room itself but hey, why not. And having a verandah was perfect. And then there's the staff, starting with Managers Andrew and Steph (asst), and then all the way through the stay, with special call outs to Damien, Duncan & Nina (though there were many others). The pre-dinner drinks are an opportunity to meet other guests (or not), the food (how did it take me this long to get to the food???) is extraordinary, and they easily catered to my pescatarian requirements, and I still dream of the bread. Seriously that good. Is it expensive? Yes, it is - but that is reflected in the standard, the service, the amenities. And if you get the chance to take the recommended helicopter ride to Mt Tutoka and then on to Milford Sound, do yourself a favour - not only is it spectacular, but being picked up on the front lawn is very special indeed. All up, couldn't recommend Blanket Bay more, and hope to return when there is more snow - I'd think nothing could beat the feeling of being 'snowed in' here!! Thank you for a very memorable few days.