Huka Lodge wins travel award

The Alan Pye Cottage at Huka Lodge. Photo / Supplied

A New Zealand luxury lodge has been recognised for its consistent high standards by a century-old English high society magazine.

The Huka Lodge, near Taupo, won the enduring excellence award by Tatler magazine in its 2010 travel awards.

"It really positions us as the leader - we are generally acknowledged as the founder of the superlodges, and set the standard, and the Tatler award really underscores that," Huka Retreats sales and marketing director Liz Rodgers told NZPA.

The lodge had been running for 25 years - longer than most in New Zealand, but much more recent than similar-level operations overseas.

The Huka Lodge's combination of service, location, cuisine and activities combined to earn the lodge its pre-eminent place in the award ceremony held last month, she said.

"We are one of the most consistently awarded and acknowledged lodges worldwide," Ms Rodgers said.

Michelin-starred chef Michel Louws ran the kitchen. The lodge was on the bank of the Waikato river on the border of the Wairakei Park Reserve near Taupo.

Activities offered included hunting, fishing, golf, on-track motor racing, riding (either equine or quad bike) on a nearby station.

The lodge also had a helicopter available for scenic flights, and had accommodated guests including queens, sultans and princes, millionaire moguls and movie stars.

- NZPA