Huka Lodge wins posh plaudit

Taupo's Huka Lodge has been named top leisure hotel in Australasia and fourth best leisure hotel in the world in a readers poll in British magazine Conde Nast Traveller.

Tourism New Zealand chief executive George Hickton said today in a statement: "This win reflects the enormous market confidence that UK consumers, and operators, currently hold for New Zealand's range of luxury lodges."

Guests at the exclusive lodge on the banks of the Waikato river include the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh who spent two nights there during their five day visit to New Zealand in February this year.

Last year Nelson's The Lodge at Paratiho Farms made it into the magazine's top hotels list.

- NZPA