Minaret

Recent Reviews: 31

• User:Brian J

  Trip type: Family

  Amazing Location and Accommodation

  16 Sept 2025

  A fantastic location and lodge. Service and accommodation with amazing vistas. We did the hike to Pyke’s hut with follow on helicopter ride for the “farm” tour. The word farm vastly under sells it. More of a ranch and amazing with a lake side lunch. We did not get to do it but the Dusky Sound tour is even more amazing (my mom has been) so if you can do that as well. Highly recommend.

• User:chrisf921

  Trip type: Couples

  Beware: Bugs and Boredom Galore

  15 Jan 2025

  Boredom and Bugs galore. If you don’t book one of their very expensive (upwards of $14,000 NZ charter heli flights daily) you will go bonkers! Small flies bite day and night. It is already incredibly expensive to stay. They do have complimentary guided hikes if you don’t mind walking 4 hours to see a varied landscape. Only highlight was the food. Not a great value.

• User:scubadrm

  Trip type: Family

  An unmatched experience

  28 Dec 2024

  This was the most unique and amazing experience we have ever had as a family. It was a splurge for us on our trip to New Zealand, and one that we debated a lot before deciding that we don’t know if we will make it back to NZ for a while, and ultimately settled on “going for it”. We are all so glad that we did.We had never been in a helicopter before, and the journey to the station (large farm) was gorgeous. We were so lucky with good weather and sunny views over the mountain ranges surrounding the valley. Blair, our pilot, and Hillary, our guide, were wonderful throughout the travel, and landing at the lodge was unreal.We were met by Lonnie who showed us around the main lodge and then down to our chalet. Chef Dave made exquisite food for locally sourced dinner, and the next day we did a guided hike with Hillary that included a packed lunch (all included with our stay). I’m not sure how much weight she carried for the five of us, but she made it look effortless, all while entertaining us and our two kids (9 and 6) throughout the hike.The team leading up to our arrival was also fantastic. I mostly worked with Anna, Chainey-Lee, and Penny, and they were all incredibly responsive to all of my repeated inquiries in the months of preparation. Since this was such a big endeavor for us, and wanting a memorable experience for my family, I was naturally wanting to make sure everything was as controlled as possible. I added several layers of difficulty, not realizing how truly difficult I made things because of my planning choices. But all along everyone was so kind and helpful and reassuring. After we arrived, I realized that I had been in good hands all along, and my worry was not necessary, but everyone still entertained my concerns and alleviated them rather than simply waving them away. From the moment we arrived I realized that all of the worry (and cost) was worth it. We have been fortunate to do a lot of traveling, though nothing quite like this, and the people at Minaret Station provided service that was something that I have never experienced and couldn’t have imagined. We can hope to be fortunate enough to make a return visit.

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• User:SMITHJW

  Trip type: Couples

  Please don’t go!!!!!!

  24 Nov 2024

  Please don’t go!As we need to book to go againSimply the BEST place to be In these times of turmoil throughout the world this is the place to forget about them and just be …Just be with peace, nature, animals, joyThere is nowhere better to ‘disengage’ with the world of todayThe staff the food the experience pure ‘New Zealand’ and you will only understand if you have beenAn amazing time with amazing peopleSpecial doesn’t come close to our experience From seeing dawn from your private hot tub to toasting the stars at bed time We will be back - tomorrow isn’t soon enough

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• User:Dream64924072654

  Trip type: Couples

  Kiwi WOW

  13 Feb 2024

  We have traveled all over the world and have had many life changing experiences. We consider ourselves fortunate and grateful travelers. We are not jaded but also not easily surprised nor overwhelmed by experiences. That said, Minaret Station stands as one of the finest, most hospitable stays of our lives. The crew phenomenal. The food, almost beyond belief. And the experiences offered and natural remote surroundings, a healing balm for body and soul. It is not accessible to everyone due to cost and remoteness, but if looking for what may be one of the great world class experiences, without the fussy, high end hotel environment, this place is a stunner. When we left after three days my wife was in tears over how moved she was, and Minaret has boiled the essence of New Zealand care of the land and generosity to a finely tuned edge. Truly words fail, and are at best a rough approximation of impact, but if you can afford it, and take advantage of its spectacular outings, you will not be disappointed. The place is a marvel. As proof of their consistency, and having stayed at many world class lodges, I have never seen a “guest book” filled with so many lengthy multi page testimonials, poems, drawings, paintings and expressions of gratitude. It’s an extraordinary culture that has been created. We consider ourselves deeply fortunate to have stayed and will carry the people, landscape and animals in our memories for the rest of our lives.

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